Patent Application
20060273511
The present invention relates generally to the field of games, and particularly to tourist travel board games in which players become more informed with the vacation destination.
A variety of hand board games are commercially available. Many of these board games are designed to allow opposing players compete against each other to win the board game and at the same time provide fun and amusement for the players. Many of these board games have little or not educational component. While there has been a trend to produce board games that are fun and at the same time provide some educational component re geography, history, or culture, further improvements in providing effective and practical educational component in a board game are desirable and the present invention addresses these problems, and provides related benefits.
The present invention relates generally to the field of board games, and particularly to tourist travel board games in which players become more informed with the vacation destination. The present invention is particularly adaptable as a board game utilizing a popular vacation locale, such as for example Hawaii, in order to expose players to various cultural insights while they navigate the destination attempting to collect various souvenirs of their journey while staying within a specific budget. The object of each game is to be the first player back to the finish line having collected sufficient souvenirs to pass through. The Players can collect souvenirs or prizes by participating in activities, side trips, attractions, and tours, some familiar, some off the beaten track. Typically players must pay for these sightseeing trips, which are desirable as they are necessary for winning the game, and sometimes they can trade (time or other tokens) for the sightseeing trips or get lucky and go on a tour/attraction for free.
The game board in each case may be a map of a city or region. Preferably, that game board could actually be used as an overview navigation map. Players begin the game at a start line, such as for example, the airport with a limited amount of cash and attempt to collect as many souvenirs and unique experiences as possible before returning to the airport before their competitors. Along the way the players may encounter hazards and roadblocks that are unique to each destination and culture, thereby familiarizing them with local customs and cultural pitfalls. Preferably, there is a measure of good-hearted humor in these revelations, and most tourists will recognize the tongue-in-cheek playfulness of the play cards that direct their fate within the game.
One aspect of the present invention includes a tourist vacation board game including: a plurality of game pieces with each piece representing a player; means for random number generation; a generally planar game board having an upper surface defining a map of a vacation destination, a quantity of play money; a series of separate connected spaces forming a continuous path of travel through the map of vacation destination upon which the game pieces move during play, wherein the path of travel begins and ends at substantially the same location, and wherein the means for random number generation determines the movement of the game pieces about the path of travel; a quantity of prizes that can be earned by the game pieces in various circumstances during the game, the players being required to have earned a minimum number of the prizes before they can finish the game; a first deck of cards with each card bearing a penalty or an adverse instruction, wherein one card is drawn when one of the game pieces lands on some specific space of the travel path; and a second deck of cards with each card bearing the earning of one or more of the prizes or a favorable instruction, wherein one card is drawn when one of the game pieces land on some specific space of the travel path; wherein, each of the players attempts to reach the finish line before the others with having earned the requisite number of the prizes by moving around the path of travel through the map of vacation destination.
Introduction
The present invention recognizes that a board game can be made more fun and education by utilizing a popular vacation locale in order to expose the players to various cultural insights while they navigate the destination attempting to collect various souvenirs of their journey while staying within a specific budget.
As a non-limiting introduction to the breadth of the present invention, the present invention includes several general and useful aspects, including:
1) A tourist vacation board game including:
Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To gain a full appreciation of the scope of the present invention, it will be further recognized that various aspects of the present invention can be combined to make desirable embodiments of the invention.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Where a term is provided in the singular, the inventor also contemplates the plural of that term. The nomenclature used herein and the procedures described below are those well known and commonly employed in the art.
I. A Tourist Vacation Board Game
The present invention is particularly adaptable as a board game utilizing any popular vacation locale, such as for example Hawaii, in order to expose players to various cultural insights withy they navigate the destination attempting to collect various souvenirs of their journey while staying within a specific budget.
The present invention includes a tourist vacation board game including a plurality of game pieces with each piece representing a player. Preferably, the board game includes a map, information, highlights, and cultural insights to amuse the players while at the same time provide educational information about the tourist destination being navigated by the game. The present invention preferably includes various suitable game pieces each representing a player.
