Board Game Apparatus For Playing A Multi-Player Game

Abstract

A board game apparatus comprises a game board with a design shaped like a dollar sign. The game board is configured with a continuous playing path having a plurality of game spaces, including investment spaces, taxation spaces, life choice spaces, lottery spaces, a jail space, hospital spaces, and mini-game spaces. The board game apparatus provides a distinctive method by harmoniously blending financial strategy, word-based challenges, and dynamic gameplay into a cohesive experience. The board game apparatus provides a multifaceted, engaging, and accessible platform for players of various ages and skill levels. By combining these elements, the board game apparatus aims to captivate players while simultaneously fostering financial literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a board game, and more particularly to a board game apparatus that is a combination of financial strategy, word-based challenges, and dynamic gameplay elements into a single, cohesive gaming experience.

BACKGROUND

Board games have long been a source of entertainment and education, offering players the opportunity to develop strategic thinking, financial literacy, and social skills. Traditional games like Monopoly and Scrabble have been staples in homes and schools, combining fun with the development of essential life skills. However, as gaming evolves, there is a growing demand for more engaging and multifaceted experiences that blend different types of challenges, from financial management to word puzzles.

Despite the success of many classic board games, several issues remain unaddressed. Traditional board games often focus on a single skill set, such as financial strategy or word formation, limiting their educational scope. Players may find these games repetitive, reducing their appeal over time. Furthermore, many board games lack the ability to simulate complex real-world scenarios, such as economic fluctuations or social challenges, which can diminish their relevance in an increasingly complex world. The lack of diversity in gameplay can also limit the engagement of players across different age groups, as younger players may find strategy-based games too challenging, while older players may seek more depth than what traditional word games offer.

To overcome these limitations, several advancements have been made in board game design. Modern board games now incorporate a variety of gameplay elements, such as mini-games, interactive components, and dynamic rule sets that change based on player actions. These innovations aim to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging, encouraging players to think critically and adapt to new challenges. Some games also include educational components, such as math or vocabulary exercises, to enhance the learning experience. Additionally, the integration of technology in some board games, such as app-based companions or electronic components, has allowed for more complex and interactive gameplay, making games more appealing to a broader audience.

Despite these advancements, current solutions still have several drawbacks. Many modern board games that incorporate multiple gameplay elements or educational content can become overly complex, deterring casual players. The reliance on technology in some games can also be a barrier, as it increases costs and requires additional resources, such as smartphones or tablets, which may not be accessible to all players. Additionally, while these games aim to be educational, they often fail to integrate learning seamlessly into the gameplay, leading to disconnect between fun and education. This can result in a game that is either too focused on learning, losing its entertainment value, or too focused on entertainment, losing its educational impact.

Therefore, there is a need for a board game apparatus that is a combination of financial strategy, word-based challenges, and dynamic gameplay elements into a single, cohesive gaming experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key nor critical elements of all embodiments, nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments.

The present disclosure, in one or more embodiments, relates to a board game apparatus that is a combination of financial strategy, word-based challenges, and dynamic gameplay elements into a single, cohesive gaming experience.

An embodiment of a first aspect, a board game apparatus for playing a multi-player game, including a game board having at least one continuous playing path including a plurality of game spaces. The plurality of game spaces are categorized into multiple categories to simulate investment and business management within a city-themed environment.

The multiple categories of the plurality of game spaces include taxation spaces, life choice spaces, lottery spaces, a jail space, business spaces, mini-game spaces, property spaces, utility spaces and thereof.

An embodiment of the first aspect, the board game apparatus comprises a plurality of game pieces. The game pieces are configured to enable players to move and place on at least one game space of the plurality of game spaces as the multi-player game may be played. The each game piece of the each player represents a player's position of the game board.

An embodiment of the first aspect, the board game apparatus comprises a plurality of cards. The cards are representative of at least one or more game spaces of the plurality of game spaces. Each card of the plurality of cards may be configured to represent a business or property with associated value, upgrade costs, life choices and one or more mini-games may include of word scrambles.

