Patent Grant
7549639
N/A
N/A
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to board games and more specifically it relates to a competitive board game which exhibits some problematic areas to which humans are exposed and creates awareness of the social class hierarchy.
2. Discussion of the Background
Various board games have been designed to educate the players by using human experiences and situations such as immigration, financial situations and politics.
An example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,642 to which discloses a board game that deals with the struggle an immigrant has to go through in order to live and seek the American dream. The game shows in a fun way the risks, choices and options an immigrant has to affront when he/she immigrates to the United States. It presents different legal classes such as illegal, tourist, parole, political refugee, resident and professional visa.
Another board game with educational purposes which deals with human experiences such as financial problems and child education corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,300 issued to Kiyosaki. The patent teaches fundamental aspects of personal finance, investing and accounting to children.
There has always been a SOCIAL CLASS hierarchy in the United States. It is an open secret that few have cared to acknowledge. It is also a known fact that the priorities of the very Rich are not the same as those of the Poor.
Most people in the U.S. usually place themselves in the “Comfortable MIDDLE CLASS”, working for a living, with money problems, but “living well”.
All the mentioned board games may be suitable for particular purposes such as immigration, money and financial concepts. However the present invention is not limited by money and financial concepts because it shows how social classes interact by making alliances and fulfilling their own obligations in order to survive. Each social class has to deal with different problems in the path of life wherein the concerns and responsibilities of a particular class are not the same as the others. The present invention also shows how nature is blind with respect to social classes.
The present board game goes beyond financial, politics and immigration problems or situations; it combines human experiences and conflicts with their social class. There has always been a social class hierarchy in the United States, wherein a few have cared to acknowledge and wherein the priorities of a higher class are not the same as the lower class. The present board game exhibits the problematic areas to which humans and especially the social classes are exposed. It expresses the competitive nature with each other and delineates the human organism's confrontation with the elements of Nature, with his man-made creation, and with his own inner turmoil.
The game comprises a board, a set of dice, players' figures representation, chips and several groups of cards. Each player figure represents a social class status and starts with certain amount of chips as money representation depending on the social class. The players move across the board game track or path looking to improve their social class while encountering situations or problems and at the same time being chases by another player of a higher social class wherein the object of the game is to survive and meet or fulfill their social obligations and responsibilities. The BIG FISH tries to eat the LITTLE FISH and the LITTLE FISH tries to escape from the BIG FISH. The HIGHER SOCIAL STATUS Citizen represents brawn in the form of size, strength, status, money and power. The LOWER SOCIAL STATUS player represents brains in the form of “street smarts”, swiftness, knowledge, expertise and flexibility.
Another object of the present invention is the acknowledgement and awareness of Social Class Systems in the United States.
Another object of the present invention is to entertain while teaching how strength, size and brawn compete against speed, stealth and smarts. It is the biological and social dominance in the evolutionary process of “Survival of the Fittest”.
Another object of the present invention is to show the advantages of teaming up and alliances.
Another object of the present invention is to teach the players to be one step ahead of our competitors, whoever they may be.
Another object of the present invention is to show how interdependent we are with our environment and the complexities of Modern Living.
The invention itself, both as to its configuration and its mode of operation will be best understood, and additional objects and advantages thereof will become apparent, by the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.
When the word “invention” is used in this specification, the word “invention” includes “inventions”, that is, the plural of “invention”. By stating “invention”, the Applicant does not in any way admit that the present application does not include more the one patentable and non-obviously distinct invention and Applicant maintains that the present application may include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts, that the disclosure of the present application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other.
Further, the purpose of the accompanying abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
a-13f represents the PANDORAS cards.
The present board game invention is suitable for 1 or more players and, as shown in
The board game 1, as shown on
The track 3, as shown in
a social class status,
instructions or
a card group representation 6a-12a.
Different card group representations 6a-12a can be used such as images, colors or numbers as long they can be related to one of the card groups 6-12 on the outer board section 2. In the instant case images are used for an easier and more attractive way to relate the card representation with the card groups 6-12. Track 3 is provided with inner track accesses 5. The inner track accesses 5 extend from a center point 4a inside the track 3 toward the inner boundaries of track 3 in order to provide an alternative path. The inner track accesses 5 also comprise several segments 4 with at least one of the shows mention above. A hexagonal shape was selected for track 3 in order to provide a shape having at least two segments 4 of the track 3 showing twice the classes II, III, IV and V; wherein an equal number of segments 4 are aligned between them. Any other shape can be used but the hexagonal shape is more efficient for the present invention.
