Patent Application
20220339529
Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to board games used for entertainment. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a multi-dimensional board game that enables participants to spell words in multiple directions and dimensions.
Board games with a view toward increasing the mental challenge of solving puzzles have remained popular. There have previously been devised games and puzzles in which pieces of a predetermined shape have been movable or assembled in two or even three dimensions and into a variety of spatial relationships with respect to each other.
Existing puzzles include the “Rubik's Cube” which while challenging is inordinately complex both in concept and physical manufacture. On the other end of the scale with respect to shifting piece puzzles, the well-known planar array of fifteen slidable squares in a four by four matrix pattern provides a challenge that is far more readily solved than when effecting solution of a position problem in a three-dimensional environment.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,518,889, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, is an example of a two tier puzzle in which the faces of the individual cubes are printed or impressed with letters and numerals. The cubes must be arranged in such a manner that it is possible to spell certain words and make certain numerical arrangements. The invention relates to a system of form bodies for use as toy building blocks, decorative objects, in particular for display use, furniture structures, sculptural building components, etc., in which each form has the shape of a polyhedron, in which polygonal side faces with each other form polyhedral outward extending protuberances and/or polyhedral inward extending recesses for assembling differently shaped bodies into spatial structures.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,105, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, is an example of a three-dimensional word construction game of Scrabble that includes a plurality of three-dimensional games pieces with letters and a plurality of connectors. Connectors align the pieces, and letters are used to form words along any one of three orthogonal axes or any diagonal combination of the three orthogonal axes.
While the prior art includes puzzles that are multi-dimensional, these puzzles have simply-shaped components (i.e., box or square) and limit the directions in which words can be spelled. There continues to be a need for new games and games improvements for human entertainment.
The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the features of the disclosed embodiments and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be gained by taking the specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
The multi-dimensional word spelling board game described herein can also be referred to as “The Spelling Beehive” because of the honeycomb shape that can be used for its game pieces and gameboard. It is a feature of the multi-dimensional word spelling board game described and claimed herein to enable game participants to build (“spell”) words and score points.
In accordance with a feature of the embodiments, words can be spelled (“built”) using stackable hexagonal letter tiles that can be placed in multiple dimensions on a special honeycombed gameboard. The multiple dimensions in which tiles can be placed to spell words include: vertical (e.g., Up, Down), Upward at 30-degree angle, Downward at 30-degree angle, and by stacking hexagonal letter tiles on top of existing hexagonal letter tiles. Players score points for the words they make.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, stackable hexagonal letter tiles can be provided in a hexagon shape wherein six sides of the tile can be placed next to sides of other hexagon shaped sides to spell words using letters that are imprinted on the top surface of the stackable hexagonal letter tiles. Words can be spelled in vertical (e.g., Up, Down), upward, downward and stackable directions from using surface of each stackable hexagonal letter tiles. Words in the upwardly and downwardly direction will be formed in a 30-degree angle from a level cross section of each tile given the hexagon shape that four sides of the stackable hexagonal letter tiles provides.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, each of the stackable hexagonal letter tiles can include a notch on their top surface and a bump on their bottom surface that is complimentary to the notch formed in each of stackable hexagonal letter tiles. During use, the bump on the bottom surface of a first tile being stacked on second tile can rest in the trench formed on the surface of the second tile as words are being spelled from bottom to top on a gaming surface (e.g., a gameboard).
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, each of the stackable hexagonal letter tiles can include printing of letters and point values on any of the six side surfaces of the hexagon letter tiles. Letters and point assignment can thereby be viewed from multiple perspectives by other players during gameplay.
In accordance with yet another feature of the embodiments, a gameboard can be included that includes a pattern of hexagon-shaped interconnected spaces. Each space can accept a stackable hexagonal letter tiles. Each space can include a notch for receiving bumps from each of the hexagonal letter tiles that are placed to rest on the gameboard during gameplay. As with each notch formed in each of the stackable hexagonal letter tiles, the notches formed on each space assure that the hexagonal letter tiles as game pieces can stay firmly stacked during gameplay.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, tile racks can be provided for each player of a game to arrange their game pieces as they contemplate word spelling during gameplay.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, players can receive additional bonuses based on markings that can be provided on the gameboard. For example, bonuses can include: The Flower Power Bonus—doubles the value of a word or words. The Stacking Bonus—the stacking of tiles offers a multiplicative bonus. The Pollination Bonus—additional when a B or Q letter tile lands on a Flower. Bonuses are explained later under How to Keep Score.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, one hundred letter tiles can be included in a game set. The tiles and letter written thereon can have values distributed as follows:
In accordance with yet another feature of the embodiments, the multi-dimensional word board game described herein can be embodied in an electronic online format wherein players can remotely access the game over a data network from a server where it is hosted and play it alone or with other remote players.
