To immediately jump to the Neva Wargames Pre-Order page of the game go here:
Michal: Hi Jose and welcome to The Boardgames Chronicle blog! Let us start with a short introduction. Please tell us a little about yourself, what do you do for a living, what games do you play? Also, what is your role in the design and publication of Iwo Jima: Hell on Earth?
Jose: Hello Michal. Thank you for inviting me to participate in your blog. I am a building engineer by profession. In my free time, I have played wargames and started designing games a few years ago. Currently, I am also a game publisher with Neva Wargames. Due to my busy schedule, I primarily play boardgames for playtesting our projects. I am the designer of “Iwo Jima: Hell on Earth,” which will be published under Neva Wargames. Additionally, I have coordinated various tasks during its development, including collaborating with rulebook writers, graphic designers, and proofreaders. I appreciate the contributions of everyone involved in this project.
Michal: Now, as for the game, where the inspiration for Iwo Jima: Hell on Earth came from?
Jose: Iwo Jima is a battle I’ve always wanted to capture in a design. I aimed for a solitaire game and our Neva Skirmish line was the perfect fit due to its compact component quantity and playtime. I believed I could present something new, and here we are.
Michal: What are the key components of the game?
The Iwo Jima: Hell on Earth game includes a 44x30cm mounted map (17.32 x 11.81 in), 120 counters (15x15mm with rounded corners), 2 six-sided dice, 1 rulebook (with the comic prelude), and 1 player aid sheet. It also comes with a couple of cloth bags for the chit pull system. All these components are packed in a compact box with standardized dimensions of 24 x 16.5 x 4 cm (9.45 x 6.50 x 1.58 in). More details will be available after receiving the printer samples.
Michal: Can you elaborate a little about the game mechanics?
Jose: The game consists of 9 turns, each representing 4 days. Each turn has 9 phases: Weather, Barrage, Movement, Attack, Raids, Advance Movement, Advance Attack, Command, and Preparation. I used traditional hex and counter mechanics, like combat ratio tables and die roll modifiers, but added a unique combat system. To save time, I abstracted some Marine Divisions Regiments for combat support, enhancing interaction with U.S. units for Direct or Indirect attacks. This adds depth, making planning and strategy crucial for success in this challenging game.
Michal: The next important question would be to learn how do players determine victory in Iwo Jima: Hell on Earth?
Jose: Your final score depends on the number of victory points you have at the end of the game. The main objective is to clear the island and secure Mount Suribachi, as well as airfields 1, 2, and 3. You earn 1 Victory Point for every 2 Japanese units eliminated. Additional victory points can be earned if the U.S. controls one of the 4 key objectives mentioned above before the specified game turn. Furthermore, if the island is cleared before game turn 9, you receive 1 additional victory point, or if the remaining Japanese units surrender under certain conditions by the end of the game.
Michal: Now, as for Iwo Jima: Hell on Earth itself, what makes this game unique?
Jose: The Combat Support System in this game offers a fresh approach. A U.S. unit has a combat factor for Direct Attack and a Combat Support value for Indirect Attack. Combining these effectively improves your chances against the hidden Japanese units. Players can strategize based on the situation for optimal results. I also introduced a two-sided chit-pull system for hidden Japanese units, adding variability and replayability to the game.
Michal: How are you publishing the game, and where can players interested in the project get more information?
Jose: This title is currently in the Pre-launch phase of our Incoming! (P-300) system at Neva Wargames. You can reserve your copy without making an up-front payment. We are completing the artwork and rulebook, and will begin collecting payments once they are ready for printing.
Michal: Can you elaborate on the Pre-Order program you launched at Neva Wargames? It seems you follow in the footsteps of some other, well-established publishers.
Jose: As a small indie wargame publisher, I have developed a hybrid system to support my publishing project. This business is more of a hobby than a primary activity for me. Our Incoming! P-300 system combines elements of a P-500 system and crowdfunding. The P-500 system is more customer-friendly, while crowdfunding campaigns benefit companies more. To balance these aspects for our initial projects, we require at least 300 wargamers to express interest in a title before starting artwork and finalizing components for print. Once ready, we will collect payments. Our pre-launch offers two titles at once, allowing customers to benefit from bundle discounts.
This approach means:
- We collect money only once the goal is reached and the game is ready for production.
- We reduce waiting times compared to other crowdfunding campaigns.
- We produce a limited number of copies based on customer demand, prioritizing quality over quantity.
Supporting either of the two games in our first pre-launch campaign helps bring those games to life and contributes to Neva Wargames. If the project succeeds, we aim to become self-sufficient and transition to a fully customer-friendly model where we charge only upon shipping the game instead of prior to production. We invite you to participate and reserve the games you are interested in from our catalog.
Michal: What are your future plans? Any new designs or current games in preparation?
Jose: Currently, there are several projects under development as a designer: Spartacus: Rome under Threat, Peking: 55 Days of Fury, and Cid Campeador: Warlord. There are also many other potential projects being considered. The to-do list is extensive, so progress will be made step by step. All of these projects are part of the Neva Wargames Incoming! P-300 system and can already be booked.
Michal: Thank you very much for the interview! Any last word you would like to add?
Jose: Thank you, Michal. I look forward to continuing our shared passion for this wonderful hobby and gaming community for many years to come. It would be a pleasure to collaborate with you at any time. I would like to share the link to our current Pre-launch system, where we are offering “Iwo Jima: Hell on Earth” and “Sea & Steel: Columbus’ Voyages,” including the bundle. I am very grateful to those who have decided to support us in becoming a wargame publisher and bringing our first two titles to the tables of many wargamers.
Neva Wargames Pre-launch: https://nevawargames.com/pre-launch/
Michal: Thanks once again!
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