The present invention relates to a game and a method of playing the game. More particularly, the invention relates to a game wherein players, under pressure of a time clock, draw cards containing images of celebrities, e.g., movie stars, and have to recite a certain number of facts related to the celebrity, e.g., titles of movies the star appeared in, the number of facts being dictated by a random number generated by a random number generator.
Trivia games requiring one or more players on opposing teams to recite facts about a celebrity are known. Known trivia games, however, typically require either a board, and pieces moving about the board, or else require players to act out trivial facts related to the celebrity. The known games, therefore, require space to play; are difficult to play in a confined space, where a board does not conveniently fit, such as a coffee table, a relatively small desk in an apartment or college dormitory room, a seat on an airplane, a seat on a train; and are difficult to play in a location where nearby non-players would be disturbed by players acting out facts about the celebrity. Alternately, if players want to spread the game out in a larger space, the confines of the board may prevent doing so. In addition, many existing trivia games take an excessively long time to play, causing many players lose interest and quit before the game concludes. Such games also tend to be entertaining only for players very knowledgeable of celebrity trivia, and much less entertaining for players less knowledgeable of celebrity trivia. Finally, such games typically are designed for only one class of celebrity, e.g., celebrity actors, athletes, artists, singers, musicians, politicians, historical figures or the like, but are not easily adaptable for many classes of celebrities.
The present invention solves the above issues with the known games by providing a game which is easily played by two teams of players, which can be played either in a relatively confined space, or in a larger space, according to the players' preference without acting out trivia; which incorporates multiple possible correct answers; which maintains interaction between all the players throughout the game; which balances a level of entertainment between more knowledgeable players and less knowledgeable players in order to enhance enjoyment of the game for all of the players; which takes an adaptable duration of time to play; which moves quickly; which is exciting; and which includes either different versions of the game for different classes of celebrities, or several classes of celebrities included in a single game.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an improved game and method of playing the game, that substantially obviates one or more of the problems resulting from the limitations and disadvantages of the related art, the game having the features described and claimed below.
In accordance with the invention, a game includes at least one deck of celebrity cards, each card in the deck having on one side thereof an image of a celebrity, e.g., a movie star; a random number generator operable to generate a random number corresponding to a number of facts a player on a first team must recite about the celebrity whose card is drawn by the player, e.g., a number of names of movies in which the movie star depicted on the card appeared; a timing device operable to establish a time of a round of play, within which the player must recite the required number of facts; a plurality of disadvantage cards playable by members of a second opposing team during, or after, the round of play, reciting disadvantages to hinder the player from reciting the required number of facts; a plurality of benefit cards playable by members of the first team, to benefit the player in reciting the required number of facts, and to counter disadvantages associated with the disadvantage cards played by the opposing team; and help cards distributed one to each player, playable once by another player on the same team as the player to help the player recite the required number of facts.
The game further includes a scorecard for recording points associated with each fact recited by the first player, including points associated with the required facts, and points associated with disadvantages from the disadvantage cards. In addition, a coin is included, which is flipped based on a command from the random number generator, the outcome of the flip affecting the manner in which points are scored.
Classes of celebrities depicted on different decks of celebrity cards may include, but are not limited to, movie stars, athletes, fine artists, rock stars, politicians, and historical figures. Separate versions of the game may be packaged with separate decks of celebrity cards, plus separate corresponding disadvantage cards and benefit cards, or a single game may be packaged with multiple decks of different celebrity cards, plus disadvantage cards and benefit cards corresponding to each different celebrity card deck.
Advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate presently a preferred embodiment of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. An exemplary embodiment of a game in accordance with the invention is shown in
As embodied herein, and referring to
In accordance with the invention, the game 20 further includes a random number generator 30 operable to generate a random number.
As broadly embodied in
The invention is not limited to use of a pivotal wheel 32 with a pivotal disc 36, as the random number generator 30. A random number generator with a fixed disc (not shown) also could be provided, with numerals printed about the periphery, and a pointer 34 which can be spun about a spindle 38, and which stops spinning pointing at a random number. Referring to
In accordance with the invention, the random number generated by the random number generator 30 dictates a number of facts a player must recite concerning the celebrity 26 depicted on the celebrity card 24. For example, in the RED CARPET™ version of the game, once a player draws a celebrity card 24 with a celebrity image 26 of a movie star, and receives a random number from the random number generator 30, he or she must recite, within a specified amount of time, names of a number of movies in which the star appeared, corresponding to the number generated by the random number generator.