The present invention also includes means for random number generation. The means for random number generation can be any means, whether mechanical or digital, which generates one or more numbers randomly. Preferably the means for random number generation is one or more dice.
The present invention also includes a generally planar game board having an upper surface defining a map of a vacation destination. Preferably, the map of the board game is an overview navigation map of a popular tourist city or region.
The present invention also includes a quantity of play money. Each player may begin the game with a predetermined quantity of play money. The play money may have to be used in the game for purchases or payment of penalties depending on the progression of the game.
The present invention also includes a series of separate connected spaces forming a continuous path of travel through the map of vacation destination upon which the game pieces move during play, wherein the path of travel begins and ends at substantially the same location, and wherein the means for random number generation determines the movement of the game pieces about the path of travel. Preferably, the map of the board game is an overview navigation map of a popular tourist city or region and the continuous path of travel goes through different areas of the region, preferably, the popular tourist areas of the locale. The path of travel is preferably made of separate connected spaces what are large enough for the game pieces to occupy. Preferably, some of the spaces of the path of travel will have some instructions, penalties, prizes, bonuses, or souvenirs in order to keep the game amusing and challenging. Along the way the players may encounter hazards and roadblocks unique to each destination and culture, thereby familiarizing them with local customs and cultural pitfalls. Preferably, the path of travel begins and ends at substantially the same location, such as for example, the major airport near the locale. The players arrive at the airport with a predetermined quantity of play money or other possessions depending on the game being played, and they leave from the airport once they have successfully achieved the objectives of the game being played. Throughout the game the players attempt to collect as many souvenirs and unique experiences as possible before returning to the airport before their competitors. Preferably, dice are used as means for random number generation for determining the movement of the game pieces about the path of travel, where each player takes turns rolling the dice and moving the rolled number of pieces. Players can earn time and money by being familiar with certain cultural tips, learning the language, being travel savvy, and most of all by having good luck with the roll of the dice as this is essentially not a game of skill and can be enjoyed by players of all ages. Preferably, the present invention includes a rule book in which all the different variation of the game and rules of play under substantially all different circumstances of play is described so players can refer to the rule book when faced with an unfamiliar set of circumstances.
The present invention also includes a quantity of prizes that can be earned by the game pieces in various circumstances during the game, the players being required to have earned a minimum number of the prizes before they can finish the game. Players may collect souvenirs by participating in activities, side trips, attractions and tours, some familiar, some off the beaten track. Typically players must pay for these sightseeing trips which are desirable as they are necessary for winning the game. Sometimes they can trade (time or other tokens) for them, or get lucky and go on a tour or attraction for free.
The present invention also includes a first deck of cards with each card bearing a penalty or an adverse instruction, wherein one card is drawn when one of the game pieces lands on some specific space of the travel path. Also, the present invention includes a second deck of cards with each card bearing the earning of one or more of the prizes or a favorable instruction, wherein one card is drawn when one of the game pieces land on some specific space of the travel path. Preferably, there is a measure of good-hearted humor in these revelations, and most tourists will recognize the tongue-in-cheek playfulness of the cards that bear a penalty or other adverse instructions, which can direct their-fate within the game.
The overall object of the game is that each of the players attempts to reach the finish line before the others with having earned the requisite number of the prizes by moving around the path of travel through the map of vacation destination. The educational objectives of the game revolve around exposing players to various tourist destinations by providing them with a map, information, highlights and cultural insights while they navigate the destination attempting to collect various souvenirs of their journey while staying within a specific budget.
The game board of the present invention may be enhanced by artistic images of the locale, whether by using fine art, whimsical art, or photographical art ubiquitous of the area in order to expose the players to various insights while they navigate the destination.
