Board game apparatus

Abstract

This invention conveys as a poverty simulator mocking situations of financial hardships. This board game apparatus herein challenges consumer's ability to refrain from debt in a game designed to keep them in debt. Players can move around the track freely or in whatever direction the Financier chooses. Players begin the game after the Financier has provided each player with a character profile card, the matching character pawn, and the starting amount for their character. Preferably, players will move around the track freely by the roll of the dice and either pay a financial penalty or receive a financial benefit when they land on certain spaces. Players have the option to choose how they want to pay expenses. Players could change character profiles during the game. Players could go to Prison or die during game play. The game will continue as long as a single player is left alive.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention conveys as a poverty simulator mocking situations of financial hardships and the many expenses consumers incur until they receive financial relief.

This embodiment is special because it captures the gist of financial decision making by illustrating the misfortunes and risks some consumers endure to survive. Other games require players to trade properties and accrue interest. Further games provide unrealistic expectations of the American Way of Life. Interestingly, there is not a board game apparatus created to keep players in debt.

A need exists to provide a board game as a poverty simulator because it can reveal the financial literacy of its players, allowing a social service organization to actually see the way their clients pay expenses and how government decisions affect its citizens. A need also exists because it could change the way financial literacy is taught.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally captures the essence of financial decision making during a financial crisis while playing a fast-paced, chance-based board game.

In this embodiment, it is preferred, players start the game on separate track spaces as well as with differing amounts of money.

In this embodiment, a Financier must be chosen before the game can begin. The Financier is responsible for deciding which Starting Profile set players will use to begin the game. The Financier will keep all character profile sets and the game money in the Lending Institution. The Financier will also set-up the game board by shuffling the chance cards and placing them on the board.

In this embodiment, players can move around the track freely or in whatever direction the Financier chooses.

In this embodiment, there are seven sets of character profiles. Three of the seven character profile sets are Starting Character Profiles, three are Disaster Character Profiles, and one set is a Self Sufficiency Profile.

In this embodiment, players begin the game after the Financier has provided each player with a Starting Character Profile Card, the matching character pawn, and the starting amount for their character.

In this embodiment, players must place their character pawn on the space on the board that has their matching character. Players could also start on any space the Financier chooses.

In this embodiment, players will move around the track by the roll of the dice and either pay a financial penalty or receive a financial benefit when they land on certain spaces.

In this embodiment, players may be prompted to draw a chance card, when they land on a certain space, which will state whether the player must pay a financial penalty or receive a financial benefit.

In this embodiment, players have the option to choose how they want to pay their expenses.

This embodiment has Disaster Character Profile Change Cards which could change the trajectory of the game.

This embodiment has a Self Sufficiency Character Profile Change Card which could change the trajectory of the game.

This embodiment has death cards which will remove a player from the game completely.

This embodiment has a Prison which will remove a player from the game until a double four (4 & 4) is rolled during the player's turn.

This embodiment has Social Welfare Coupons and Welfare board spaces which provide a financial benefit to a player.

This embodiment has a Trap House which could either bring a player death, a financial benefit, a financial penalty, or send a player to Prison.

This embodiment has an Income Tax Season space that provides the players with a financial benefit.

This embodiment can have continuous play if a single player is left alive and wants to continue the game or players can agree upon a set time to end the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a design view of the embodiment which includes the game board itself, the ultimate infinity sign game track, the area for the title, areas for the chance cards, area for the Graveyard, and area for the Prison.

FIG. 2 is a set of dice used to determine the length of movements players are to move around the board once it is their turn to play.

FIG. 3 is a calculator which can be used to help the Financier perform quick math which should keep the game upbeat and fast paced.

FIG. 4 represents the set of twenty Trap House cards that will be drawn individually by players if he or she chooses to draw a card after landing on a Trap House space. The last card in column four is the back side of the Trap House cards.

FIGS. 5A and 5B represents the set of thirty Luck of Draw Cards that will be drawn individually by players once he or she lands on a Luck of Draw space. The card in column four in FIG. 5A is the back side of the Luck of Draw cards.

FIGS. 6A and 6B represents the set of thirty-four Chance of Impossibilities cards that will be drawn individually by players once he or she lands on a Chance of Impossibilities space. The card in column four in FIG. 6A is the back side of the Chance of Impossibilities cards.

FIG. 7 represents the Eminent Domain Disaster Character Profile set of cards for the nine characters. The bottom card is the back side of the profile set.

FIG. 8 represents the Economic Collapse Disaster Character Profile set of cards for the nine characters. The bottom card is the back side of the profile set.

