Steppe

"(W) Piers Anthony Alp, a 9th century Turkish war-chieftain, is whisked away from his tribe and his era at the moment of his death, and finds himself in 2332. This future is ruled by humans called the Galactics who preside over a live-action game called 'Steppes' where the participants can actually die. Against his will, Alp is forced to fight once more..."