Patent Application
20240390779
The present disclosure relates generally to a device and method for entertainment and more specifically to a board game utilizing a specific board, cards, and tokens.
Finding a balance between professional and personal lives is always essential and timely relaxation from stress is beneficial to your physical and mental health. Some people prefer spending their leisure time performing physical activities, while others may enjoy playing strategy games. Specifically, for strategy games, board games have always been a popular choice that not only is enjoyable but also builds stronger connections between family and friends. Furthermore, it may also promote one's cognitive development, enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Therefore, providing a board game that is entertaining, educational, and easy to learn is always needed.
The following is a concise summary of the invention presented herein with the primary aim of providing a preliminary understanding of certain aspects of the invention. It should be noted, however, that this summary is not intended to serve as a comprehensive overview of the invention or the boundaries of its scope. Its sole purpose is to provide a rudimentary understanding of the invention's concept and features, which will be expounded upon in greater detail in the ensuing sections.
A non-limiting exemplary embodiment (the “exemplary embodiment”) of a device and method for entertainment is disclosed herein.
The exemplary embodiment of the device for entertainment, hereinafter referred to as a “board game” comprises a specific game board comprising at least eight zones distinguished by eight symbols, at least thirty-six cards including four cards for each respective symbol and four dominant cards, at least eight tokens; and a dominant token. Each of the tokens are configured to be placed in or removed from each of the respective zones. In addition, a first event card, a second card and at least two round chips may be added to the board game. Preferably, the game board further comprises a dominant token icon and a round chip icon configured to receive the dominant token and the round chips respectively.
In one aspect, the at least eight tokens are distinguished by at least two characteristics which may include but are not limited to different colors, shapes, patterns, and a combination thereof. In addition, the at least at least eight tokens having a top side and a bottom side may have different characteristics on both sides.
The exemplary embodiment of the method for entertainment is disclosed herein. First, provide a game board, at least thirty-six cards, at least eight tokens and a dominant token (Step 1). The game board comprises at least eight zones distinguished by eight symbols and the cards include four cards for each respective symbol and four dominant cards. Each of the tokens is placed in each of the respective zones. Next, dispense two of the cards to at least two players and rest of the cards forming a drawing pile (Step 2). Then, discard at least one of the cards or a pair of the cards with identical symbols to a discard pile by each of the players sequentially at a turn (Step 3). The player discarding the pair of cards with identical symbols or the player discarding one of the cards which is identical to the card in the discard pile obtains the token from the corresponding zone. The player discarding the dominant card last obtains the dominant token. Still next, draw at least one card from the drawing pile by each of the players at the turn until two cards remain in hand (Step 4). The turn is terminated when the player discarded at least one card and drew at least one card from the drawing pile until the player possesses two cards. Repeat steps 3 to 4 until all of the cards are placed in the discard pile (Step 5). Convert a total amount of possessions of each of the at least two players to an adjusted amount of possessions and determine a winner based on the adjusted amount of possessions (Step 6). The total amount of possessions comprises a total amount of the tokens and the dominant token possessed by each of the at least two players. At least two of the players without the dominant token have identical amounts of the tokens, the adjusted amount of the possessions is zero. The total amount of possessions of at least two of the players are identical, the winner is determined based on the dominant token.
In another aspect, the method may comprise providing a game board, at least thirty-six cards, at least eight tokens and a dominant token (Step 1), wherein the game board comprises at least eight zones distinguished by eight symbols, wherein the cards include four cards for each respective symbol and four dominant cards, wherein the at least eight tokens are distinguished by at least two characteristics, wherein each of the at least two players is associated with the one of the at least two characteristics; dispensing two of the cards to the at least two players and rest of the cards forming a drawing pile (Step 2); discarding one of the cards or a pair of the cards with identical symbols to a discard pile by each of the players sequentially at a turn (Step 3), wherein the player discarding the pair of cards with identical symbols or the player discarding one of the cards which is identical to the card in the discard pile claims the corresponding zone, wherein each of the zones is claimed by presenting one of the eight tokens with the characteristic associated to the player at each of the zones, wherein the player discarding the dominant card last claims the dominant token; drawing at least one card from the drawing pile by each of the players at the turn (Step 4), wherein the turn is terminated when the player discarded at least one card and drew at least one card from the drawing pile until the player possesses two cards; repeating steps 3 to 4 until all of the cards are placed in the discard pile; and converting a total amount of possessions of each of the at least two players to an adjusted amount and determining a winner based on the adjusted amount of possessions (Step 5), wherein the total amount of possessions comprises the amount of zones claimed by each of the at least two players and the dominant token, wherein at least two of the players without the dominant token have identical amount of zones claimed, the adjusted amount of the possessions is zero; and wherein the total amount of possessions of at least two of the players are identical, the winner is determined based on the dominant token.
