Hep-Ta-Gone and Beyond

Abstract

A method and game apparatus for two to seven players is provided. A game board having the scope of a heptagon is adopted to accommodate two to seven players. Separated by parameters, the heptagon shaped game board consists of seven sections, each section referred to as a headquarter. Each headquarter has three parts; the home base, that each player must rest on before the game begins and during the game, if they are called to return home. The perimeter, which is at the lower base portion of every headquarter, that each player must travel through to return to their headquarter, and finally; the vertex, that each player must travel up, in their headquarter, in an effort to reach the center heptagon. Each headquarter is represented by a game piece having appropriate indicia that relates specifically to a particular headquarter and the game overall.

Description

HISTORY OF THE INVENTION

In 2019, approximately 4 years ago our country was coping with the crippling effect that had taken place as a result of COVID. My husband and I spent wondrous hours at home together. One night I awakened from a dream of a board game. Our family was playing this game and we were all in one place having a wondrous time. Immediately I began to sketch the game I had seen in my dream and shared this sketch with my husband when he awoke. The initial sketch did not resemble all I had dreamed so I tried to recapture what I had seen in my dream more accurately

Together we began to draw sketches of the game, and replicate how it was played in my dream. Eventually, we transcribed these sketches onto larger heavyweight paper. Then we laminated this paper game board and made game cards to go along with the game. We made game pieces by filling the caps of markers with wax. These marker caps were to resemble crowns, for game pieces.

We decided to test the game with our family and friends as well. As we continued to play the game we observed one common denominator, they were all TOGETHER and were having lots of fun. Then, we decided to file for a provisional patent of the game and began to seek someone to help make a digital copy. We initially sought to have a college student generate a digital copy, but were unable to identify someone who could get it done.

We sought another person to generate a digital copy and they were able to provide the copy with the exact specifications as the one I dreamed of. You will find a copy enclosed, titled as FIG. 1.

Hep-Ta-Gone and Beyond, as identified in FIG. 1, is a heptagon shaped game board that with a roll of three dice, allows its players to leave their home base 1, travel around the blocks at the perimeter of the heptagon 2, to return to their home quarters 3, travel up their vertex 4, to the center heptagon 5, for a victory.

An equal number of boxes 6, at the perimeter of every home quarter is traveled through, by every player. A directional guide 7, beneath each box lets the player know which direction to travel, while varied color markers 8, throughout the game board serves as landing spaces for players as they travel. The game board has a landing space with a red circle 9 at the corner of every home quarter; that, if landed on, may require the player to return to their homebase and start their travels from the beginning. An asterisk 10 on the first landing space in every box, serves to further emphasize the first landing space a player must land on, in said box. Lastly, the game board has four spaces 11 to hold a set of cards that the players will select from, once they land on the color marked space.

FIG. 2 describes the playing cards as mentioned in FIG. 1 (10) with varied colors, that a player must select from and follow the instructions on said card, if they should land on a space that requires them to select one of these cards. For example, if the player lands on a yellow space they must select a yellow card, follow the instructions on the card and suffer a penalty. Alternatively, if they land on blue space they must select a blue card, follow the instructions on the card and experience an advancement.

Therefore in experiencing these penalties; FIG. 2 (1-5) describe the number of “blocks” that a player must “Go Back” if they select this card. FIG. 2 (6) requires a player to skip their turn if they select this card. FIG. 3 (1) requires a player to switch their game piece with a playmate furthest from their home quarter. FIG. 3 (2) requires the players to play in reverse order. FIG. 3 (3) requires a player to switch game pieces with any player on their homebase. FIG. 3 (4-6) requires a player to “Go Back” the number of “circles/spaces” indicated on this card. FIG. 4 (1-2) requires a player to “Go Back” the number of “circles/spaces” indicated on this card. FIG. 4 (3) requires a player to skip their turn if they select this card. FIG. 4 (4-6) require the player to “Jump Back” the number of homes indicated on the card.