The game further includes a coin 43, as broadly depicted in
As broadly embodied herein, the game 20 further comprises a timing device 46, the timing device indicating a time for a round of play for each player. As broadly embodied in
Timing device 46, however, is not limited to a sandglass 48. As broadly embodied in
In accordance with the invention, and as broadly embodied in
Possible disadvantage commands 54, used with respect to the RED CARPET™ version of the game, wherein the celebrity images 26 are images of movie stars include, but are not limited to, e.g., “Name “X” additional movies in which the star appeared,” “recite the name of the star's character in each movie recited,” “name movies for which the star won an award, e.g. an Academy Award,” “recite the name of another actor or actress playing a secondary role in each movie recited,” ‘list movies in chronological order,” “recite a television series in which the star appeared,” “write the star's name,” and so forth. Other disadvantage cards 52 are possible, in the RED CARPET™ version of the game. Likewise, other versions of the game include decks 50 of disadvantage cards 52 with disadvantage commands 54 corresponding to the class of celebrities 26 in the respective versions of the game. For example, in the “Popular Music Stars” version of the game, disadvantage commands may include “name songs performed by the celebrity which won an award, e.g. a Grammy Award,” “name the instrument played by the celebrity,” “list all bands in which the celebrity performed,” and the like.
In accordance with the invention, and as broadly embodied in
Possible benefit commands 59 include, but are not limited to, e.g., “pick another celebrity card,” “operate the random number generator again to obtain a different number,” “reduce the number of facts to be recited,” “ask a team member for assistance,” “steal points from the opposing team,” and “cancel any disadvantage card or cards played by the opposing team.” Other benefit cards 58 are possible in all of the different game versions. In addition, as was the case with the disadvantage cards, different versions of the game have different decks 56 of benefit cards 58 with different benefit commands 59 corresponding to the class of celebrities 26 in the respective versions of the game.
In accordance with the invention, and as broadly embodied in
In accordance with the invention, and as broadly depicted in
A method of playing the game 20 in accordance with the invention will be described in detail below, with respect to a sample game layout depicted in
The game 20, as broadly embodied in
In accordance with the invention, and as broadly embodied and described herein, the game 20 is designed to be played by teams, preferably at least two teams, and preferably with two or more players per team. Notwithstanding the above statement, a team can have a single player. It is not required that the number of players on each team be equal. Prior to starting the game, with reference to
In step 94, disadvantage cards 52, preferably two disadvantage cards, and benefit cards 58, are dealt to each team 90, 92. In step 96, help cards 60 are dealt, one to each player on each team 90, 92.
In step 98, a first player 100 is selected from one of the opposing teams, e.g., the first team 90 in
First player 100 starts timing device 46 in step 102, thereby dictating a time of play for a first round of play.
First player 100, in step 104, manipulates the random number generator 30, in order to obtain a random number.
First player 100 also, in step 106, selects a celebrity card 24 with an image of a celebrity 26 thereon, and in step 108 begins reciting a number of facts related to the celebrity 26, corresponding to the number generated by the random number generator 30.
Alternatively, first player 100 could first manipulate the random number generator 30, next draw a celebrity card 24, and next start the timing device 46. The game is not limited to any particular sequence of steps.
The particular facts relate to the type of celebrity, and the version of the game 20 being played. For example, in the RED CARPET™ version of the game, first player 100 preferably may be required to recite names of a number of movies in which the celebrity movie star 26 starred, but this version of the game 20 is not limited to names of movies as the facts required. Moreover, other versions of the game 20 require different facts to be recited. For example, the “Popular Music Stars” version may require recitation of titles of a number of hit songs; the “Artists” version may require recitation of names of a number of Italian operas, or Impressionist paintings; the “Athletes version may require recitation of a number of Olympic medals won, years of World Cups won, years of Super Bowls won, and the like.
First player 100 must recite the number of facts within the time of play established by the timing device 46.
Points are assigned in step 110, based on the number of facts recited, according to a selected point-scoring system, e.g. 10 points for 1 fact/movie, 15 points for 3 facts/movies, 20 points for 5 facts. In the RED CARPET™ version, for the purpose of point scoring, it is preferred that series of movies, such as the “LORD OF THE RINGS,” ®, “MATRIX,” ® and “MAD MAX” ® series movies, respectively, count as only one movie, not as separate movies. If the player 100 recites fewer facts than the number indicated on the random number generator 30, 0 points are assigned. Also, if the player 100 recites more facts than the number indicated on the random number generator 30, he or she earns no additional points.
In certain cases, the random number generator 30 will instruct player 100 to flip the coin 43, depicted in
The point scoring, however, is not limited to the system described above; other point-scoring systems can be used and are within the scope of the invention.
