GB2220579A

GB2220579A - Board game

Info

Publication number: GB2220579A
Application number: GB8914760A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Michael Jeavons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-07-15
Filing date: 1989-06-27
Publication date: 1990-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2009-06-27
Also published as: GB8914760D0; GB2220579B; GB8816887D0

Abstract

Game apparatus comprises a board 10 providing a square grid of playing spaces 12 each bearing a number from 1 to 6. Playing pieces 14 of various shapes are formed to be able to cover a group of playing spaces. One or more dice are selected by a player in turn and are rolled to show the numbers which must be covered on the board by an appropriately placed and shaped playing piece in order for a player to score. The score is the number of playing spaces 12 which can be covered by one of the shapes 14. The game could be played on a computer screen. <IMAGE>

Description

Board Game The present invention relates to board games.

The invention provides game apparatus comprising a board providing a grid of playing spaces each bearing a marking selected essentially at random from a set of markings, a set of playing pieces, each playing piece being so formed as to be able to cover a group of playing spaces, the number of playing spaces in the group being between 1 and n inclusive, and means for making a number of selections from the set of markings, each selection being essentially at random, and a number of selections to be used by each player being determined by the player and being between 1 and n inclusive.

Preferably the playing spaces are arranged in a square grid. The markings are preferably numbers, preferably numbers between 1 and 6 inclusive.

The selection means are preferably dice. The number of selections to be used by the player may be determined by the selected number of dice to be used.

Preferably the number n is 6.

The playing pieces preferably include at least one piece so formed as to cover each number of playing spaces between 1 and n inclusive.

The playing pieces include at least one piece so formed as to cover a line of adjacent playing spaces.

The playing pieces preferably include at least one piece so formed as to cover spaces arranged in an "L" shape. The playing pieces preferably include at least one piece so formed as to cover spaces arranged in a square. The playing pieces preferably include at least one piece so formed as to cover spaces arranged in a cross formation. The playing pieces preferably include at least one piece so formed as to cover spaces arranged in a rectangle.

The playing pieces may include at least one piece which covers more tan n playing spaces, and may be used to cover two or more smaller pieces which have been placed adjacent to each other on the board.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus comprising a display device and means which generate on the display device a representation of apparatus defined above, or any component of that apparatus.

Game apparatus according to the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows the game board; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of part of the board of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 shows playing pieces for use with the board of Fig. 1.

The board 10 of Fig. 1 consists of a square grid of playing spaces 12 each of which is marked with a number between 1 and 6 inclusive. The number marked on each square is selected essentially at random from the six numbers available. Each of the playing pieces 14 (Fig. 3) is so formed as to be able to cover a group of playing spaces, the number of playing spaces in the group being between 1 and 6 in each case. The apparatus further comprises 6 conventional dice (not shown).

The playing pieces shown in Fig. 3 include pieces which can used to cover a line of between 1 and 6 adjacent playing spaces 12. Other pieces 16, 18, 20, 22 can cover other groupings of spaces 12. The playing piece 16 can cover three spaces 12 arranged in an "L" shape. The piece 18 can cover four spaces 12 arranged in a square. The piece 20 can cover five spaces 12 arranged in a cross formation. The piece 22 can cover six spaces 12 arranged in a rectangle.

The apparatus described above can be used to play a game in the following manner.

At the beginning of his turn, the player selects any or all of the dice, but must select at least one die. For convenience, assume that the player selects x dice, where x is a number between 1 and 6, inclusive.

The x dice are then rolled by the player. This generates x numbers, all between 1 and 6 inclusive.

The player must then choose one of the playing pieces which can cover exactly x playing spaces and then atteml)t to rind a location on the board 10 at which the selected piece may be placed to cover one space marked with each of the numbers rolled on the selected dice.

If no such location exists, or the player fails to find it, the player's turn is forfeit.

A score is maintained of the number of spaces 12 covered by each player as the game progresses, or alternatively, each player may be provided with a distinctively marked set of playing pieces so that the score can be determined at any stage by making a simple count.

It will be apparent from the above that a player who decides to roll only a small number of dice is more likely to be able to fintl n Joc;lCion at which to place a playing piece but will achieve a correspondingly low score at that turn. Thus, there is an element of risk associated with choosing to roll a large number of dice, but the taking of that risk is rewarded by a larger score. Furthermore, there is an element of skill involved in the selection of the location to play a piece, because a player may have a choice of such locations, depending on the numbers shown on the dice, but some locations may be more beneficial by blocking future moves of opponents.