An embodiment of the first aspect, the board game apparatus comprises a set of currency tokens. The currency tokens are representing money used while playing the multi-player game for making transactions for purchasing investments, paying taxes, and upgrading properties within the city-themed environment. An embodiment of the first aspect, a rule set configured for guiding the players to play the multi-player game using the plurality of game pieces and the plurality of cards with the set of currency. In some embodiments, the rule set may be configured for acquisition and upgrading of investments, collection of rent or fees, resolution of the mini-games, and strategic use of game elements such as a corrupt police card, lotteries, a pandemic card and hostile takeovers.

The board game apparatus comprises a rule set. The rule set is configured for governing movement of the plurality of game pieces. The rule set is configured for acquisition and upgrading of investments, collection of rent or fees, resolution of the mini-games, and strategic use of game elements such as a corrupt police card, lotteries, a pandemic card and hostile takeovers. The corrupt police card grants a player the ability to receive double tax refunds, collect taxes from other players, and gain immunity from jail penalties.

An embodiment of the first aspect, the continuous playing path may be designed in a shape of a dollar sign. In some embodiments, the game board further includes a plurality of tunnel spaces, enabling players to move respective player game piece from one tunnel space to another on the game board. In some embodiments, the corrupt police card grants a player the ability to receive double tax refunds, collect taxes from other players, and gain immunity from jail penalties.

An embodiment of the first aspect, the mini-game spaces include a lottery mini-game. In some embodiments, the players unscramble a set of words within a limited time to win a monetary reward. In some embodiments, the mini-game spaces include a lawsuit mini-game.

An embodiment of the first aspect, a hangman game is played between two players to determine the winner of the lawsuit, with the winning player receiving a monetary settlement and the losing player paying a corresponding amount.

An embodiment of the first aspect, the rule set includes a pandemic scenario that temporarily closes non-essential businesses on the game board, during which players can only operate essential businesses and receive stimulus payments upon the pandemic's conclusion. In some embodiments, the game board further including a bank component that manages monetary transactions, property mortgages, and sales, and acts as a broker for investments on the game board.

An embodiment of the first aspect, the rule set allows for the game to be played in a fast-play mode, where the players start with a reduced amount of currency and pre-assigned investments. In some embodiments, the hostile takeover mini-game allows a player to challenge another player to a competition, with the winner taking ownership of all the loser's investments and currency.

An embodiment of a second aspect, a method for play the board game apparatus comprise, distributing plurality of investment cards between the players based on the number of players. Next, a starting capital is distributed to each player based on the number of players. Next, a dice is rolled by each player, and respective game pieces are moved by each player in clockwise from a start position. Later, each player is required to perform actions based on at least one game space of the plurality of game spaces landed on.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the various embodiments of the present disclosure are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A illustrates a plan view of a board game apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a plan view of a game board of a board game apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates a section of the game board illustrating a plurality of game spaces, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1D illustrates a section of the game board illustrating the plurality of game spaces, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1E illustrates a section of the game board illustrating the plurality of game spaces, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1F illustrates a section of the game board illustrating the plurality of game spaces, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1G illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of game pieces of the board game apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1H illustrates a section of the game board illustrating the plurality of game spaces, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1I illustrates a section of the game board illustrating the plurality of game spaces, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1J illustrates a section of the game board illustrating the plurality of game spaces, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1K illustrates a perspective view of at least two immunity tokens of the board game apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1L illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of play objects for the board game apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method for play a board game apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1A refers to a plan view of a board game apparatus 100. The board game apparatus 100 comprises a game board 102 with a design shaped like a dollar sign. The game board 102 is configured with a continuous playing path 104 having a plurality of game spaces 106, including investment spaces, taxation spaces, life choice spaces, lottery spaces, a jail space, hospital spaces, and mini-game spaces 20.

FIG. 1B refers to a plan view of the game board 102. The plurality of game spaces 106 constituting a starting-point, and a series of intervening spaces indicating different game events.

FIG. 1C refers to a section of the game board 102 illustrating plurality of game spaces 106. A start space 10 is provided for awarding a tax return to a player upon landing thereon or passing thereover, the amount of the tax return being dependent upon the number of dependents associated with the player. For example, a tax return of $300 per adult and $200 per child is collected when landing on or passing the start space 10.

A pay taxes space 14 is provided for imposing a tax on a player, the amount of the tax being a percentage of the player's current cash holdings. For example, taxes are 20% of cash in hand, paid to corrupt police when landing on the pay taxes space 14.

