Patent Application
20100320687
The present invention relates to a board game. More particularly, it relates to a board game in which players compete toward the goal of winning and choosing a coronation of themself or another by moving playing pieces of simulated jewels such as would be upon a crown.
Board games have been played by children and adults alike in most cultures and societies throughout the world. Some games are played to emulate a real game such as football or soccer. Some board games, such as chess, provide practice in strategy and calculating outcomes and have been classics for centuries. Some games are played to educate the user or to allow users to match their intellectual prowess in a particular area of expertise. Most board games however are played simply for competition and amusement of the players enjoying them.
Conventionally, a board game is a game played with counters or playing pieces that are placed on, removed from, or moved across a playing “board” on which the players compete. Most such boards consist of a playing surface bearing indicia that is pre-marked in a manner that is usually specific to that game. Simple board games which require no specific education or knowledge, and thereby render all the players equal to the task, make for ideal family entertainment since they are generally playable by all ages and allow adults and children to compete in a manner that would otherwise be unavailable since adults inherently have the advantage over a child in games of knowledge or skill.
However, many board games become outmoded or boring to players or potential players over time due to familiarity with the game itself. Humans inherently crave new experiences and competition and consequently there is a continuing need for new and interesting board games, in which players may compete. Such games should provide a playing board and playing pieces and rules which both children and adults may understand and play, thereby allowing family-type competition and comradery which is not provided by a television show or other modern conventional evening or weekend entertainment. Further, such a method and apparatus for a game should be simple enough for children to play without adult intervention or explanation, yet provide a basis of play that stimulate the imagination of the children playing it.
The device and method of play herein described and disclosed is for a game where the ultimate goal is the coronation of a player by the winner, which thereby provides a noble goal for the games participants. The game may be played by two to four players who compete using a game board and a plurality of playing pieces to mark their individual positions.
Preferably, to maintain the regal theme, the playing pieces have an appearance of gemstones. Upon one player reaching victory, the same theme is continued wherein a coronation with a jeweled crown of one player is provided with that player being designated by the game winner.
Also provided are a plurality of playing cards which when drawn, cause the player to take a directed action. Additionally provided and employed for game play is a set of two dice for the individual participants to consecutively roll to determine the number of spaces of movement for each consecutive turn about the board by the rolling player.
Ultimately, to win the game, a player must control the crown which is a portion of the game board located at the center of the game board. Control of the crown portion is accomplished by engineering the moving of, and ultimate placement of, six of a player's playing pieces, on positions in the crown portion. Once a player has accomplished this task, that player may perform a coronation to end the game. The coronation may be of themself or one of the other players, should the winner so choose.
The game features a number of elements intended to maintain the coronation or royal theme of the game. These regal elements are also intended to stimulate the imagination of the players, especially children. First, heraldic symbols are employed on the game board which are a generally well-known and historical icon of ancient heraldry and royal courts. As shown, the plurality of symbols may include the Estoile, Cinquefoil, Quatrefoil, Fleur-de-lis, Lion, Bee, Anchor, and may also include other symbols found in ancient heraldry.
An additional fanciful inducement for game play is provided by the playing pieces employed by each player. These playing pieces are formed to appear as mounted precious stones. The stones may include diamond, pearl, ruby, emerald, sapphire, onyx, and other gems which are conventionally known precious stones. Currently, the stones are mounted atop a pedestal for ease of handling. However, other modes of mounting may be employed.
The playing board is provided to allow players to track their relative positions toward an ultimate win and coronation. The board features indicia to designate six individual board sections surrounding a generally round center coronation section of the game board. The game board is formed of cardboard, plastic laminate, or other material suitable for the task which will allow for collapse for storage.
On the top surface of the game board, indicia is located to designate seventy-two individual playing positions. The seventy-two playing positions are designated by the positioning of six different heraldic symbols, each occupying one of the six radially oriented sections surrounding the center coronation section. Each respective radially oriented game board section has two different sets of the same heraldic symbol therein.
A first of these sets, consisting of thirty-six placing positions with five in each respective radially oriented board sections, are designated with markings as being crown positions. One of each of the six different heraldic symbols employed in the six radially oriented board sections is also positioned at center section of the game board, such that the center section designating the crown will have six different heraldic symbols therein.
