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On the Horizon: Deathmatch Island
🕑 Added 2025-03-12 18:00:11 +0000 UTCWelcome, players! We are pleased to announce that Horizons has been selected to present a new expansion of Deathmatch Island in our upcoming spring issue.
(PLEASE NOTE: We have been assured that any confusion and memory loss surrounding this plan is normal and it is important that we do not panic. The Deathmatch Island corporation is fictional and cannot hurt us, and this publication will not put us on their Potential Competitor Recruitment Shortlist.)
Since our readers may be unfamiliar with the Deathmatch Island TTRPG system, Production has granted us special permission to introduce the game and offer you some tips as you Play to Win™.
Need-to-Know Details
(PLEASE NOTE: The following paragraphs do not imply any warranties, guarantees, or legal or moral responsibilities on the part of Production. We take no liability for competitors’ wellbeing after reading these materials.)
Deathmatch Island is a fast-paced TTRPG for 3+ players about a deadly game show on a mysterious island chain. The competitors have unknowingly been selected and recruited, forced to risk their lives in a deadly series of games for the vague promise of a big reward for the sole survivor.
One player takes the role of Production, the invisible hand behind the ruthless proceedings. The rest of the players are competitors, a random collection of everyday people with a hazy memory of their life before the game.
Deathmatch Island explores the idea of a cruel system that uses paranoia and competitiveness to turn competitors against one another, and whether those victims will ultimately destroy each other or build the solidarity needed to smash the system together.
Metagame Info
Deathmatch Island is designed by Tim Denee and published by Evil Hat Productions and Old Dog Games, based on the PARAGON system by John Harper and Sean Nittner.
If you’re thinking, “Was Deathmatch Island inspired by [Severance, The Hunger Games, LOST, Survivor, Squid Game, Battle Royale, etc.]?” the answer is probably “Yes.” These, among other pieces of media, are listed as touchstones in Deathmatch Island, though familiarity with them is not required to play. The Deathmatch Island rules also include safety tools and a non-lethal mode so your group can fine-tune the dystopian themes you want to explore.
The new expansion for Deathmatch Island in Horizons 3 is also designed by Tim Denee, and published with the express permission of Evil Hat Productions and Old Dog Games. They’re super cool, and Production didn’t even make us say that.
(PLEASE NOTE: Wildmage Press is committed to offering the best possible Deathmatch Island experience and playtesting is ongoing. Only fictional competitors have been harmed during the playtest process, and Production assures us that “they signed waivers and they’ll never figure out [REDACTED] anyway.”)
A Deadly Game on Mysterious Islands
An ancient island once again rises from beneath the waves, filled with strange secrets, opportunities for fame and glory, and the wealth of kings…. Stay tuned for more reveals, coming April 2025.
If you have any questions or concerns, or you wish to submit a Potential Competitor Application Form, simply comment on this post or [REDACTED] to speak with a Competitor Liaison Agent.
Whether you’ll battle it out as you Play to Win™ (Production recommends this, and they have only your best interests at heart), unite to Break the Game, or simply want to be in the know, subscribe to Horizons, and remember: the game is just the beginning.
Questions? Check out the FAQ.
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Comments
Hannah Rose @ Wildmage Press
We're loving the system and we can't wait to show off Tim's article!
Craig Pressley
This is great news. I love Deathmatch Island, it's a lot of fun and I can't wait to see what the Horizons team is up too!