FIG. 9 represents the Natural Catastrophe Disaster Character Profile set of cards for the nine characters. The bottom card is the back side of the profile set.

FIG. 10 represents the Equality Starting Character Profile set of cards for the nine characters. The bottom card is the back side of the profile set.

FIG. 11 represents the Self Sufficiency Character Profile set of cards for the nine characters. The bottom card is the back side of the profile set.

FIG. 12 represents the Zero Balance Starting Character Profile set of cards for the nine characters. The bottom card is the back side of the profile set.

FIG. 13 represents the Financial Point of View Starting Character Profile set of cards for the nine characters. The bottom card is the back side of the profile set.

FIG. 14 represents the money that will be used during the game in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1000.

FIG. 15 represents the nine characters on pawns which are used to move around the board.

FIG. 16 represents the Debt Chart used by the Financier to track who owes what to the Lending Institution or who has a welfare credit. Each character has their own column to separate who owes what.

FIG. 17 represents the crosswalks players will cross to get onto the outer tracks as well as to get back onto the main track.

FIG. 18 represents a pen or any writing utensil which is used by the Financier to notate debt on the Debt Chart.

FIG. 19 represents the character profile change cards in which the Disaster Character Profile Change Cards are found in the Chance of Impossibilities set of cards in FIGS. 6A and 6B and the Self Sufficiency Character Profile Change Card is found in the Luck of Draw set of cards in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally captures the essence of financial decision making while playing a fast-paced, chance-based board game. It could capture the decision making of consumers since they will play the game based on how they think. The objective of the game is to stay out of debt in a system designed to keep you in debt.

It is to be understood that this invention is a simulator or board game representation of the vicious cycle of poverty. It was created to capture the essence of living in a financial crisis.

This embodiment can be utilized in social service organizations by allowing clients to play the game while a social service agent watches and notates the financial decisions the clients make which should be further discussed in one on one sessions focusing on the client's financial literacy and their thoughts about the game's design.

The board as a whole is indicated at FIG. 1 at 1. Inasmuch as the game will be known on the market as Debt Escape, that name is indicated at 2 on the board in the left inner loop. FIGS. 1 at 3, 5, and 4 are the indicated spaces for the chance cards which are the set of Chance of Impossibilities cards in FIGS. 6A and 6B at 70, the set of Luck of Draw cards in FIGS. 5A and 5B at 69, and the set of Trap House cards in FIG. 4 at 68 respectively. The chance cards are preferably placed on the board face down.

Any player who lands on a chance card space must draw a card. The player must take the top card from the set when prompted and follow the directions on the drawn card. Once the player is done with the card, the player is to place the card face down at the bottom of the correct set. However, a player does not have to draw a Trap House card if he or she chooses not to.

In this embodiment, players could go to Prison from drawing a chance card. If a player must go to Prison, he or she will move their character pawn to the Prison space in FIG. 1 at 97. Players must also forfeit all earnings. Imprisoned players must roll a double four (4 & 4) during their turn to get out. Once the imprisoned player rolls a double four, he or she must resume the game on their designated character space.

In this embodiment, a player could draw a chance card bringing the player to his or her death. If a player dies during the game, he or she must move their character pawn to the Graveyard in FIG. 1 at 98 and forfeit all earnings. Once a player dies, they do not return to the game.

The track, which is made up of sixty board spaces, is in the shape of an ultimate infinity sign which provides a continuous path where the character pawns are moved according to the roll of the dice. The playing field has no goal of ending or a winning point but provides a track for continuous play.

This embodiment does not have a designated starting space for all players. The game begins either on the spaces labeled with a character in FIGS. 1 at 11, 13, 17, 29, 33, 44, 50, 54, and 62 or whichever space the Financier chooses in FIGS. 1 at 6-65 for all players.

The number of players is fixed unless consumers decide to make new characters to incorporate more players. The game has nine characters as shown on the character pawns in FIGS. 15 at 86-94. The character pawns are a symbol representing player movements. The characters are a Teacher, a City Councilman, a Retired Veteran, a Civil Rights Activist, a College Graduate, a Nurse, an Ex-Offender, a Foster Parent, and a College Dropout at 86-94 respectively. Players will use the character pawn that matches their character profile card to move around the track.

At the start of the game, each player must roll the dice and if two or more players roll the same number, the players are to keep rolling the dice until one of the players has the lowest number.

Once the Financier has been identified, he or she will choose one of the three Starting Character Profile sets to begin the game. After the Financier has chosen the Starting Character Profile set, he or she must distribute a character profile card from the set to each player at random. Next, the Financier will distribute the starting amount listed on each character profile card as well as distribute the matching character pawns.

