[old fat bald guy]

It's really addictive, Derek. You've done good work here.

I think it would add some suspense to the game if gladiators occasionally died after being reduced to zero (or negative) hit points. Now, if a guy is down to seven and he gets nailed for nine, you know what the text will say -- you know the outcome of the fight and the fate of the loser (he's just fine, actually). I think it would be more fun if when the losing warrior was crumpling to the dust of the Coliseum floor, you're not sure he's going to get up.

I'm not suggesting a higher fatality frequency; just that a few of them come later in the fight. As it is, I've played five seasons and haven't seen a gladiator older than 25, and all of the original cast members in my save game are deceased. I can't see anybody approaching that 45 that is mentioned in the manual as an age when guys start to think it's time to retire.