Congratulations [Competitor 359]. You have been selected to participate in Deathmatch Island. Winning will mean fame, freedom, and unlimited wealth. You may be experiencing some confusion and memory loss. This is normal following [REDACTED]. It is important that you do not panic.
Deathmatch Island is a fast-paced roleplaying game about a deadly game show set on a chain of mysterious islands. Armed only with their hazy memories and matching uniforms, the players compete in challenges to satisfy the demands of Production.
If you're a fan of Squid Game, Survivor, Lost, Battle Royale, Control, The Hunger Games, corporate dystopia, or messed up Reality TV, you're going to enjoy Deathmatch Island.
Deathmatch Island promotes fast, flexible game play with a striking design by Tim Denee, based on the PARAGON system by Sean Nittner (AGON) and John Harper (AGON, Blades In The Dark, Lady Blackbird, Lasers & Feelings).Â
Character attributes are easy to digest, the conflict resolution mechanics let every player craft their own approach to tackling a contest, and the streamlined rules keep the action flowing. It's a low-prep, narrative-forward tabletop roleplaying game.
For an example of gameplay, check out this excellent actual play video featuring designer Tim Denee as he leads our first time players Hamnah, Vana, Drak, and V through a one-shot of Deathmatch Island.
Each session is divided into two phases. In Phase One, competitors explore the island, moving from node to node on the map. Resolving the contest presented at each node can yield the winners a set of rewards, advantages and more. In Phase Two, the battle royale is joined. Everyone will compete, but only a fraction will survive. Remember: Winners Play To Win™.
The deliberately sterile corporate design of Deathmatch Island hints at something subversive lurking beneath the surface. Why do the competitors only have hazy flashes of their former lives? Did they volunteer or have they been forced to compete? Who or what entity is behind Production? Through play your group will explore these themes of paranoia and control.
Deathmatch Island offers the opportunity to risk it all and rebel against Production. Will your competitors Play To Win or will they Break The Game? It’s a choice each player must make. Alone.
Design of Deathmatch Island is complete. The game has been playtested and polished, and the primary layout pass is complete. All backers get access to the latest, fully-playable version of the rules as soon as they make their pledge. (See Update #1 and scroll to the bottom!)
This crowdfunding campaign will fund production of a digest format (6" x 9") 216-page hardcover version of the book, as well as PDF, print-on-demand, and Roll20 variations. We’re proud of our efficiency when it comes to delivering rewards and we expect the physical rewards for Deathmatch Island to finish production in late spring/early summer 2024.
We’re also happy to offer a Limited Edition of the game featuring an alternate cover that will never be reprinted. Although the contents of the two editions are identical, Tim has put his excellent design chops to the test and created a Limited Edition cover that should really stand out when the printer gives it the UV spot-gloss treatment. A treasure in your hand or on your bookshelf.
Finally, we are also offering a special package of exclusive extras. The Survival Kit includes the limited edition hardcover, plus fold out maps of each island, motivation cards, in-game handouts, booklets for each island and cast, and even a special label so you can create your very own Deathmatch Island branded can of beans.
This kit will not be released in stores and will not be reprinted so make sure you reserve yourself a set of these play aids by backing at the Survival Kit or Production Bundle tiers.
We immediately fell in love with this modern and subversive take on the reality competition/battle royale genre when Tim pitched it to us. We hope you have as much fun exploring Deathmatch Island’s many different levels as we have.
Before we get into the various pledge levels and rewards available in this campaign, we want to take a moment to acknowledge something. We realize how frustrating crowdfunding efforts can be when you are struggling with your finances. That’s why every pledge also funds at least one extra PDF which we will add to our itch.io page when the book is finalized. This pool of Community Copies will be available for anyone who’s experiencing financial hardship -- absolutely free, no questions asked.
Also: Between post-Brexit shipping, various customs and VAT and the continuing fallout from the pandemic, the cost of individual shipping varies wildly by region.
That means we will not be able to offer a shipping option during this campaign that will service everyone. We're frustrated by this, but the alternative is charging some customers $40 or more (not including VAT or import fees) on a $30 book.
If we do not offer shipping to your country, consider backing at the PDF or Roll20 level and picking up the physical book once it reaches your FLGS. It's a much, MUCH more affordable option.
$15 PDF + POD edition
All backers at $15 and up get immediate access to the fully playable Backer Preview PDF, plus get the final PDF (with all updates and full artwork) when it's done, a code to print-on-demand an at-cost copy with DriveThruRPG, AND get PDFs of all funded stretch goals.