The game board 102 further includes tunnel spaces 12 allowing for expedited movement of a player's game piece across the game board 102. In an embodiment herein, there are four tunnel spaces 12, which are used to travel either horizontal or vertical paths across the game board 102.

FIG. 1D refers to a section of the game board 102 illustrating plurality of game spaces 106. Life choices spaces 16 are configured to introduce random events or challenges to a player, requiring the player to perform specific actions or make choices. In exemplary embodiment, the player must move to the specified or chosen location and pay the required rent or business fee. For payment purposes, ‘Family Day’ covers the entire family, while ‘Date Night’ includes only the player and their spouse. Additionally, childcare costs must be paid on Date Night.

In one embodiment, the plurality of game spaces 106 comprises a jail space 18 represents jail or bonded. The jail space 18 is configured to impose a penalty on a player, and for restricting the player's gameplay for a predetermined number of turns. The player may elect to pay a fee to exit jail or utilize a designated game item. For example, the player loses their next two turns when landing on the jail space 18, but they are not sent to jail. If the player is allowed either pay $300 to get out immediately, or wait until third turn to be released for free, or use a ‘Get out of Jail’ token, the player is not sent to jail.

The game board 102 further comprises, a pandemic space 22, caught spaces 24, and under investigation spaces 26. These spaces are included to introduce game-altering conditions that affect all or individual players, respectively. These spaces trigger specific game mechanics, including but not limited to asset freezing, forced movement, and financial penalties.

FIG. 1E refers to a section of the game board 102 illustrating plurality of game spaces 106. The game board 102 further comprises, business spaces 28, property spaces 30, utility spaces 32, and a bank roll home décor space 34. The business spaces 28 includes capital groceries, sterling hospital, copper park, buck fun park, gravy train restaurant, golden museum, hard cash gym, tender complex, and Lil bundles childcare. The property spaces 30 comprises steward skyrise, bugget duplex, dusk houseboat, windrey cottage, Jorden beach house, gate cabin, waldon mobile homes, bexos flats, mansa musa mansion, Smith condos, and Cartha villa. Each property space 30 represent an investment, which implies steward skyrise, bugget duplex, dusk houseboat, windrey cottage, Jorden beach house, gate cabin, waldon mobile homes, bexos flats, mansa musa mansion, Smith condos, and Cartha villa are investments. The bank roll home décor space 34 comprises a bank roll home décor. The utility spaces 32 include utilities such as scratch water, rhino gas, and oscar electricity.

FIG. 1F refers to a section of the game board 102 illustrating plurality of game spaces 106. The game board 102 also includes a business space 28 for a hospital, where players may incur medical expenses based on random events. The impact of these medical expenses may be mitigated by the ownership of specific game assets.

In one embodiment, when a player lands on an owned investment, they must pay rent or business fees to the owner. If a business space 28 is landed on, the admission cost covers the player and their entire family including a spouse and two children would result in four payments, not three. Landing on a property space 30 requires the player to pay rent as well as any corresponding utility bills to the owners of the utilities. If a utility space 32 is landed on, the player must pay all their business utility bills owed to the owners of those utilities. Landing on the bank roll home décor space 34 requires the player to pay 20% of all upgrade costs that have been paid. Players can negotiate deals to exchange investments or money at any time. Note that when trading or acquiring an investment, the upgrade value does not transfer.

The game board 102 further comprises, mini-game spaces 20, a chronic illness space 36, a freak accident space 38, and back spaces 42. In one embodiment, the owner of the hospital is exempt from paying hospital fees when landing on or being sent to the hospital for childbirth. When landed on the chronic illness space 36, and the freak accident space 38, the owner must pay chronic illness or freak accident bills to the bank. With medical insurance, the owner receives a $200 discount on chronic illness or freak accident hospital bills for each business owned. Other players are required to pay a $1,200 hospital bill to the owner when landed on the chronic illness space 36, and a $2,000 hospital bill to the owner when landed on the freak accident space 38.

The game board 102 further comprising a bank component that manages monetary transactions, property mortgages, and sales, and acts as a broker for investments on the game board 102. The game board 102 and all associated components are adapted to be modular, allowing for different configurations of the game board 102 and customizable rule set 122.