Also provided are twenty four playing positions with each having markings designating them as challenge positions. There are four of each symbol occupying these designated challenge positions. Each of these challenge positions are employed on the game board to direct players landing upon them during a turn, to collect a challenge card from the playing cards provided with the kit, and thereby replenish players' hands as the cards are used in challenges.
The last set of twelve playing positions are positioned on the game board using indicia designating them to be employed as a “keeps” position. These “keeps” positions are storage spots where a player can store a game piece to be used during a subsequent turn.
Turns and movement about the board by players are accomplished by sequential rolls of a pair of dice. Conventional dice are employed to determine the number of pieces added to the game board or moved on the game board during a player's turn.
For use in a challenge process, the dice will be designated with markings such as coloring each die differently, to make one a challenge die, and the other die a defense die.
As noted, there will be provided, in the kit, a stack of playing cards known as Challenge Cards. The back side of the challenge cards, viewable by opposing players, are indistinguishable from each other. The faces of each respective challenge card have numerals designating point values of the card from 1 to 12 printed upon them, with only one such numeral on each such card. Alternatively, other devices might be employed to designate the point values allotted to any challenge card from 1 to 12 points. These point values are used in the challenge process. Some of the playing cards will be designated with markings as “coronation invalid” cards. These will come into play during coronations.
Finally, the kit provides players a small playing piece which emulates a coronet, which historically is a small crown consisting of ornaments fixed on a metal ring. This coronet is dimensioned to easily fit into a landing space on the center section of the game board designating the crown. Each coronet will have a stone engaged to it which matches a respective stone in a respective set of playing pieces employed by a respective one of the players. During game play, each player will employ their coronet corresponding to the stones they have selected for play.
All of the parts of the game, thus try to enhance the royal theme of a coronation, such as employing precious stones in the coronet and playing pieces, and the use of indicia of royal or heraldic symbols.
In use, the following example of game play between three players, there is shown a typical game of Coronation.
Prior to any movement by players of their playing pieces at start of the game, the crown portion of the board will be vacant of any playing pieces. The heraldic symbols used for this example are fleur-de-lis, rampant lion, anchor, cross, cinquefoil, and bee. Of course, the game board might employ other heraldic symbols and such are anticipated.
In a first step, the players will choose an order of player turns of play. This currently is accomplished by a roll of the dice, with the highest number rolled determining which player takes the first turn. Players rolling lower numbers will take their turns in order of the number they rolled.
At the start of this particular game the crown is vacant. The heraldic symbols used for this example are fleur-de-lis, rampant lion, anchor, cross, cinquefoil, and bee.
Also at the start of this particular game, option number 2 has been selected to handle invalid coronation attempts, so players will retain control of the crown afterwards.
As the first player, Barry rolls a 6 and a 3. He applies five pieces to the fleur-de-lis crown positions and the sixth piece to the fleur-de-lis position on the crown, since that position is open. He applies the other three pieces to keeps, to be used at a later time.
Julie rolls a 5 and a 1. She applies five pieces to the lion crown positions and the sixth piece to the lion position on the crown.
Sam rolls a 6 and a 6. She takes the anchor crown positions and that position on the crown, and also the bee positions, including the one on the crown.
Barry rolls a 1 and a 2. He applies three pieces to the cross crown positions, and the three pieces from the keeps positions from his prior turn, to the remaining cross positions to take the cross position on the crown.
Julie rolls a 5 and a 3. She takes the remaining cinquefoil position on the crown with her remaining six pieces and moves 2 pieces to keeps positions to store them for later use.
The crown is now full with pieces of all three players. Barry has two pieces on the crown and ten pieces left to play with. Julie has two pieces on the crown and ten pieces left to play with. Sam has two pieces on the crown and ten pieces left to play with.
At this time players begin collecting challenge cards with one card awarded for each landing on a challenge position. Sam then rolls a 3 and a 1. She moves four pieces to the lion challenge positions and collects three cards. Barry rolls snake eyes. He moves two pieces to keeps. Julie then rolls a 3 and a 3. She moves four pieces to the fleur-de-lis challenge positions and takes four challenge cards. She moves two pieces to keeps. Play continues like this for awhile with each player building up their hands of challenge cards.
