u/Which_Blueberry3063

Hi Reddit. I'm developing a physical card game called "Tabernas Western". I just got this hand-drawn art back from the artist for one of our characters (the Apache, Card #4).

Before I commit to this specific style for the rest of the deck, I really need the community's unfiltered opinion. Please don't hold back!

1. Does this actually feel "Western" to you, or is the style too goofy/cartoonish for the theme?
2. Does it look professional enough for a printed, physical board game?
3. If you saw this art on a Kickstarter or a store shelf, would it catch your eye or would you keep walking?

Roast it or praise it, I want to hear your thoughts! Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone!
I’m an independent solo developer, and I’m here to ask for some community advice. A while ago, I designed and programmed Tabernas Western, a strategic card game themed around the classic Spaghetti Westerns filmed in the Tabernas Desert (Almería, Spain). It is currently available on both iOS and Android, but as you probably know, the mobile market for a solo dev with zero marketing budget is incredibly brutal, and the game barely has any players.
However, the game works great, it's highly polished, and the rules and card designs are 100% defined and fully testedthanks to the mobile app. Because of this, I’m seriously considering manufacturing the game in a physical format (real cards) and trying my luck in the tabletop world.
Following Rule #2 of this community, I want to share exactly how the game plays so you can understand the project and give me your honest feedback:
The Saloon Rules (Already Tested in the App)
It is a fast-paced, dynamic hand-management and set-collection game (filler style). The main goal is to win duels to accumulate loot:
The Combat Trio: To launch an attack, you need to combine 3 cards of the exact same faction (Cowboys or Apaches): Character + Weapon + Ammunition.

Faction Dynamics: A trio from the opposing faction always defeats the current one. Strategy and timing matter more than the raw power value of the cards.

Initiative & Counterattack: The player who initiates the battle is the only one who has the right to counterattack if the defender responds, giving the attacker the final word to close the duel.

The Perfect Trio: If you manage to gather three cards with the exact same number, you trigger a critical legendary attack that lets you steal your rival's loot directly.

Organic Physical Scoring: One of the best perks of transitioning to a physical format is that no scorepads, tokens, or pencils are needed. When you win a duel, you simply collect the defeated character cards. Those exact cards represent your points at the end of the game.

My Dilemma as a Solo Dev for Tabletop Production
Since all the graphic design, card balancing, and mechanics are completely finished, my next step is production. Being a one-person team managing everything, I have a few questions and would love to hear about your experience:
Print on Demand vs. Kickstarter: Since I don't have a massive established community, I’m not sure if it's better to use Print on Demand platforms (like The Game Crafter) to sell individual copies to interested players, or risk it with a small Kickstarter campaign. What usually draws you into such a small-scale indie project?

The Portability of a "Pure Deck": Because scoring is handled organically by collecting won character cards, the physical game consists strictly of a single deck of cards, with no need for extra tokens or boards. As tabletop players, do you see a "pure deck" that is ultra-portable as a big plus, or do you prefer larger boxes with cosmetic components even if they aren't mechanically necessary?

Does Having a Working App Help? If you see an indie card game in a store or on a crowdfunding platform, does it give you more confidence to know there is already a fully functional digital version on the Play Store/iOS where you can test the rules for free before buying the physical copy?

I would deeply appreciate any advice on manufacturing, marketing for solo creators, or your overall thoughts on the mechanics!
Thank you so much!