These and other aspects of the embodiments will become more apparent in light of the detailed specification and drawings that follow.
The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate one or more embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.
Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific example embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any example embodiments set forth herein; example embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other issues, subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. Accordingly, embodiments may, for example, take the form of hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be interpreted in a limiting sense.
In accordance with a feature of the embodiments, words can be spelled using stackable hexagonal letter tiles that can be placed in multiple dimensions on a special honeycombed gameboard. The multiple dimensions in which tiles can be placed to spell words include: vertical (e.g., Up, Down), Upward at 30-degree angle, Downward at 30-degree angle, and by stacking hexagonal letter tiles on top of existing hexagonal letter tiles. Players score points for the words they make.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, stackable hexagonal letter tiles can be provided in a hexagon shape wherein six sides of the tile can be placed next to sides of other hexagon shaped times to spell words using letters that are imprinted on the top surface of the stackable hexagonal letter tiles. Words can be spelled in vertical (e.g., Up, Down), upward, downward and stackable directions from using surface of each stackable hexagonal letter tiles. Words in the upwardly and downwardly direction will be formed in a 30-degree angle from a level cross section of each tile given the hexagon shape that four sides of the stackable hexagonal letter tiles provides.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, each of the stackable hexagonal letter tiles can include a notch on their top surface and a bump on their bottom surface that is complimentary to the notch formed in each of stackable hexagonal letter tiles. During use, the bump on the bottom surface of a first tile being stacked on second tile can rest in the trench formed on the surface of the second tile as words are being spelled from bottom to top on a gaming surface (e.g., a gameboard).
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, each of the stackable hexagonal letter tiles can include printing of letters and point values on any of the six side surfaces of the hexagon letter tiles. Letters and point assignment can thereby be viewed from multiple perspectives by other players during gameplay.
In accordance with yet another feature of the embodiments, a gameboard can be included that includes a pattern of hexagon-shaped interconnected spaces. Each space can accept a stackable hexagonal letter tiles. Each space can include a notch for receiving bumps from each of the hexagonal letter tiles that are placed to rest on the gameboard during gameplay. As with each notch formed in each of the stackable hexagonal letter tiles, the notches formed on each space assure that the hexagonal letter tiles as game pieces can stay firmly stacked during gameplay.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiment, tile racks can be provided for each player of a game to arrange their game pieces as they contemplate word spelling during gameplay.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiment, players can receive additional bonuses based on markings that can be provided on the gameboard. For example, bonuses can include: The Flower Power Bonus—doubles the value of a word or words. The Stacking Bonus—the stacking of tiles offers a multiplicative bonus. The Pollination Bonus—additional when a B or Q letter tile lands on a Flower. Bonuses are explained later under How to Keep Score.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiment, one hundred letter tiles can be included in a game set. The tiles and letter written thereon can have values distributed as follows:
With this point system in mind, what follows will be an example of how a game can be played using aspects of the embodiments as described hereinbefore.
The players should choose and agree upon a dictionary that they will use, in case of a word challenge. All words labeled as a part of speech (including those listed of foreign origin, and as archaic, obsolete, colloquial, slang, etc.) are permitted, except for the following:
The dictionary may only be used to settle word challenges.
Place all letters tiles in the letter bag, or face down beside the board, and mix them up. All players draw one tile to see who plays first. The player with the letter closest to “A” plays first. A blank tile beats any letter tile. Return the letter tiles to the pool and remix. All players draw 6 new tiles and place them on their racks and the game begins.
The first player combines two or more letter tiles from his or her rack to form a single word and places it on the board. The only requirement is that this first word must either begin or end on one of the perimeter Flower spaces and be two letters or more. The first word played in The Spelling Beehive will always receive a Flower Power Bonus.
As with all Player turns, the Player completes his or her turn by:
Game play continues clockwise around the game board. The second player uses one or more letter tiles to form one or more words on the game board. As with all letter tile plays, every letter tile must be played in a single direction, and all of them must be contiguous, or touch, disregarding stacking.
The second player announces his or her word(s), calculates his or her score, and draws replacement letter tiles. Play then continues clockwise around the game board with the next player.
Game play continues in this fashion until: Any Player has played their last letter tile, and there are none left to draw, or all Players have Passed their turns in consecutive order.
