Patent Application
20120205867
The present invention relates to board games and, in particular, question and answer games.
Board games remain popular today due to their simplicity and relative low cost when compared to other forms of entertainment such as electronic games, sporting games/equipment and cinema. Their appeal seems to lie in the fact that board games combine elements such as luck, risk taking, weighing and evaluating odds, general knowledge and strategy determination, these elements providing a source of interest and a challenge. Board games also tend to promote social interaction, particularly amongst family members, which is desirable especially given the busy lifestyle that most people lead and the need to find ways to spend more quality time with friends and family.
A large proportion of board games are of a question and answer type format in which a player responds to a number of questions and, depending on the answers given, gathers points and/or advances towards an ultimate “win” position. One such game is “Trivial Pursuit” which offers a series of short questions and asks players to remember certain facts relating to various subjects of general knowledge. Such games are usually limited to a finite number of subjects from which questions must be answered and there is no means for controlling the duration of the game which may result in players losing interest.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for playing board games in which a game piece moves unconstrained by any set path across a game board, comprising:
a plurality of board panels, each board panel having at least one edge portion abutable with an edge portion of another board panel to form a game board;
each said board panel having marked thereon a pattern comprising contiguous spaces for accommodating one or more game pieces during game play, said spaces bearing indicia which govern game play in conjunction with the rules of the game;
wherein said board panels can be arranged in a plurality of different configurations, and wherein each configuration results in a workable path for movement in accordance with the rules of the game between said board panels.
In an embodiment, the indicia are numeric indicia. By virtue of the board panels having spaces bearing indicia, a player is able to move across each board panel and between said board panels in response to the indicia. For example, if the indicia are numeric indicia, a player will move a number of contiguous spaces corresponding to the numeric value of the indicia in accordance with the rules of the game. It will therefore be appreciated that, unlike other board games, a die or spinner is not required in the board game of the invention in order to initiate or dictate the movement of a game piece around the board.
In an embodiment the game is of the question and answer type. In this type of game the rules of the game dictate that correctly answering a question triggers movement in accordance with said indicia.
In an embodiment all indicia are numeric.
In an embodiment the indicia contain instructions.
In an embodiment the instructional indicia contain instructions in words or pictures that modify game play. For example they contain a direction such as “miss a turn” or a direction to pick up a card (either in words or pictorially) and the card may direct an action that alters game play.
In an embodiment the board panel includes spaces bearing numeric indicia and spaces bearing instructional indicia.
In another aspect the present invention provides a system for playing question and answer games in which game s play involves movement of a game piece unconstrained by any set path across a game board, comprising:
a plurality of board panels, each board panel having at least one edge portion abutable with an edge portion of other board panel to form a game board, wherein each board panel represents a different category for questions asked in accordance with the rules of the game;
each said board panel having marked thereon a pattern comprising contiguous spaces for accommodating one or more game pieces during game play, said spaces bearing indicia which govern game play in conjunction with the rules of the game;
wherein said board panels can be arranged in a plurality of different configurations, and wherein each configuration results in a workable path for movement between said board panels to enable movement from one category of questions to another.
In this embodiment, each board panel may represent a different reference subject from which questions are to be answered. For example, a board may comprise four board panels representing subjects selected from science, history, geography and art, whereas another board may comprise six board panels representing subjects selected from music, religion, politics, science, sport and history. It will be appreciated that any number of board panels each representing a different reference subject may be selected for play. In this way, the system and board of the invention provides variability in the way in which a board game is played so as to maintain interest in the game.
The reference subjects for each of the board panels include, but are not limited to, science, geography, politics, art, history, geography, music and sport. Sub-topics may also be chosen, for example, cricket, golf, soccer, the Olympics, cycling, motor racing, horse racing, swimming, football and tennis in the reference topic “sport”. In an embodiment, each board panel may represent a different decade or year from which questions from that decade or year are asked. In another embodiment, each panel represents a different country from which questions relevant to that country are asked. Similarly, each panel may represent a different sport from which questions relevant to that sport are asked. It will be appreciated, therefore, that different panels may be provided in different “theme packs”.
In an embodiment each board panel comprises a plurality of spaces bearing numeric indicia which a player moves across with the aim of reaching an object space.
