Deathmatch Island

Deathmatch Island

Deathmatch Island is a fast-paced game about a deadly gameshow on a mysterious island chain.
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$161,870 🎉
of $30,000
3,111
backers
Project Ended
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Every backer gets instant access to the fully playable, text complete prototype PDF of the game. Already backed? See Update #1 for download details!
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The Book

Text: Deathmatch Island. The Game is Just the Beginning. Images: (Background) Island, (Foreground) Deathmatch Island Logo and image of the book


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.

example section from the game including The Dice and Touchstones

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). 

example filled in character sheet


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™.

image of Island One


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.

image of book contents: Competitor Registration


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.

Sample memorandum regarding season 172. We don't talk about season 172


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.

image of contents in the production bundle


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.
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Pledge Levels

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
$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 the fully playable Backer Preview PDF
  • 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
  • Community Copy of Deathmatch Island

$30 Roll20 Bundle + PDF

$30 Roll20 Bundle + PDF

You get the Roll20 Deathmatch Island Bundle plus the PDF at no additional cost. In addition you get all the rewards from the $15 digital level.

  • Immediate access to the fully playable Backer Preview PDF
  • 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

$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 the fully playable Backer Preview PDF
  • 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


$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 the fully playable Backer Preview PDF
  • 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


$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 the fully playable Backer Preview PDF
  • 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

$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
  • Immediate access to the fully playable Backer Preview PDF
  • 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
  • Hardcover Standard Edition copy of Deathmatch Island
  • Roll20 Module and Compendium Bundle
  • 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 x4
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Add-ons



$30 - Roll20 Module and Compendium Bundle

$30 - Roll20 Module and Compendium Bundle


$30 - Hardcover copy of the game

$30 - Hardcover copy of the game
$45 - Limited Edition Hardcover copy of the game

$45 - Limited Edition Hardcover copy of the game

$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

$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
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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.


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$30,000 - Project Funding

$30,000 - Project Funding

$40,000 - Printed End Papers and Spot Gloss

$40,000 - Printed End Papers and Spot Gloss


$50,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors

$50,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors


$60,000 - 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


$70,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors


$80,000 - 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

$90,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors

$100,000 - Creation of official Deathmatch Island soundtrack by Luke Rowell

$100,000 - Creation of official Deathmatch Island soundtrack by Luke Rowell

$110,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors

$110,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors

$120,000 - 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

$130,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors

$140,000 - New Island created by Stretch Goal Contributors. FUNDED.

$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! FUNDED.

$150,000 - Redacted Acquisitions - Includes an instant reward for all backers when we hit this level!

$165,000 - Survival Kit UPGRADE - Additional play added added to every Survival Kit, Production Bundle, and Extras add-on!

$165,000 - Survival Kit UPGRADE - Additional play aids added to every Survival Kit, Production Bundle, and Extras add-on!

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Shipping
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. 

All shipping fees will be charged separately, 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 physical copies of the game to your order, your shipping cost may increase.

Estimated shipping costs (for a single 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. 
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Timeline
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.
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Tim is a designer from Aotearoa who enjoys working across a range of disciplines—game design, graphic design, illustration, typography, and so on. He makes roleplaying games under the banner of Old Dog Games (olddog.games).

Karen Twelves (she/her) is an editor and linguist, and has had the pleasure of working on such projects as Blades in the Dark, Fiasco, Dialect, and Thirsty Sword Lesbians. She is also the author of Improv for Gamers, a collection of theater exercises to help strengthen skills for gaming, GMing, and larping. Learn more about her at karentwelves.com and improvforgamers.com!

Mendez is a cultural consultant and game designer whom you might recognize from Avatar Legends, Dungeons & Dragons, the Jackbox Party Packs, or some articles complaining about orcs and racism. His interests include hip hop, comparative martial arts, and religious studies. He's excited to connect with other cultural consultants, both experienced and prospective, and to learn everyone's fighting style at the convention.

a middle aged game wretch, based in canada.