A detailed example of one player's move can be given with reference to Fig. 2. At the beginning of the turn, no playing pieces have been placed on any of the spaces 12 shown in Fig. 2. A player decides to roll three dice, and after rolling, these show the numbers 2, S, 6. Haviiig chosen to roll three dice, the player must now attempt to place on the hoard one or the pieces ("L"- shaped or straight) which can cover three squares, so as to cover one square numbered 2, one square numbered 5, and one square numbered 6. It can be seen from Fig. 2 that the player has two options in this area of the board (and may have other options elsewhere).The player may cover the middle horizontal row of spaces shaded vertically in Fig. 2, or may cover the "L" shaped group of spaces shaded horizontally in Fig. 2.

It can also be seen from Fig. 2 that if the dice had shown 6, 6, and 5, the player would have been unable to place a playing piece on the board because no playing piece exists which has a shape corresponding to the layout of the numbers 6, 6, 5 on the portion of the board shown in Fig. 2. Of course, there may be other possibilities elsewhere on the board which would allow the player to place a piece.

IF the player successfully places a piece on the board, he scores three in this example.

A modification of the game uses additional, larger pieces, such as a piece which covers nine spaces arranged in a straight line, or in a 3 x 3 squnr, or in a cross formation having two squares on each arm, and a central square. The larger pieces are used to cover the normal pieces, if two or more normal pieces have been placed alongside each other on the board to cover an area which is the same as or larger than the area covered by the larger piece. If a player can use a larger piece in this way, a bonus score is achieved.

It will be apparent that various modifications and variations may be made to the apparatus described without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In particular, the size of the board 10 is arbitrary and can be selected according to the desired duration of a game. Markings have been shown as numbers to be selected by conventional dice, but other types of marking could be used (especially if the game where to be played by young children). These could b selected by using modified dice showing the corresponding symbols on their faces, rather than numbers. Alternatively, some means other than dice could be used to select the markings to be covered, such as an electronic device for selecting numbers or markings at random. The numbers marked on the board run from one to six, because of the number of faces on a die, but if some other selection means was to be used, a different number of markings or a different six numbers could be marked on the board.

The apparatus could also be adapted to be played with the aid of a display device such as a computer screen displaying representations of some or all of the components of the game apparatus. In particular, the computer screen could display the board and the game could be played wholly through the computer, in which case the display could also show playing pieces, their location on the board, and players scores.

WIoi 1st endeavouri ncj in the roregoing specification to draw attenti(3ll to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any particular feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. Game apparatus comprising a board providing a grid of pJayin(J spaces each bcaring a marking selected essentially at random from a set of markings, a set of playing pieces, each playing piece being so formed as to be able to cover a group of playing spaces, the number of playing spaces in the group being between 1 and n inclusive, and means for making a number of selections from the set of markings, each selection being essentially at random, and a number of selections to be used by each player being determined by the player and being between 1 and n inclusive.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the playing spaces are arranged in a square grid.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the markings are numbers.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the numbers are between 1 and 6 inclusive.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the selection means are dice.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the number of selections to be used by the player is determined by selecting the number of dice to be used.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the number n is 6.

8. Apparatus according to eny preceding claim, wherein the playing pieces include at least one piece so formed as to cover each number of playing spaces between 1 and n inclusive.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the playing pieces include at least one piece so formed as to cover a line oF adjacent playing spaces.

1(). Apparatus acLortlirtg to any preceding claim, wherein the playing pieces preferably include at least one piece so formed as to cover spaces arranged in an "L" shape.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the playing pieces include at least one piece so formed as to cover spaces arranged in a square.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the playing pieces include at least one piece so formed as to cover spaces arranged in a cross formation.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the playing pieces inlcude at least one pieces so formed as to cover spaces arranged in a rectangle.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the playing pieces include at least one piece which covets more than @ playing spaces, and may be used to cover two or more smaller pieces which have been placed adjacent to each other on the board.

15. Apparatus comprising a display device and means which generate on the display device a representation of apparatus defined above, or any component of that apparatus.

16. Game apparatus substantially as described avove with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.