Later, Julie rolls a 6 and a 2 and applies six pieces to six vacant crown positions and is eligible to take one position on the crown, or challenge for two. Since none are open, she must challenge. She wants to challenge Barry for his two crown positions since he has the fewest challenge cards to defend himself against her collection. In a challenge, the player may bid with their challenge cards or by a roll of the dice. Julie begins by advancing a bid of 1 point. Barry calls. Julie advances 1 more point. Barry calls. At this time Julie would rather take a chance with a dice roll to see how her luck is rather than use all her cards up. The dice are rolled and she loses the challenge as Barry rolls a higher number. The four cards they both played are discarded and play continues.
Play continues with players collecting more challenge cards. Later on, Sam rolls a 3 and a 4. She already has five pieces on crown positions having five different symbols but a sixth position that would take a position on the crown is occupied by Julie. Sam must challenge Julie for this position.
Sam begins the challenge by advancing 1 point but Julie's lowest point value on a card is 6 and she wants to save these higher valued cards for more important challenges, so she gives up the position and Sam moves one piece to it. Sam, having completed one of the three criteria for attempting a coronation, is now eligible to take any one position on the crown or challenge for five. She can move six more pieces, so she applies four pieces to keeps and hopes to put the other two pieces on the crown by winning a challenge. She can make this challenge in this turn. She goes for Barry's positions on the crown, and advances 12 points to start.
Barry calls and raises 4 points. Sam calls and raises 6 points. Barry calls and raises 12 points. Sam has put up 35 points, and Barry calls and he is at 35 also. He advances 6 more points. Sam must either call or lose the challenge, but her lowest card value is 8 and her hand of cards is getting thin. Barry is looking strong and bold. Sam gets cold feet and doesn't advance any more points. She loses the challenge and the two pieces she had reserved for this cannot now be moved.
Not long after this, Julie challenges Sam for her two positions on the crown, and since Sam has a weakened challenge hand, Julie is able to acquire Sam's two positions on the crown by out bidding Sam for them. Julie now has four positions total. Her challenge hand is still relatively strong after this. Play continues.
Later on, Julie challenges for Barry's two positions on the crown. Barry chooses not to weaken his hand too much and gives the positions up after a short bidding war. Julie now has control of all positions on the crown. She may win the game by crowning another player. She chooses to crown Sam. But Sam is holding a card invalidating this coronation. This card is discarded and play continues.
Sam rolls next and collects some challenge cards. Barry then rolls a 1 and a 6. He moves one piece to a position that makes him eligible to take a position on the crown. He challenges Julie for all six of her positions, and in the bidding war she uses all but one card, and won't use that last one to match Barry's bid. Consequently, her six crown pieces are removed from the board and Barry takes control of the crown at this time. He chooses to crown Sam, assuming that Julie's last card is a coronation invalidator, but Sam was holding yet another invalidator card, so play continues.
Julie rolls low numbers and moves some pieces back onto the board. Sam rolls and is able to challenge Barry for one position on the crown. Since Barry's hand is weak now, Julie is able to out bid him and to take one position on the crown from him, and he no longer has control of the crown.
Barry gets this position back in a few more turns and attempts to crown Julie, but she had collected three more cards in the meantime, and one of them is an invalidator. Play continues until Sam eventually takes control of the crown and crowns Julie to win the game.
The game thus teaches the players strategy by allowing for different criteria to attempt to take over the crown and win the game by crowning another player. It also teaches the use of the element of surprise through the employment of challenge cards and invalidator cards which can negate those attempts. Further, it allows the players to adjust the game length by letting them add or subtract from the distributed invalidator cards so they can adjust its time frame to the duration of time available, such as an airline ride.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the board game device and method of play herein in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction, and to the arrangement of the components or method steps set forth in the description herein. The invention is thus capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways and in different orders of execution. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the board game herein is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other games and methods of play for carrying out the purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is an object of this invention to provide a game which has a royal theme which children and adults will find enjoyable.
A further object of this invention is the provision of such a game which expounds on that theme by providing a coronation as the ultimate goal of the players to win the game.