The Financier is the designated person having charge of the money that is not in play and the Debt Chart as well as the other character profile sets until they are needed for play.

The Financier must shuffle the Chance of Impossibilities set of cards, Luck of Draw set of cards, as well as the Trap House set of cards and place them on the board at their designated locations.

If the Financier chooses, he or she can play the game by choosing a random character profile card from their chosen Starting Character Profile set after he or she has passed out a Starting Character Profile card to the other players. The Financier does not have to play in the game.

In this embodiment it will be understood that the game money indicated in FIGS. 14 at 78-85, are in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1000. The Financier will hold all game money in the Lending Institution until a player is to receive a financial benefit or a player must pay a financial penalty and needs to break a larger denomination bill. If the Financier decides to play the game, he or she must keep their money away from the Lending Institution.

In this embodiment, players have one of three ways to pay their accrued expenses. Players could pay the entire expense and owe the Lending Institution nothing or players could pay an installment on the expense and owe the Lending Institution the remaining balance with no interest imposed or players could pay nothing and owe the Lending Institution the full balance with no interest imposed.

If a player has debt and is continuously collecting money but not paying their debt, the Financier has the discretion to force the player to pay their debt or send the player to Prison for Tax Evasion.

The game has one main track in FIGS. 1 at 13-58 with unlimited play and includes an option of using the two outer tracks in FIGS. 1 at 6-12 and at 59-65, which are located at the top and bottom of the main track as demonstrated in FIG. 1 at 1. FIG. 17 at 96 is a crosswalk. Players must utilize the crosswalks to get onto the outer tracks and back onto the main track. Usage of the outer tracks offer players an alternate way to move around the playing field. However, players are not permitted to use the crosswalk as a space or resting point.

The spaces in FIGS. 1 at 13, 14, 23, 24, 37, 38, 45, and 46 are the areas on the main track players can use to cross over onto the outer tracks or to get back onto the main track. The main track has two spaces at each intersection of the crosswalks. Players have the option of using both spaces before they cross over onto an outer track or get back on the main track. For example, if a player is on space 42 and rolls a seven on the dice, the player could count spaces 43, 44, 45, 59, 60, 61, and 62 and no penalty will be imposed for not counting space 46 or if a player is on space 62 and rolls a nine on the dice, the player could count spaces 63, 64, 65, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29 and no penalty will be imposed for not counting space 23. Please note, the outer tracks can be used during any point of the game.

Players must count either space 18 or 19 or both in FIG. 1 when moving between spaces 41, 17, 20 and 42 or vice versa.

Preferably, players are free to move around the track in whichever direction they choose. For example, if a player is on space 13 and moves forward to space 21, he or she can move backwards to space 17 during their next turn.

Players only have five seconds to determine which direction they are moving once it is their turn to roll the dice. The Financier will begin the five second countdown immediately after the player is aware it is their turn to roll. If a player has not decided in the allotted time which direction they are going, the Financier must choose the direction of movement for the player.

Although players are free to move around the board as they please, they may not go forwards and backwards during their roll. For example, if a player is on space 52, and rolls an eight on the dice, the player cannot count spaces 53, 54, 55, 56, 55, 54, 53, and 52 as movement to collect the financial benefit. Players must move forwards eight spaces or backwards eight spaces unless the player chooses to use an outer track. Players are only permitted to backtrack during their next turn.

If the Financier chooses to have players all go in the direction of his or her choosing, the Financier must choose a space on the track where all players must begin the game. This space can be any space on the track in FIG. 1 at 6-65. For example, the Financier could say all players must begin on space 36 and only use the standard infinity sign for track movements. All players must oblige, and every player will begin their movements from space 36 using only the track spaces in the standard infinity sign during game play. The Financier could also say players can use the ultimate infinity sign with only the top outer track or say players can use the ultimate infinity sign with only the bottom outer track or the Financier could create any path of their choosing as long as it is easily understood by all players. Players cannot collect any money if a financial benefit space is selected for all players to begin the game. For example, if space 48 is chosen, players do not collect $400. Players do not have to pay the financial penalty if a financial penalty space is chosen for all players to begin the game. For example, if the Financier chooses space 27, the players do not have to pay the Insurance penalty to begin the game.

There are three Starting Character Profile sets in this embodiment. The Financial Point of View Starting Character Profile set is in FIG. 13 at 77 and requires each player to begin the game with a different amount of money, the Equality Starting Character Profile set is in FIG. 10 at 74 and requires each player to begin the game with one thousand dollars, and the Zero Balance Starting Character Profile set is in FIG. 12 at 76 and requires the players to begin with nothing.