In the Spelling Beehive, words can be made in multiple directions. The present example will describe the game using 4 dimensions as follows:
There can be 3 standard bonuses in The Spelling Beehive:
The Flower Power Bonus: The flower hexagonal spaces are double-word bonuses. The point value of any new word built upon a flower space is first calculated, and then doubled.
The Stacking Bonus: Whenever words are created using stacking, the point value of any letter in the new word is doubled if stacked 2 high, tripled if stacked 3 high, quadrupled if stacked 4 high, quintupled if stacked 5 high, and sextupled if stacked 6 high. The highest a player may stack letters in the game is 6 levels high.
The Pollination Bonus: Whenever a Bee letter tile (3 B Honeybees or 1 Q Queen bee) is played on a Flower space the player receives an additional 10 points.
Complete your turn by counting and announcing your score for that turn. Then draw your replacement letter tiles, always keeping six tiles in your rack, provided there are enough tiles left to draw. Play passes clockwise to the left. The second player, and then each in turn, either adds one or more letters to those already played to form new words, or creates a new word on one of the remaining open perimeter Flower spaces with all letters of the new word on the perimeter of the game board.
All letters played in a turn must be placed in one direction (either UPWARD, or DOWNWARD, or DOWN), to form at least one new word, and all of them must be contiguous, or touch, disregarding stacking. Players are not allowed to stack the same letter on top of an existing letter.
New words may be formed by: No letter tile may be shifted or replaced after it has been played and scored. However, subsequent play may Stack letter tiles upon those previously played.
There are two exceptions to remember for Stacking: Players cannot Stack the same letter tile on top of an existing letter tile. Players cannot Stack on top of the Bee letter tiles (the “Q” tile or the 3 “B” tiles).
Blanks: The two blank tiles can be used as any single letter. The blank tiles may not represent the special multiple letter tiles “BE” or “QU” as the Bee letter tiles may. The blank tiles may not be used to score the Pollination Bonus. When playing a blank tile, you must state which single letter the blank represents, and it remains that letter for the rest of the game.
You may use any turn to exchange some or all of yours letters. To do this, place your discarded letter(s) facedown. Draw the same number of letters from the pool, then mix your discarded letter(s) back into the pool. This ends your turn.
All new words created by any Player are subject to challenge by the other players. If any new word is found to be inaccurate by challenge, the player takes back all played tiles but may play again.
If the play challenged is acceptable, the challenger does not lose his or her next turn. Consult the dictionary for challenges only. All words made in one play are challenged simultaneously. If any word is unacceptable, then the entire play is unacceptable.
The game ends when all letters have been drawn and one player uses his or her last letter tile, or when all Players have passed consecutively.
Use a score pad or piece of paper to keep a tally of each player's score, entering it after each turn. The score keeper may optionally choose to record the words created. The score value of each letter is indicated by a subscripted number at the bottom of the tile. The score value of a blank tile is zero.
The point value of any new word is first the sum of its constituent letters and their individual Stacking Bonuses, then the applied Flower Power Bonus (if applicable), and lastly the additional Pollination Bonus (if applicable).
The Flower spaces on the perimeter of the board and in the center of the board are double-word bonuses. The point value of any new word built upon a Flower space is first calculated, and then doubled. A blank letter tile may be used in a Flower Power Bonus word.
The Stacking of tiles offers a multiplicative Bonus. Letter tiles on the game board itself have their original value. Letter tiles stacked 2 high have double their original value. Letter tiles stacked 3 high have triple their original value, and so forth.
Letter tiles cannot be stacked over 6 tiles high in the Spelling Beehive. Any letter tile stacked 6 high will have 6 times its original value. Blank letter tiles may be used in a Stacking Bonus word.
Whenever a Bee letter tile (“Q” or “B”) is played on a Flower space the Player receives an additional 10 points. This is in addition to any other bonuses received, but not part of them. A blank letter tile cannot be used to represent a “Q” or a “B” tile to earn a Pollination Bonus.
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When the game ends, each player can count the points that remain on their un-played letter tiles. This amount can be deducted from their final scores. The player with the highest score wins the game. In the case of a tie, the player with the highest score before deducting for any un-played letter tiles wins.
If all players agree to this optional Bonus, then when all six of a player's tiles are played in a single turn, that Player receives an additional Swarm Bonus of 25 points. The Swarm Bonus is in addition to that turn's overall score, just like the Pollination Bonus.
It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed embodiments and examples and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. It will also be appreciated that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
