Patent Grant
10953313
The present application is a Non-Provisional Application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/649,137, filed on Mar. 28, 2018, entitled, “Three-dimensional (3D), extensible gaming platform and multiplayer strategy games,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
This invention relates generally to board games and construction sets and, more specifically, to a three-dimensional and extensible gaming platform for multiplayer strategy games.
Multiplayer games have long been known in the art and are typically directed to a two-dimensional board. For example, traditional multiplayer strategy games tend to employ fixed board layouts and game-play commences typically on a single plane on a predefined playing platform with a specific set of rules for play. While enjoyable and time consuming, such traditional strategy games do not allow for platform building or multi-dimensional play.
Thus, a continuing need exists for an extensible gaming platform that allows players to build and expand the platform throughout multiple dimensions and in such a manner to foster creativity and enhance enjoyment.
The present disclosure is directed to a three-dimensional (3D) gaming platform and game play associated with the gaming platform. The gaming platform includes a plurality of pads (each pad being formed to connect with a horizontally adjacent pad) and a plurality of posts (each post being formed to vertically connect at least two pads), thereby forming a grid-set.
In one aspect, each pad includes at least one pad connector component.
In yet another aspect, a plurality of links are included. Each link has a top and bottom post connector and at least two link connector components. The link connector components are formed to connect with a pad connector to horizontally affix a pad with a link.
In another aspect, each post is formed to connect with both a top post connector and a bottom post connector to vertically connect the at least two links and, in doing so, vertically connect the at least two pads when attached with a link.
In yet another aspect, a plurality of player markers are included. Each player marker is formed to reversibly attach with a pad.
In yet another aspect, a plurality of nodes are included. Each node is also formed to connect with a pad. The plurality of nodes include at least one blocker node; the blocker node being shaped and size to prevent a marker from sliding over the blocker node and rest upon a pad.
In another aspect, each pad is formed to have a nesting portion surrounded by a raised ridge, and further comprising a ledge such that the nesting portion and ledge are separated by the raised ridge.
In yet another aspect, each marker is formed to include a first end and a second end such that it can rest on the pad in two configurations, wherein in a first configuration, the first end slides over the raised ridge and rests upon the ledge, or wherein in a second configuration, the second side slides within the raised ridge and nests within the nesting portion.
In another aspect, a base is included that is formed to connect with a pad; the base having one or more figure connectors for securely affixing a figure with the base.
In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method for playing a game using a three-dimensional gaming platform. The method includes several acts, such as constructing an initial grid-set to include at least a plurality of pads connected with one another; distributing to two or more players a plurality of structural components and a plurality of markers; placing, by the two or more players, the plurality of markers within the initial grid-set such that the plurality of markers are connected with one or more of the pads within the plurality of pads; adding to the grid-set, by at least one of the players, by connecting one or more additional pads to the plurality of pads such that at least two pads are vertically connected with one another and/or at least two other pads are horizontally connected with one another; and moving one or more markers across the grid set by moving the markers in at least one direction selected from a group consisting of vertically, horizontally, and diagonally (or all of those directions or any combination thereof). It should be noted that the acts are not necessarily performed in any specific order unless explicitly claimed otherwise. The plurality of structural components that are distributed include a plurality of pads, links, and posts. Further, the pads are connected with one another horizontally by a link connected horizontally between the pads, and wherein the pads are connected with one another vertically by a post vertically connecting two links.
In another aspect, the method includes an act of modifying game play associated with one or more pads by placing a modifier node on at least one pad. The modifier node includes one of a kingerizer node, a hyper-pad node, and blocker-box node.
Finally, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention also includes a method for forming and using the gaming platform as described herein, including performing all the game play acts and/or operations as described and/or illustrated and/or per the rules described and/or illustrated.
Various detailed embodiments of the present inventions are illustrated as examples. Additional embodiments, forms, styles, and refinements are not limited solely to the figures of the accompanying drawings.
The present disclosure is directed to board games and construction sets and, more specifically, to a three-dimensional and extensible gaming platform for multiplayer strategy games. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.
Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object. Provided below is a brief introduction followed by specific details.
(1) Introduction
The present disclosure is directed to a three-dimensional (3D) and extensible gaming platform. This 3D gaming platform borrows some familiar game concepts from game titles such as Checkers and Chess, with familiar game-play actions (such as jumping) to capture opponents and player game pieces of pawns and kings. This gaming system, however, puts a spin on traditional gaming with a unique and extensible ‘snap-together,’ multi-level, 3D platform (grid-set) that can be modified during game-play and supports single and multiple players for a variety of different game types as well as player-inspired games and other separately packaged game extensions. This invention extends familiar game play options by adding the third dimension of play with custom player-configurable board layouts that can be modified and extended during game play. This creates a highly extensible game playing platform that can vary from a simple single plane ‘board-set’ to complex multi-level, 3D board-sets which can also be modified during the game.