Immediate access to Roll20 Quick Start Module with intro scenario
Final PDF with all updates and full artwork when it's done
Purchase code to get an at-cost softcover print-on-demand copy
PDFs of all funded stretch goals
Roll20 Module and Compendium Bundle
Community Copy of Deathmatch Island
$30 Hardcover + PDF
You get one physical copy of Deathmatch Island plus the PDF at no additional cost. In addition you get all the rewards from the $15 digital level. Shipping to be billed separately via pledge manager after the campaign. ONLY SHIPS TO:USA, UK, CAN, AUS, NZ, IE, and NO
Shipping to be billed via pledge manager when books are ready
Immediate access to Roll20 Quick Start Module with intro scenario
Final PDF with all updates and full artwork when it's done
Purchase code to get an at-cost softcover print-on-demand copy
PDFs of all funded stretch goals
Hardcover copy of the game
Community Copy of Deathmatch Island x2
$45 Limited Edition Hardcover + PDF
You get one physical copy of Deathmatch Island Limited Edition hardcover plus the PDF at no additional cost. The Limited Edition will feature an alternate cover & endpapers, plus two ribbon bookmarks. It will not be reprinted after this campaign. The interior text and artwork will be exactly the same as the standard edition. In addition to these rewards, you get all the rewards from the $15 digital level. Shipping to be billed separately via pledge manager after the campaign. ONLY SHIPS TO:USA, UK, CAN, AUS, NZ, IE, and NO
Shipping to be billed via pledge manager when books are ready
Immediate access to Roll20 Quick Start Module with intro Scenario
Final PDF with all updates and full artwork when it's done
Purchase code to get an at-cost softcover print-on-demand copy
PDFs of all funded stretch goals
Hardcover Limited Edition copy of Deathmatch Island
Community Copy of Deathmatch Island x2
$60 Retailer Tier
Confirmed game store retailers (you'll be asked to provide proof of store after the campaign, before we ship) can jump in here for 4 copies of Deathmatch Island at a standard retailer discount. Ships free, only to a USA address (your store or a freight forwarder). If you want additional copies beyond 4, add $15 to your pledge for each. We recognize that now is a particularly difficult time for game store retailers, and appreciate your support!
4x Hardcover copy of the game
Ships free, only to USA addresses.
Immediate access to the fully playable prototype PDF
Final PDF with all updates and full artwork when it's done
$95 Survival Kit
You get one physical copy of Deathmatch Island Limited Edition hardcover plus the PDF at no additional cost. The Limited Edition will feature an alternate cover & endpapers, plus two ribbon bookmarks. It will not be reprinted after this campaign. The interior text and artwork will be exactly the same as the standard edition. Additionally you get fold out maps, in-game handouts, booklets for each island, cast sheets, DMI forms, a production guide, a competitor guide, play to win tear-off pad, Deathmatch Island Beans can label, and all the rewards from the $15 digital level. Shipping to be billed separately via pledge manager after the campaign. ONLY SHIPS TO:USA, UK, CAN, AUS, NZ, IE, and NO
Shipping to be billed via pledge manager when books are ready
Immediate access to Roll20 Quick Start Module with intro Scenario
Final PDF with all updates and full artwork when it's done
Purchase code to get an at-cost softcover print-on-demand copy
PDFs of all funded stretch goals
Hardcover Limited Edition copy of Deathmatch Island
DMI-Branded Pocket Folder sized for 6x9 items
Three island maps, folded, full size 12in x 18in, full color
12 Motivation cards
In-game handouts
Island booklets x3
Production Guidance booklet
Competitor Guidance booklet
Cast Page sheets x4
Welcome Letter
Phase 2 Diagram
Intimate Conversation Prompts
Content Risk Assessment Form
Competitor Registration Forms (Character Sheets) x8
Play to Win tear-off pad
Deathmatch Island Can of Beans label
Community Copy of Deathmatch Island x3
$149 Production Bundle
You get one physical copy of Deathmatch Island Limited Edition, one copy of the Standard Edition, and the Roll20 Deathmatch Island Bundle. The Limited Edition will feature an alternate cover & endpapers, plus two ribbon bookmarks. It will not be reprinted after this campaign. The interior text and artwork will be exactly the same as the standard edition. Additionally you get fold out maps, in-game handouts, booklets for each island, cast sheets, DMI forms, a production guide, a competitor guide, play to win tear-off pad, Deathmatch Island Beans can label, and all the rewards from the $15 digital level. Shipping to be billed separately via pledge manager after the campaign. ONLY SHIPS TO:USA, UK, CAN, AUS, NZ, IE, and NO
Shipping to be billed via pledge manager when books are ready
$50 Extras - Fold out maps, in-game handouts, booklets for each island, cast sheets, DMI forms, a production guide, a competitor guide, play to win tear-off pad, Deathmatch Island Beans can label
Curious about the general flow of the rules? Just eager to see Deathmatch Island in action? Join first-time players Hamnah, Vana, Drak, and V as designer Tim Denee leads them through this one-shot Actual Play.