Yet another object of this invention is the provision of such a coronation type game which provides both forward and rearward moving occurrences in the quest of obtaining a coronation and winning.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of the construction and method as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum relationships for the method and game components herein are to include variations in function and manner of operation, steps in operation and use, which are readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Referring now to the drawings in
In
Each respective radial positioned section 18 of the game board 12 thus has two different sets of positions bearing the same heraldic symbol therein. A total of 11 playing positions are formed in each section 18 by the sum of the challenge positions 21, crown positions 26, and keeps positions 19. Of course those skilled in the art will realize that different numbers of peripheral sections 18 could be employed to play the game herein and such is anticipated.
Currently the board 12 has indicia thereon designating a plurality of six such peripherally located sections 18 is an especially preferred mode of the device as experimentation has shown that this number provides players a game-length which is generally not too long or too short.
A first set of marked playing positions, in each respective section 18, are designated with markings as being crown positions 26. There are five crown positions 26 designated in each respective peripherally located section 18.
One of each of the six different types heraldic symbols 17 which are located in the six radially oriented board sections 18 is also positioned at the center section or crown section 14 of the game board. Thus, this crown section 14 of the board, has six different heraldic symbols 17 therein shown in a circle arrangement.
Also employed on the game board 12 are twenty-four of the playing positions 16 with each having markings designating them as challenge positions 21. There are four respective designated challenge positions 21 located in each section 18. Landing a game piece on a challenge position 21 directs players to collect a challenge card 24 from a deck of challenge cards 24.
Also employed are twelve of the playing positions on the board which have indicia designating them to be employed as a keeps position 26. Two of each keeps positions 26 are located in each of the peripherally located sections 18 of the playing board 12. The keeps positions 26 operate as storage spots for players to keep game pieces for subsequent movement.
In order to decide an order of player movement around the playing board 12 through movement of their respective playing pieces 28, a pair of dice 30 is provided which may be rolled by each player at each turn.
The dice 30 also double as a means to ascertain a player challenge score during any challenge process of the game should dice be the chosen determining component rather than a bidding of challenge cards. Determining a challenge score is done by having a first die 32 with a colored surface 34, and a second die 36 having a different second colored surface 38. A player initiating a challenge may roll one die, and a player defending a challenge would subsequently roll the other die in defense to the challenge. The higher roll will win.
Also provided are a plurality of challenge cards 24. The back side of the challenge cards, viewable by opposing players, are indistinguishable from each other. The faces 40 of each respective challenge card 24, when viewed by the holder, have a designator 42 upon them. This designator is a numeral point value between 1 and 12. These point values may be employed in the challenge process also by summing them from the bid cards against the sum bid by an opposing player.
Another playing component provided is the invalidator card 25 shown for example in
Additionally provided in the game kit are playing pieces which emulate a crown or coronet 44 having ornaments fixed on a metal ring. This coronet 44 would be dimensioned to easily fit into a landing space or crown on the center section 46 of the game board 12. Each coronet 44 will have a stone 48 engaged to it which matches all the respective stones 48 in one respective set of playing pieces 28 employed by each of the players. During play of the game, each player will employ their coronet 44 appearance to a corresponding appearance of the stones they have selected for play in the playing pieces 48.
In use the following example is of game play between three players enjoying a typical game of Coronation. In a first step in playing the game, players will choose an order of player turns of play a roll the dice 30 with the highest number rolled determining which player takes the first turn. Players rolling lower numbers will take their turns sequentially relative to the value of the number they rolled.
Once an order of play is determined the players will begin the game by rolling the dice 30 to obtain a value to move their respective playing pieces 28 onto open positions on the board 12. The number rolled on the dice 30 may be used to move one or a plurality of the playing pieces 28 to the crown playing positions 26 in their section 18. The total number of spaces which may be filled in the player's section 18 by the number of playing pieces 28 moved in a turn, is equal to the number rolled on the dice 30 by that player.
Should all of a player's crown positions 26 in a given section 18 be filled, a player may place a playing piece on the crown playing position 15 in the crown section 14. When those are filled, each section 18 also has two keeps positions 19 where playing pieces may be stored for later movement.
Once all the crown positions 26 on the playing board 12 corresponding the number of players are filled by playing pieces 28, challenge cards may collected for landing on a challenge position 21. Challenges by players taking a turn, and wanting to occupy positions occupied by other players on the board, may occur during a players roll of the dice 30 should they wish to take over those positions.
