Good News! Pre-Production!
7 days ago
– Thu, Apr 02, 2026 at 07:26:35 AM
Hello, Wonderful Backers!
Guess what? The PPC (Pre-Production Copy) of DR. SCIENCE is being printed already! Hurrah! We've already passed the digital proof stage (that happened in the last few days). A PPC is a full copy of the game, shrink-wrapped, and packaged just the way you'll see it. It'll take about a week or so to print the PPC and then it will ship to me for approval.
I've made just a few tweaks on the finish for the box (a scuff resistant coating is applied), some added symbols/codes to the back of the box, and some tweaks to the rulebook (clarifying trump when playing a wild, clarifying a few examples, etc). These are all part of the PPC.
After approval from me, we'll get started on manufacturing which I imagine will take about 2 months to finish. Then we'll arrange shipping across the waters to our fulfillment agents in the US and EU (another 5-6 weeks). After that, picking, packing, sorting, and shipping to you.
We're ahead of scheduled which is fantastic! Hopefully everything will continue to move along quickly.
Thank you again for your amazing support and do let me know if you have any questions or concerns!
Adam
THANK YOU FOR FUNDING DR. SCIENCE!
20 days ago
– Thu, Mar 19, 2026 at 09:01:39 PM
WOW. You did it!
You completely exceeded my expectations. Going into this campaign, I was honestly hoping DR. SCIENCE might reach 100 backers which was enough to fund and bring the game to life. But look where we ended up! Amazing.
What Happens Next?
We’re already moving forward! I’ve submitted the final files to Panda Games Manufacturing (who I’ve been fortunate to work with since 2007). Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll go through:
- Digital proofing and final file checks
- Pre-production samples
- Final approval for print
As we move through manufacturing, I’ll keep you updated at each major step - from proofs to print to shipping timelines. I'm using trusted partners who I've worked with before, and I'm here to ensure clear communication and a smooth path to get DR. SCIENCE to your table as quickly as possible.
In the mean time, if you have any questions at any point, feel free to reach out here on Kickstarter.
More soon!
Adam
Final 72 Hours for Dr. Science!
24 days ago
– Mon, Mar 16, 2026 at 07:08:46 AM
Hello Wonderful Backers!
Dr. Science has entered its final 72 hours on Kickstarter, and I wanted to say thank you once again for all the support. When I launched this little experiment, I truly had no idea how well a new trick-taking and meld-making card game would do. And yet here we are! Thanks to you, it has gone far beyond my expectations.
But it makes me wonder: can we reach 300 backers before the campaign ends? That would be amazing!
If you’ve been following the campaign and were waiting to decide, now is a great time to jump in. Free shipping for the US, UK, and EU is only available during the Kickstarter campaign, so once it closes that offer will no longer be available.
And if you’re already a backer and enjoying the campaign, sharing it with a friend who enjoys clever card games can really help during these final days.
Thank you again for making this happen. I’m very grateful for your support!
All the best,
Adam
Let's Get Going!
30 days ago
– Tue, Mar 10, 2026 at 07:19:53 AM
Hello, Wonderful Backers!
I wasn’t sure how a new trick-taking game would perform on Kickstarter, but here we are well past funding and still moving forward. Thank you!
Even though the campaign still has 9 days to go, I’ve already begun preparing Dr. Science for printing with Panda Games Manufacturing, who is not only the world-leader in game manufacturing, but is also a partner I’ve worked with for nearly 20 years. With a little luck, this faster start will help us beat expectations on delivery.
None of this would be possible without your early enthusiasm and support. I truly appreciate it.
If you have any questions or thoughts about the campaign or the game, feel free to leave a comment or send a message. I’m always happy to chat.
All the best,
Adam
Solution #2: Run or Set?
about 1 month ago
– Tue, Mar 03, 2026 at 09:39:20 AM
Hello Backers!
I hope you are well out there! I am very greatful for your continued support. Thank you for backing this little game!
Let's get to the solution to yesterday's puzzle! Here's the setup:
We're starting a 2-player game and since your opponent most recently read a research paper, they get to play first. They're playing Green and you're playing Yellow. They lead with 1-Blue. What do you do?
A. Play 1-Red and meld 0-1-2-3 Red.
Playing 1-Red to the trick isn't giving your opponent any points, but it is giving up a potential meld card. Once you lay down the 0-1-2-3 Red run, you can on a later turn throw off the 1-Red in your tableau and meld the 1-Red from your hand. Melding a single card is not often the best play, but you'll be able to also lay down a 0-1-X Yellow Run - taking a 4 Validation card for points.
As a general rule, I like to keep duplicate cards in my hand if they match cards in my tableau. It's always good to have sure plays to your meld.
B. Play 5-Blue and meld 0-1-2-3 Red.
This is my preferred play. It has the benefit of playing a 5-Blue and scoring the point for it. It also has what is likely the strongest meld - a 4-card run in Red.
The 5-Blue isn't likely to win any tricks in the future as it is neither your trump nor your opponent's trump color. And although drawing the 4-Blue might put the 5-Blue in a position to be part of a meld later, it's risky. Besides, the 3-Yellow draw is much better - it is your trump and also part of a run in your hand. Best to shed the 5-Blue now and take it as a point in the trick.
C. Play 0-Wild and meld 3-3-X Set.
There are two things I don't like about this play. First, you're giving up a 0-Wild for little benefit. It's true that you can declare it as your trump and take the lead, but there are no points to be gained from it.
Second, I don't like tying up my Research card in a Set. It's fine if you can move it away later, and that might be possible by drawing the 3-Yellow. But 3-Yellow would be better inside of the Yellow run you are currently holding.
As an aside, I find Runs tend to be better than Sets in your tableau. You have much more flexibility with a run (swapping out cards, moving cards around) and are more likely to fill in the gaps or extend it with future cards.
D. Play 4-Yellow and meld 0-0-X Set.
Similar to playing the 0-Wild, this option has the same problems above, but is also giving up a 4-Yellow which so nicely fits in the potential Yellow run you are holding.
True, you'll gain the point for it from the trick as you're playing trump, but it's probably going to be useful that same way later in the game. Why not play it from your tableau instead on a later turn?
E. None of the above (suggest your own).
There are many more options. For example, I might play the 5-Blue to the trick and meld 0-1-X Yellow. You'll be able to draw the 3-Yellow and can easily meld 2 cards next turn or even 3 cards if you play the 0-Wild from your tableau to a trick and replace it with one in your hand. Not to mention you still hold a nice Red run for later too. It's an option.
It's also very helpful to know which scoring (validation) cards are available. I didn't show that in this Puzzle. There are certainly times when melding less cards actually scores you more!
We'll take a look at that in a future Puzzle!
Adam