The Starting Character Profile cards have made up demographics to give each character an imaginary life. Each Starting Character Profile card has the name of the character at the top along with their age. The next line states the starting amount, stating how much players are to receive at the start of the game. The next line states if the character is a college graduate. The next line states if the character is employed, and if so, where. The next line states the character's salary and how much will be received as a financial benefit if players land on a Pay Day space in FIGS. 1 at 14, 32, 52, and 62 or if players draw a Pay Day Bonus card from the Luck of Draw set of cards in FIG. 1 at 5. The next line states how many children the character has, if any, which is used to determine which financial penalty players must pay in FIGS. 1 at 23, 40, and 51 or if players draw a certain card from the Chance of Impossibilities set of cards in FIG. 1 at 3. The next line states whether the character has mortgage or rent and how much players must pay if they land on a Pay Your Rent space in FIGS. 1 at 10, 29, 54, and 59. The next line states whether the character has an automobile and if so, how many, which is used to determine the financial penalty players must pay in FIGS. 1 at 31, 42, and 56 as well as if certain chance cards are drawn from the Chance of Impossibilities set of cards in FIG. 1 at 3.

Players cannot change their character after the game has begun. The Financier will provide each player with the starting amount listed on his or her Starting Character Profile Card as well as the matching character pawn. Players will place their character pawn on the track at the space that matches his or her character. Next, the Financier will choose which player goes first and the player to the right goes next and so forth.

Once each player has received their Starting Character Profile card, starting amount, character pawn, and has boarded the track, players are to move around the track in FIGS. 1 at 6-65 based on the throw of the dice which will cause them to land on a space and either pay a financial penalty or receive a financial benefit.

In this embodiment, players could land on one of the four Luck of Draw spaces in FIGS. 1 at 12, 19, 36, and 45 with the roll of the dice and receive a financial benefit by drawing a card from the set of Luck of Draw cards in FIG. 1 at 5. The Luck of Draw set of cards are found in FIGS. 5A and 5B at 69.

If a player lands on one of the four Luck of Draw spaces in FIGS. 1 at 12, 19, 36, and 45, he or she could draw the Self-Sufficiency Character Profile Change Card in FIG. 19 at 100 from the Luck of Draw set of cards. Once the Self Sufficiency Character Profile Change Card is drawn, all players must forfeit their current character profile card and receive the new one.

The Self Sufficiency Character Profile set in FIG. 11 at 75 has a financial benefit listed on each character profile card. The Self Sufficiency Character Profile set has made up demographics which give each character an advantageous life. Each character profile card has the name of the character at the top along with their age. The next line states if the character is a college graduate. The next line states if the character is employed, and if so, where. The next line states the character's salary and how much will be received as a financial benefit if players land on a Pay Day space in FIGS. 1 at 14, 32, 52, and 62 or if players draw a Pay Day Bonus card from the Luck of Draw set of cards in FIG. 1 at 5. The next line states how many children the character has, if any, which is used to determine which financial penalty players must pay in FIGS. 1 at 23, 40, and 51 or if players draw a certain card from the Chance of Impossibilities set of cards in FIG. 1 at 3. The next line states whether the character has mortgage or rent and how much players must pay if they land on a Pay Your Rent space in FIGS. 1 at 10, 29, 54, and 59. The next line states whether the character has an automobile and if so, how many, which is used to determine the financial penalty players must pay in FIGS. 1 at 31, 42, and 56 as well as if certain chance cards are drawn from the Chance of Impossibilities set of cards in FIG. 1 at 3. The next line states what the financial benefit is for the character. Each Self Sufficiency Character Profile card has a different financial benefit.

If a player has any debt when the Self Sufficiency Character Profile Change Card is drawn, all monetary gains must be credited towards the player's debt to give him or her the opportunity to continue the game with less debt.

When a character profile change card is drawn, players must receive the same character from the new character profile set. Players cannot change their character.

In this embodiment, players could land on one of the six Chance of Impossibilities spaces in FIGS. 1 at 11, 17, 25, 47, 55, and 64 with the roll of the dice and receive a financial penalty by drawing a card from the set of Chance of Impossibilities cards in FIG. 1 at 3. The Chance of Impossibilities cards can be found in FIGS. 6A and 6B at 70.

If a player dies from drawing a Chance of Impossibilities card, they must discontinue the game and move their character pawn to the Graveyard in FIG. 1 at 98 as well as forfeit all earnings. Any money the player had on hand will be documented on the Debt Chart in FIG. 16 at 95.