FIG. 1G refers to a perspective view of a plurality of game pieces 108. The board game apparatus 100 comprises a plurality of game pieces 108, where each game piece 108 are configured for representing a player's position on the game board 102.

A plurality of cards 110 representative of the plurality of game spaces 106 on the game board 102. Each card 110 is configured for representing a business or property with associated value, upgrade costs, life choices and one or more mini-games comprises of word scrambles. The cards 110 comprise are life choice cards and lottery cards.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the board game apparatus 100 comprises plurality of investment cards 120. The investment cards 120 are configured for corresponding to the investments represented in each property space 30 on the game board 102. Each investment card 120 are configured for representing a business or property with associated value and upgrade costs. The investment cards 120 include at least 12 cards for each investment represented in each property space 30.

Further, the board game apparatus 100 comprises a set of mini-game cards. Each mini-game card is configured for corresponding to a mini-game space 20 on the game board 102 and including challenges such as word scrambles and hangman games.

The board game apparatus 100 comprises a set of currency tokens 112. The currency tokens 112 are configured for representing money used while playing the multi-player game for transactions include at least one of purchasing investments, paying taxes, and upgrading properties.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the board game apparatus 100 comprises a rule set 122. The rule set 122 is configured for governing movement of the plurality of game pieces 108. The rule set 122 is configured for acquisition and upgrading of investments, collection of rent or fees, resolution of the mini-games, and strategic use of game elements such as a corrupt police card 114, lotteries, a pandemic card 116 and hostile takeovers. The corrupt police card 114 grants a player the ability to receive double tax refunds, collect taxes from other players, and gain immunity from jail penalties.

For the pandemic space 22, the rule set 122 includes a pandemic scenario that temporarily closes non-essential businesses on the game board 102, during which players can only operate essential businesses and receive stimulus payments upon the pandemic's conclusion. The essential businesses are capital groceries, sterling hospital, and Copper Park. When gameplay enters a Pandemic, which means when a player lands on the pandemic space 22, the banker draws a pandemic card. Properties, utilities, and bank roll home décor are not affected by the pandemic, allowing players to continue making upgrades. If a business owner lands on a utility space 32 during the pandemic, the business owner must still pay the utility bill for all owned businesses. The pandemic ends when a player either lands on the pandemic space 22 again or uses a Pandemic Vaccination Life Choice card. Once the pandemic ends, all players receive a $1,000 stimulus payment.

In one embodiment, the game board 102 further includes a plurality of tunnel spaces 12, enabling players to move respective game pieces 108 from one tunnel space to another on the game board 102.

FIG. 1H refers to a section of the game board 102 illustrating plurality of game spaces 106. In one embodiment, the mini-game spaces 20 include a lottery mini-game, where players unscramble a set of words within a limited time to win a monetary reward. Further, the mini-game spaces 20 include a lawsuit mini-game, where a hangman game is played between two players to determine the winner of the lawsuit, with the winning player receiving a monetary settlement and the losing player paying a corresponding amount. Furthermore, the mini-game spaces 20 include a hostile takeover mini-game. The hostile takeover mini-game allows a player to challenge another player to a competition, with the winner taking ownership of all the loser's investments and currency.

The lottery mini-game is a word scramble-based game. Players are allotted one minute to form as many valid words as possible from a given set of letters. A capital letter is provided as a starting point. Words must be correctly spelled and cannot be acronyms, abbreviations, or proper nouns. Prize money is awarded based on the number and length of correctly formed words, with a bonus for words exceeding six letters. Further, when landed on mega lottery the prize money will be doubled. For example, $500 for correct word, $300 for 6+ letter words, $200 for 5 letter words, $100 for 4 letter words, and $50 for 3 letter words. The capital letter is the first letter of the word. The players are required to find as many words as possible in 1 minute. Words are only valid when spelled correctly. Acronyms, abbreviations, and proper nouns are not valid.

Players have the option to use winnings to purchase investments without incurring brokerage fees and collect the rest of the prize money if applicable. After the allotted time, an adjacent player verifies the formed words and calculates winnings. Disputes over word validity are resolved through a challenge system, with the incorrect party bearing a financial penalty.

