40 years of Trial of Champions

When Deathtrap Dungeon became a publishing phenomenon, it cannot be over-exaggerated how high anticipation was for a sequel when Sir Ian Livingstone's Trial of Champions was published just two years later in 1986.

Number 21 in the original Puffin series, Trial of Champions wasn’t a direct sequel, but is set a year after the hero of Deathtrap Dungeon has beaten Baron Sukumvit’s deadly labyrinth for the first time.

All the familiar Deathtrap Dungeon tropes are there to be enjoyed, including a host of deadly monster encounters and lethal traps, as well as the other competitors who are encountered as the hero takes ‘The Walk’ through the dungeon - not to mention the massive cash prize for anyone who actually makes it through to the other end alive.

However, the story adds an element of sibling rivalry to the tale, with the hero having been taken captive by the Baron’s jealous brother Lord Carnuss and sent to Fang specifically to beat the dungeon and shame Sukumvit.

Author and creator of the Illmoor Chronicles, David Lee Stone, cites Trial of Champions as being one of his favourite gamebooks:

“House of Hell or Trial of Champions: both are absolutely brilliant fun, and classic examples of two authors completely focused on creating an atmosphere for the games they’re constructing. I couldn’t choose between them.”

Trial of Champions was the only time Brian Williams illustrated an FF gamebook, providing the striking cover art as well as the internal black and white illustrations (although he also illustrated The Riddling Reaver, published the same year). His clean line art and representations of the human form were exquisite.

Sadly, Williams passed away unexpectedly at his home in October 2010.

While not currently in print, adventurers can still tackle Baron Sukumvit's updated dungeon via Tin Man Games' Fighting Fantasy Classsics app.

Of course, Trial of Champions received its own sequel, of sorts, when The Dungeon on Blood Island was published in 2024, to coincide with Fighting Fantasy Fest 5.

Sir Ian Livingstone has written another new gamebook, this time to coincide with Fighting Fantasy Fest 6.

Tomb of the Golden Skull will launch at the event, on Saturday 5th September 2026, so make sure you've reserved your place at FFF6.

Get ready for a high-octane, AR adaptation of Sir Ian Livingstone's Freeway Fighter

The first entry in a new wave of adaptations from the legendary Fighting Fantasy series will bring Sir Ian Livingstone's Freeway Fighter to a new audience through a high‑octane augmented reality experience.

Peasoup, the pioneer behind interactive augmented reality Smart Books, has announced a partnership with Sir Ian to transform the iconic gamebooks into its proprietary format. Their debut collaboration, Freeway Fighter, is scheduled for release in 2027.

Peasoup’s Smart Book system is far more than a traditional book or gamebook. It is a full‑colour, physical reading experience enhanced by cutting‑edge technology. Using a dedicated augmented reality app, the Smark Book system animates the printed page, allowing readers not just to imagine the post‑apocalyptic car chases of Freeway Fighter, but to see and interact with them digitally as they progress through the story.

Founded by veteran writer and videogame designer Søren Jønsson, Peasoup was created to inject excitement back into reading. To date, the company has produced four Smart Books featuring original adventures across fantasy realms, pirate voyages, and daring escapades.

Extending this technology to the Fighting Fantasy series is a natural evolution, and one that promises to redefine how readers engage with classic FF gamebooks.

Sir Ian Livingstone commented: “The Fighting Fantasy series was designed to place the reader at the heart of the story, letting them take control of where the story goes. Choice is exciting and empowering, and partnering with Peasoup for these new adaptations takes the experience to the next level, where choices and actions in an augmented reality setting further affect the outcomes of the story. This high-octane, AR adaptation of Freeway Fighter will take the adventure to new audiences.”

Freeway Fighter will be available in 2027, and the next Smart Book Fighting Fantasy adaptation will be announced soon. Retailers looking to find out more should contact Rory Kelly, Zatu's Head of Distribution, at rory.kelly@zatu.co.uk or call 01603 937 846.#

Advanced Fighting Fantasy - Cave Wars!

Available now from Arion Games is Cave Wars - a new way to play the Advanced Fighting Fantasy RPG.

Adventure as a Dwarf of Stonehaven trying to defeat the evil Goblins of Blackfang and control the caves and caverns under Khul, or play as a cunning Goblin, trying to drive the terrible Dwarfs of Stonehaven out of the caves and mines and protect the town of Blackfang.

However, in Cave Wars, you don't need to choose one side, because both sides choose you!

You play as a Dwarf one session, and as a Goblin the next. They are both your Heroes and you are trying to succeed with both, even as success puts your other Hero in a difficult position!

Written by Graham Bottley, this book contains:

• Template-based Goblin and Dwarf Hero creation
• Rules for Stonehaven and Blackfang towns and their characteristics
• Session creation rules with challenges, map design and rewards
• 34 Adventure seeds
• Campaign notes
• Brand new Goblin and Dwarf Hero sheets

Requires the Advanced Fighting Fantasy 2e Rulebook.

Pick up your copy of Cave Wars from DriveThruRPG today.

Cave Wars alternative cover.

Return to Allansia: The Monsters Step off the Page!

For over 40 years, you’ve faced down the terrors of Firetop Mountain and Deathtrap Dungeon in the pages of the Fighting Fantasy gamebooks. Now, it's time to see them on your tabletop.

We are thrilled to partner with Blue Giant Studios and MyMiniFactory to bring over 40 iconic heroes and villains to life as premium digital STLs and physical miniatures! From the terrifying Bloodbeast to the bizarre Wheelies, your favourite gamebook encounters are being masterfully sculpted.

For Collectors & RPG Players: We are preparing an exclusive, limited-run physical Box Set featuring Fighting Fantasy RPG stat-block cards, a brand-new adventure booklet written especially for this campaign, custom dice, and a physical model that will never be available as an STL. Sir Ian Livingstone will hand-sign a limited number of these boxes!

Claim Your Free Miniature: Sign up on our pre-launch page today to secure a FREE Zanbar Bone STL and ensure you don’t miss out on the signed tiers.

What monster are you most excited to see brought to life? Let us know in the comments!

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