In an embodiment said plurality of spaces of each board panel denote “general” or “preliminary” question spaces. Each board panel may also have an object space which may denote a “final question” space. The subject matter represented by each board panel may be denoted by the use of different colours around a rim of the “final question” space, or may be indicated by removably attachable labels affixed to each board panel.
In an embodiment the board panels may include a plurality of questions spaces. The spaces may include “general” or “preliminary” question spaces surrounding a centrally located “final question” space. Alternatively, the “final question” space may be located to one edge of the board panel. The shape of the two groups of question spaces may be the same or different and are arranged to conveniently and attractively present on the board panel. In an embodiment the “final question” is the same shape as the board panel and the two are concentric.
In an embodiment a board panel which modifies movement across the board is included. For example, the board panel may include “general” question spaces but also include an object space which if landed upon allows the player to prevent opponents from moving in a certain way. In an embodiment they would be able to prevent an opponent from taking a turn. Such board panels represent a variation from a game in which all board panels relate to reference subjects, and allows introduction of further variability to the game.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembled game board for playing a question and answer board game of the type in which a game piece moves unconstrained by any set path across a game board, comprising:
a plurality of board panels, each board panel having at least one edge portion in abutment with an edge portion of another board panel to form the game board;
each said board panel having marked thereon a pattern comprising contiguous spaces for accommodating one or more game pieces during game play, said spaces bearing indicia which govern game play in conjunction with the rules of the game;
said board panels being able to be arranged in different configurations such that a workable path for movement between said board panels exists.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a board panel that is a portion of a board for playing board games of the type in which a game piece moves unconstrained by any set path across the board;
the board panel having at least one edge portion abutable with an edge portion of another board panel to form a game board;
said board panel having marked thereon a pattern comprising contiguous spaces for accommodating one or more game pieces during game play, said spaces bearing indicia which govern game play in conjunction with the rules of the game wherein the board panel forms part of an assembled board;
wherein a plurality of such board panels can be arranged in a plurality of different configurations, wherein each configuration results in a workable path for movement between said board panels.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a board game kit comprising a plurality of board panels as described above and a plurality of game pieces for movement across an assembled board.
In an embodiment the kit further comprises a plurality of question cards.
In a further embodiment the kit comprises a label for application to said board panels to specify a category, whereby questions in a question and answer game come from within that category when a game piece is located on that board panel.
In a further embodiment the question cards are contained in a question card box. Each box contains questions and answers from a particular category. The question card boxes maybe joined together to allow neat containment of the boxes in a particular region of the game board during game play. It will be appreciated that a selection of different categories can take place, and therefore a selection of different question and answer boxes may take place. Therefore, in an embodiment, the boxes are removably secured to each other.
In an embodiment the boxes are secured by a hook and loop fasteners such as by Velcro® on an outer surface. In a further embodiment the boxes are secured by a bracket on one edge adapted to receive a projection positioned on an adjacent edge of a question box. It will be appreciated that each question box may have a bracket on one side of it and a projection on the other side to allow interchangeable attachment of the boxes.
In a further embodiment, the kit further comprises a score sheet. Advantageously, the score sheet may comprise a working space, for example, on the reverse side of the sheet, for a player to use during the game.
In a further embodiment, the kit further comprises a plurality of items to signify achievement of a milestone event which advances the player towards winning the game, such as hats or pegs. In this embodiment, the kit may also comprise a rack for placement of the hats or pegs once a player has qualified to collect a hat or peg in accordance with the rules of the game. This may be the game piece itself.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of playing a board game of a question and answer type in which a game piece moves unconstrained by any set path across a board, comprising
(a) providing a plurality of board panels, each board panel having at least one edge portion abutable with an edge portion of another board panel to form a game board, each said board panel having marked thereon a pattern comprising contiguous spaces for accommodating one or more game pieces during game play, said spaces bearing indicia which govern game play in conjunction with the rules of the game;
(b) assembling a board from a selected number a said board panels in a desired configuration; and
(c) playing the game in accordance with the rules of the game.
In an embodiment, each board panel representing a particular reference topic or sub-topic corresponds to questions written on a series of cards. The answers for each question may appear on the reverse side of each card.
In an embodiment, the system for playing board games may have associated with it a series of “hats” or “pegs” to be collected by each player once a pre-determined number of “general” or “preliminary” questions have been correctly answered. In one embodiment, a player is only allowed to receive a “hat” or “peg” for answering a question correctly when positioned on the “final question space”.
