With 28 days yet to go, the Kickstarter for the Professor’s Academic 133+ XL deckbox has already surpassed $1.12 million dollars from more than 21,000 independent backers.
We’ve been following the Professor’s “dream deckbox” project since its announcement last month, and in light of the project’s overwhelming success, we reached out to the Professor to get his thoughts directly.
SCG: Could you share briefly your feelings about what’s going on and about this astounding response?
The Professor: “It’s overwhelming. I felt confident I could raise more than the $50,000 that I’d need to fund production of these boxes, but $1,000,000 in 12 hours? There are no words. My goal from the start was to offer the highest quality at the lowest price, with realistic fulfillment goals and timelines and to throw in some fun extras along the way. This has already exceeded my wildest dreams.”
SCG: Was there anything you noticed before launch that was eyebrow raising and changed your expectations? A specific significant moment?
The Professor: “It was fascinating to see the process from early design and inception, to the manufacturing process and costs, to worldwide shipping logistics. I’ve been reviewing gaming products and accessories for nearly 9 years now, but I have never had such a behind the scenes look at what really goes on.”
SCG: What was the process like developing the deckbox and working with Gamegenic?
The Professor: “I met with Adrian Alonso who had designed not only many of my favorite gaming accessories at Gamegenic, but also many of my favorites at other companies. Neither of us wanted to just slap my logo on an existing deck box, so I worked with Adrian, telling him my long list of desires for the product. I felt like Homer Simpson designing his dream car, only instead of asking for a giant cup holder and a horn that plays La Cucaracha, I was asking for the ability to hold top loaders and triple sleeved commander decks. Hopefully my end result is better than Homer’s!”
SCG: What have your closest friends and family said about it?
The Professor: “Everyone is beyond thrilled for me. I got a phone call from a distant cousin who I had not spoken to in nearly a decade, saying that all her friends were going on and on about my Kickstarter. It’s been just so overwhelming.”
SCG: What’s next?
The Professor: “I don’t know. Should I do binders / portfolios or sleeves?”
SCG: Seeing this immense success, would you have any advice for someone attempting to launch a Kickstarter campaign?
The Professor: “Plan for added costs! The sad tales of those who did not, and got fully funded Kickstarters but ended up losing money are numerous. Plan for disaster, for the unexpected. I feel very confident that I have done so, and protected both myself and my backers.”
SCG: Is there anything else you’d like to share about this experience?
The Professor: “The Magic: The Gathering community continues to surprise and inspire me. I do not see myself as anything other than the recipient of their kindness and support. I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but I am glad I did it.”
What’s Next?
Although the initial Kickstarter was funded in the first 17 minutes, the Professor has since added a number of stretch goals — providing additional rewards for reaching even bigger milestones.
The first three stretch goals have already been met, but there’s still plenty of time to pledge your support and help propel the project onward to its next goal — “The Professor explains how magnets work.”
The estimated delivery date for the project is February 2023.