The board outer section 2 for placing the group cards 6-12, as show in
The present game is a competitive game and the equipment for playing was disclosed above which is suitable for 1 or more players. Therefore how to play and the rules of the game are provided next for a better understanding of the game.
Multiple Players
One of the players is designated to manage the community money or chips. Each player or citizen starts the game by throwing a single die in order to establish his/her beginning SOCIAL STATUS Level
The number of players may vary but two to six players have been found the most desirable. Citizens will receive the appropriate social class status figure which they will place at a center point 4a where all the inner tracks accesses 5 are connected. For example, in the preferred embodiment, as shown in
Citizens receive $10,000 per STATUS level from the community money, for example:
The highest SOCIAL STATUS Citizen goes first. In case there is more than one player with the highest social status, the player who threw the highest social status first starts. They must indicate the direction and turn before throwing the pair of dice. The player advances the segments 4 that the dice indicates in the pre-selected direction. Each time a player lands on a new segment 4 he or she must follow the instruction related to that specific segment 4. For example, if a player lands on a segment 4 showing a social class level which is different from his/her actual social class, the player automatically changes his/her social status by exchanging their status figures for the new social status figure. In case he/she lands on a segment 4 having instructions or if he/she lands on a card representation segment 4, he/she picks up the top card of the card group deck related to the card representation segment and follows the instructions.
All other Citizens will follow in a counter clockwise rotation (to the left of the starting player), irrespective of their SOCIAL STATUS ranking. At the beginning of each turn all players must state the direction he/she is moving before throwing the pair of dice.
If a player forgets to indicate their intention, as to the direction and turn they are to take before throwing the dice, they lose their turn and must give $2,000 to the player that brought it to their attention.
When a player lands at the same track segment 4 of another player, the lower social class status player has been hit and must pay $20,000 in ransom money to the higher social class status player standing at the same segment. In case the player is located at a segment 4 showing a social class level and another player lands on the same segment, the player of lower social class status must pay the ransom money to the higher social class status player and no change of status is perform.
The Citizen who has been “HIT” continues playing only if he/she can pay the full ransom. If he/she cannot afford to pay the ransom debt, he/she loses and is removed from the game. Whatever special privilege cards or other property he/she has belongs to the player who “hits” him/her.
Only Citizens who have been “HIT” and can fulfill their obligations with money, special privilege cards, the Barter System, Insurance Policy, or giving other possessions, can remain in the game.
Once the game is in progress, it is the objective of each Citizen to:
1. Achieve the highest Social Status level
2. Avoid being “HIT” by a HIGHER STATUS player.
3. Try to “HIT” lower SOCIAL STATUS players.
4. Avoid landing on Lower SOCIAL STATUS areas.
5. Try to get SPECIAL PRIVILEGE cards.
6. Protect yourself at all times—Buy Insurance
7. Fulfill all of your obligations.
8. Amass a large financial fortune—chips.
9. Try to form ALLIANCES cooperation, with other Citizens in order to compete with a highest social class player in the neighborhood.
10. Citizens can try to barter, exchange whatever Special Privileges they may have in order to survive and remain in the game.
During the game, each player must be able to complete what PANDORA'S problems they have been given. They must be able to overcome conflict situations (obstacles). Each player must be able to resolve his/her own circumstances, while at the same time surviving the competition with their peers.
Social status VI Level:
In the present Game there can only be One SOCIAL STATUS VI player at a time. If at the beginning of the game two players throw a single die to the Level VI—the first player to do so is given the SOCIAL STATUS VI Trophy and money ($60,000)—the other player receives “compensation” of $5,000 and must throw again until they get a different social class status.
If while the game is in progress, one Citizen is a SOCIAL STATUS VI and another player lands on the Central Six (VI) Space 4a—that player will only receive “compensation” ($5,000)—but continues with his Status level.
Only when there are no other players with the SOCIAL STATUS VI, can a Citizen achieve a SOCIAL STATUS VI when they land on the Central VI Space 4a.
Jail:
When a Citizen lands on the JAIL Space they become an “INMATE”. The INMATE has to immediately pay $5,000 to the Community Bank, and they also lose TWO (2) turns. While in JAIL, serving out their sentence, any HIGHER SOCIAL STATUS Citizen can “HIT” them. The INMATE has to pay the $20,000 RANSOM Debt. If they cannot comply with their Obligations the INMATE loses the game.
