Take an objective as simple as being the first player to reach the top of a pyramid, throw in random chance, set it within the black and white world of Bill Barker's Schwa Corporation artwork, and you have a game that even its developer doesn't always come out on top playing.

　　Created by Orbital Studios, Schwa Pyramid, an online-only turn-based game, which launched on AOL today, is a pretty darn easy game to play until your opponents start getting in your way.

　　Having recently visited the Orbital Studios offices for a hands-on demonstration, this editor learned firsthand how challenging the game can be especially when playing against the game's development staff that's been with it from its conception. Even with the game's designer, Karl Buiter, providing play-by-play strategy tips, the final outcome was GameSpot zero, Orbital Studios one.

　　The main reason Schwa Pyramid is challenging is that the elements used in the game are generated randomly for each match. Played on a two-dimensional board, up to six players take turns moving horizontally, vertically, or using elements against other players all in the name of being the first person to the top of the pyramid. The only elements of the game are institutions and diversions. The former is what you need to collect in certain numbers in order to progress up the levels of the pyramid. The latter are items you collect and use to either attack opponents in order to slow their assent or use to defend yourself from diversions they attack you with.

　　While there are only four types of institutions (labor, mass media, government, and corporation), the number and kinds of diversions in each game vary depending on what type of game is being played. For example, in a beginner game, only 12 unique diversions are available, while an advance game will have access to all 26.

　　The types of diversions include abduction, which wipes out an opponent's collection of labor institutions on a particular level, and black hole, which removes institutions on a person's support level. Along with attack-type diversions there is also a host of counter diversions players can use when being attacked. All this makes for a game that will take players quite a bit of time to master.

　　Orbital Studios is only offering the game through a single online source, World Play, which is on AOL. It currently does not intend to offer Schwa Pyramid to any other online game services. To entice AOL members to check out the game, Orbital Studios is offering Schwa Pyramid free for the next two weeks, after that it will be US$1.99 an hour to play.