Patent Application
20210236913
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The present invention relates to the field of board games, and more specifically to a logic game in which a player must try to find their way out of a maze before their opponent.
From prehistoric times, mazes worldwide have served as different symbolic, ritualistic, and practical purposes. Taken as a powerful metaphor for life's journey, a maze can be used as tools for meditation and learning at any level, even when completed for recreation. Numerous mazes of different kinds have been drawn, painted, published in books and periodicals, used in advertising, in software, and sold as art. In the 1970s there occurred a publishing “maze craze” in which numerous books, and some magazines, were commercially available in nationwide outlets and devoted exclusively to mazes of a complexity that was able to challenge adults as well as children.
A maze is an intricate network of paths, usually designed as a puzzle. Maze solving is the act of finding a route through the maze from the start to finish. Some maze solving methods are designed to be used inside the maze by a traveler with no prior knowledge of the maze, whereas others are designed to be used by a person or computer program that can see the whole maze at once. Maze solving requires an individual to apply general knowledge, memory, spatial imagery, logic and problem-solving skills to reach a desired goal.
Studies have found that mazes significantly enhance human intellectual processes. For example, the practice of finding a solution to a maze enhances existing connections between brain cells that boost the capacity for the brain to generate new relationships that speed up thought processes. Moreover, frequent interaction with mazes helps to develop memory, vocabulary and reasoning. In fact, research states that solving mazes helps raise the IQ (intelligence quotient) level of an individual. Mazes also improve concentration by increasing the attention span of an individual. By varying the difficulty level of the challenge, the level of required concentration can be controlled. Once an individual is comfortable with a level, the difficulty can be increased to push the brain to concentrate harder.
Mazes also improve problem solving skills. Since the goal of solving any maze is to find a solution to a problem, mazes help improve critical thinking, patience, determination, and organization, i.e., how to break big and complex problems into smaller and easily solvable portions. Studies have also indicated that mazes act as a pathway to psychological relaxation. The period of finding a solution for a maze puts the mind in a meditative state. The relaxation that follows enhances one to attain a peaceful mind. This enables individuals to manage stress and life issues that negatively affect productivity. As a result, enhanced mind tranquility assists individuals to achieve self-confidence and promotes social well-being.
Mazes accelerate production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for regulation of mood and feelings. Dopamine also influences memory, motivation and concentration. Every time an individual solves a maze, dopamine is secreted. The release of dopamine helps to boost confidence levels and the ability to solve problems or take up challenges. Additionally, researchers at Yale University have that giving individuals the opportunity to work together on solving mazes allowed them to improve relationships and their abilities to cooperate to finish a task.
Thus, based on the importance of the numerous benefits discussed above, there is a need in the art for more challenging and stimulating mazes to enhance the human intellectual process.
A maze game and method for playing is disclosed. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of disclosed concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description including the drawings provided. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summary intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope.
In one embodiment, a board game kit is disclosed. The board game kit includes a gameboard having a gameboard face with markings that define a maze for players to escape before other players in order win the game. The markings define a plurality of enclosed areas. Each enclosed area represents a space on the maze. The markings also define a plurality of walls. Each wall prevents movement into at least one space. The markings further define a plurality of first directional arrows on the spaces configured to direct the players in which direction to move their associated game on the gameboard face, at least one passageway directing the player to skip at least one adjacent space, and a plurality of different first graphical characters disposed on spaces within the maze. Moving the game piece onto one of the spaces having one of first graphical characters requires a first player associated with the game piece to receive and follow a first graphical character instruction that is associated with first graphical character. The markings also define a second graphical character on at least one space of the maze. Moving onto the space having the second graphical character requires the first player to draw one of the playing cards from the deck and to follow the second instruction displayed on the playing card. The board game kit includes at least one game piece. Each game piece is assigned to a player and configured to be moved within the maze. The board game kit further includes at least one die for each player to roll to provide a first instruction for each player to move within the maze and a deck of a plurality of playing cards wherein to provide a second instruction for each player to move within the maze.
In one embodiment, a game system is disclosed. The game system includes a gameboard having markings that define a maze for players to escape before other players in order win the game. The markings define a plurality of enclosed areas. Each enclosed area represents a space on the maze. The markings further define a plurality of walls defined by line segments. Each wall prevents movement into at least one space. The maze defines no dead ends and at least a single exit for players to exit the maze.
In one embodiment, a method for playing a maze game is disclosed. The method includes providing a gameboard with markings that define a maze for players to escape before other players in order win the game. The markings define a plurality of enclosed areas. Each enclosed area represents a space on the maze. The markings further define a plurality of walls defined by line segments. Each wall prevents movement into at least one space. The maze defines no dead ends and at least a single exit for players to exit the maze.