In an embodiment, each board panel is triangular or square in shape. The game board may comprise all triangular shaped board panels, or may comprise all square shaped board panels, or a mixture of both shapes. Whilst triangular and square shaped board panels are preferred, it will be appreciated that other shapes including, but not limited to, rectangles, pentagons and hexagons are also possible and are encompassed by the present invention, where two or more differently shaped board panels may be used within any particular game board. It will be apparent that any shape that allows two or more board panels to be aligned adjacent to one another is possible for use in various embodiments of the invention.
In a preferred embodiment, all board panels are of the same shape. The pattern on each of the board panels is preferably identical. Preferably also, the indicia are identical but may differ in their distribution within the panels.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of playing a question and answer game, the method comprising two or more players
(a) selecting a number of board panels, each board panel having at least one edge portion abutable with an edge portion of another board panel to form a game board, each said board panel having marked thereon a pattern comprising contiguous spaces for accommodating one or more game pieces during game play, said spaces bearing indicia which govern game play in conjunction with the rules of the game, and
(b) selecting a number of preliminary questions required to be correctly answered in order to qualify to answer a final question and therefore collect a peg or hat;
wherein the player that is the first to collect a pre-determined number of pegs or hats wins.
In yet a further aspect, the invention provides a method of playing a question and answer game, the method comprising two or more players
(a) selecting a number of board panels, each board panel having at least one edge portion abutable with an edge portion of another board panel to form a game board, each said board panel having marked thereon a pattern comprising contiguous spaces for accommodating one or more game pieces during game play, said spaces bearing indicia which govern game play in conjunction with the rules of the game, and
(b) selecting a pre-determined number of questions to be correctly answered, or points to be gathered, in order to win.
It will be appreciated that two or more board panels may be used to form the game board of the invention. Preferably, 3 to 12 board panels are used, more preferably 5 to 10 board panels are used, most preferably, 6 to 8 board panels are used.
In order to form the board, each of the board panels may rest on a flat surface such as a table or floor or the panels may be provided in conjunction with an immobilising means to which the board panels are able to be removably affixed. For example, the immobilising means may be a board having a series of male fixing portions capable of receiving female fixing portions located on each of the board panels. Alternatively, the immobilising means may be a magnetic board wherein each of the board panels carry magnetic means or are fabricated from a magnetically attractive material such as metal.
In an embodiment each of the playing pieces comprises a base adapted to rest upon and to be moved manually around a game board, said piece comprising a generally planar base which is sufficiently large to be grasped by a player and column means of substantially lesser cross-section than the base extending generally normal thereto and located generally centrally in the base; said column means being adapted to receive a plurality of further game pieces in stacked configuration, wherein said further game pieces are added progressively through a game to represent achievement of a milestone event in that game.
In an embodiment the further game pieces are themed game pieces, for example hats such as the mortar board hats worn by university graduates to represent achievement in a scholastically-themed game. However the pieces maybe any suitable board piece provided they may be stacked upon a column, and they may include an orifice to receive the column or may be able to be perforated by a said column.
In an embodiment there are provided a plurality of question and answer boxes adapted for interchangeable connection. Each said box may comprise a bracket on one side and a projection on the opposite side able to be received within the bracket so as to allow interchangeable connection of the boxes, but other means for connecting the boxes such as hook and loop fasteners may be used. Each said box contains question and answer cards setting forth questions and answers in accordance with a theme and bearing markings in accordance with that theme so as to be suitable for use in a board game in which themes maybe selected and others discarded, whereby the players at the commencement of the game connect the boxes containing questions for the themes selected.
In an embodiment each question and answer box is colour coded to match the colour coding of the question theme on the board pieces of a game such as that disclosed herein.
An embodiment, incorporating all aspects of the invention, will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In this embodiment, the aim of the game is to be the first player to gain the majority of hat or pegs. The number of hat or pegs on offer in any game is dependent on the number of board panels used as follows:
It will be appreciated, however, that the number of hats or pegs for every board panel may be varied within the rules as desired.
