# Marvellous Metropolis Games Explore Playing Cards Feature Fabulous International Skylines By Amelia Roblin | Published 2014-03-07 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/explore-playing-cards References: [thedieline](http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2014/2/26/explore-playing-cards) & [cardazine](http://www.cardazine.com) Pictures and illustrations on your [poker deck](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wpt-arsham-poker-set) are certainly not a new thing, but these Explore Playing Cards demonstrate a different spirit of decoration. Harris Soetikno was looking to design a magazine style of deck that would be just as fun to browse through as to play with. There are four different categories of cards that are distinguished by the suit. Spades celebrate modern architecture, hearts feature romantic destinations, diamonds are particularly popular cities and clubs depict historical and cultural scenes. The backs of the Explore Playing Cards are given wonderful and whimsical drawings of the world, enhanced by exaggerated skyscrapers that protrude from its surface. The USPCC Cardazine product would be one of several [journal-style decks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunset-spark-card-deck). Photo Credits: [Explore Playing Cards on Kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2895614/explore-playing-cards-printed-by-uspcc) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/toys) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Magazine-style Deck Designs:** Opportunity to design playing cards that offer a visually appealing browsing experience in addition to gameplay. - **Themed Playing Card Categories:** Opportunity to create playing cards with different categories, such as modern architecture, romantic destinations, popular cities, and historical scenes. - **Illustrated Back Designs:** Opportunity to incorporate whimsical and exaggerated illustrations on the back of playing cards for a unique aesthetic. ### Where This Applies - **Card Game Design:** Opportunity for card game designers to create innovative and visually appealing decks that offer a new experience for players. - **Art and Design:** Opportunity for artists and designers to showcase their creativity by illustrating playing cards with various themes and styles. - **Gift and Souvenir:** Opportunity for the gift and souvenir industry to offer unique and visually appealing playing cards featuring different cities and destinations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Urban Design Card Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/city-making-101.md) - [Structure Building Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-of-cards-building-kit.md) - [Mid-Century Modern Playing Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eames-playing-cards.md) - [Indie Game Playing Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balatro-playing-card-deck.md) - [Photographer-Collab Card Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artiste-series.md) - [Explorative Photo Card Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photo-card-game.md) - [Travel Collectible Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/world-traveler.md) - [Self-Discovery Card Decks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tarot-of-oxalia.md) - [Exclusive Card Game Decks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uno-x-kartell-deck.md)