A Classic Returns

Gloria Mundi is a game about the downfall of civilization. You’re aristocrats during the fall of Rome, struggling to make your way (and score some points) while the empire falls apart.

This apart-falling is perpetrated by a Visigoth, who slowly but inexorably wanders towards Rome while you quietly scurry the other way. You’ll play lands, put buildings on them, and then watch as the Visigoth destroys them.

The Rio Grande edition of Gloria Mundi was somewhat symbol-heavy, with card names in Latin. Their idea was to make the components easier to localize. But these improvements often made the game hard to understand. Along with many other fundamental changes, we’ve replaced the symbols and the Latin names with the original English text, so we call this the “English Language Edition.”

Our new version of Gloria Mundi has been in test for more than ten years, tagging along in James Ernest’s bag at game nights and trade shows. We think the new mechanics are pretty great, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement. That’s why Crab Fragment brings you this playtest build, in both Print-and-Play and online formats.

Print and Play:

If you’d like to print your own version of Gloria Mundi, here are the files you’ll need:

• Gloria Mundi Playtest Rules v. 6.0.3b 11/9/21

• Gloria Mundi Board v. 6.0.3a

• Gloria Mundi Land Cards - These never change.

• Gloria Mundi Forum Cards v 6.0.3

In addition, you will need about 60 tokens in each of three colors: green (Food), yellow (Gold), and red (War), plus about 20 purple tokens (Glory). You also need a pawn for each player, and one more for the Visigoth.

Please check out James Ernest’s how-to videos on making your own components, below. Note that at this point, we still expect the Forum deck to change, but the Land cards are pretty much locked. In case that affects how you decide to construct them.

• Making Playtest Cards (Video)

• Making Playtest Boards (Video)

Play Online:

We have created a version of this game in Tabletop Simulator. You’ll need a copy of that game. Then look for the Gloria Mundi 6.0 workshop in Tabletop Simulator (on Steam). This link will take you to the page for the workshop. We think.

If you want to play that version you will still want to download the rules above. Be sure that you grab the latest version of the rules and workshop assets, since we make updates often!

Drive Thru Cards:

Someday, when the deck contents have settled, we will put a version of the decks at Drive Thru Cards. That day may still be a long way off.

Send Your Thoughts

If you’ve got feedback that will help us make this game better, please let us know! Visit the playtest feedback form and let us know what you think. We hope to make a new real-live edition of this game someday!