If a player goes to Prison from drawing a Chance of Impossibilities card, he or she must move their character pawn to the Prison space in FIG. 1 at 97 and forfeit all earnings. To get out of Prison, the imprisoned player must roll a double four (4 & 4) during their turn. Once the imprisoned player rolls the double four, he or she must resume the game on their designated character space.

Players could land on one of the six Chance of Impossibilities spaces in FIGS. 1 at 11, 17, 25, 47, 55, and 64 and draw one of the three Disaster Character Profile Change Cards found in FIG. 19 at 100. The corresponding Disaster Character Profile sets are found in FIG. 7 at 71 which is Eminent Domain, in FIG. 8 at 72 which is Economic Collapse, and in FIG. 9 at 73 which is Natural Catastrophe. Once one of the three Disaster Character Profile Change Cards have been drawn, players must forfeit their current character profile card and receive the new one.

Each Disaster Character Profile Card has the name of the character at the top along with their age. The next line states if the character is a college graduate. The next line states if the character is employed, and if so, where. The next line states the character's salary and how much will be received as a financial benefit if players land on a Pay Day space in FIGS. 1 at 14, 32, 52, and 62 or if players draw a Pay Day Bonus card from the Luck of Draw set of cards in FIG. 1 at 5. The next line states how many children the character has, if any, which is used to determine which financial penalty players must pay in FIGS. 1 at 23, 40, and 51 or if players draw a certain card from the Chance of Impossibilities set of cards in FIG. 1 at 3. The next line states whether the character has mortgage or rent and how much players must pay if they land on a Pay Your Rent space in FIGS. 1 at 10, 29, 54, and 59. The next line states whether the character has an automobile and if so, how many, which is used to determine the financial penalty players must pay in FIGS. 1 at 31, 42, and 56 as well as if certain chance cards are drawn from the Chance of Impossibilities set of cards in FIG. 1 at 3. The next line states what the financial penalty is for the character. Some characters have no changes and some may receive a financial benefit when a profile change occurs.

Once a character profile change card is drawn, the Financier will collect the current character profile cards and distribute the new character profile set. For example, if the Economic Collapse Disaster Character Profile Change Card is drawn, players must forfeit their current character profile card and receive their character profile card from the Economic Collapse Disaster set. Players must receive the same character from the new character profile set. Players cannot change their character after a character profile change card has been drawn.

Once a character profile change card is drawn, every player must follow the prompt on their new character profile card before the game can resume. If a player does not want to forfeit their earnings, they must immediately go to Prison for Tax Evasion.

Once the Economic Collapse Disaster Profile Change Card in FIG. 19 at 100 is in play, players will be required to pay double the expense when they draw certain Chance of Impossibilities cards or land on an expense space. Labeled Chance of Impossibilities cards will read “DOUBLE THE EXPENSE WHEN PLAYING THE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE DISASTER CARD”. For example, if a player draws a Chance of Impossibilities chance card and it directs them to pay $250 for Lights and Water and it also states the expense must be doubled, the player must pay the Financier $500. All expense spaces at 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 51, 53, 54, 56, 59, 61, and 63 on the track must be doubled as well. Players do not receive a double financial benefit when they land on a financial benefit space.

The Eminent Domain Disaster Character Profile Change Card in FIG. 19 at 100 forces some characters in the Eminent Domain Disaster Character Profile set in FIG. 7 at 71 to forfeit all cash except $50. The City Councilman will receive $1100, the Foster Parent will receive $2,500, the Retired Veteran will receive $3,000, and the Civil Rights Activist will not have any changes. If a player does not have any money, he or she does not receive $50. For example, if a player is the Nurse and he or she has $300 on hand, the player must forfeit $250 to resume the game or go to Prison for Tax Evasion.

The Natural Catastrophe Disaster Character Profile Change Card in FIG. 19 at 100 imposes differing financial penalties for some characters in the Natural Catastrophe Disaster Character Profile set in FIG. 9 at 73 while other characters have none. For example, if a player is the Elementary Teacher with $200 on hand, the player must forfeit the $200 to resume the game or go to Prison for Tax Evasion.

In this embodiment, players could land on one of the six Trap House spaces in FIGS. 1 at 6, 18, 33, 50, 57, and 65 with the roll of the dice. Players have the option to draw a card from the set of Trap House cards in FIG. 1 at 4. However, if a player draws a card, he or she must play it. If a player dies from drawing a Trap House card, they must discontinue the game and move their character pawn to the Graveyard in FIG. 1 at 98 and forfeit all earnings. Any money the player had on hand will be documented on the Debt Chart in FIG. 16 at 95. If a player goes to Prison from drawing a Trap House card, he or she must move their character pawn to the Prison space in FIG. 1 at 97 and forfeit all earnings. To get out of Prison the imprisoned player must roll a double four (4 & 4) during their turn. Once the imprisoned player rolls the double four, he or she must resume the game on their designated character space.