The game board of the present invention may also be used for advertising purposes by local retailers of the tourist destination for which the particular game is designed. The game board may include, for example, one or more designated advertising spaces for local retailers from the tourist destination. The local retailers may bid and pay for the chance to be included on the game board with one or more representations of their shop or services for advertising purposes on the designated spaces of the game board. The local retailers may also bid for and pay for the opportunity to include their coupons with the packaging of the game board so that when a game board is purchased by a customer, that customer also gets coupons for the local retailers, which in turn could be used as incentives to visit the particular local retailers that have chosen to advertise on spaces of the board game and/or provide coupons to be included with the packaging of the board game.
The game board may be a collapsible board, preferably, laminated and folding up like a traditional map. Preferably, the backside of the game board may be a functional map of the locale that can be used as an aid at during vacationing at the locale.
This is an example of the present invention wherein Maui is the vacation spot for the player of the game.
Object of the Game: To be the first tourist back to the airport having collected at least five Whale Coins and five Hula Treasures during the journey.
Materials: Game board—map of Maui, dice, markers, plastic Hula Treasures, gold Whale Coins, No Ka Oi cards, Tourist Trap cards, game money.
To Get the Game Rolling: Players start in Kahului (the airport) with $200. Players take turns rolling the dice. Highest roll goes first followed by the person to their left and so on.
Players advance their playing tokens or game pieces around the Maui game board circling a map of Maui. Along the way players encounter Detours, Attractions, No Ka Oi Cards, Tourist Traps, Back Road Hazards, Rainbow Luck Spaces and two ATMs. Hula Treasures and Whale Coins are earned by participating in various attractions and activities some of which are free, some of which cost. Visitors must have collected at least five Hula Treasures and five Whale Coins before they can board the plane for home.
Hula Treasures will be represented by the following tokens: Lei, Puka Shells, Grass Skirt, Rubbah Slippahs, Aloha Shirt, Family Photo at Maui landmark. These are acquired by landing on No Ka Oi cards, or by taking Detours and buying Attractions. Players must land directly on detour and shortcut spaces to take advantage of them. To participate in the offered “attractions/excursions” players either pay $25 or attend a timeshare presentation (miss one turn) in exchange for the promised Hula Treasure or Whale Coin. After landing on such a space and determining their payment choice, players proceed to the destination indicated on the game board and follow further instructions from there.
Whale Coins can also be collected throughout the game by landing on certain designated spaces or turning over a “whale” No Ka Oi card. Once players have collected their quota of Whale Coins and Hula Treasures they race opponents back to the airport to be the first to board the return flight home.
Beware the Agricultural Inspectors! To get past this one last roadblock, players must roll the dice to board the plane. Roll doubles and you are sent back to Hana; a roll of 2-6 sends you to the top of Haleakala; roll 7-10 and end up in Wailea. But roll 11 and you're onboard and upgraded to First Class!
If your game piece lands on a “tourist trap” square you must take a card from the top of the Tourist Trap Card pile and follow instructions on the card. Then place the discard at the bottom of the pile. Tourist Traps for Maui include: Bad Poi—lose a turn, Buy Milk and Bread—$20, Found a Pearl in the Oyster—pay $20, Sunburn—lose a turn Go to Makawao—ride the rodeo and miss one turn, Coral Cut—lose a turn, visit Doctors on Call—pay $20, Buy Shave Ice—pay $10, Centipede Sting—lose a turn, Left the convertible top down, suitcase stolen—give back a Hula Treasure, Jellyfish sting—lose a turn, Shark Threat—lose a turn, Lost Camera—pay $20, Buy Postcards—pay $10, Shopping on Front Street—pay $20, Falling Coconuts—lose one turn, Littering—lose one turn, lose one Hula Treasure, Jog on the lower road—give back a Hula Treasure, Bought a timeshare—pay $50, Riptide—lose a turn, Drove rental car off road—pay $20 damages, Mongoose crossing—lose a turn, Cane Fire!—lose a turn, Traffic jam—miss a turn, Rain Day—skip a turn, One Mai Tai too many—give back a Hula Treasure.
