Abstract: Challenge gaming includes selection of individual gaming characters or teams of characters to be pitted against opposing characters in asynchronous individual competitions or sequential tournament competitions. Each of the characters has a predetermined set of characteristics such as abilities, powers, defenses or performance levels. These characteristics can be implemented in a preselected order or according to a statistical probability, for example, based on historic data. Characteristics of team members are variable based on characteristics of other team members and opposing team members or other competition factors. Game play is conducted between characters without the need for further user interaction.