In this embodiment, players could land on or pass over one of the two Income Tax Season spaces in FIGS. 1 at 30 and 48 with the roll of the dice and collect $400. If a player crosses over or lands on the Income Tax Season space more than four times, he or she must go to Prison in FIG. 1 at 97 for Income Tax Fraud. To get out of Prison the imprisoned player must roll a double four (4 & 4) during their turn. Once the imprisoned player rolls a double four, he or she must resume the game on their designated character space.

In this embodiment, players could land on one of the three Welfare spaces in FIGS. 1 at 16, 37, and 49 with the roll of the dice and receive a financial benefit. The benefit will be documented on the Debt Chart in FIG. 16 at 95 as a credit that will go towards the players' expenses if he or she does not have any earnings or does not want to use their earnings.

In this embodiment, players could land on one of the two Educational Facility spaces in FIGS. 1 at 40 and 51, or players could land on one of the four Market spaces in FIGS. 1 at 24, 39, 43, and 53, or players could land on one of the three Insurance spaces in FIGS. 1 at 9, 15, and 27, or players could land on one of the two Church spaces in FIGS. 1 at 20 and 58, or players could land on one of the two Light and Water Company spaces in FIGS. 1 at 26 and 41, or players could land on one of the two Internet and Cable spaces in FIGS. 1 at 34 and 44, or players could land on one of the three Gas Station spaces in FIGS. 1 at 31, 42, and 56, or players could land on one of the three Hospital spaces in FIGS. 1 at 13, 28, and 63, or players could land on one of the three Judicial spaces in FIGS. 1 at 7, 22 and 46, or players could land on one of the two Pardons and Parole space in FIGS. 1 at 8 and 61, or players could land on the Correctional Facility space in FIG. 1 at 21, or players could land on the Day Care space in FIG. 1 at 23, or players could land on one of the four Pay Your Rent spaces in FIGS. 1 at 10, 29, 54, and 59, or players could land on the Pay Day Loans space in FIG. 1 at 35, or players could land on the Night Club space in FIG. 1 at 38, with the roll of the dice where players must pay a financial penalty.

In this embodiment, players could land on the Night Club space in FIG. 1 at 60, or players could land on one of the four Pay Day spaces in FIGS. 1 at 14, 32, 52, and 62, with the roll of the dice where players must collect a financial benefit.

The areas 6, 18, 33, 50, 57, and 65 are Trap House spaces where players have the option to draw a card if they choose since most consumers do not participate in illegal activities in real life. Players could do nothing on these spaces and no penalty shall be imposed. On space 57 players can only collect the financial benefit by drawing and playing a Trap House chance card.

The areas 14, 32, 52, and 62 are Pay Day spaces where players will collect a financial benefit which is listed as the salary on their character profile card.

The areas 8 and 64 are Pardon and Parole spaces where players must pay a financial penalty.

The areas 7, 22, and 46 are Judicial System spaces where players must pay a financial penalty.

The areas 10, 29, 54, and 59 are Pay Your Rent spaces where players must pay the rent or mortgage listed on their character profile cards.

The areas 13, 28, and 63 are Hospital spaces where players must pay a financial penalty.

The area 35 is a Pay Day Loans Space where players have the option to collect $250. The Financier will document a debt of $325 on the Debt Chart as the repayment.

The areas 31, 42, and 56 are Gas Stations where players must pay a financial penalty. Players who have automobiles on their character profile cards must pay for a fill-up for each automobile and players who do not have an automobile must pay for a bus pass. Players cannot choose to walk.

The area 21 is the Correctional Facility where players must pay a financial penalty.

The areas 26 and 41 are the Light and Water Company spaces where players must pay a financial penalty.

The areas 9, 15, and 27 are Insurance spaces where players must pay a financial penalty.

The areas 48 and 30 are Income Tax Season spaces where players will collect a financial benefit of $400 when they land on or cross over one of these spaces. If the Financier has chosen to let the players move freely around the track, players can go to Prison for Income Tax Fraud by going over the Income Tax Season space more than four times.

The areas 34 and 44 are Internet and Cable spaces where players must pay a financial penalty.

The areas 20 and 58 are Church spaces where players must pay 10% of their cash on hand. If a player does not have any earnings, they do not have to pay anything.

The areas 16, 37, and 49 are Welfare spaces where players will collect a financial benefit. The benefit is not distributed as cash. The benefit is documented on the Debt Chart in FIG. 16 at 95 as a credit that will go towards the players' expenses if he or she does not have any earnings or does not want to use their earnings.