The players to the left of the lottery player checks unscrambled words and calculates the winnings. A word can be challenged if it is not spelled right or is not a word. If the challenger wins, the lottery player pays the cost of the word. If the challenger loses, the challenger pays the lottery player the cost of the word then continues to calculate the winnings.

FIG. 1I refers to a section of the game board 102 illustrating plurality of game spaces 106. In the lawsuit mini-game, a lawsuit is initiated by a player paying a specified fee and selecting an opposing player. The dispute is resolved through a hangman-style word-guessing game. The plaintiff selects a word or phrase, and the defendant attempts to guess the letters within a limited number of incorrect guesses. If the defendant fails to guess the word before the hangman figure is complete, the defendant pays a predetermined penalty to the plaintiff. Conversely, if the defendant correctly guesses the word, the plaintiff pays a penalty to the defendant.

In an exemplary embodiment, to file a lawsuit, the player must pay $100 to the bank and choose a player to sue. Set up the hangman game with any word or phrase and draw the gallows. The hangman is hung when the head, body, arms, and legs are drawn which is 6 wrong guesses. If the defendant gets hung before guessing the word, the lawsuit is won and defendant pays $1000, $1500, or $2000. The plaintiff must reveal the word/phrase. If the defendant guesses the word or phrase, the lawsuit is lost and the plaintiff pays $500, $750, or $1000.

A player may initiate a hostile takeover by challenging another player to a mini-game. If declined, the initiating player must relinquish or acquire the corrupt police card 114. The challenged player selects either a best-of-three rock-paper-scissors match or a three-second thumb war. The victorious player confiscates all investments, including upgrades, and cash from the defeated player. Additionally, the corrupt police card 114 is transferred to the winning player. The defeated player is eliminated from the game.

In another embodiment, the board game apparatus 100 is configured for players to build a legacy and dominate city by being first to fully upgrade a set number of investments. Players can use various strategies such as using a broker, corrupt police, lotteries, lawsuits, and hostile takeovers to acquire or steal businesses and properties.

In another embodiment, the board game apparatus 100 is designed for 2 to 8 players and offers a blend of fun, competition, and education. The board game apparatus 100 aims to enhance math skills through buying, selling, upgrading investments, and managing taxes. Additionally, the board game apparatus 100 incorporates word games like scrambles and hangman, which help improve word formation and guessing skills. The board game apparatus 100 fulfills the need for entertaining and educational activities that can be enjoyed with friends, family, or in educational settings like schools.

In one embodiment, the game is played in the following manner. If there are 2 to 4 players, each player collects 7 of each investment. For 5 to 6 players, each collects 6 of each investment. If there are 7 or more players, each collects 5 of each investment.

Each player starts with $7000. The player with the highest dice roll goes first, possess the corrupt police card 114, and is designated as a corrupt police. While holding the corrupt police card 114, this player receives double tax refunds and collects taxes from other players. The corrupt police card 114 transfers clockwise after one use, which can be for any of the following benefits: immunity from paying taxes, avoiding ‘Caught’, ‘Under Investigation’, bankruptcy, hostile takeover, or jail. The corrupt police is also allowed to rob one investment or half the cash from any player but cannot steal fully upgraded investments.

In one embodiment, when a player is landed on at least one caught space 24 they are considered caught for a crime and will be put on trial. The player must roll the dice to determine the verdict. The player is required to roll dice to determine a verdict. Rolling a total between 2 and 8 means the player is guilty. Player can choose to go to jail for 2 turns, but cannot pay to get out. The player can use a get out of jail free token. Rolling a total between 9 and 12 means the player is not guilty.

FIG. 1J refers to a section of the game board 102 illustrating plurality of game spaces 106. In one embodiment, when a player lands on at least one under investigation space 26, all of their investments are frozen. This means the player cannot collect property rent or business payments, nor can they upgrade any investments. Investments acquired during the investigation are not affected. The investigation lasts for 2 turns, during which all investment cards 120 must be placed face down. The player may use an under-investigation immunity life choice card to end the penalty immediately.

The rule set 122 allows for the game to be played in a fast-play mode, where players start with a reduced amount of currency and pre-assigned investments. In the fast-play mode, each player starts with $3,500, a spouse, and one child. Distribute the property and business cards evenly among the players. If there are 4 players or fewer, divide 12 investment cards 120 among each player. If there are 5 or more players, distribute all investment cards 120. Any remaining investment cards 120 is deposited in the bank and can be purchased during gameplay. Players cannot buy the investment cards 120 until the players have passed or crossed the start space 10.