Additional aspects of the disclosed embodiment 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 disclosed embodiments. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments 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 disclosed embodiments, as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While disclosed embodiments may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting reordering or adding additional stages or components to the disclosed methods and devices. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosed embodiments. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosed embodiments is defined by the appended claims.
The present invention fulfills a need in the art by offering a game system that adds new levels of challenge and complexity in both design and goals to enhance the human intellectual process. The game system includes a gameboard having a gameboard face with markings that define a maze for players to escape before other players in order win the game. The maze includes at least a single exit for players to exit the maze. Additionally, the maze defines no dead ends, or ways that prevents a player from exiting the maze. Thus, it may take an unlimited amount of time before each player has found a way out of the maze. The gameboard includes a plurality of different first graphical characters disposed on spaces within the maze. Moving a game piece onto a space having first graphical characters requires a first player associated with the game piece to receive and follow a first graphical character instruction that is associated with the first graphical character. The gameboard also includes a second graphical character on at least one space of the maze. Moving a game piece onto a space having the second graphical character requires a first player to draw a card from a deck of a plurality of playing cards and follow the second instruction displayed on the playing card.
Referring now to the Figures,
The downward facing surface of the gameboard 105 is configured to be laid upon a flat surface, such as a tabletop, while the game is being played. In one embodiment, the gameboard 105 includes one or more centrally positioned fold lines (not shown) and may be folded down to one half or one quarter size. In one embodiment, the board game kit 100 includes a storage box (not shown) that is configured to hold or support the gameboard 105 and board game components discussed below. It should be appreciated that the gameboard may have other shapes, dimensions, and surfaces, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. For example, the gameboard 105 may have a circular shape and a textured surface. The gameboard 105 may be comprised of sufficiently rigid and durable paper-based material such as cardboard, or any other suitable material known in the art, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
The board game kit 100 includes at least one game piece 120. The game piece is a player's representative on the gameboard face 110. The game piece 120 is assigned to each player and is configured to be moved within the maze. The game piece comprises a cylindrical shaped pawn, however, it should be appreciated that the game piece may have other shapes, dimensions, and textures, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. For example, the game piece may be a seed, bean, coin, shell, ball, or pebble. As another example, the game piece may be configured to look like a known object, such as a scale model of a person, animal, or inanimate object, or otherwise general symbol.
The board game kit 100 further includes at least one die 125 for each player to roll. The die 125 is configured to provide a first instruction for determining the amount of movement for each player to move within the maze. The die 125 comprises a cube with each of its six faces marked with a different number of spots from one to six, each value being equally likely. In operation, wen it is a first player's turn to play, the first player will roll the die 125 to generate a random number. After the die 125 comes to rest, the first player advances their assigned game piece 120 on the gameboard face 110 an amount of spaces equal to the number of spots on an upward facing side 126 of the die. It should be appreciated that the die 125 may have other shapes, dimensions, and surfaces, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. For example, the die 125 may have a polyhedral or irregular shape with each of its faces marked with numerals or symbols instead of spots. In one embodiment, other chance elements such as tops or spinners may be used in place of the die 125.
In operation, as best shown in
A playing card that reads “Warp Back to Start” 134 requires the first player to move their game piece 120 to a “Start Space” 145 to commence the game again. Each start space 145 is located around the outside border of the maze and is where each player places their assigned game piece 120 at the start of the game.
A playing card that reads “Warp Any Opponent Back to Start” 135 allows the first player to move an opponent's game piece 120 to the start space 145 to commence the game again.
A playing card that reads “Swap” 136 requires the first player to swap their game piece with an opponent's game piece 120.
A playing card that reads “Choose Any Opponent to Skip Their Next Turn” 137 allows the first player to cause an opponent to lose their next turn in the game.
A playing card that reads “Move Forward 12 Spaces” 138 requires the first player to move their game piece 120 twelve spaces forward on the gameboard face 110.
A playing card that reads “Back Up 5 Spaces” 139 requires the first player to move their game piece five spaces back on the gameboard face 110.
A playing card that reads “Advance to Nearest Warp Zone” 140 requires the first player to move their game piece 120 to the nearest warp zone located on the gameboard face 110 as further discussed below.
A playing card that reads “Advance to Warp Zone 21” 141 requires the first player to move their game piece 120 to warp zone 21 on the gameboard face 110 as further discussed below.
A playing card that reads “Wild Card” 142 bears six different second instructions marked with a number from one to six. The “Wild Card” requires a first player to roll the die 125 and follow the second instruction on the playing card that corresponds to the number of spots on the upward facing side 126 of the die 125.
If the first player rolls a one, the second instruction reads “Warp Blitz” and allows the first player to move their game piece to any warp zone on the gameboard face 110 except for warp zone 16, as further discussed below.
If the first player rolls a two, the second instruction reads “Move Forward 10 Spaces” and requires the first player to move their game piece ten spaces forward on the gameboard face 110.