The areas 38 and 60 are Night Club spaces. Area 38 has a financial penalty players must pay and area 60 has a financial benefit players must collect.

The Financier will use the Debt Chart in FIG. 16 at 95 to track the debt of all players. The Financier will document all accrued debt any player has under their character's debt column. If a player receives a welfare credit, the Financier should circle the credit to distinguish it from debt. The Financier can use four tally marks under the player's character name to keep up with how many times the player has received an Income Tax disbursement.

If a player lands on a space requiring him or her to pay an expense for having children or draws a card stating he or she has to pay an expense for having children, the player must pay the stated expense for each child.

Some players will not accrue any debt during game play.

Players cannot choose to keep their funds as credit on the Debt Chart. Players must keep their own earnings as cash on hand unless a player draws a Welfare Coupon or lands on a Welfare space.

In this embodiment it will be understood that the Lending Institution is the game box which the Financier can utilize to hold all character profile sets and the game money as well as all unused character pawns.

Players must be aware of the data on their character profile cards during a profile change. For example, if a player is the Civil Rights Activist at the beginning of the game and has been collecting the Pay Day financial benefit, he or she will no longer collect the Pay Day financial benefit once a player draws the Natural Catastrophe Disaster Character Profile Change Card because the Civil Rights Activist is unemployed in the Natural Catastrophe Disaster.

All death cards can be removed from the game as well as all prison cards, Disaster and Self Sufficiency Character Profile Change Cards and their corresponding sets leaving the consumers to play the game with one of the three Starting Character Profile sets. However, consumers can play with any combination of these cards as they deem fit.

If more characters are created and added to allow more than nine players to play the game, all new character profiles must have a card in each character profile set.

If more characters are created and added to allow more than nine players to play the game, players may use any small object to move around the track. A space will need to be designated on the track for all newly added characters.

Preferably, the game should be played with the Financial Point of View Starting Character Profile set with players moving freely around the track. However, players could opt to pick the Starting Character Profile set and character they want to use to begin the game as well as the direction they want to go around the track.

Players must use one of the three Starting Character Profile sets to play the game until a Disaster Character Profile Change Card is drawn or the Self Sufficiency Character Profile Change Card is drawn. Players cannot change Starting Profiles or characters once the game has begun.

Once a Disaster Character Profile Change Card is drawn, that corresponding character profile set will remain in play until another Disaster Character Profile Change Card or the Self Sufficiency Character Profile Change Card is drawn. Only one Starting Profile can be used per game.

The game is preferably played in thirty minutes. Players could agree on a set time to end the game. However, this embodiment has unlimited play and can last as long as players choose. As long as a single character is alive, the player can play alone until the set time is reached or until his or her character dies.

Once a set time has been reached, the game will end and the player who is alive with the most money is considered the winner. If the game ends because everyone has died, no one is declared a winner. If the game ends because everyone is in Prison, no one is declared a winner.

Players cannot pay the debt of another player or use a double four (4 & 4) they have rolled to get another player out of Prison.

The board game apparatus herein which includes players beginning the game with different incomes and on different spaces demonstrate how everyone starts life with different demographics.

This game board apparatus herein disclosed presents a simulator of situations demonstrating financial hardships and the expenses consumers incur until financial relief occurs.

This game board apparatus herein captures the gist of the vicious cycle of poverty by depicting the hardships and risks some consumers endure to survive.

This board game apparatus herein could capture the way consumers think when they are in a financial crisis.

This board game apparatus herein challenges consumer's ability to refrain from debt in a game designed to keep them in debt.

This game board apparatus herein is a simple board game that is as easy to play as other very successful games found in retail stores.

The board game apparatus herein is a poverty simulator which conveys as a board game and is as easy to play and understand as other simulators in social service and academia settings.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the game board apparatus herein disclosed presents financial situations very closely mimicking those occurring in real life. The length of a game varies but with a large group of players, it could be played in a single evening. During the game, certain unique situations could occur causing the game to develop interesting and perplexing situations that could bring the game to an end.

Although specific terms are used, they are used in a generic and descriptive way and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the invention will be set forth in the following claims.