The exemplary embodiment of the device and method for entertainment can also be implemented to a system. The system for entertainment comprises a personal mobile device and a software application. The personal mobile device includes an integrated touch screen for interaction. The software application is connected to a server and comprises a plurality of user accounts for every player. The player may choose to play against the personal mobile device or other players connected to the server and may choose to login to the user accounts or play as a guest. The software application is capable of shuffling and dealing the cards to the players, creating the drawing and discard pile, determining the turns of the players, assigning or removing the tokens, the dominant token and the round chips to and from the players, determining a winner for each round and the final game, and saving data of the game.
The exemplary embodiment of the device, method, and system for entertainment is not only an enjoyable game, but also a strategic and interactive game. It enhances critical thinking, problem-solving skills and decision-making skills of the players and strengthen bonds between family and friends.
The above features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.
The following detailed description and accompanying drawings provide a comprehensive disclosure of an exemplary embodiment for the purpose of facilitating one of ordinary skill in the relevant art to make and use the invention. As such, the detailed description and illustration of the one or more exemplary embodiments presented herein are purely exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or its protection in any matter. It is further noted that the drawings may not be to scale, and in some cases, certain details may be omitted which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, such as conventional details of fabrication and assembly. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
The following non-limiting, exemplary embodiments of a device and method for entertainment, hereinafter referred to as “board game” are disclosed herein. The exemplary embodiments generally comprise a specified game board 1, at least thirty-six cards 5, at least eight tokens 30, and a dominant token 20. The specified game board 1 comprises eight zones 11 that each of which is distinguished by a distinctive symbol 12 and preferably further comprised of a token icon 31 in each of the zones 11 configured to receive the tokens 30. The at least eight tokens 30 are configured to be placed or removed from the zones 11. The different embodiments are demonstrated below.
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
Before beginning the board game, each of the tokens 30 is retained in each of the respective zones 11 on each of the token icons 31, the dominant token 20 is placed on the dominant icon 21, and the round chip 40 is placed on the round chip icon 41, as shown in
To initiate the game, a random player deals a card 5 to each of the players. The player receiving the card 5 with the highest-ranking symbol 12 becomes the dealer who shuffles the cards 5 and deals two of the cards 5 to every player with the two cards 5 facing down. After the cards 5 are dealt, the rest of the cards 5 are placed facing down on the drawing pile 14. Preferably, the player on the left of the dealer starts the game. Each turn, the player picks a card 5 from the drawing pile 14 and discards at least one card 5 to the discard pile 13. The player can claim the token 30 in the zone 11 if they have a pair of cards 5 with identical symbols 12 that corresponds to the symbol 12 of the zone 11. If the player has a dominant card 5a in hand, the player can discard the dominant card 5a to the dominant discard pile 15. If the player does not have any pairs of cards 5, or the token 21 corresponding to the symbol 12 of the pair in hand is already claimed, the player just discards any card 5 in hand. Each turn is terminated after the player discarded once and has two cards 5 in hand. Therefore, if the player has less than two cards 5 in hand after discarding, the player draws additional cards 5 from the drawing pile 14, until having two cards 5 in hand. If the following player has a card 5 in hand that matches the symbol 12 of the discarded card 5 in the discard pile 13 which is discarded by the previous player, the following player can discard the matching symbol card 5 and claim the unclaimed token 30 from the corresponding zone. Once there are no available cards 5 in the drawing pile 14, the following players then each discards a card 5 or a pair of cards 5 with identical symbols 12 in hand at their turn, until all cards 5 are discarded to the discard pile 13 where the round is terminated.
For example, player 1 has a card with symbol 2 and a card with symbol A which is a dominant symbol 12a in hand. Player 1 then draws from the drawing pile 14 and receives another symbol 2 card. The token 30 of symbol 2 is still placed in zone 2, so Player 1 can discard the pair of cards 5 of symbol 2, keeping the symbol A card in hand and draw another additional card 5 from the drawing pile 14. Alternatively, player 1 can also choose to discard the symbol A card to the dominant discard pile 12a with the pair of cards 5 of symbol 2 left in hand. However, the player that places the last dominant card 5a claims the dominant token 20. In this exemplary embodiment, the player placing the fourth symbol A card claims the dominant token 20. Thus, player 1 will preferably discard the pair of symbol 2 cards and keep the symbol A card in hand.
