GB2212727A

GB2212727A - Game apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2212727A
Application number: GB8727711A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Andrew Norman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-11-26
Filing date: 1987-11-26
Publication date: 1989-08-02
Also published as: GB8727711D0

Abstract

Game apparatus comprises a card or the like which contains initially visible information concerning a problem or problems to be answered and information which is initially hidden by one or more removeable layers of opaque material and which, on being revealed, interacts with the initially visible information to provide an answer to the problem or problems set. One or more clues may be provided to assist in answering the problem or problems set. Each set of information defines an essential part of the game presented by the game apparatus, and both sets of information are essential for proper completion of the game so presented.

Description

Game Apparatus This invention relates to game apparatus. More especially, the invention concerns one or a series of cards used in games to be played b one or more contestants. Each card may in itself contain all information necessary for a game to be played and completed or may interact with other apparatus during the course of the game.

Games which pose questions and/or problems and provide answers to verify those given by participants are, of course, well known. Hitherto, such games are mainly to be found in magazines and books, the answers to questions posed being sited on pages remote from those on which the questions appear.

Board games including question/answer cards are also known, progress around the board being dependent upon correct answers being given to questions posed.

A disadvantage with such games is that the answers are too readily accessible. Further, occasions when board games can be played are generally limited by space and location, a great deal of spece generally being needed. Magazines and books are not readily passed around so that their use is more generally personal to the individual reading the same.

Gambling cards are also known on which items of preprinted inforrnation covered by opaque material can be revealed to show whether the card in question is one for which a prize is awarded. Such cards de not present a game as such, no interaction occurring between the information present on the card and the informatIon initially hidden by the opaque arterial. Whether or not e prize is won is dependent solely on chance, the actions of the user having no bearing on the likelihood or otherwise of success.

The present invention sets out to provide game apparatus which overcomes disadvantages inherent in the foregoing whilst retaining the benefits of known game aparatus.

Thus, game apparatus in accordance with the invention provides a series of r..ini-gawes playable separately and which are readily transportable and intended for a whole range of social interactive and individual situations.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided game aparatus comprising a card or the like which includes visible information and information which can be made visible by removing one or more layers of opaque material, both sets of information being necessary for proper completion of the game presented by the apparatus.

According to the present invention in another aspect there is provided game apparatus which comprises a card or the like (hereinafter referred to simply as "a card") which contains initially visible information concerning a problem or problems to be answered and information which is initially hidden by one or more reoveable layers of opaque material and which, on being revealed, interacts with the initially visible information te provide an answer to the problem or problems set or one or more clues to assist in answering such problem or problems, each set of information defining an essential part of the game presented by the game apparatus, and both sets of information being essential for proper completion of the game so presented.

In further aspect, the invention provides game apparatus comprising a packaged set of cards as descibed in the preceding two paragraphs, the game presented by each such card being different from the game presented b the other card or cards of the set.

In a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided game apparatus comprising a board about which game pieces can be moved from one location to another in accordance with the rules of the game played on the board, and a plurality of cards each of which contains initially visible information and information which is initially hidden by one or more removeable layers of opaque material and which on being revealed interacts with the initially visible information to enable, if appropriate, a game piece to be moved from a given location in accordance with the rules of the game played.

The "opaque layers" may consist of material known in the trade as "Rub Removal Latex". This may be coloured silver, gold or another colour.and may be overprinted.

Other opaque materials may be employed.

The information contained on the cards may take many forms and may be presented in a great number of different ways. Essentially the initially visible information and the initially hidden information together describe a complete game to be played and completed by one or more players. Preferably, the initially visible information is sufficient in itself to enable the game to be got underpay by the contestant or contestants, the initially hidden information being required to be revealed in order to progress and/or complete the game.

In one embodiment of the invention, the game apparatus includes a card containina initially visible information which presents a problem capable of resolution by lateral thinking and data relevant to such probe and the initially hidden information comprises the answer to such problem and preferably one or more clues which when revealed assist in the resolution of such problem.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the game apparatus includes a card which contains initially visible information which describes the rules of the game to be played, the initially hidden information comprising one or more characters or items which are revealed to one contestant of the game and are to be determined by other contestants through the actions of the one contestant and/or by means of a series of questions put by the other contestants to the said one contestant.