While the present invention is described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Claims

39. A board game apparatus comprising: a board game apparatus containing representations setting forth financial issues comparative to real life;a rectangular board acting as a playing field having marked spaces, which includes a plurality of marked starting spaces for each character, within the shape of an ultimate infinity sign thereon to constitute a continuous path and marked areas for a prison and a graveyard;the selection of a financier to manage some functions of said apparatus in accordance with the rules of the game;a set of dice or the like to determine by chance the length of each playing movement of said players along said path;a single playing piece for each player recognized as a character pawn which shall be moved around said board in accordance with the rules of said game;a plurality of game money to pay financial penalties or collect financial benefits when said players arrive at said spaces;a special pad used to keep track of a welfare benefit or said penalties;a plurality of sets of chance cards containing cards effecting advantages or disadvantages wherein said cards are to be drawn by said players as determined by chance;a plurality of special sets of character profiles which contain cards having data that shall determine the value of penalties and benefits for said players when arriving at said spaces or drawing said chance cards;and a plurality of character profile change cards which require said players to replace the character profile set in play with a new character profile set as shall be determined by chance.

40. A board game apparatus of claim 39 further comprising: the board having marked spaces which includes the plurality of marked starting spaces for each character, within the shape of said ultimate infinity sign thereon to constitute a continuous path;a plurality of marked starting spaces wherein said players could begin said game, permitting all players to start on separate spaces within said path;a space within said ultimate infinity sign selected at random wherein all players could begin the game;the set of dice to determine said players length of movements;and the playing piece for each player to register said movements in a direction of the players' choice or in a direction presented at the beginning of said game.

41. A board game apparatus of claim 39 further comprising: the board acting as a playing field having areas of a prison and a graveyard along with the marked spaces within said ultimate infinity sign constituting a continuous path extending about said board;said spaces having destinations of chance of impossibilities or trap house where said players could draw a card which could cause said players to go to said prison or said graveyard;a prison where said players remain until the rules of said game have been met;and a graveyard where said players shall remain in the event of said players death.

42. A board game apparatus of claim 39 further comprising the selection of a financier to initiate the structure of said game and maintain the pace by ensuring path movements and penalty payments are in accordance with the rules of said game and said financier shall use the special pad to record said welfare benefits or said penalties in the event said players refuse to pay their penalties or cannot pay their penalties in full.

43. A board game apparatus of claim 39 further comprising: the board having marked spaces within said ultimate infinity sign which extends about said board wherein said spaces have destinations of financial penalties or financial benefits;the set of dice or the like used to determine the length of movements amongst said destinations as shall be determined by chance;the set of playing pieces used by players to arrive at said destinations;the plurality of game money used to pay an acquired penalty or collect a benefit when players arrive at said destinations;a plurality of options on how to pay said penalty wherein said players could pay the penalty in full, in installments, pay nothing on the penalty, or use a welfare credit if said player has acquired any;and the special pad is used by said financier to record said penalty in the event said players refuse to pay their penalty or cannot pay their penalty in full.

44. A board game apparatus of claim 39 further comprising: the board having marked spaces within said ultimate infinity sign forming a path extending about said board wherein said spaces have destinations of benefits, chance of impossibilities, luck of draw, trap house, or penalties;the set of dice or the like used to determine the length of movements amongst said destinations as shall be determined by chance;the set of character pawns containing images of characters and constituting the playing pieces used to arrive at said destinations;the plurality of game money used to pay a financial penalty or collect a financial benefit when arriving at said destinations;the plurality of sets of chance cards containing cards effecting advantages or disadvantages thereon concerning said chance of impossibilities, said luck of draw, and said trap house spaces;a set of chance of impossibilities chance cards to be drawn from by said players arriving at said chance of impossibilities destinations, said cards having data of imposed penalties;a set of luck of draw chance cards to be drawn from by said players arriving at said luck of draw destinations, said cards having data of imposed benefits;and a set of trap house chance cards to be drawn from by said players by arriving at said trap house destinations, said cards having data of imposed penalties or benefits.

45. A board game apparatus of claim 39 further comprising: the plurality of special sets of character profiles each differ from the other thereon concerning the sets of starting character profiles, the sets of disaster character profiles, and the self-sufficiency character profile wherein each set has a scenario representative of social ills or social equity;said special sets bearing indication as by profile title;said special sets contain character profile cards each differing from the other that have demographics expressing data required to operate said game;said character profile cards shall determine the value of penalties or benefits for said players when drawing said chance cards or arriving at said spaces along said path;and each character profile card has a matching character pawn.

46. A board game apparatus of claim 39 further comprising: the plurality of character profile change cards effect advantages or disadvantages thereon concerning said disaster character profile sets and said self-sufficiency character profile set;wherein said character profile change cards shall be drawn from said chance of impossibilities set of cards or said luck of draw set of cards when said players arrive at one of the said chance of impossibilities destinations or said luck of draw destinations;and said character profile change cards indicate a change in the character profile set in play requiring the removal of said character profile set in play so that said game continues with the character profile set that corresponds to the drawn character profile change card.