During any turn, a player taking their turn, may issue a challenge to another other player, for the crown positions 15 occupied by that player's playing pieces 28. In a challenge, a player may choose to bid the total numeral value of the designators 42 of one or a plurality of their collection of challenge cards 24, against that of the other player. Alternatively, the player may roll one die 32 or 36 and have the other player roll the other die 32 or 36 wherein the high number rolled wins. Whomever wins the challenge will occupy the crown playing positions 15 in question.
Play by the players continues with the goal of occupying all of six crown playing positions 15 in the crown section 14 of the board 12. To qualify to place a piece on a position on the coronet 44 a player must meet one of three conditions, each of which are subject to rules of piece addition and movement.
In one mode of qualification, a player must place their playing pieces 28 generally about the board 12 all of which have matching heraldic symbols. At this point, that players sixth playing piece 28 may placed on the corresponding (by heraldic symbol) playing position in the crown section 14 surrounding the crown 46, if it is open. Subject to this condition, if the desired playing position surrounding the crown 46 in the center section 14 is occupied by another player, a challenge or trade can be made for that playing position, and only that playing position. Once the player has the sixth playing piece 28 located on a crown playing position 15 in the center section 14 matching the heraldic symbol from his other five, he can place a playing piece 28 on the crown 46 during a turn.
Alternatively, a player may apply their playing pieces 28 to five crown positions 26 on the general board area, each of which having a different heraldic symbol. Once this is accomplished, their playing piece 28 may be placed on the actual coronet 44 only after they manage to position a playing piece 28 on a playing position surrounding the crown 46 in the center section 14 which corresponds to the one heraldic symbol they have not covered in placing their playing pieces 28 in the general area of the board 12. Once they place this last playing piece 28 which completes a set of six different heraldic symbols, they may place a playing piece 28 on the crown 46. If the position needed surrounding the crown 46 is occupied, the player may execute a challenge to obtain it to complete their set.
In a third mode of winning the game, a player may position playing pieces 28 during their turns, upon six crown positions 26 on the general board area, each of which have different heraldic symbols, thereby completing a complete set of all the symbols without the position surrounding the crown 46. Once the set of six different symbols is covered by playing pieces 28, that player during their turn may place a playing piece 28 on any one available playing position surrounding the crown 46 so long as that position is open. If there is only one position surrounding the crown 46 open, they must take it. Additionally, if all are occupied and there no open playing positions surrounding the crown, that player may challenge for any playing position surrounding the crown 46 in the center section 14, and which is owned by one and only one other player. It should be understood that meeting this third criteria, allows a player to challenge for multiple playing positions surrounding the crown 46 in the center section 14. But such a challenge may only be for crown playing positions 15 occupied by one other player per challenge, on any given turn of the challenging player. Of course the challenging player must have the playing pieces 28 on stored positions and available to apply to the desired positions, as per the rules of piece movement. Trading is allowed in this mode of movement in place of challenging, however it is unlikely that any other player would trade out a crown playing position 15 surrounding the coronet 44.
Thus, in the quest to be allowed the right to place their playing piece on the crown 46, by using one of the three modes noted above, play and challenges continue for the duration of the game until one player occupies the correct combination of positions to allow that player to position their playing piece 28 on the crown 46. When a player occupies the correct combination of positions using one of the three modes, they may then attempt to win the game by placing their coronet 44 on the crown 46 giving them the right to coronate another player.
At this point, if the intended player who is to be coronated can counter the coronation attempt by playing a coronation invalidator card 25, then the attempted coronation is terminated. If this is the case, then play continues until one player occupies all the correct playing positions from the three options along with one in the center section 14 surrounding the crown 46 per those options. Each time this occurs, that player will designate another player for coronation with the coronet 44. If that designated player, or another wishing to save the game, is unable to invalidate the coronation by playing an invalidator card 25, then the designated player is crowned and the game ends.
The method and apparatus for playing a game as shown in the drawings and described in detail herein, disclose steps in a process, arrangements of elements of particular construction, and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation and play of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and different steps and process procedures and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described, may be employed for providing the game herein within the spirit of this invention.
As such, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated that in some instance some features of the invention could be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.