In an alternative example, player 2 has a symbol 3 card, a symbol 4 card in hand. Player 2 then draws from the drawing pile 14 and receives a symbol 5 card. None of the cards make a pair, so player 2 discards any one of the cards 5 to discard pile 13. However, if a symbol 3 card or a symbol 4 card appears in the discard pile 13, player 2 can take the symbol 3 card or symbol 4 card and make a pair with the symbol 3 card or symbol 4 card in hand and claim the token 30 of zone 3 or 4.
Yet in another example, player 3 has a pair of symbol 2 cards in hand and received a symbol 5 card, but the token of zone 2 was claimed by another player. Therefore, player 3 preferably discards one or a pair of symbol 2 cards since no token of zone 2 can be claimed any more.
Preferably, two additional cards 5 which further comprise the first event card 5b and the second event card 5c are added to the cards 5. The player discarding the first event card 5b is required to give up one possessed token 30 and place the token 30 back to any of the zones 11. If the player does not possess any token 30, then the take card 5c is just discarded like a normal symbol card 5. On the other hand, the player discarding the second event card 5c can take away a token 30 possessed by other players, except the dominant token 20.
To determinate who is the winner of the round, convert a total amount of possessions of each of the at least two players to an adjusted amount of possessions. The total amount of possessions comprises a total amount of the tokens 30 and the dominant token 20 possessed by each of the at least two players. In circumstances where only one of the players has the highest total amount, no adjustment is needed, the player having the highest total amount of possessions wins the round. The winning player does not necessarily possess a dominant token 20. However, if at least two players have identical numbers of tokens 30 without having the dominant token, then amount of the possessions is zero (i.e., tie cancels each other out), the player owning the dominant token 20 wins the round.
For example, in round 1, four of the players have a total amount of possessions of two, player A having one token 30 and one dominant token 20, player B, C and D each having two tokens 30. Player A having the dominant token 20 wins. In round 2, only Player D has the highest total amount of possessions of three, so Player D is the winner.
In another example, in round 3, player A and Player B have a total amount of possessions of four and player D has the dominant token 20. Tie of player A and B having four tokens cancels each other out, so the adjusted amount of possessions is zero. The player having the dominant token 20 wins.
Preferably, the winner of each round obtains a round chip 40, and the player that first obtains two round chips 40 is the final winner. The number of round chips 40 placed on the game board 1 is preferably equal to the number of players. If a tie happens, additional rounds are added until one of the players is the winner.
In a second embodiment, as shown in
Similar to the first embodiment, each of the players initially receives two of the cards 5. Each turn, the player picks a card 5 from the drawing pile 14 and discards one card 5 or a pair of cards 5 with identical symbols 12 to the discard pile 13. Alternatively, the player that discards a pair of cards 5 with identical symbols 12 can place one of the player's tokens 30 in the zone 11 with the corresponding symbol 12. Similarly, the player has a dominant card 5a in hand, the player can discard the dominant card 5a to the dominant discard pile 15. If the player does not have any pairs of cards 5, the player just discards any card 5 in hand. Each turn is terminated after the player discarded once and has two cards 5 in hand. Therefore, if the player has less than two cards 5 in hand after discarding, the player draws additional cards 5 from the drawing pile 14, until having two cards 5 in hand. Alternatively, if the following player has a card 5 in hand that matches the symbol 12 of the discarded card 5 in the discard pile 13 which is discarded by the previous player, the following player can discard the matching symbol card 5 and place one of the player's tokens 30 to the corresponding zone 11. If a token 30 has previously been placed on the zone 11, the player can still place its token 30 to the zone 11, preferably on top of the previously placed token 30. Upon completion of the game, the last player placing the token 30 on the zone 11 can claim the zone 11. Once there are no available cards 5 in the drawing pile 14, the following players then each discards a card 5 or a pair of cards 5 with identical symbols 12 in hand at their turn, until all cards 5 are discarded to the discard pile 13 where the round is terminated.
Preferably, two additional event cards, a first event card 5b and a second event card 5c are added to the cards 5. The player discarding the first event card 5b is required to remove one of the player's tokens 30 from the game board 1. If the player has no tokens 30 in any of the zones 11, the player can just simply discard the first event card 5b like a normal symbol card 5. On the other hand, the player discarding the second event card 5c can take away a token 30 possessed by another player from the game board 1. When a token 30 is removed from the zone 11 and revealing a previously placed token 30, the player possessing the previously placed token 30 may claim the zone 11. If there are no tokens 30 possessed by other players on in any of the zones 11, the player can just simply discard the second event card 5b like a normal symbol card 5.
