So, don't remember where or when, but I once mentioned a "13 Layers of Hell" arena game.
So, roughly 8 players. Each draws 4 cards out of a deck, and one gets put back if it's of a same suit or number they already have and a new one drawn; This way, each player has 1 card of each suit, of 4 different numbers.
Players all coexist on the same map, the same arena. It's a slight bit maze-y, but not terribly so. However, the reason I mention this, is they don't exist on the same LAYER of reality. Everything they see or touch is the same, but various objects and players aren't all in the same layers. Players in the same layer as each other can see and kill each other, but can't see or kill players in other layers. They'll just go through each other. If you share even one number with another player, you can see them. If none of your cards have the same number as another player, you can't see them.
When a player dies, his body is completely consumed by the fire and brimstone in this place, and he's sent off to another reality. Probably not the same one he originally came from. There are thousands of worlds, but only one Hell. Sure, Hell is huge, it has to be in order to fit the countless souls from unknown numbers of universes, but there's only one Hell. And you unlucky (or is it lucky?) patrons have been selected to compete in an arena for the entertainment of bloodthirsty demons and souls that don't really belong there, but there's no Heaven for them to go to, and they get treated as best as the demons can, so they try to enjoy the suffering of others too. Such as you. And hey, if you die in Hell, you get reincarnated somewhere. Usually. Almost always. There have been about... 3 cases where someone failed to show up anywhere.
The cards of a deceased player are returned to the 20 card stack left over, some other soul shoved from it's seats into the ring, and new cards drawn for them.
Most of the actions are layed out in post, but many by PM. In fact, there's enough hidden stuff going on, especially since it's PvP, that I'll be arranging for non-PM "PM" solutions. And in return, the updates will contain very little information too, basically changes to the arena as the crazy equipment characters bring with them into the afterlife cause major damage to the environment. Some explosions, the audience's reactions, "death" announcements, and stuff like that. Not player positions or anything like that, all that is delivered to the players by personalized PMs. Who you see, what you can see them doing, and the results of your actions will pretty much be decided by PM.
No stats, the gimmicks would be rules heavy enough. Speaking of gimmicks, I would use two random words each for 2 pieces of equipment. I'll give the player the option of picking general categories of equipment, roll up a word, pick a number of perks that fit the word, let the player pick 2, roll up the second word, and modify the perks based on the word. Give a couple variations, let the player pick 2 from that list, and boom. 2 pieces of equipment randomized AND personalized, for each character.
What words would I pick? How would I pick? Well, I've already got a way of picking from a list of 52 things. And then, if I let the player pick a primary and secondary suit for each piece of equipment before rolling words (must include all 4), I have either 208 words to pick from or 676, depending on whether it's the suit that matters or the number connected to that suit that the player drew for his/her layers. I would prefer 208.
If they player chooses equipment that is too specific for their first choices, I'll broaden it out before drawing words.
Edit: Oh, yes, equipment stays behind after death. So while bodies are not left behind, you can still figuratively loot them. So if you survive long enough, you'll have, like, 12 rocket launchers or something. And be outfitted with more armor than Juggernaught.