Does any one remember rollerball - was it a book first?

It's been short story first called "Rollerball Murder" by William Harrison, which came out in '73 two years before the movie.

Nice list, but there has to be a few more that have been over looked. I added Zombies and Shit, because it is very much in the death game genre, may be a little far out there for some people, but the tag line of 'Battle Royale meets Return of the Living Dead' is very accurate. As I come across more books I'll add them to this list, there's a new one I have a lead on. This is my favorite genre of all, and am always looking for new stuff.
* I read Inside Out because of this list, not even close to being in the genre. I have added High Rise in protest, still no game, but it is way closer to the genre.

Added Murder Genes, neat splatterpunk about a city full of murders that are all involved in playing a death game. Rules, teams, all the good parts!

Chris wrote: "Nice list, but there has to be a few more that have been over looked. ..."

That's my hope too Chris! Such a "deadly" sub-genre of dystopian fiction there's just gotta be more! I started this list for completely selfish reasons because it's what I want to read :) Your additions are much appreciated!!!

nice list

There's a short story by Walter F. Moudy called "The Survivor". If you like books about deadly games it's worth a read. It was written in 1965, but predicts reality-TV among other things.

I have a copy of Battlefields Beyond Tomorrow: Science Fiction War Stories that has that story in it. It is actually a very good story, and does fall into the genre. The collection focuses on military sci-fi, and is rather good. It does have the short version of Enders Game, which is also a border-liner of the genre. I would have to say that it is up to Trudi if it should go up on the list, I had actually considered voting it up at one point. I only didn't because most of the book is about war, and they are also short stories.

Sandpiper wrote: "There's a short story by Walter F. Moudy called "The Survivor". If you like books about deadly games it's worth a read. It was written in 1965, but predicts reality-TV among other things."

This sounds awesome! I will definitely try and track this down.

Chris wrote: "I have a copy of Battlefields Beyond Tomorrow: Science Fiction War Stories that has that story in it. It is actually a very good story, and does fall into the genre. The collection f..."

Thanks so much for this and add away please! ... I started this list for my own selfish enjoyment, but it's definitely meant for anyone who also shares a passion for these types of books :D

Good to know, I would say that the story 'The Survivor' is of decent length and should be included. Some of the other stories in Battle Fields Beyond Tomorrow that are also worth taking a look at as well, and run parallel of share similarities with the death game genre. A couple have also been expanded into novels by the authors. I know I have come across a few stories here and there, and am always searching for rumors of more books. I'll keep this appropriately updated as I go along.
Good lookin on Sandpiper's par for pointing out The Survivor!

Added Kung Fu High School - A great book about gang life gone terribly wrong in a school. One of my personal favorites, this one falls well into the genre with the way that their lives must play out within a certain rule set. Hyper-violent, a little taboo, and very over the top.

Huge update this time with The Crimson Labyrinth, full fledged death games, forced to play against each other in a check point rally through a natural labyrinth of chasms with rules firmly in place. This has a large emphasis on survival, as well as some really interesting twists to encourage some savage competition against each other. I have no clue how any of us missed this one! Highly suggested, true gaming fun, up there with the best.
Even if it is firmly rooted in the crime thriller genre, I am adding Severance Package. When your job goes belly up and the boss tells you in a Saturday meeting that not only are you being let go, you are not going to make it off of the floor alive, things turn ugly fast. Small cast, but action packed! A little over the top and non-stop, this was a blast to read. Some times you just need to find a pick-up game to play for an afternoon of fun.
Edit: Booo to The Death Cure (Maze Runners #3) not being in the death game genre!

Chris wrote: "Huge update this time with The Crimson Labyrinth..."

Thanks for adding these Chris, they look awesome. And I agree. The Maze Runner trilogy is awesome. I am looking forward to reading Death Cure, and I will definitely add it to this list!

I love these kinds of books!

Also: I added Heir Apparent and Killobyte. Both are about people trapped in virtual reality, and who must complete the game - or die.

Added Hunted Past Reason, Light, The Damnation Game, and Rite of Passage!

I got three books for you! The first and last I loved when I was a kid.

Goosebumps #43 The Beast of the East by R.L. Stine: Ginger Wald and her identical twin brothers, Nat and Pat, are lost in the woods. Then Ginger and her brothers meet the beasts. They're big blue furry creatures. And they want to play a game. The winners get to live. The losers get eaten. . . .

Senseless by Stona Fitch: Eliot Gast is kidnapped in Brussels by a group of international terrorists. He is held captive in a white room. Black wires that hang from the wall and ceiling broadcast his plight worldwide via the Internet. Millions of people are watching as they remove his senses one by one.

Everest (trilogy) by Gordon Korman: A number of kids are televised on a reality tv show, competing to be the youngest person to ever reach the top of Mt. Everest.

I love your list!! So glad to see my favorite titles in there, and I will check out the other ones!

No sé que hace Divergente ahí....

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