Evil Hat and a host of tabletop RPG design celebs are on BackerKit for a crowdfunding campaign for Deathmatch Island.
All backers get an instant PDF copy of the completed prototype, and if that’s you, then you can grab yours from the update.
The RPG is inspired by phenomena like Squid Game, Battle Royal, The Hunger Games and even Lost. Reality TV, or fake reality TV, has much to answer for, huh?
Deathmatch Island is designed by Tim Denee, and the rules are based on the Paragon system by Sean Nittner and John Harper.
Sessions have two phases: the first, where competitors explore the island, and the second, where the battle happens.
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.
Backers at the $15 will get the full PDF of the game and the print-on-demand at-cost copy. That POD will come from DriveThruRPG and their printing partners.
Stepping up $30 unlocks a Roll20 bundle as well, which includes immediate access to the Roll20 quick start module and intro adventure.
Alternatively, backers who contribute $30 or more can go for the hardcover instead of the virtual module, and for this crowdfunding campaign, Evil Hat offers shipping outside of the States. Deathmatch Island will go to the USA, UK, CAN, AUS, NZ, IE and NO at this tier.
Backers at $45 will get the limited edition hardcover instead, and the shipping scope is the same.
At $95, there’s a larger ‘Survival Kit’ that has a limited edition, maps, in-game handouts, booklets for each island, DMI forms, a guide, a competitor guide, tear-off plans, a ‘beans tin’ label (for real) and cast sheets.
At $149, there’s also the Roll20 module and a standard edition added back in.
Evil Hat says that the limited editions will not be made again. In addition, there are stretch goals and add-ons. The campaign closes on November 15th.
Lastly, the estimated delivery date for the project and all its rewards for backers will be in June 2024.
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