$50,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors
$60,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors
$70,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors
$80,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors
$90,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors
$100,000 - Creation of official Deathmatch Island soundtrack by Luke Rowell
$110,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors
$120,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors $130,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors
$140,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors $150,000 - Redacted Acquisitions - Includes an instant reward for all backers when we hit this level!
$165,000 - Survival Kit UPGRADE - Additional play aids added to every Survival Kit, Production Bundle, and Extras add-on!
First, a note: The shipping disruption caused by the pandemic continues to have follow-on effects. Pricing and delivery schedules remain extremely volatile. Our intention is to deploy shipping options that minimize risk and expense for both ourselves and our backers. That means we will not be able to offer a shipping option during this campaign that will service everyone. We're frustrated by the situation, but the alternative is charging some customers $40 or more (not including VAT or import fees) on a $30 book for a delivery that may be delayed by weeks or months.Â
All shipping fees will be chargedseparately, AFTER the campaign, during pledge management. The prices below are estimates. Actual shipping prices will be determined after production is finished and we're gearing up to send out the books. Also, if you add-on additional physicalcopies of the game to your order, your shipping cost may increase.
Estimated shipping costs (for asingle book):
$10 USA
$20 UK
$25 Canada
$30 Australia, NZ, Ireland, Norway
If we do not offer shipping to your country you may consider:
 Backing at the PDF + POD tier. In prior campaigns, the POD version has been ready weeks or months before the physical books have been produced. If you place your POD order as soon as the codes are ready, it's very likely you'll have a physical book in your hands before our print run reaches your local game store.
 Waiting until the book reaches your local retailer (online or neighborhood). Our PDF guarantee means that any time you buy one of our books new in a physical form, you get the PDF for free.
 Backing at the Roll20 Compendium Bundle tier. We make sure our Compendium offerings on Roll20 contain all the text from the source game, we create customizable backgrounds, full sets of tokens and clocks, handouts, and more. If you use Roll20, there's an immense amount of functionality in our modules and it's an easy way to share the game with your entire group. This level also gets you the PDF and POD copies so it's really your best bet all around.Â
Our expected delivery date for all rewards: June 2024.
We have a great team on this project. Evil Hat is an experienced RPG publisher. We've run over twenty successful crowdfunding campaigns and we've printed many roleplaying games in a variety of physical formats over the past few years.
This puts us in a fine position to take on the risks and challenges that will arise. Experience tells us that things don’t always go as planned.
Here's what we can anticipate as potential problems.
The Text: While Deathmatch Island is largely done aside from the index and other polishing touches, it's possible backers will identify some glaring issue that we need to address before we take this fully to publication. That can add time, for sure. Luckily we have several talented writers available if we need a fix, as well as layout and editing people on standby, so any necessary changes should proceed quickly.
Printing: We have a strong, established relationship with our printers. We’ve got them on tap to print the books in whatever quantity we end up needing. But printers can run into problems all the same: supply shortages, unexpected delays due to company holidays or industry events, shipping problems, printing errors, and so on. We’ve got the experience to stay atop those potential problems and the flexibility to pivot and address them promptly. In the event of defective product, we will send a replacement at no cost to you. We print our books in the USA so shipping time from the printer to our fulfillment center is both speedy and reliable.
Shipping: Packages get lost. We'll send replacements. Shipping can take longer than expected. We won't put the book on sale until all backer copies are shipped out. As noted in the Shipping section above, we regrettably can't offer delivery to every country as part of this campaign. We will release the book into retail distribution overseas soon after the delivery of the campaign rewards and for most (if not all) fans in areas where we can't ship directly this will be your most affordable option.
Finances: Although the ongoing pandemic continues to throw curveballs into production and shipping, we've made a nimble adjustment to expand our digital offerings and open up new revenue streams. We're solidly profitable and well-positioned in 2023 and for the foreseeable future.
One final note: We often run two or three crowdfunding projects per year. Each one is a carefully planned process based on our 20+ successful campaigns in the past. We pride ourselves on fulfilling rewards quickly, but even so, different crowdfunding efforts can sometimes overlap. We have not had an issue tackling that. We make space for each campaign and work to ensure that resources are available to take each of our projects across the finish line. If, on the rare occasion something does go wrong, we're committed to being upfront and transparent about the issue and what we're going to do to fix it.
If there's any risk or challenge YOU can think of that we haven't mentioned here, please write in and ask. We love to answer questions, and we do our best to provide an unparalleled customer service experience whenever possible. We intend to impress you.