Either after player 100 completes reciting his number of facts related to celebrity 26, or while the first player 100 is attempting to recite the required number of facts within the time of play of his or her round of play, players on the opposing team 92 can attempt to hinder him or her by playing disadvantage cards 52, including disadvantage requirements 54, e.g., “name additional facts for the celebrity,” “name awards won,’ “name co-stars,” and so on. It is preferred that only one or two disadvantage cards 52 be playable per round of play, but the game 20 is not so limited. The response of the first player 100 to the particular disadvantage requirement 54 may affect the points assigned. Because his or her ability to answer the disadvantage requirement 54 and affect point scoring is uncertain, it is depicted in
In step 120, while the first player 100 is attempting to recite the required number of facts about the celebrity 26, other players on his team 90 may play benefit cards 58, with benefit requirements 59. The benefit requirements 59, e.g. “pick another celebrity card,” “manipulate random number generator again,” “reduce number of facts to be recited,” “ask teammate for help,” and “Cancel played disadvantage card” may affect the scoring, and hence are depicted in
At selected times, preferably when the round of play for first player 100 is complete, another player on the same team 90 as the first player 100 with a help card 60 may elect in optional step 124 to play a help card 60. Help card 60 is available for play only if its “help” face 62 is face up. It cannot be played if the “already played” face 64 is face up. The player playing the help card 60 can help first player 100 in any way deemed adequate, e.g., giving him or her answer, or prompting him or her with a hint related to an answer. The help given may or may not affect the scoring, and so is depicted in
After the first player 100 completes his or her round of play, his points are sub-totaled in step 128 on scorecard 70 in an appropriate column, e.g., column 78, and his celebrity card 24 is discarded to the respective “graveyard” 84, 86. Subsequently, the played disadvantage cards 52 and benefit cards 58 can be shuffled and re-dealt, respective played help cards 60 are flipped back to the “help” side 62, and, in step 130, play is passed to a selected player on the opposing second team 92 to commence a second round of play. The steps of the second round of play are substantially identical to the first round of play. Subsequent rounds of play pass back and forth between players on each of the teams 90, 92, with points being subtotaled on scorecard 70 following each round of play.
After a selected number of rounds of play, preferably every three rounds, a Special Round is played in step 132. In the Special Round, celebrity cards 24 are shuffled and set down in an abbreviated deck 22A, help cards 60 are reset to the “help” side 62, and all disadvantage cards 52 and benefit cards 58 are returned to their decks, reshuffled, and dealt, preferably two benefit cards 58 per player and two disadvantage cards 52 per team. Players from each team 90, 92 pick several celebrity cards 24 from the abbreviated deck 22A, and the timing device 46 is started, giving a time of play. The players on the two teams look at the celebrities 26 printed on the cards 24 and recite celebrities 26 associated with one another, and the specific type of association. For example, the players may name an actor and an actress, along with a name of a movie, television series, or play in which they appeared together. Alternately, in other game versions, the players may name professional athletes and a name of a team on which they played together; musicians and a name of a band in which they toured and produced recordings; politicians and a name of a political party to which they each belong, or historical figures and a country or era to which they each belong. All players play simultaneously in the Special Round. Points are assigned during the Special Round, e.g., 15 points for each correct celebrity association. It further is preferred that a different association be required to be recited in each subsequent Special Round if the same celebrities 26 are re-drawn, in order to score points in the subsequent Special Rounds.
After all of the rounds of play, and all of the Special Rounds, for all of the players on both teams have been completed, the total number of points is tallied, step 136, on scorecard 70, and a winner is declared. Preferably, when the teams have an unequal number of players, the team with the highest average score will be declared the winner. As will be well understood, the average score is obtained by dividing a team's total score by the number of players on the team.
The game 20 in accordance with the invention, requiring a player to recite an unforeseeable number of facts about a celebrity within the constraint of a timing device, while opposing players attempt to hinder him or her, and teammates may attempt to assist, is mentally challenging and exciting, holds the attention of the players through the game's conclusion, and if necessary can be played either in a relatively compact space, or in a spread-out space, with all players actively participating, both those knowledgeable of celebrity trivia and those less-knowledgeable of celebrity trivia, thereby obviating the shortcomings of existing games.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. For example, in order to keep the game compact and versatile, the preferred embodiment disclosed above does not include a game board. The game 20 is not so limited however. Persons of ordinary skill could arrange a game board on which to set the random number generator, the different decks of cards, the timing device, and the “graveyard,” without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Likewise, persons of ordinary skill could seek to digitize all of the components of the game disclosed above, and play the game of the invention on a desktop computer, an electronic notebook or pad, an electronic game device, a cell phone, or other electronic media. It is intended, therefore, that the specification and the disclosed preferred embodiment of the game and method of playing the game be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims, and their legal equivalents.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2177078 | Raizen et al. | Oct 1939 | A |
4315627 | Schlegel et al. | Feb 1982 | A |
4566698 | Sneden | Jan 1986 | A |
4807878 | Tripp | Feb 1989 | A |
4889345 | Wawryk | Dec 1989 | A |
4900031 | Wohl | Feb 1990 | A |
4932667 | Gorski et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
4984805 | Medlock | Jan 1991 | A |
5066016 | O'Neill | Nov 1991 | A |
5121928 | Salerno-Sonneberg | Jun 1992 | A |
5186467 | Chasin | Feb 1993 | A |
5193818 | Leeson | Mar 1993 | A |
5472207 | Sullivan, Jr. et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
5480157 | Plummer | Jan 1996 | A |
6017035 | Glasser et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6145839 | Katsion et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6227543 | Balog et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6267376 | Jenkins | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6761358 | Hallett | Jul 2004 | B2 |
20020043764 | Imhof | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20030052456 | Lasko et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20050225031 | Brown | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20070145686 | Wisniewski | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20100264585 | Berke et al. | Oct 2010 | A1 |