Patent Application
20250018276
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a strategic board game that includes a space theme in which players control intergalactic racers that interact with a playing board to provide entertainment and learning skills to players.
Board games have been routinely played throughout the United States for many years. To this end, strategic board games (particularly space-themed board games) are known in the art, and many have proven entertaining to play. Much of the enjoyment of the games is derived from a sense of competition and overcoming obstacles, and that a superior strategy can translate into a faster player winning the game. For many, the enjoyment of one game over another corresponds to the extent that the layout of the board and the movement of the pieces simulate real space traveling conditions. In modern times, games such as Monopoly® have been consistently popular over a long period of time. In Monopoly® and other conventional games, playing pieces are moved around a game board using dice and cards in an effort to amass the most money and win the game. However, the noted prior art games typically take hours to win because players attempt to erect structures on captured property using earned money. Due to the long playing periods and monotony of prior art games, it would be beneficial to provide a space themed board game that offers a unique method of play. As such, the more realistic and exciting a board game, the enjoyment level of play will be greater. It would therefore be beneficial to provide a new board game for players that increases entertainment during play as well as promotes strategy learning.
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a new, unique, and entertaining board game.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a game for one or more players. Particularly, the game comprises a playing board with a top playing surface defined by a single track, each track including a plurality of standard spaces, a plurality of planet spaces, and a start and end space. Each standard space can include a plurality of alien spaces and a plurality of card-drawing spaces. The game also includes a plurality of game pieces, two of each type. The game further includes a spinner and two dice. The game includes a plurality of cards, each indicating an action for a player in possession of the card, the actions selected from moving forwards a set number of spaces, moving backwards a set number of spaces, moving to a specific numbered space after using the spinner, switching playing piece location with another player playing piece location, moving a playing piece to the nearest planet space either forwards or backwards, moving an opponent's playing piece backwards to the nearest planet space.
In some embodiments, the start and end space is indicated by an image of planet Earth.
In some embodiments, the playing board is square or rectangular in shape.
In some embodiments, the playing board is foldable about a central crease.
In some embodiments, the playing board includes at least one slit configured to accommodate the spinner.
In some embodiments, the spinner includes a rotatable arrow positioned on a top face of the playing board and a base positioned adjacent to a bottom face of the playing board, wherein the spinner passes through a thickness of the board.
In some embodiments, the top face of the playing board includes numbers positioned about the arrow.
In some embodiments, a plurality of the spaces includes space-themed imagery selected from orbits, planets, black holes, aliens, spaceships, or combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, a plurality of the spaces include numbers in combination with the one or more space-themed images.
In some embodiments, the start space and end space are the same space.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a method of playing the disclosed game. Specifically, the method comprises assigning two game pieces to each player, positioning all game pieces on the start space, and determining playing order of each player. A first player rolls the dice and advances a first playing piece the number assigned to one die and a second playing piece a number assigned to the second die rolled. If a player's move would cause them to land on a standard space occupied by a number of playing pieces equal to the number of players, that player loses that move and does not advance to the space occupied by the other playing pieces. After the first player rolls the dice, moves the playing pieces and takes appropriate action, the first player's turn is over and play moves to the next player. The first player to return both playing pieces to the end space is determined the winner of the game.
In some embodiments, playing order is determined by spinning the spinner, such that the player that spins the higher number is the first player to move.
In some embodiments, if a player rolls the same number on both dice, that player must roll again.
In some embodiments, if a player rolls doubles twice in a row, the player loses a turn.
In some embodiments, a player must roll exactly the number of spaces to land in the end space.
In some embodiments, when a playing piece lands on an alien space, the player spins the spinner and moves backward to the nearest planet space if the number on the spinner matches a number on the alien space.
In some embodiments, when a player lands on a drawing card space, that player draws a card that directs the player to take an action.
In some embodiments, the action is selected from moving forwards a set number of spaces, moving backwards a set number of spaces, moving to a specific numbered space after using the spinner, switching playing piece location with another player playing piece location, moving a playing piece to the nearest planet space either forwards or backwards, moving an opponent's playing piece backwards to the nearest planet space.
The presently disclosed subject matter is introduced with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. The descriptions expound upon and exemplify features of those embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are now described.
Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in the subject specification, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a device” can include a plurality of such devices, and so forth.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the instant specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter.
As used herein, the term “about”, when referring to a value or to an amount of mass, weight, time, volume, concentration, and/or percentage can encompass variations of, in some embodiments +/−20%, in some embodiments +/−10%, in some embodiments +/−5%, in some embodiments +/−1%, in some embodiments +/−0.5%, and in some embodiments +/−0.1%, from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate in the disclosed packages and methods.
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a unique board game and associated method for playing a board game. The term “board game” as used herein broadly refers to a game played according to a set of rules where players participate in game competition using a playing board. As shown in
As noted above, game 5 includes playing board 10 that provides a surface upon which to play the game.
Playing board 10 can be constructed from any suitable materials, such as (but not limited to) cardboard, plastic, metal, wood, or combinations thereof. Top playing surface 25 can be printed or otherwise include graphical representations, such as numbers, images, words, and the like. The top playing surface can be printed on the playing board using a printing process, adhered to the playing board, or may be formed as a part of the playing board itself.
The playing board is not limited and can be configured in any desired size. For example, the playing board can be configured with length 45 and width 50 as shown in
The playing board can also include thickness 55 as shown in
Although depicted as square or rectangular in shape in the Figures, the playing board can have any suitable shape, such as (but not limited to) oval, round, triangular, cross-shaped, pentagonal, octagonal, and the like, as shown in
In some embodiments, the playing board can be foldable along central crease 60 or a plurality of creases 60a and 60b to be easily stored and/or shipped, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, the playing board can be configured to cooperate with spinner 20 as shown in
In some embodiments, the slit can include hole 26 drilled or otherwise positioned through the board within slit 65, as illustrated in
Top playing surface 25 of the game board can be marked or printed in any desired way. For example, the top playing surface can include track 80 along which each player's playing pieces must travel from a start to a finish, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, one or more spaces 85 can include space-themed images, words, and/or numbers, as shown in
To set up the game, the board is opened to expose slit 65, and the spinner arrow moving portion 75 is placed in the spinner hole positioned in the middle of the board, as illustrated above in
After the game board has been set up, a set of cards 16 (e.g., Space Action Cards) are shuffled and placed face down on the board, as shown in
To determine playing order, each player rotates spinner 20, as shown in
The player that spins the highest number will be deemed Player 1 and will initiate game play. If two players tie for the highest number, those two players will spin again until one player has the higher number and is deemed Player 1. Player 1 will then position their playing pieces on starting space 95 of track 80. In some embodiments, starting space for all players along track 80 is planet Earth. The remaining players (in a clockwise direction from Player 1) then pick 2 playing pieces and position them on starting space 95. Player 1 then initiates game play.
Player 1 rolls two dice 17 to start the turn (one for each playing piece 15). Each player's roll of dice will indicate the number of spaces that a player may advance his or her game piece 15 along track 80. For example, if a player rolls a 1 and a 6, one playing piece must advance 1 space along the track and the other playing piece must advance 6 spaces along the track. Thus, each die is used separately to move each of the player's playing pieces. The player chooses which die will move which playing piece 15. In this way, a player can strategically move their playing pieces to avoid undesirable spaces and/or create a disadvantage for an opponent. After a roll, each playing piece moves the number of spaces shown on the die.
If a player rolls doubles, that player cannot move and must roll again. If a player rolls doubles twice in a row, that player then loses the turn.
Each space 85 is treated as a single number on a die. For example, a player that advances along the track one hexagon space to one planet space to one hexagon space moves 3 total spaces. Further, the starting space is not treated as a space when starting the game.
Players can move playing pieces 15 in any order they choose on a roll of the dice. Thus, a player can move playing piece 1 to correspond to the number rolled in dice 1 and playing piece 2 can be advanced then number of spaces in dice 2 (and vice versa). However, playing piece 1 cannot advance the number of spaces in both the first and second dice. After a player finishes moving all playing pieces that the player has in play, their turn is over and play advances to Player 2. In some embodiments, a “move” refers to all actions related to moving one of the playing pieces (e.g., advancing the playing piece along playing board 10, pulling a card, going through a Worm Hole, and the like). As used herein, the term “turn” refers to the condition wherein a player has completed all actions related to moving all playing pieces that player has in play.
