Jump to content

Gladiators of Death: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
added name
updated lead
 
(10 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 14: Line 14:
| manufacturer =
| manufacturer =
| designer =
| designer =
| publisher =
| publisher = Fantasy & Futuristic Simulations (US)
| years = 1993 to unknown
| years = 1993 to unknown
| genre = [[Play-by-mail]], [[gladiatorial combat]]
| genre = [[Play-by-mail]], [[gladiatorial combat]]
| language = English
| language = English
| system =
| system = computer
| players =
| players =
| setup_time =
| setup_time =
| playing_time =
| playing_time = fixed
| random_chance =
| random_chance =
| materials = Instructions, order sheets, turn results, [[paper]], [[pencil]]
| materials = Instructions, order sheets, turn results, [[paper]], [[pencil]]
Line 28: Line 28:
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
'''''Gladiators of Death''''' is a [[Play-by-mail_game#Closed_versus_open_ended|closed-end]], [[Play-by-mail_game#Computer_versus_human_moderated|computer-moderated]], [[Play-by-mail_game#Computer_versus_human_moderated|computer-moderated]] [[play-by-mail]] (PBM) gladiatorial combat game.
'''''Gladiators of Death''''' is a [[Play-by-mail game#Closed versus open ended|closed-end]], [[Play-by-mail_game#Computer_versus_human_moderated|computer-moderated]] [[play-by-mail]] (PBM) gladiatorial combat game published by Fantasy & Futuristic Simulations. In play by 1993, it bore similarities to the PBM games ''[[Adventurers Guild]]'', ''[[Blood Pit]]'', and ''[[DuelMasters]]'' Players roleplayed teams of five fighters. Each fighter was designed, trained, and equipped before combat began. The game received positive reviews in various gaming magazines in the 1990s.


==History and development==
==History and development==
''Gladiators of Death'' was a PBM game of gladiatorial combat published by Fantasy & Futuristic Simulations.<ref name=Watson43>[[#Wat93|Watson 1993]]. p. 43.</ref> It had similarities with ''[[Adventurers Guild]]'', ''[[Blood Pit]]'', and ''[[DuelMasters]]''.<ref name=Watson43/> It was a new game in 1993.<ref name=Watson43/>
''Gladiators of Death'' was a PBM game of gladiatorial combat published by Fantasy & Futuristic Simulations of [[Chula Vista, California|Chula Vista, CA]].<ref name=Watson43>[[#Wat93|Watson 1993]]. p. 43.</ref> It had similarities with ''Adventurers Guild'', ''Blood Pit'', and ''DuelMasters''.<ref name=Watson43/> It was a new game in 1993.<ref name=Watson43/> It was computer moderated.<ref name=Larson8>[[#Lar94|Larson 1994]]. p. 8.</ref>


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
Players roleplayed a team of five fighters.<ref name=Watson43/> Initial play involved customizing the characters using available races and traits, as well as training and equipping the gladiators.<ref name=Watson43/> Races available included [[Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)|Dwarf]], [[Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)|Elf]], [[Goblin (Dungeons & Dragons)|Goblin]], [[Halfling (Dungeons and Dragons)|Halfling]], [[Human (Dungeons & Dragons)|Human]], Lizardman, [[Orc (Dungeons & Dragons)|Orc]], and [[Troll (Dungeons & Dragons)|Troll]].<ref name=Watson43/> Players could equip characters with armor and choose from 29 available weapons.<ref name=Watson43/> Reviewer Bob Watson noted that the game was for mature players since "The fights get ''very'' bloody and if lots of
Players roleplayed a team of five fighters.<ref name=Watson43/> Initial play involved customizing the characters using available races and traits, as well as training and equipping the gladiators.<ref name=Watson43/> Races available included [[Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)|Dwarf]], [[Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)|Elf]], [[Goblin (Dungeons & Dragons)|Goblin]], [[Halfling (Dungeons and Dragons)|Halfling]], [[Human (Dungeons & Dragons)|Human]], Lizardman, [[Orc (Dungeons & Dragons)|Orc]], and [[Troll (Dungeons & Dragons)|Troll]].<ref name=Watson43/> Players could equip characters with armor and choose from 29 available weapons.<ref name=Watson43/> Magic was also an element of play.<ref name=Wright41>[[#Wri94|Wright 1994]]. p. 41.</ref> Reviewer Bob Watson noted that the game was for mature players since "The fights get ''very'' bloody and if lots of bloodshed turns you off, this game is not for you."<ref name=Watson43/>
bloodshed turns you off, this game is not for you."<ref name=Watson43/>


==Reception and legacy==
==Reception and legacy==
Bob Watson reviewed the game in the March–April 1993 issue of Flagship, noting that it was "easy to learn, even for a beginner. He also spoke positively about its value, the publisher, and the gamemaster.<ref name=Watson43/>
Bob Watson reviewed the game in the March–April 1993 issue of Flagship, noting that it was "easy to learn, even for a beginner. He also spoke positively about its value, the publisher, and the gamemaster.<ref name=Watson43/> Brian Larson reviewed the game in the May–June 1994 issue of Paper Mayhem, calling it a "great game".<ref name=Larson9>[[#Lar94|Larson 1994]]. p. 9.</ref> The game ranked No. 9 of 72 games in the July–August 1994 issue of Paper Mayhem with a rating of 7.441 of 9 points.<ref name=Editors>[[#Edi94|Editors 1994]]. pp. 44–45.</ref>{{efn|The games rating above were, in descending order, ''Adventurers Guild'', ''Star Fleet Warriors'', [[Victory! The Battle for Europe|''Victory!'']], ''Star Quest'', ''World War IV'', [[Continuum (play-by-mail game)|''Continuum'']], ''[[Galactic Prisoners]]'', and ''A National Will''.}}


