Inspired by franchises such as Starz’ Spartacus: Blood and Sand, Gladiators Online: Death Before Dishonor is a high-end 3D combat-management game hosts deadly arena fights for gold and fans, PvP swearing, and multiplayer slave auctioning, bringing the thrill and excitement of ancient blood-sports to the MMOG Colosseum – including their “Free-to-Die Permadeath Feature”.

A real-time action online game set in ancient Rome, Dorado Games' true-to-history title gives players the chance to select warriors, equip them with hundreds of weapons and armor pieces, train them for the ring then send them into one-on-one combat against other players. Featuring class based fighters capable of using more than 60 combat skills, Gladiators Online: Death Before Dishonor focuses on strategic management, fighter development and combat. Set against ancient real-world arenas, players are given an authentic look at what occurred in the life of a gladiator.

"Gladiators in ancient Rome have been a popular theme in all media, but the majority of attempts have focused on the blood sport in a fictional scenario," said Nick Porsche, managing director, Dorado Games.  "Gladiators Online: Death Before Dishonor takes a historically accurate look at the entire experience, not just in the arena, while simultaneously delivering a fun and engrossing tactical online experience with plenty of action."

Starting with a small Ludus Gladiatorius, providing cheap entertainment to the people on the fringes of empire, he needs to train, heal and equip his gladiators so they stand a chance in the coming games. Gladiators Online is a manager type game where every detail counts – and the life of the player’s fighters depend on his economic decisions. Pitching player against player in deadly show-fights, gladiators will get wounded or even die in the arena – all to the greater glory and profit of the player’s House. Using the income from these games, players will be expanding their businesses, hiring expert staff, buying fresh talent, and creating a winning team to carry them all the way to the top – to Rome.

Gameplay begins at a dynamic online slave auction where players scout warriors to assess their potential and bid against one another.  After fighters are acquired, they must train to level up one of four classes based on historically famous gladiators.  Players can hire doctors to speed up their recovery, courtesans to boost their morale, along with many other professions to add to their team.

Before battling for gold and glory each gladiator must be equipped with a piece of armor and a weapon.  There are more than 600 items for use in battle based on classical designs.  Once armed, warriors will be ready to enter one of three amphitheaters modeled after ancient Roman gladiator arenas.

In the fighting pits it is a battle of life and death.  Gladiators that perish in combat disappear from players' ranks, giving the game roguelike elements.  Players assume the role of a coach who provides direction to their fighters; commanding them to use more than 60 skills. These skills are broken down into three categories: offensive, passive and tactical abilities.

From adjusting specific workout routines and specialized equipment giving the men an edge in the bloody sands, to hiring the right trainers and courtesans, the player’s job as Lanista will encompass all levels of planning and financing. Providing a level playing field with fair chances for all, Gladiator Online allows players to influence the show aspect of each fight through special skill driven quick time events, contesting the opposing player’s fans. The game’s matchmaking service ensures that all four gladiator classes are evenly paired within their ten game levels, matching and simulating a visceral 3D arena combat with repeatedly deadly outcome. From fans and riches to leaderboards and gladiator leagues players will be progressing through ten tiers of amazing new skills, staff and arenas, choosing from hundreds of items when upgrading and equipping their fighters.

Fans interested in participating in the Gladiators Online: Death Before Dishonor open beta can sign up on the official website.