Glider-Pit Gladiators (1998)

Glider-Pit Gladiators is a board game of ancient aerial combat. The latest version (2002) is currently available for free download from BoardGameGeek - see the files section below.

Two to six players control primitive gliders descending into a deep, sheer-walled pit. Within this natural arena the glider pilots engage in ritualistic gladiatorial combat. A combination of martial and flying skills is required for victory. Every decision a player makes, from the selection of weapons to the anticipation of fickle air currents, helps determine whether a gladiator is on the road to glory... or disaster.

The object of the game is simple: have the last glider airborne. The game features a variable player turn order (depending on the relative altitude and speed the gliders), five different types of weapons (including ranged weapons and nets), risky ramming attacks, and up drafts/down drafts. Players have the option of controlling more than one glider (up to three in a two player game). The competition may be a "last man flying" free-for-all or the players can form competing teams (i.e. 3 vs. 3, 2 vs. 2 vs. 2, etc.)

The experimental Campaign Expansion rules provide for continuing gladiator characters. The Expansion includes rules for Character Survival, Experience, and Special Abilities and Advantages. Gladiator characters who survive a match (and aren't crippled in the process) receive experience and a chance to gain special abilities and advantages. Characters who are victorious are more likely develop skills that will help them gain future victories in the arena. The process for randomly generating experienced gladiators is also described.

Glider-Pit Gladiators was originally designed (under a deadline of a month or two) for the online 1998 Microgame Design Contest held via the Yahoo Groups Microgame Mailing List. The game was updated under the name Glider-Pit Gladiators 2002 for the second micro-game design competition. The update focused on cleaning up the rules and making improvements to the spartan components. The experimental Campaign Expansion Rules were developed to provide added depth. They were also updated in 2002.