Citizens who throw a DOUBLE, and land on the JAIL space, are only “Visiting” the INMATES in JAIL. After their Visit, they throw the dice and continue on their journey through LIFE. Also if a Citizen is already in jail and any lower social class player lands at the jail segment, the lower social class player is only “visiting” the inmates in jail and stays there waiting for his/her next turn without penalties.
Special Rules
At the beginning of the game players can omit some of the following special rules so as to simplify the game. As these players become more competent in their understanding of the Underlying Game Dynamics, they can add their combinations for a more complex game.
Casino Royale:
Before the game begins the players have a GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT, that the FIRST Citizen to achieve a SOCIAL STATUS VI level is to receive TWO times (2×) the allocated amount of $60,000 to $120,000, on the first throw of the single die. In case no player achieves a social class VI at the beginning, the FIRST player who achieves the STATUS VI level during the game will receive $60,000. This GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT only applies to the FIRST Citizen who achieves the SOCIAL STATUS VI level.
Doubles:
Each time a Citizen throws a DOUBLE on the dice they receives $2000 and then take another turn. The Citizen receives the money, accomplishes what the segment 4 indicates, and then goes again.
When a Citizen throws a DOUBLE SIX (6:6) or a DOUBLE ONE (Snake-Eyes), they receive $5,000.
When a Citizen throws a DOUBLE and lands on the JAIL Space—they are only Visiting—These Citizens receive their money, throws again, and continues on their journey.
Alliances:
When there is an Overwhelming competitor in the Game—a SOCIAL STATUS VI, who is “Rich and Famous,” part of the “400 CLUB, a Super Citizen, the other players may find it to their advantage to team up and form ALLIANCES following the credo of “THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY IS MY FRIEND”.
These disadvantaged competitors could form ALLIANCES. They could focus all of their energies on the “Heavy-Weight” and leave each other alone by:
Naturally, these ALLIANCES may be only a momentary coming together, to surmount the “CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER”.
The Power Factor Cube:
Individual Citizens can augment their Risk-Benefits by utilizing the POWER FACTOR CUBE. Before throwing the set of dice the citizen has the choice of throwing the POWER FACTOR CUBE. The resulting POWER FACTOR CUBE number represents the amount of Risk-Benefit they wish to take, from 1-6. After moving, the Citizen either the amount of money he/she is about to WIN OR LOSE is multiplied by the POWER FACTOR CUBE number. This strategy is a possible path UP towards “QUICK RICHES”, or a lonely road DOWN towards “RAGS” and “Giving up the Ghost”.
The Ying-Yang Betting System:
Citizens can place an UNLIMITED Amount of money, on SIDE BETS, on whether the next role of the dice will be an ODD or EVEN Number, prior to throwing the dice.
The Citizens WINS or LOSES according to the outcome.
Immortality Card:
There is one immortality card in this game. The immortality card is part of Chance group cards and has the same benefits of the insurance card plus more. This card helps the player against all catastrophic events such as being hit, annihilation, changing social class or not having enough money to pay a debt. In case of annihilation the card can be used to become The World's Savior. In this case the player receives a payment of $30,000.
When a social class status VI citizen has the immortality card they become part of the “400 CLUB” and reside on Mount OLYMPUS with the other Deities. They can not lose their social class status if they land on the segment showing a lower class status level. Only if a social class status VI player picks up an APOCALYPSES Card from the Pandora's cards 10 he/she becomes mortal and is destroyed. The citizen is automatically out of the game. All of their Possessions are equally distributed among the other Citizens.
Buying Protection Insurance:
The insurance card works against some catastrophic events in order to survive life's uncertainties. A Citizen buys an INSURANCE Policy, in advance, against the possibility that some extreme event will harm them. This is providing a Protective Shield, Umbrella, or Buffer for a possible “Rainy Day” in the future.
The Citizen pays Premiums of $7,000, for an INSURANCE Policy, for any possible extreme event—being “HIT”, going to JAIL and any payments to others. There are only five insurance cards. At the beginning of the game the insurance cards are offer in a counter clockwise rotation starting from the highest social class player. Each player can only have or use the insurance card once during the game. In case a player has more than one insurance card he/she has to exchange for $7,000 dollars from the community money. Any player can buy the insurance card at any moment of the game but only when it is his/her turn.
In the event a player is hit by a higher social class player and can not pay the debt the insured citizen or player gives up the insurance card to the higher class player in lieu of the catastrophic payment. Thus the victim is saved from being out of the game.
Secret Societies:
There are FIVE different groups of SECRET SOCIETIES.