Alternatively, if a player selects a color card that allows them to experience an advancement as indicated in FIG. 5 (1-3 and 5) this requires a player to “Advance” the number of “blocks” indicated on the selected card. FIG. 5 (4) gives the player another role of the dice. FIG. 5 (6) requires the player to switch their game piece with a person of their choice. FIG. 6 (1-3) requires the player to “Go Forward” the number of “circles/spaces” indicated on the card. FIG. 6 (4-6) requires the player to “Go Forward” the number of “blocks” indicated on the card. FIG. 7 (1) requires the player proceed to the next space for an advancement, FIG. 7 (2) requires the player to switch their game piece with a person closest to their homebase FIG. 7 (3) Allows the player to be safe on red when landing on this space. FIG. 7 (4-6) requires the player to take a “Leap” the number of “Homes” indicated on the selected card. Lastly, FIG. 8 (1) allows the player to be safe if someone lands on their game piece.

Claims

1. A game apparatus to be played by two or more players, comprising in combination: a game board, having the shape of a heptagon consisting of seven home sections with each home section being referred to as headquarters, with a home base from which each player must depart and travel the perimeter of the heptagon, then return to their headquarters and travel up a vertex, in their headquarters, to reach the center of the heptagon; game cards, provide instructions for each player to follow as they travel; game instructions, give guidance on the rules of the game, and a pair of dice are used to determine the start player and the number of spaces to be moved by each player.

2. The game apparatus referred to in claim #1 is comprised of a game board containing four stages; A home base, the perimeter, the vertex and the center heptagon.

3. The game apparatus referred to in claim #1 is comprised of seven sections with each section being referred to as headquarters; wherein each headquarter contains a vertex that connects All seven vertices to the center heptagon as well as a section of the entire perimeter and a home base.

4. The game apparatus referred to in claim #3 wherein each headquarter contains a vertex that connects to the center heptagon, and includes a section of the entire perimeter, said section of the perimeter contains four boxes and are separated by kite shaped corners containing a red circle landing space.

5. Wherein the apparatus referred to in claim #4 describe four boxes at the perimeter of each headquarter, each of these four boxes contain landing spaces or circles for travel around the perimeter and are separated by a kite shaped corner containing a red circle landing space.

6. Wherein the apparatus referred to in claim #5 provides a description of the boxes at the perimeter of the heptagon which includes landing spaces and kite shaped corners with a red circle landing space, whereby each opponent must travel through to return to their headquarters.

7. Wherein the four boxes with landing spaces referred to in claim #5 has the shape of a “W”, a “U” or an arrow under each box to serve as a directional guide for the player while they are traveling

8. The game cards apparatus referred to in claim #1 provides instructions that dictates how each player will proceed in their travels, guided by the instructions given on the game card. One game card color representing forward moves or advances while the other representing penalties and determining whether a player will proceed in their travels or not in an effort to return to their headquarters and travel up their vertex to reach the center of the heptagon, with the goal being the first player to reach the center of the heptagon.

9. Wherein claim #6 describes the perimeter of the heptagon that contains seven sections at the corners of each home that contain a triangle with a red mark in the center that causes a player to stop and return home only to start their travel again

10. The game apparatus in claim #1 in as much as it is composed in the shape of a heptagon, it contains a center heptagon connecting all seven vertices, which each player must leave their home, travel the perimeter of the heptagon, return home and travel and up to reach the peak of their vertex and enter the center heptagon

11. The apparatus in claim #1 in as much as it is composed in the shape of a heptagon, it contains a center heptagon connecting all seven vertices, which each player must travel up to reach the peak of their vertex entering the center heptagon

12. The apparatus in claim #1 in as much as it is composed in the shape of a heptagon, it contains a center heptagon connecting all seven vertices, which the winning player must reach the peak of their vertex entering the center heptagon to win the game.