The gaming platform includes sets of simple snap-together structural parts that provide an additional element of construction play and creativity that is lacking in most traditional board games. The snap-together component construction aspect of this gaming platform allows for additional game extensions and expansion kits, similar to boxed kits of construction blocks or other construction toys. Players can build pre-packaged designs or create and build their own 3D grid-sets. The connectable structural components easily connect horizontally and vertically and allow a wide variety of three-dimensional, multi-level construction options for physical (or virtual) board layouts. Players can construct and build their own 3D gaming platforms (grid-sets) to enhance gameplay and create new multiplayer gaming experiences. Thus, extra structural parts and board position modifiers can be placed on the grid-set to modify the gaming platform before and/or during play.
Additionally, and in various aspects, sets of unique player markers allow for multiple players. Further, board position placeholder “nodes” add special modified behavior to board locations. Player markers can move in three dimensions as well as special case movements to other grid-sets or non-contiguous locations. In other words, the gaming platform provides user-configurable board sets that can be extended with numerous add-on options, characters, and rules to create fresh, new, and unique gaming options.
The invention can scale considerably from simple single player puzzle and logic games to small, medium, and very large-scale, complex multiplayer, distributed games. In doing so, the invention can support a wide variety of ages, ability levels and game play. A variety of games and applications can be played on these highly extensible and scalable grid-sets. Several non-limiting examples of suitable embodiments include analog (physical) construction sets, digital game interfaces and editors, crowdsourced game designs and rules, and educational applications for creative learning. Specific details regarding the gaming platform are provided below.
(2) Specific Details
As noted above and as shown in
The grid-set 100 is formed of any suitable component parts that can be easily assembled by a player to form such a 3D board game. As a non-limiting example and as shown in
The structural component parts are further illustrated in
The “link” 104 is operable for connecting pads 102 horizontally. In this aspect, the link 104 includes one or more link connector portions 200 that are formed to easily connect with a corresponding pad connector portion 202 formed on a pad 102. The link and pad connector portions 200 and 202 are formed in any suitable shape to allow for easy attachment/detachment therebetween. As a non-limiting example, the link connector portions 200 are formed as tabs while the pad connector portions 202 are formed as notches to easily and securely engage with the tabs. While not limited thereto, it should be noted that the pads 102 desirably include at least four pad connector portions 202 (formed equidistance around the perimeter of the pad 102) while the links 104 desirably include at least two link connector portions 200 (formed opposite one another). It should be noted that although the pads 102 are illustrated with four pad connector portions 202 (allowing for a grid-set with a 90-degree angled structural system), the invention is not intended to be limited thereto as the pads 102 can have any number of connector portions for linking with the relevant part. For example, there could be three (3) or six (6) connection points on each pad 102. In this example, this would result in a grid-set that has a 60-degree or a 120-degree angled structural system.
Also depicted is a post 106. The posts 106 are used to link pieces vertically and provide vertical support to physical and 3D board levels. The posts 106 are formed of any suitable shape to vertically link the pieces. As a non-limiting example, the posts 106 are cylindrical-shaped sleeves and are formed to securely affix (e.g., slide over) with a post connector 204 (e.g., protrusion) formed on the links 104.
For example, and as shown in
For further understanding,
As shown in
The invention according to the present disclosure can be formed to include a variety of additional components, including both play and structural components. By way of example,
As noted above, in addition to the structural components, the invention includes sets of unique player markers 602 for multiple players.
The pad 102 can be formed in any suitable shape to easily connect with the markers 602 in at least one format and, desirably, in a reversible format. Referring again to
Additional custom board position placeholders (“nodes”) modify the behavior of locations (pads 102) on the grid-set and can be placed on grid-set pads 102 before and/or during play. The nodes modify the function of spaces (i.e., “pads” 102) on the grid-set to transform game action at that location.
Per some example game rules, players may be allocated nodes and extra structural components (pads 102, links 104, and posts 106) at the start of (or during) a specific game. This allows players the ability to change the physical grid-set and modify individual behavior of locations (pads) during play.