==See also==
==See also==
Line 51: Line 50:
==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite magazine |author=((Editors))|title= Gladiators of Death|magazine= Paper Mayhem|issue= 67|pages= 44–45|date= July–August 1994|ref=Edi94}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Larson|first=Brian|title= Gladiators of Death: Player's Hints for Character Design|magazine= Paper Mayhem|issue= 66|pages= 8–9|date= May–June 1994|ref=Lar94}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Watson|first=Bob|title= Gladiators of Death|magazine= Flagship|issue= 44|page= 43|date= July 1993|edition=US|ref=Wat93}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Watson|first=Bob|title= Gladiators of Death|magazine= Flagship|issue= 44|page= 43|date= July 1993|edition=US|ref=Wat93}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Wright|first=B.E.|title= Gladiators of Death|magazine= Paper Mayhem|issue= 67|pages= 41–43, 45|date= July–August 1994|ref=Wri94}}

{{refend}}
{{refend}}


Line 58: Line 59:
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Heppner|first=Vaughn|title= Gladiators of Death|magazine= Paper Mayhem|issue= 59|pages= 18–20|date= March–April 1993|edition=US|ref=Hep93}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Heppner|first=Vaughn|title= Gladiators of Death|magazine= Paper Mayhem|issue= 59|pages= 18–20|date= March–April 1993|edition=US|ref=Hep93}}
* {{cite magazine |last1=Warner|first1=John|last2=Kelly|first2=Nathaniel M.|title= Gladiators of Death|magazine= Paper Mayhem|issue= 75|pages= 28–30|date= November–December 1995|ref=War95}}

{{refend}}
{{refend}}



Latest revision as of 23:29, 28 January 2024

Gladiators of Death
PublishersFantasy & Futuristic Simulations (US)
Years active1993 to unknown
GenresPlay-by-mail, gladiatorial combat
LanguagesEnglish
Systemscomputer
Playing timefixed
Materials requiredInstructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil

Gladiators of Death is a closed-end, computer-moderated play-by-mail (PBM) gladiatorial combat game published by Fantasy & Futuristic Simulations. In play by 1993, it bore similarities to the PBM games Adventurers Guild, Blood Pit, and DuelMasters Players roleplayed teams of five fighters. Each fighter was designed, trained, and equipped before combat began. The game received positive reviews in various gaming magazines in the 1990s.

History and development

[edit]

Gladiators of Death was a PBM game of gladiatorial combat published by Fantasy & Futuristic Simulations of Chula Vista, CA.[1] It had similarities with Adventurers Guild, Blood Pit, and DuelMasters.[1] It was a new game in 1993.[1] It was computer moderated.[2]

Gameplay

[edit]

Players roleplayed a team of five fighters.[1] Initial play involved customizing the characters using available races and traits, as well as training and equipping the gladiators.[1] Races available included Dwarf, Elf, Goblin, Halfling, Human, Lizardman, Orc, and Troll.[1] Players could equip characters with armor and choose from 29 available weapons.[1] Magic was also an element of play.[3] Reviewer Bob Watson noted that the game was for mature players since "The fights get very bloody and if lots of bloodshed turns you off, this game is not for you."[1]

Reception and legacy

[edit]

Bob Watson reviewed the game in the March–April 1993 issue of Flagship, noting that it was "easy to learn, even for a beginner. He also spoke positively about its value, the publisher, and the gamemaster.[1] Brian Larson reviewed the game in the May–June 1994 issue of Paper Mayhem, calling it a "great game".[4] The game ranked No. 9 of 72 games in the July–August 1994 issue of Paper Mayhem with a rating of 7.441 of 9 points.[5][a]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The games rating above were, in descending order, Adventurers Guild, Star Fleet Warriors, Victory!, Star Quest, World War IV, Continuum, Galactic Prisoners, and A National Will.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Watson 1993. p. 43.
  2. ^ Larson 1994. p. 8.
  3. ^ Wright 1994. p. 41.
  4. ^ Larson 1994. p. 9.
  5. ^ Editors 1994. pp. 44–45.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Editors (July–August 1994). "Gladiators of Death". Paper Mayhem. No. 67. pp. 44–45.
  • Larson, Brian (May–June 1994). "Gladiators of Death: Player's Hints for Character Design". Paper Mayhem. No. 66. pp. 8–9.
  • Watson, Bob (July 1993). "Gladiators of Death". Flagship. No. 44 (US ed.). p. 43.
  • Wright, B.E. (July–August 1994). "Gladiators of Death". Paper Mayhem. No. 67. pp. 41–43, 45.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Heppner, Vaughn (March–April 1993). "Gladiators of Death". Paper Mayhem. No. 59 (US ed.). pp. 18–20.
  • Warner, John; Kelly, Nathaniel M. (November–December 1995). "Gladiators of Death". Paper Mayhem. No. 75. pp. 28–30.