The maximum number of playing pieces allowed on any standard space 85 at a time is equal to the number of players. For example, if there are 4 players, there are 4 maximum playing pieces allowed on a standard space. If there are 2 players, there are 2 maximum playing pieces allowed on a standard space. There is no limit to the number of playing pieces 15 allowed on special spaces 86 (e.g., planets).
Players must move both playing pieces during their turn unless an exclusion applies. For example, if a player cannot move one playing piece using either die because a standard space is fully occupied, then that playing piece forfeits its move, and the remaining playing piece can use either of the 2 dice rolled to move. Further, if a player is unable to move either playing piece 15 because of the exact roll rule or because a standard space is fully occupied, then the player loses their entire turn. However, when a player moves their last playing piece (e.g., that player has only one playing piece left in play), and the playing piece cannot move using the 1 die rolled due to the exact roll rule, or because a standard space is fully occupied, then that player loses a turn.
Each playing piece 15 must return to the start space (e.g., planet Earth) by an exact roll of the die. For example, if there are 5 spaces between a playing piece and the start space, that player must roll a 5 to advance the playing piece to the start space.
Once a player gets one of the playing pieces back home by returning to the start space (e.g. planet Earth), that player will then roll only 1 die for all subsequent turns.
As noted above, some of the standard spaces are marked with an instruction or challenge to a player that lands on that space. For example, if a player lands on a space 85 that is marked with the image of an alien and number (e.g., each alien image includes a number), that player must then immediately spin spinner 20. If the player spins the same number on the alien space, that playing piece moves backward to the closest special space 86 (e.g., planet). If the player spins a different number from the number listed on the alien space, that player takes no additional action and has avoided abduction by the alien.
Some spaces 85 indicate that a player must select a card 16 from the stack (deemed a Space Action space). When a player lands on a Space Action space, that player then selects a card 16 and takes the appropriate action. When all cards are used, the discard pile is shuffled and replayed.
Cards 16 can include a variety of actions. For example, the deck can include one or more METEOR SHOWER cards that require a player to move a playing piece backwards a given number of spaces shown (e.g., 1-4 spaces) and take the appropriate action for the space landed on.
The deck can also include one or more RADAR RELAY cards that require the player to move a playing piece 15 forwards a given number of spaces (e.g., 1-4 spaces) and take the appropriate action for the space landed on.
Cards 16 can include one or more BOOSTER BLAST cards that require a player to spin spinner 20 and move a playing piece the corresponding number of spaces forward, taking appropriate action for the space landed on.
The deck can include one or more TELEPORT cards that allow the player to optionally switch places with any other playing piece on the board if desired (e.g., other player's playing piece)—however a playing piece positioned on a planet (e.g., special space) is immune to switching.
The deck can include a GRAVITATIONAL PULL card that requires a player to move a playing piece to the closest planet (special space), either forwards or backwards.
A WORM HOLE card requires the player to spin spinner 20 and move the playing piece to the corresponding Worm Hole space on the board with the same number.
The cards can include one or more CONSTELLATION cards that allow players to observe the stars and no moves are required.
The deck can include one or more LASER BLAST card that must be kept and used at a later time. Players cannot hold more than one Laser Blast Card at any one time. If a second Laser Blast card is picked up, it must be put in the discard pile. The Laser Blast Card may be used in 1 of 2 ways. With option 1, a player may choose to use (give back) a Laser Blast Card when they pick up a Meteor Shower Card to avoid having to move backwards. With option 2, at the beginning of a player's turn (before they roll), a player may choose to use a Laser Blast Card to move another player's playing piece backwards to the nearest special space (e.g., planet). However, with option 2, the player doing the blasting must be within 2 spaces of the opponent being blasted, either forwards or backward. The Astro Racer doing the blasting loses its move when the Laser Blast Card is used. The player's second playing piece (if still in play) may still be moved by rolling 1 die. A playing piece that is on a special space (planet) cannot be blasted with the Laser Blast Card.
While not limited to any design, representative cards 16 are illustrated in
The first player to get both of their playing pieces 15 back to the starting space (planet Earth) wins the game.
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/526,695, filed Jul. 14, 2023, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63526695 | Jul 2023 | US |