In order to gain a hat or peg, a player must be positioned on a “final” question space. To qualify for a position on the “final” question space and therefore qualify to answer a final question and receive a hat or peg if answered correctly, a player must first correctly answer a pre-determined number of “general” or “preliminary” questions or reach a predetermined point score. In the latter case each question carries a point score and the point scores are added together. The point score may be determined by the indicia on the game board and it is preferred that each question and answer card carries a plurality of graded questions each of which has a points rating; the harder the question the higher the point rating. In these circumstances a player may select a question depending on their level of confidence of correctly answering the question, and so may take a path of answering many easier questions to collect points or fewer, harder questions to reach this milestone. The point scale is generally from 1 for easy questions to 4 for the hardest questions. Cards are provided having written thereon “final” and “preliminary” questions with subject matter selected from various reference topics. If a quick game is desired, the number of points to be collected is set at 11, or for a longer game, the number of points to be collected is set at 21. It will be appreciated that the number of points set down for quick or longer games may be varied within the rules.
Referring to game board 1 shown in
It is also apparent from any of the game boards shown in
To start the game, two or more players must first decide the scale of the game they wish to play. Each player then selects a “preliminary” or “general” space 5 from which to start and players may start on the same general space 5 if they desire. The subject matter or category of the “general” or “preliminary” questions on each board panel 3 corresponds with the subject matter represented by the “final” question space 9 that board panel 3. Once all players have selected their starting position, each player takes a turn to play with the youngest player starting first. As an alternative, the sequence of play may be determined by rolling a die with the player rolling the highest number playing first, the player rolling the second highest number playing second and so on.
Still referring to
Once the player has answered a pre-determined number of “general” questions correctly (11 for a quick game or 21 for a longer game) the player has then qualified to land on a “final” question space 9 and has an opportunity to answer a “final” question. The player may immediately jump to the “final” question space, or, as an alternative, the player must wait until their next turn to jump to the “final question” space once they have answered a pre-determined number of “general” questions correctly and have qualified to land on the “final” question space.
Once on the “final” question space, if the player answers the “final” question correctly, the player receives a hat or peg for that particular subject and may continue the play by moving to a “general” question space 5 of their choosing. If a player answers the “final” question incorrectly, however, the player remains on the “final” question space 9 until their next turn in the sequence of play. In an embodiment, a rack is provided on which the hats or pegs are positioned once a player answers a “final” question correctly.
When moving around the game board 1, a player is able to land on any “general” space 5 of a board panel 3 representing a particular reference subject for which they already have a peg, but no further points are awarded for any “general” questions answered from that particular reference subject.
It will be appreciated that the rules of the game may be altered in order to accommodate the knowledge and skill level of the players. For example, the “general” questions may be of a multiple choice format with four alternative answers being provided of which one is the correct answer. In order to accommodate the younger players, two out the four alternative answers are in bold font, one of which is the correct answer, and only the questions in bold font are read out to the player. It will therefore be appreciated the younger players have double the chance of guessing a correct question compared to the older players. In addition, the “final” question is usually of a higher degree of difficulty compared to the “general” questions with no alternative multiple choice answers being provided. Accordingly, no assistance is provided to the player in the “final” question stage of play. Alternatively, the “final” questions may also be in a multiple choice format, but only the younger players receive the alternative multiple choice answers with the older players having to answer in the absence of any assistance.
The players are also provided with a score sheet as shown in
It will be appreciated that the game board kit of the invention may be sold with any number of board panels. It is also envisaged that further board panels may be separately purchased having different themes or categories to the themes or categories of the board panels in the original kit.
In this embodiment, any game board as shown in any one of
In this embodiment, any game board as shown in any one of
In this embodiment, any game board as shown in any of
In this embodiment, any game board as shown in any of
The aim of the game in this embodiment is to be the first player to receive a certain number of pre-determined or selected points. For example, a quick game may be 50 points and a long game may be 100 points. In this embodiment, a game board comprising board panels 3′ depicted in
The game is modified in this embodiment to include an instructional space. In this embodiment the instructional space directs that a player must pick up a card and this is called an “Out of the Blue” card. These cards will instruct the players on activities that will alter the flow of the game.
Directions may include some of the following activities:
take away an opponent's tokens
move to another subject
receive extra points for subject
move directly to final question
lose a turn
take a point from an opponent
lose points yourself
double the points you have
move an opponent and so on.
There may also be located on each of the subject boards an immunity space where a player can collect immunity points that he or she may use against an “Out of the Blue card”.
It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein or any reference to any prior art is made, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication or prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009904491 | Sep 2009 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU10/01205 | 9/16/2010 | WO | 00 | 4/27/2012 |