Each Group has its Organizational Chief or Wizard. All of the cards Chiefs of these Secret GROUPS are located in the VIP ZONE.
A Citizen becomes Chief or Grand Wizard by selecting the VIP card which has that designation. The Citizen holds the card until another player picks up a card from the card groups 6-12 which shows his/her secret society. At this moment the secret society is “activated”. When a secret player is “activated” the player holding the chief card receives the monetary premiums designated by the card augmented by THREE (3×). For example, if the card indicates that the player wins 1,000 dollars the player holding the chief card will receive 3,000 from the community money instead of the player who picked up the card or if the card indicates that the player loses $1,000 the player who picked up the card must pay 3,000 to the player holding the chief card. Each deck of cards per group/subgroups has at least one card from each of the Five Secret Groups in the card groups 6-12.
Annihilation Card:
There are Two ANNIHILATION Cards in this Game. One is in the CHANCE Zone (Volcanic Eruptions) and the other is in the NATURE Zone (Meteoric Impact). These are Total ANNIHILATION Cards. When these cards are uncovered, the Game Stops. Then the following procedure goes into effect:
The winner is the last player standing, the Citizen who has been able to fulfill all of their SOCIAL OBLIGATIONS, but has also been able to out maneuver all of his/her competitors.
Single Player
Ludus Solitaire—Medusa's Web
On the single player mode, also called Medusa's web, basically the single player is fighting alone against a permanent higher class enemy. The permanent higher class enemy is PANDORA which starts the game as a Level VI. She receives her social class VI representation but doesn't need MONEY, for she has “all the money in the world”. PANDORA is represented by MEDUSA. MEDUSA, as PANDORA'S emissary, starts first at the Central Level VI space.
Since MEDUSA is part of PANDORA'S System, all of the Cards Status Symbols do not affect her. Also because you are in mortal combat with her, your interest is to find the Olympian shield (HOLD Card) in the System. Only eight Olympian shield cards are used in the game wherein each one is located in the Pandora's cards, Chance and Oracle groups respectively. Money, status, and relationships are of no interest to you. However the player has to follow the instructions on the track segments. Your need is to SURVIVE your confrontation with MEDUSA.
Rules for Single Player
Once you are in MEDUSA'S WEB the following may happen:
As you are trying to evade MEDUSA in her SPIDER-WEB, you will find many Treasures and worldly Possessions of previous VISITORS, but they are of no interest for you.
These are only Distractions to Lull you into Greed and Satisfaction. Your Goal—Directed Striving is to find your Holy Grail, the OLYMPIAN SHIELD, with which to KILL the dreaded MEDUSA.
We should note that consciously you are the Ambassador of Fate, therefore, make the best decisions for Pandora and her emissary Medusa. However, unconsciously you are representing your amorphous psyche, which is fighting Pandora.
In Reality, this is a confrontation between the basic elements of the Individual Unconscious (the SELF) against the Collective Unconscious (SOCIETY). When the Game begins, the die has been cast and your individual fight begins. You can rebel and confront destiny.
One will notice that the more one plays, the greater awareness one acquires about the complexities of Modern Living, and how interdependent we are with our environment. To acquire mastery of the game one should play numerous times, at different levels of complexities. In this manner we may learn the fine art of the “Juggling Act” needed to refine our behavior and movements in the Real World. For Beginners, the game can be played in a Simplified Format. That is, playing without the multiple Permutations and Combinations of LIFE'S complexities. All of those annoying, fuzzy, irritations of the Real World can be avoided by omitting the following modifications:
All the rules are disclosed in a manual. Also a guide with a summary of the rules for an easy understanding is provided to the players. As the Players become more sophisticated in their understanding of the dynamics of the present game invention, they can expand their Horizons and broaden their Scope of Gamesmanship. Later the players can include all of those Themes and Variations of LIFE'S Complexities. The Game then becomes a True test of the Player's Comprehension and dexterity.
Finally, one last Element is necessary in mastering the game. In order to become proficient, the Citizen must learn to WIN in the Shortest Time Frame possible so as to be considered the Ultimate Master of the Universe.
The invention is not limited to the precise configuration described above. While the invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention after considering this specification together with the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by this invention as defined in the following claims and their legal equivalents. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent functions.
All of the patents, patent applications, and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All, or substantially all, the components disclosed in such patents may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof. The details in the patents, patent applications, and publications incorporated by reference herein may be considered to be incorporable at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentable distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20080272543 A1 | Nov 2008 | US |
