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Gladiator

gameactive11 mentionsFirst seen Jan 8, 2017Last seen Mar 18, 2024

Profile

Gladiator is a pinball game with a disputed development history and manufacturer attribution. Evidence suggests two competing origin stories: one linking it to Deep Root Pinball as an unreleased design with progression mechanics (circa 2022), and another attributing it to Gottlieb with a 2017 premiere plagued by playfield tuning issues. The conflicting manufacturer claims and design philosophies indicate either significant confusion in source material or potential misidentification across different games sharing the same name.

Aliases

Gladiators

Relationships

  • affiliated_withDeep Root PinballAllegedly developed or designed by Deep Root Pinball as unreleased game (mentions 0, 1)medium
  • manufacturesGottliebAttributed as manufacturer/premiering company with 2017 release (mention 2)medium

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims

No claims

Recent Mentions (11)

  • Deep Root unreleased title; whiteboard planning documents leaked showing hydra design philosophy and rising action concept

    The Pinball Show Ep 98: Stairway To Hydra, Chewbacca Jesus, & Spirit PuddingApr 30, 2022
  • Gottlieb DMD-era game; referenced as fun tournament/show machine with cool layout and music, though exploitable

    Episode 22 - Die on this Hill: SinbadMar 18, 2024
  • Deep Root Pinball announced title; hosts discuss comparison to older Gladiators game from 1980s/90s

    Episode 74: Deeproot Themes and a whole lotta other stuff!Oct 1, 2020
  • #5 on Kaneda's dream list; Russell Crowe Roman Colosseum epic with dual-flipper concept and Hans Zimmer musical score integration

    Kaneda Classic #1: "Top 10 Themes We Need"May 14, 2023
  • Planned Deep Root title in pipeline

    Some of deeproot's InnovationsSep 22, 2020
  • Deeproot Pinball prototype game title documented in archive

    Exclusive Never Before Seen Deeproot Pinball Videos & PicturesApr 18, 2022

Contradictions

  • Existing: Deep Root's Gladiator is supposedly based on 3D Space Cadet but shares little design similarity (BDYETP 64, 2021-12-03)vsConflicting: Gladiator is attributed to Gottlieb, not Deep Root, with distinct playfield problems (Welcome to 2017, 2017-01-08)
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Gladiator is a Deep Root Pinball unreleased game with progression mechanics and Hydra mechanic concept (Ep 98, 2022)vsConflicting: Gladiator is a Gottlieb pinball machine that premiered in 2017 with left ramp and playfield geometry issues (Welcome to 2017, 2017-01-08)
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Deeproot Pinball game referenced in bankruptcy auction; whiteboard design notes visible

The Goonies Pinball…What Might Have BeenMar 23, 2022
  • Gottlieb pinball premiere; criticized for left ramp and spinner loop shot tuning issues; playfield geometry problems noted

    Welcome to 2017Jan 8, 2017
  • Most recent Gottlieb Premier in TPA; underwent theme change during production; features violent shaker motor and moving crane/habitrail

    If you don't have anything nice to say...Jan 22, 2017
  • Deep Root's abandoned pinball machine supposedly based on 3D Space Cadet but shares little design similarity; featured raising glass mechanism Kevin criticizes as impractical

    BDYETP 64: Valhalla, Elvira's 40th, Funhouse 2.0, Pinball Misadventures, Getting Connected, Pins of the DecadesDec 3, 2021
  • Deep Root Pinball game (unreleased); whiteboard design philosophy leaked showing progression mechanics and Hydra mechanic concept

    The Pinball Show Ep 98: Stairway To Hydra, Chewbacca Jesus, & Spirit PuddingApr 25, 2022