If the first player rolls a three, the second instruction reads “Return to Start” and requires the first player to move their game piece to the start space 145 to commence the game again.
If the first player rolls a four, the second instruction reads “Time Freeze” and causes the first player to lose their next turn.
If the first player rolls a five, the second instruction reads “Snatch and Grab” and allows the first player to take an opponent's next turn in the game.
If the first player rolls a six, the second instruction reads “Back Up 5 Spaces” and requires the first player to move their game piece five spaces back on the gameboard face 110.
It should be appreciated that the board game kit may include any number of playing cards and the playing cards may comprise other shapes, symbols, graphics, dimensions, and instructions, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. The playing cards 130 may be comprised of specially prepared card stock, heavy paper, thin cardboard, plastic-coated paper, cotton-paper blend, thin plastic, or any other suitable material known in the art.
As discussed above, the markings on the gameboard face 110 define a maze that relates to a game were the goal is to be the first player to exit the maze. The markings define a plurality of enclosed areas. Each enclosed area represents a space 150 on the maze. A space is a unique position on the gameboard face 110 on which a game piece 120 may be located. Each enclosed area defines a square shape. Specifically, the gameboard face 110 is divided into nineteen columns by twenty-four rows, resulting in a total of 456 squares. It should be appreciated that the plurality of enclosed areas may include any number of spaces and may have other shapes, including rectangular, hexagonal, quadrilateral, cubic, or circular, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
The markings further define a plurality of walls 155. Each wall prevents a game piece 120 from moving into at least one space 150 on the gameboard face 110. In the present embodiment, the plurality of walls are solid lines, however, it should be appreciated that the plurality of walls may have other configurations, such as three-dimensional lines, dashed zigzag lines, broken lines, curved lines, and wavy lines, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
The markings further define a plurality of first directional arrows 160 on the spaces. The first directional arrows 160 are configured to direct the players in which direction to move their associated game on the gameboard face 110. The first directional arrows 160 may include one-way arrows, double sided arrows, three-way arrows, and four-way arrows. It should be appreciated that the plurality of first directional arrows 160 may be comprised of lines, letters, symbols, shapes, or graphics, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
The markings further define at least one passageway 165 directing players to skip at least one adjacent space 150. Each passageway 165 is defined by at least one color that is configured to form a two-dimensional gameboard face 110. The resulting two-dimensional gameboard face 110 includes different levels that enable multi-planar movements of the game pieces 120, as further discussed below. It should be appreciated that the passageway 165 may be a conduit, tunnel, or bridge that is defined by different hues, shades, or patterns, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. The passageways allows the board to be three-dimensional in that the board, because of the passageways now has “height.”
At least one passageway includes a third graphical element 170 that indicates that players can only move though the pathway in a single direction. In the present embodiment, the third graphical element 170 is defined by a one-way arrow with a line in front of the arrow, however, it should be appreciated that the third graphical element 170 may be comprised of a broken line, letter, symbol, shape, or graphic, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
The markings further define a plurality of different first graphical characters 175 disposed on spaces 150 within the maze. The first graphical character comprises at least one digit, however, it should be appreciated that the first graphical character may be comprised of letters, symbols, shapes, and graphics, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. In operation, when a first player's game piece 120 lands on a space having the first graphical character 175, the first player must receive and follow a first graphical character instruction 176(a), 176(b) associated with the first graphical character from an opponent. As best shown in
The markings further define the second graphical character 133(b) on at least one space of the maze. As discussed above, the second graphical character 133(b) comprises a vortex symbol. If a first player's game piece 120 lands on a space having the second graphical character 133(b), the first player must draw a card from the deck of playing cards 130 and follow the second instruction printed on the playing card, as discussed above.
As described above with respect to
The maze includes at least a single exit 215 to allow players to exit the maze (in the direction arrowed line D2). The markings also define a plurality of enclosed areas. Each enclosed area represents a space 250 on the maze defined by a square shape. The markings further define a plurality of walls 255. Each wall prevents a game piece 220 from moving into at least one space 250 on the gameboard face 210. The maze defines no dead ends, or obstacles that would ultimately prevent a player from exiting the maze or requiring the player's game piece to reverse directions. Therefore, it may take an unlimited amount of time before each player has found a way out of the maze.