John Harper is a graphic artist and game designer, known for Blades in the Dark, Lasers & Feelings, AGON, and Lady Blackbird.


Sean is the Director of Projects for Evil Hat Productions, Steward of Big Bad Con, and co-author of AGON. He's done developmental editing for Blades in the Dark, Apocalypse Keys, and more. He started gaming at age 12 and he’s never stopped. Sean’s passion is bringing people together to play games, explore identity, build rapport, and learn.

Tom Lommel (he/him) Since 2015 Tom has helped Evil Hat shepherd games to market and represent the signature Evil Hat brand on social media. A life-long gamer, Tom is currently enjoying sessions of Fate of Cthulhu and Scum & Villainy.

Cris Viana is a Brazilian Graphic Designer specialized in Editorial Design and Typography. She has been in love with TTRPGs since high school, and now she works with it, layouting TTRPG books for Brazilian publishers and abroad! When she's not working, she plays Arabic percussion, drinks lots of tea, invents crazy makeup to use on RPG streams, and her Changeling Brazilian world-building is famous countrywide and has unofficially been named "Crisverse." You can find her online at www.crisvianastudio.com and on Twitter @crislv.

Fred is the President of Evil Hat, and does much of the company's book layouts and Roll20 character sheet code-work. Pursuing a life-long ambition to become a dinosaur, he works a little harder every day on his obsolescence so room can be made for new voices in the hobby. He's talked enough already. Bring on the big meteor already.

"Colonel Mustard: And are you the host?  Hanrahan: Me, sir? No, I'm just the humble business butler.  Colonel Mustard: And what exactly is it you do here?  Hanrahan: I buttle, sir."

Sophie Lagacé has been gaming for so long that she thinks of THAC0 as “that new-fangled acronym.” She likes playing, game-mastering, organizing, reviewing, tinkering with, and writing about tabletop games, especially role-playing games. She has written for several publishers and is currently the Digital Content Manager for Evil Hat Productions.


Aaron is a voice actor, podcaster, and TTRPG Enjoyer from glorious South Jersey, home of BOOST!, The Pine Barrens, and The Jersey Devil. He is co-creator of the fantasy worldbuilding podcast All My Fantasy Children, and a cast member on the all-ages actual play Skyjacks: Courier's Call. He dreams of leaving Nibelheim, joining SOLDIER, and becoming a Sorceress Knight. AaronCatano-Saez.com

Aaron Lim is a designer of tabletop games and games educator based in Malaysia. His work ranges from board and card games to story games and tabletop RPGs. Most of his work is self-published at ehronlime.itch.io and crowdfunded through Kickstarter.

Agatha is a game designer, cultural consultant, and co-host of the Asians Represent! podcast. When she isn't obsessing over high-tension drama in ttrpgs she likes to battle her cats for the right to use her keyboard.

Caleb is the Creative Director at Haunted Table and Lead Designer of Triangle Agency, a new TTRPG of paranormal investigation and corporate horror. He's obsessed with reality competition shows and stories about mysterious organizations. Any of those around here?

Carrie Carney is a game designer and writer, TTRPG performer/player, and voice actor who has been playing RPGs since they were a wee child in the late 80s, expanding into TTRPGs and more upon discovering their first FLGS in the mid-90s. Notably, Carrie was a performer in the award-winning actual play one-shot, Undying Corruption, produced and broadcast by stellalunatv.

Ethan is a tabletop game designer hailing from the Midwest. He has written for Ghostfire Gaming and co-created the game, Fetch My Blade. He has visited three islands across the world and has yet to experience a lethal competition, space-time anomaly, or plot-relevant flashback while on any of them.

Erin Roberts is a writer and game designer whose work has appeared in publications including Nebula finalist and silver ENnie winner Journeys through the Radiant Citadel, Arcadia Magazine, Hunter: The Reckoning, Lost Omens: Highhelm, Starfinder Interstellar Species, and Apocalypse: The Complete Game Master's Guide to Ending the World. In 2023, she was selected as a Diana Jones Award Emerging Designer Program Winner.