As can be appreciated, the various game configurations that can be implemented using the present invention is endless. By way of example,
As yet another example,
In other words, the grid-sets 100 are highly customizable and extensible. For example,
As noted above, a variety of game plays patterns can be implemented using the gaming platform and grid-set 100 as described in this disclosure. For example, player markers 602 can generally move in three dimensions, including up, down, sideways, and diagonally across multiple levels. Movement options may vary (or change during play) and are defined explicitly in the rules for various specific games. In games where players capture opponents, markers 602 may jump over opponent markers 602 to capture them. Different player markers 602 may be color coded to allow the various players to identify their specific markers 602. For example, a first player may start with blue markers 602 while a second player starts with green markers 602 (or any other desired color or markings as implemented or desired). A multi jump move can capture multiple opponent markers 602. A unique “kamikaze” move allows a marker 602 to jump outside the grid-set 100 in a sacrificial move that captures an opponent but also eliminates the attacking player's marker 602.
The modifier nodes 604, 606, and 608 placed on grid-set pads 102 alter the game play by extending or restrict marker 602 movement at those pad 102 locations. For example, a marker 602 landing on a kingerizer node 604 may be upgraded with enhanced capabilities. A marker 602 landing on a hyper-pad 606 node may be transported across a grid-set 100 to another hyper-pad 606 location. A blocker-box 608 node restricts that particular pad 102 from play by blocking or otherwise preventing a marker from being able to being positioned on that particular pad 102.
At the start of a turn, a player may decide not to move a marker 602 but instead extend the grid-set 100 (if they were allocated extra structural grid-set parts) or modify existing grid-set pads 102 with modifier nodes 604, 606, and 608 (if available for that game). This allows a grid-set 100 to change dynamically during a game enabling alternate avenues of play and strategy.
A variety of games can be played on the grid-sets 100. Instructions and rules for several variations are included and provided with the invention during packaging and sale. Further, additional add-ons and kits can further extend the functionality and variety of games. Thus, the gaming platform enables an extensible variety of games as well as opportunities for further customizing board-sets, game types, rules, player pieces, 3D printable extensions, and digital implementations. Although this invention has been described in specific detail with reference to the disclosed embodiments, it will be understood that variations and modifications may be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.
As noted above, the invention of the present disclosure can be used for a variety of game play and patterns. As a non-limiting example,
As shown and described in
One non-limiting example of game play is depicted in
Setup: The two players construct a two-player grid-set in preparation for their game. They build using the three grid-set ‘structural’ parts: pads, posts and links. Once the grid-set is constructed, the players place a series of ‘kingerizer’ parts along the starting home-row to indicate where they started and indicate the opponent's destination. Next, the players place their own team ‘markers’ on top of their ‘kingerizers’ and in a configuration as stipulated by the rules. The markers are placed in the ‘pawn’ orientation, which is indicated by the smaller top section. Next, the players locate five ‘hyper-pad’ parts on the grid-set.’ Finally, the players distribute parts and each receive ten (10) extra parts for building during the course of a game. In one manifestation, these ten parts consist of three pads, three links, two posts, and two blocker-box nodes.
For further understanding and illustrative purposes, provided below is an example game play describing the various actions by players during an example game. Although specific players actions are described, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited thereto as there are other play actions and patterns that can be implemented by the players. In this non-limiting example, the players proceed with the example game play and turns as follows:
Another non-limiting example of game play and rules using the gaming platform is depicted in
Some people may enjoy the construction aspect of building physical (or virtual) grid-set structures without ever playing any games on those platforms. Others may simply enjoy inventing (and contributing) additional games and rules without ever designing or building grid-sets. Others still may enjoy simply watching games or tournaments. For example, gaming conventions may run local and distributed tournaments using this gaming platform.
In another aspect, the gaming platform and game play can be digitized such that online distributed social gaming may be played with human and non-human (AI) opponents and team members. Digital games may be played, and virtual grid-set editors may be used to design and publish unique grid-sets. Further, large scale virtual grid-sets with multiplayer armies may be engaged in virtual game space where a limitation of physical components is not a factor.
In yet another aspect, crowdsourced contributions may establish the best, biggest, most creative grid-set designs. Awards and records may be awarded for the largest, longest, most distributed, creative games played on this invention's physical or virtual gaming platform. Schools, clubs, and organizations may employ educational learning opportunities using the modular and logical aspects of this invention.
Finally, while this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the invention may have other applications in other environments. It should be noted that many embodiments and implementations are possible. Further, the following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific embodiments described above. In addition, any recitation of “means for” is intended to evoke a means-plus-function reading of an element and a claim, whereas, any elements that do not specifically use the recitation “means for”, are not intended to be read as means-plus-function elements, even if the claim otherwise includes the word “means”. Further, while particular method steps have been recited in a particular order, the method steps may occur in any desired order and fall within the scope of the present invention.
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