The markings also define at least one passageway defined by at least one of a hue, color, shade and pattern on the game board different than surrounding spaces and a second directional arrow on at least a portion of the passageway that directs players in which direction to move. Each passageway 265 is configured to form a two-dimensional gameboard face 210. The resulting two-dimensional gameboard face 210 includes different levels that enable multi-planar movements of the game pieces 220, as further discussed below. At least one passageway includes a third graphical element 270 that indicates that players can only move though the pathway in a single direction. The third graphical element 270 is defined by a one-way arrow with a line in front of the arrow
The markings further define a plurality of different first graphical characters 275 disposed on spaces 250 within the maze. In operation, when a first player's game piece 220 lands on a space having the first graphical character 275, the first player must receive and follow a first graphical character instruction 276(a), 276(b) associated with the first graphical character from an opponent. As described above with respect to
The markings further define a second graphical character on at least one space of the maze. In operation, when a first player's game piece 220 lands on a space having the second graphical character 233(b), the first player must draw a card from a deck of playing cards 230 and follow the second instruction displayed on the playing card. As described above with respect to
In step 705, the process includes providing a gameboard 105. As described above with respect to
In step 710, each player is assigned a game piece 120. The game piece comprises a cylindrical shaped pawn and is configured to be moved within the maze. Each player then places their game piece on a start space 145 located around the outside border of the maze. In step 715, a deck of a plurality of playing cards 130 containing a second instruction for each player to move within the maze is shuffled thoroughly. Each playing card includes a first side 131 and a second side 132. The first side 131 of the playing cards are uniform and display a second graphical character 133(a) and the second side 132 of the playing cards display the respective second instruction. After the deck of playing cards is shuffled, they are placed in a stack such that the first side of the playing cards are facing up.
In step 720, each player rolls a pair of dice to determine the order the game will be played in. Each die comprises a cube with each of its six faces marked with a different number of spots from one to six, each value being equally likely. The player who rolls the highest number goes first. For example, if a first player rolls a 4 and a 5, and second player rolls a 5 and 6, the second player goes first because 11 is greater than 9. It is also understood that other types of devices that randomly generate a marking to indicate how many enclosed spaces to move may be used and is within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In step 725, each player is assigned a first graphical character instruction for an opposing player. The first graphical character instructions 176(a), 176(b) for each first graphical character 175 is printed on a plurality of instruction sheet tables 180. Each first graphical character instruction corresponds with one of a plurality of different first graphical characters disposed on spaces within the maze. In one embodiment of the game, each player is given a table 180 and that table is hidden or unknown from the other players. As a result, players do not know how their game piece will be required to move when their game piece lands on an enclosed area having a certain first graphical character instruction. As a result, this increases the complexity of the game because it adds an additional element of chance. Additionally, this also teaches honesty to children and players because it requires the players to honestly give an instruction when a player requests an instruction after landing on an enclosed area with a particular first graphical character instruction. For example, if a first player's game piece ends on the an enclosed area having the first graphical character instruction 3, then a second player having a table with the number 3, would instruct the first player to move his or her game piece to the enclosed area with the number 9. This is also important because it requires uses to memorize or remember the instruction associated with each first graphical character, which adds to the complexity and skill of the game.
In step 730, the process requires the player whose turn it is to follow the corresponding first graphical character instruction associated with the first graphical character when the player's game piece whose turn it is lands on one of the first graphical characters. The first graphical characters disposed on spaces within the maze allow players to move from one first graphical character to another first graphical character until each player finds the first graphical character instruction that exits the maze.
In step 735, the process requires a player whose turn it is to draw a card from the deck of playing cards 130 when the player's game piece whose turn it is lands on a space having the second graphical character 133(b). As discussed above with respect to
With reference to
Computing device 800 may have additional features or functionality. For example, computing device 800 may also include additional data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in
Computing device 800 may also contain a communication connection 816 that may allow computing device 800 to communicate with other computing devices 818, such as over a network in a distributed computing environment, for example, an intranet or the Internet. Communication connection 816 is one example of communication media. Communication media may typically be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” may describe a signal that has one or more characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may include wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media, such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared, and other wireless media. The term computer readable media as used herein may include both, computer storage media and communication media.
As stated above, a number of program modules and data files may be stored in system memory 804, including operating system 805. While executing on processing unit 802, programming modules 806 may perform processes including, for example, one or more of the methods shown in
Generally, consistent with embodiments of the invention, program modules may include routines, programs, components, data structures, and other types of structures that may perform particular tasks or that may implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, embodiments of the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Embodiments of the invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may be practiced in an electrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged or integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip (such as a System on Chip) containing electronic elements or microprocessors. Embodiments of the invention may also be practiced using other technologies capable of performing logical operations such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition, embodiments of the invention may be practiced within a general-purpose computer or in any other circuits or systems.
Embodiments of the present invention, for example, are described above with reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods, systems, and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order as shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
While certain embodiments of the invention have been described, other embodiments may exist. Furthermore, although embodiments of the present invention have been described as being associated with data stored in memory and other storage mediums, data can also be stored on or read from other types of computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, like hard disks, floppy disks, or a CD-ROM, or other forms of RAM or ROM. Further, the disclosed methods stages may be modified in any manner, including by reordering stages and/or inserting or deleting stages, without departing from the invention.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