Grant Howitt writes roleplaying games for a living; big serious stuff like Spire and Heart and small daft stuff like Honey Heist, Adventure Skeletons and Jason Statham's Big Vacation. In 2017, he and two other visionaries founded Rowan, Rook and Decard games with a single vision: to make good art and somehow still afford rent. He lives on the outskirts of Sheffield with his partner and two largely indifferent black cats.

Greg loves his family. He's a UX designer, illustrator, and game designer. He plays and designs games to create fun and memorable stories with the weirdos in his life. His game-du-jour is AGON and the Paragon system.

Lex Kim Bobrow (they/them), known as @titanomachyRPG, is a mixed-Asian, non-binary tabletop roleplaying game designer and writer. They are the creator of Caltrop Core, a d4-based open license system for creating your own TTRPGs, featured in Dicebreaker's "9 best tabletop RPG systems to hack into a custom game." Over 200 games have been created by a diverse community surrounding the system since its release in October 2021.

Luke Rowell is a computer musician & solo performer with two projects, the fun synthesizer pop of Disasteradio (formed in 2000) and the vaporwave / jazz-funk project Eyeliner (since 2011). Under both aliases he has played over 400 live shows across 22 countries.   His music emphasises pop catchiness and takes influence from chiptune and synth music of all kinds, from 80s new wave, to 90s CDROM game soundtracks and obscure new age cassettes.   In addition to releasing 15 full-length albums and EPs, Rowell has also featured on game soundtracks for Can Factory & Data Wing (Android) and multi-genre adaptive music for the vaporwave marble runner game Marbloid (iPhone / Android).

Michael Sands is a lifetime roleplaying game fan, now full-time designer based in Wellington, Aotearoa/New Zealand. Known for creating Monster of the Week.

Michelle Jones is a game designer and TTRPG freelancer with a love for the dark and bizarre. As a long-time fan of series like Liar Game and Alice in the Borderland, Michelle could not be more excited for the opportunity to create some Fun Games for you to play on Deathmatch Island.

momatoes read too many 19th century Russian stories as a teenager, so now she makes sad and evocative RPGs. The 2022 Diana Jones Emerging Designer awardee is best known for her game ARC -- one of Polygon's top indie RPGs of 2021-- though she creates games that tackle a wide gamut of stories, from the apocalypse to hubris to capybara capers. She is exceptionally proud of Across RPGSEA, a one-person project and database that gathers creative games from across Southeast Asia.

Morgan is a game designer, writer, and podcaster from Aotearoa New Zealand. As well as his own projects like Paranormal Wellington, he led game design for a|state second edition and is developing horror game FiveEvil, both for Handiwork Games. He can be heard on the Diceratops Presents podcast in the ongoing series 'Dungeon Leap'.

Poorna (she/her) went to the TTRPG millner's and emerged with many, many hats. At the moment, she's wearing a fascinator that screams : writer. On occasion, she has been known to don an editorial top hat, a process management trilby, even a jaunty AP beret. She has a soft spot for bookish folx and bedlam. She also harbours an unrequited love for sleep - which she claims only fuels her desire to devour all the murder mysteries ever written.

Tim Hutchings is a gallery artist and game designer who splits his time between Portland, Oregon and central Illinois. He is best known for his game Thousand Year Old Vampire. His games have won Ennies, Golden Cobras, Indie Groundbreaker Awards, and one Indiecade Tabletop Award.

Taylor Navarro is a Hispanic-British game designer who also does editing and project management when she’s not hoarding dice or playing video games. Her published works include Anansi’s Journal of Common Places (Kickstarter), Family Album (DriveThruRPG), and Encounters in the Radiant Citadel (DM’s Guild).

Will Jobst is an award-winning tabletop game designer, editor, and publisher, with games like TORQ, This Discord Has Ghosts in It, and Black Mass. Will’s games are available at goodluckpress.co.



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