In another embodiment, the game aparatus includes a card containing initially visible information which describes the game rules and, when the game is to be played by two or more participants, directs that a games master be appointed who reveals to himself the initially hidden material and then responds to questions directed to him by other participants who, through the answers given, attempt to ascertain the message, character or item revealed to the games master. The game card may contain clues to assist the other participants, these clues being initially hidden fro view and being revealed by the appointed games master at the request of a participant.

In a further embodiment, the initially visible information takes the form of overall instructions or directions to a nominated or selected participant, possible may be handed a card containing an instruction to reveal a task initially hidden by opaque material. The task, once revealed, may be directed, for example, to speak for a set time on a given subject, or enact a film, play or book title without speaking.

It will be appreciated that a wide variety of games can be presented in accordance with the invention on a selection of suitable game cards. A card may contain more than one game.

For marketing purposes, a plurality of game cards presenting different games ray be packaged together as a single saleable item of merchandise.

Game apparatus in accordance with the invention may also include a board game having a series cf nominated stations joined by a series of paths along which game pieces may be moved in accordance with appropriate game rules. Each individual station reached by a game piece when moving around the board may identify a game or problem whose resolution is achieved by reference to a game card as described above. Thus, a game piece may only be enabled to move from one station towards the next station upon the respective player resolving a problem set by a game card as described, resolution of that problem.

being proven through revealing initially hidden information present on the respective card.

In all the cards described above, the presence of initially hidden clues is believed to be of importance in creating interaction between the game contestants.

It will be understood that the foregoing is merely explemplary of various embodiments in accordance with the invention and that modifications can be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Game aparatus comprising a card or the like which includes visible information and information which can be made visible by removing one or more layers of opaque material, both sets of information being necessary for proper completion of the game presented by the apparatus.

2. Game apparatus comprising a card or the like which contains initially visible information concerning a problem or problems to be answered and information which is initially hidden by one or more removeable layers of opaque material and which, on being revealed, interacts with the initially visible information to provide an answer to the problem or problems set or with one or more clues to assist in answering such problem or problems, each set of information defining an essential part of the game presented by the game apparatus, and both sets of information being essential for proper completion of the game so presented.

3. Game apparatus comprising a packaged set of cards or the like as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, the game presented by each such card being different from the game presented by the other card or cards of the set.

4. Game apparatus comprising a board about which game pieces can be moved from one location to another in accordance with the rules of the game played on the board, and a plurality of cards each of which contains initially visible information and information which is initially hidden by one or more removeable layers of opaque material and which on being revealed interacts with the initially visible information to enable, if appropriate, a game piece to be moved from a given location in accordance with the rules of the game played.

5. Game apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the "opaque layers" consist of a latex material.

The information contained on the cards may take many forms and may be presented in a great number of different ways.

Essentially the initially visible information and the initially hidden information together describe a complete game to be played and completed by one or more players.

Preferably, the initially visible information is sufficient in itself to enable the game to be got underway by the contestant or contestants, the initially hidden information being required to be revealed in order to progress and/or complete the game.

6. Game apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which comprises a card containing initially visible information which presents a problem capable of resolution by lateral thinking and data relevant to such problem and the initially hidden information comprises the answer to such problem.

7. Game apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the initially hidden information includes one or more clues which when revealed assist in the resolution of the problem set.

8. Game apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 comprising a card which contains initially visible information which describes the rules of the game to be played the initially hidden information comprising one or more characters or items which are revealed to one contestant of the game and are to be determined by other contestants through the actions of the one contestant and/or by means of a series of questions put by the other contestants to the said one contestant.

9. Game aparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 comprising a card containing initially visible information which describes the game rules and, when the game is to be played by two or more participants, directs that a games master be appointed who reveals to himself the initially hidden material and then responds to questions directed to him by other participants who, through the answers given, attempt to ascertain the message, character or item revealed to the games master.

10. Game apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the initially hidden material includes clues to assist the other participants, these clues being revealed by the appointed games master at the request of a participant.

11. Game apparatus substantially as herein described.