For example, player 1 discarded a pair of symbol 2 cards, player 1 may place one of its tokens 30 to zone 2 to claim zone 2. The next player, player 2 also has a symbol 2 card in hand, player 2 may discard the symbol 2 card and place one of its tokens 30 on top of player 1's token 30 and claim zone 2. Then the subsequent player, player 3, also has a symbol 2 card in hand, player 3 may also discard the symbol 2 card and place one of its tokens 30 on top of player 2's token 30 and claim zone 2. Next, player 4 discards a second event card 5c, and removes player 3's token from zone 2, revealing player 2's token 30. Player 2 may claim zone 2.
Determination of the winner for each round is similar to embodiment 1, but the total amount of possessions comprises the amount of zones 11 claimed by each of the at least two players and the dominant token 20. Typically, if only one of the players claims the most zones 11, the player wins the round. However, if at least two players claim identical numbers of zones 11 without having the dominant token 20, then the adjusted amount of the claimed zones is zero (i.e., tie cancels each other out), the player owning the dominant token 20 wins the round.
In a third embodiment, as shown in
The player from the first team discards a pair of cards 5 with identical symbols 12 may flip the token 30 in the corresponding zone 11 if a token 30 representing the second team is already received in the zone 11. If a token 30 is not received in the corresponding zone 11, the player may place a token 30 within the zone 11 with the characteristic of the first team facing up. If the following player is from the second team and has a card 5 in hand that matches the symbol 12 of the discarded card 5 in the discard pile 13 which is discarded by the previous player, the following player can discard the matching symbol card 5 and flip the token 11 in the corresponding zone 11 to the second side 30b facing up.
Preferably, two additional event cards, a first event card 5b and a second event card 5c are added to the cards 5. The player discarding the first event card 5b is required to flip a token 30 from the player's team, such that the opposing team's characteristic is facing up. If there are no tokens 30 in the zones 11 with the characteristic of the player's team facing up, the player can just simply discard the first event card 5b like a normal symbol card 5. Turning to the second event card 5c, the player discarding the second event card 5c is required to flip one of the opposing team's tokens 30. If the opposing team has no tokens 30 in the zones 11, the player can just simply discard the second event card 5c like a normal symbol card 5. Upon completion of each round, each of the two teams may claim the zones based on the characteristics facing up.
For example, player 1 from the first team discarded a pair of symbol 2 cards and the second side of the token 30 is facing up in zone 2, player 1 may flip the token 30 such that the first side is facing up. The next player, player 2 from the second team also has a symbol 2 card in hand, player 2 may discard the symbol 2 card and flip the token 30 in zone to the second side facing up again. Then the subsequent player, player 3 from the first team, also has a symbol 2 card in hand, player 3 may also discard the symbol 2 card and flip the token 30 back to the first side facing up. Next, player 4 from the second team discards a second event card 5c, may flip the token 30 in zone 2 back to the second side facing up. The second team claims zone 2.
Determination of the winner for each round is similar to embodiment 1 and embodiment 2, the total amount of possessions comprises the amount of zones 11 claimed by each of the at least two players and the dominant token 20. Typically, if only one of the teams claims the most zones 11, the player wins the round. However, the two teams claim identical numbers of zones 11, the team owning the dominant token 20 wins the round.
In a fourth embodiment, eight tokens 30 are illustrated in
Each of the players start with a predetermined amount of money for a predetermined number of rounds. The players may be awarded in each around, and the player awarded the most money wins the game.
Similar to the first embodiment, each of the tokens 30 with distinctive symbols 12 is retained in each of the respective zones 11 on each of the token icons 31, as shown in
Further, in the fourth embodiment, if there is a tie in each round, the player possessing the dominant token 20 loses the round.
The four exemplary embodiments of the device and method for entertainment can also be implemented to a system, as shown in
The player may choose to login to the user accounts or play as a guest. The player may also choose to play against the personal mobile device 80 or play with other players connected to the server. Each of the user accounts can send, accept, or decline friend requests, creating a friend list.
The software application is capable of shuffling and dealing the cards 5 to the players, creating the discard and drawing pile 13, 14, determining the turns of the players, assigning or removing the tokens 30, the dominant token 20 and the round chips 40 to and from the players, preventing actions not following rules of the game, determining a winner for each round and the final game, and saving data of the game. The data is saved so that the player can continue the game after logging. In addition, it is anticipated that the software application may include a chat feature, such that the players can communicate with each other. Moreover, the software application may include different setting option and features, for example, the color or texture of the game board 1 or the text size can be adjusted, winning rate of each of the players can be shown.
While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certain modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.
This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/468,792, filed on May 24, 2023, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63468792 | May 2023 | US |