If a player lands on a “No Ka Oi” (the best) space they must take a card from the top of the No Ka Oi card pile and follow instructions, then place the discard on the bottom of the pile. No Ka Oi Cards include: Free visit to the lao Needle—collect Hula Treasure, Free Visit to the Ocean Center—collect a Whale Coin, Free Visit to the Pacific Whale Foundation—collect a Whale Coin, See Double Rainbow—advance five spaces, Returned a Wallet Found on the Beach—collect $20 reward and Whale Coin, See a Moonbow—advance five spaces—collect $20, Spot a Whale—collect Whale Coin, Swim under a Waterfall—advance three spaces, Toes on the Nose—collect Whale Coin, Free Luau—collect Hula treasure Free Snorkel Trip—collect Whale Coin, Visit lao Needle—collect Hula treasure, Sunrise on Haleakala—collect Hula treasure, Free Visit to Lanai—collect Whale Coin, Rodeo in, Makawao—collect Hula treasure, See Green Flash—advance three spaces, Pick a Pineapple—collect Hula treasure, Hike a Rainforest—collect Hula treasure, Free Helicoptor Ride—collect whale coin, Learn Hawaiian Alphabet—collect Hula treasure, Visit Protea Farm—collect Hula treasure, Spot a Nene Goose—collect Hula treasure Make a Lei—collect Hula treasure, Learn to Hula—collect Hula treasure Caughta Kona Coffee Buzz—advance four spaces, Free Warren and Annabelle Show—make $20 magically appear in your pocket!
Players landing on a Detour or Attraction space may either purchase the outing/attraction for $25 (each) or attend a timeshare presentation instead and miss one turn. In either case they collect the designated Whale Coin or Hula Treasure. Detours or Attractions include: Road to Hana—collect Hula treasure, Sunrise on Haleakala—collect a whale coin, Snorkel Molokini—collect whale coin, 4-Wheelin' on Lanai—collect a whale coin, Ride on the Lanai Ferry—collect a whale coin.
Golf at Makena—collect a whale coin, Golf the Plantation—collect a whale coin Go to Mama's Fish House—collect a Hula Treasure, Shop at Hilo Hattie's—collect a Hula Treasure, Old Lahaina Luau—collect a Hula Treasure, Visit Lavender Farm—collect a Hula Treasure, Take the Road to Hana—collect a Hula Treasure, Sunset Dinner Cruise—collect a Whale Coin, Wine Tasting—collect a Hula Treasure, ATV Tour—collect a Hula Treasure, Parasailing—collect a Whale Coin, lao Needle—collect a Hula Treasure.
To make the game challenging, players must also navigate certain Back Road hazards (posted on the game board), which include: Crazy local driver runs you off the road—miss one turn, Tourists gawks at scenery—lose one Whale Coin, Tire blown on lava rock—miss one turn, Photo Op—go back three spaces, North swell at Honolua—miss one turn, Stop for banana bread—go back five spaces, Snorkel Marine Sanctuary—miss one turn, Mongoose crossing—miss one turn, Accident on the Pali—lose two turns, Cane Fire—lose one turn, Drivers talking story—go back four spaces. However, they may also encounter Rainbow Luck Spaces (posted on the game board), which include: Watch a Sunrise—move forward two, Say Aloha—move forward two, Give a Shaka Sign—move forward three, Spot a Nene—move forward three, Surf's Up—advance to Honolua Bay, South Swell—advance to Launiopoko, Trade Winds—advance to Ho'okipa Beach, Win Hula Competition—collect $50, Win Fishing Tourney—collect $25, Hole in One—advance three spaces, Wind Surf Competition—collect $25. And fortunately, there are two ATM stations on the game board. Each time a player passes the ATM station he collects $25. Taking detours and attractions can either result in an advantageous ATM pass or cause a player to miss out on “payday.”
All headings are for the convenience of the reader and should not be used to limit the meaning of the text that follows the heading, unless so specified. Various changes and departures may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited to that specifically described in the specification or as illustrated in the drawings, but only as set forth in the claims.