A bank manages all monetary transactions and holds the deeds to all properties and businesses. It also oversees the distribution of gameplay cards and organizes them accordingly. As a broker, the bank loans money to players who mortgage their properties or businesses. Players may sell a property or business back to the bank at its original cost, but any upgrades purchased are non-refundable.

During a player's turn, a player is required to roll the dice and move respective game piece 108 clockwise over the continuous playing path 104 from the start position. If the player land on a game space 106 with a prompt, the player is required to follow the instructions provided with respective to the game space 106. Before rolling the dice, the player is allowed to upgrade investments only if the player owns the bank roll home décor. An upgrade cost is 10% of the investment's value and is paid to the player that owns the bank roll home décor. In one embodiment, the utilities and the bank roll home décor cannot be upgraded, these investments automatically upgrade with other upgradable investments. The player that owns the bank roll home decor is required to pay the upgrade costs to the bank.

Further, to use an investment broker and purchase any property or business, a player is required to complete one full circuit of the game board 102. This means that the player must move across every game space 106 on the continuous playing path 104 to complete the circuit of the game board 102. A brokerage fee is $150 for the investment broker. If the player rolls even doubles, the player is required to roll the dice again. If even doubles are rolled three times in a row, the player is sent to jail. If the user rolls odd doubles, then the player moves backward by the number of plurality of game spaces 106 rolled. Play continues clockwise once the player's round is complete.

FIG. 1K refers to a perspective view of at least two immunity tokens 118. The board game apparatus 100 includes at least two immunity tokens 118, awarded to any player who selects a “Donation Life Choice” card. The player must then select between “Tax Immunity” and “Under Investigation Immunity.” To secure the selected immunity for the rest of the gameplay, the player donates 20% of their money to another player of their choice.

FIG. 1L refers to a plurality of play objects 124 for the board game apparatus 100. The play objects 124 include a variety of components such as a plurality of colored sticks (124A, 124B), a plurality of starfish 124C, and a plurality of colored triangles 124D. In one embodiment, the colored sticks (124A, 124B) include blue and pink sticks represent male and female family tokens, respectively, and are used to denote wives, husbands, and children as assigned by the life choice cards. The starfish 124C serve as “Get Out of Jail Free” tokens, which players collect after selecting a life choice card. The colored triangles 124D arc configured function as upgrade tokens. The colored triangles 124D form a house when a property is fully upgraded, as shown in FIG. 1E. Players are allowed to collect only their colored triangles 124D after paying the upgrade cost to the player who owns the bank roll home decor.

The colored triangles 124D are color-coded for each player to simplify tracking of property or business ownership throughout the gameplay. Additionally, containers 40 are used to keep the play objects 124 organized.

In one embodiment, the board game apparatus 100 incorporates the mini-game space 20 such as word scrambles and hangman games. To play scramble and hangman, players use a board 44, a marker 46, and a timer 48 for the respective mini-games such as the lawsuit mini-game and the lottery mini-game.

In the lottery mini-game, a player has 1 minute to unscramble a word on the board 44 while another player calculates the earnings based on their performance. In the lawsuit mini-game, one player sets up the board 44 with a hangman word, and the other player attempts to guess the set-up hangman word. The lawsuit mini-game is not timed, instead, the guessing player is allowed six incorrect guesses before losing and paying a penalty.

FIG. 2 refers to a flowchart 200 depicting a method for play the board game apparatus 100. The method for play the board game apparatus 100 comprise, distributing the investment cards 120 between the players based on the number of players, as depicted in step 202. At step 204, a starting capital is distributed to each player based on the number of players. At step 206, a dice is rolled by each player, and respective game pieces 108 are moved by each player in clockwise from a start position. At step 208, each player is required to perform actions based on at least one game space 106 of the plurality of game spaces 106 landed on.

In the foregoing description various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The various embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the disclosure and their practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations can be made to the processes described in the foregoing examples without departing from the principles underlying the invention, and all such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.

Claims

1. A board game apparatus for playing a multi-player game, comprising: a game board having at least one continuous playing path including a plurality of game spaces, wherein the plurality of game spaces is categorized into multiple categories to simulate investment and business management within a city-themed environment, wherein the multiple categories of the plurality of game spaces include taxation spaces, life choice spaces, lottery spaces, a jail space, business spaces, mini-game spaces, property spaces, utility spaces and thereof;a plurality of game pieces configured to enable players to move and place on at least one game space of the plurality of game spaces as the multi-player game is played, wherein the each game piece of the each player represents a player's position of the game board;a plurality of cards representative of at least one or more game spaces of the plurality of game spaces, wherein each card of the plurality of cards is configured to represent a business or property with associated value, upgrade costs, life choices and one or more mini-games comprises of word scrambles;a set of currency tokens representing money used while playing the multi-player game for making transactions for purchasing investments, paying taxes, and upgrading properties within the city-themed environment; anda rule set configured for guiding the players to play the multi-player game using the plurality of game pieces and the plurality of cards with the set of currency, wherein the rule set is configured for acquisition and upgrading of investments, collection of rent or fees, resolution of the mini-games, and strategic use of game elements such as a corrupt police card, lotteries, a pandemic card and hostile takeovers.

2. The board game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the continuous playing path is designed in a shape of a dollar sign.

3. The board game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the game board further includes a plurality of tunnel spaces, enabling players to move respective player game piece from one tunnel space to another on the game board.

4. The board game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the corrupt police card grants a player the ability to receive double tax refunds, collect taxes from other players, and gain immunity from jail penalties.

5. The board game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mini-game spaces include a lottery mini-game, wherein the players unscramble a set of words within a limited time to win a monetary reward.

6. The board game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mini-game spaces include a lawsuit mini-game, wherein a hangman game is played between two players to determine the winner of the lawsuit, with the winning player receiving a monetary settlement and the losing player paying a corresponding amount.

7. The board game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rule set includes a pandemic scenario that temporarily closes non-essential businesses on the game board, during which players can only operate essential businesses and receive stimulus payments upon the pandemic's conclusion.

8. The board game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the game board further comprising a bank component that manages monetary transactions, property mortgages, and sales, and acts as a broker for investments on the game board.

9. The board game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rule set allows for the game to be played in a fast-play mode, where the players start with a reduced amount of currency and pre-assigned investments.

10. The board game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hostile takeover mini-game allows a player to challenge another player to a competition, with the winner taking ownership of all the loser's investments and currency.

11. A method for play a board game apparatus, comprising: distributing plurality of investment cards between plurality of players based on the number of players;distributing a starting capital to each player based on the number of players;rolling a dice, by the plurality of players, moving a game piece of respective player in clockwise from a start position; andperforming actions, by the plurality of players, based on at least one game space of a plurality of game spaces landed on,wherein the plurality of game spaces is categorized into multiple categories to simulate investment and business management within a city-themed environment, wherein the the multiple categories of the plurality of game spaces include taxation spaces, life choice spaces, lottery spaces, a jail space, business spaces, mini-game spaces, property spaces, utility spaces and thereof.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the board game apparatus comprises a game board with a continuous playing path is designed in a shape of a dollar sign.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the game board further includes a plurality of tunnel spaces, enabling players to move respective player game piece from one tunnel space to another on the game board.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the board game apparatus comprises a corrupt police card grants a player the ability to receive double tax refunds, collect taxes from other players, and gain immunity from jail penalties.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the mini-game spaces include a lottery mini-game, wherein the players unscramble a set of words within a limited time to win a monetary reward.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the mini-game spaces include a lawsuit mini-game, wherein a hangman game is played between two players to determine the winner of the lawsuit, with the winning player receiving a monetary settlement and the losing player paying a corresponding amount.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the board game apparatus comprises a rule set includes a pandemic scenario that temporarily closes non-essential businesses on the game board, during which players can only operate essential businesses and receive stimulus payments upon the pandemic's conclusion.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the board game apparatus comprises further comprising a bank component that manages monetary transactions, property mortgages, and sales, and acts as a broker for investments on the game board.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the rule set allows for the game to be played in a fast-play mode, where the players start with a reduced amount of currency and pre-assigned investments.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the board game apparatus comprises a hostile takeover mini-game allows a player to challenge another player to a competition, with the winner taking ownership of all the loser's investments and currency.