GB2373195A - a game of skill with prizes - Google Patents

Abstract

A game of skill in which individual players compete either against the game system or against each other for prizes. Players may purchase aids for the game in order to progress to higher levels. The aids may take the form of cards with coded references which are available through retail outlets or they may be electronic in nature and are available to purchase online or over the phone. The game is preferably an adventure game consisting of puzzles or challenges which must be solved to progress and win prizes.

Description

GAME OF SKILL WITH PRIZES AND PURCHASABLE PLAY-AIDS This invention relates to games of skill of any type including, but not restricted to ; board games, card games, book games, computer games, network computer games and any form of internet games.

Such games are well known but suffer from the following disadvantages: * That in order to maintain a revenue stream to the game developer or provider they require the initial purchase of the game, or some other form of revenue process, such as subscription or advertising revenue.

'That, in general, other than playing the game, they serve no purpose.

* In multiplayer games, the players are playing against one another, so that scope for discussion of the game is limited.

The objects of this invention are: * To provide a game that is initially without, or low-, cost, but which encourages gamers to buy aids from the game provider which assist with the progress of the game.

'To reward successful gamers with tangible incentives (pnzes), so as to offer an additional purpose to playing the game.

To provide a common gaming experience for many players, so that the game can be discussed in any suitable forum (including playgrounds, TV programmes and on the internet).

Accordingly, this invention provides a gaming environment that is free, or low cost, initially, to encourage take up ; offers prizes to maintain excitement, and provides a revenue stream to the game provider through the sale of game cards which assist with play of, and thereby progress through, the game, and increase the likelihood of attaining prizes within the game.

The initial form of the game may be in the form of a giveaway book or magazine, a free pack of cards, a computer game on a free CD, a freely accessible game on the internet, accessed via internet TV, computer, WAP mobile phone, conventional phone, or any other means of internet access, a voice and tone-controlled game played on a conventional phone, or any combination of the above.

Prizes may take the form of items relevant to the game environment, cash prizes, or any other form of tangible reward.

Aids for the game may take the form of individual or packs of game cards purchased through common retail outlets (particularly for gamers not old enough to have creditor debit-cards), or mail order, telephone-buying, or any means of electronic purchase (including internet, WAP etc.). It is expected the aids will be sold in randomised packs, which might include hints, common items that help with the game play, and special items for specific use within the game. Aids may be traded between players and it is expected that this will enhance the appeal of the game overall. The principal aim of the aids is to be used in the progress of the game, not to be collected.

It should be noted that whilst, particularly in internet form, it is expected that there will be numerous players playing the game concurrently, it is not a requirement that the activities of the players should interact in any way, although a degree of interaction may be desirable (depending on the content of the game).

A preferred embodiment of the game will now be described.

The game is an adventure game, accessible by the internet and phone, by means of any web-enabled device (including internet TV, internet enabled computers, WAP phone) and a conventional phone. Call or connection charges will be met by the players of the game, but otherwise the game is free.

The adventure game consists of a number of locations, in which the characters may interact with items and other, computer-generated, characters in a series of challenges, puzzles and tasks.

Using skill, each player will aim to make progress through the adventure game, which in itself provides the game-satisfaction element of the game common to other adventure games.

At certain points, and usually after mastering a specific puzzle or challenge (or combination thereof) the player may be rewarded with a cash prize. The player may elect to take a percentage of this prize as an instant cash payment, or may elect to acquire the prize within the game environment and attempt further game-dictated tasks (such as to exit the adventure) which will attract a higher cash value, but have attached risk (of losing the prize), . The cash prizes will be substantial, the aim being to have one major prize, and numerous smaller prizes available continuously. Once claimed or collected, a prize will be unavailable to other gamers, but will be spawned in a new location after a suitable period. Hence there can be no drain of prizes through the publication of a prize location.

Progress through the game toward the prizes will be successively more difficult, and players will be encouraged to purchase aids. These aids will principally take the form of packs of cards with coded references, so that once keyed in the aid referred to on the card will be available to the player's character within the game. This will be the preferred medium since it enables gamers of all ages (including children) to play evenly. However other means may be made available, including by telephone and over the internet.

Aids may take the form of items common to adventure games (torches, ropes, talismans, spells etc. ), special items (keys to specific doors, items that allow specific challenges or puzzles to be more easily overcome etc. ) or specific hints (check behind the tapestry in the ogres'lair etc.) Aids will be transferable, and it is expected that they will be traded in any suitable forum (playground swaps, on-line auctions etc. ), and that a specific trading forum will be provided without cost, on the internet.

The game will allow limited interaction between players as follows: 'A player may change the configuration of the game so as to increase chance of success relative to other players (by, for example, locking doors, or placing an item that they have acquired through the game, or purchased so as to hinder the progress of other players).

* A player who elects to pick up a prize within the game will be available for other players to interact with in a limited way, possibly depending on the use of a player aid.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS I A game of skill that involves individual players playing against a common game system with low or zero initial charge, offering tangible rewards (prizes) for success within the game, and that is funded by players electing to purchase aids for the game from the game provider.
2. 2. A game as claimed in Claim 1 that includes a game played"on-line" (by Internet TV, computer, cellular internet device or voice-phone or other connection).
3. 3. A game as claimed in Claim 2 in which the game is an adventure game.
4. 4. A game as claimed in Claim 2 that involves no interaction between players.
5. 5. A game as claimed in Claim 2 that involves limited interaction between players.
6. 6. A game as claimed in Claim 2 that involves full interaction between players.
7. 7. A game as claimed in Claim 1 that includes a game supplied on CD (free or at cost), in the form of a board game, card game or book game.
8. 8. A game as claimed in Claim 7 in which the game is an adventure game.
9. 9. A game as claimed in Claims 1-8 in which the player aids are sold exclusively as cards through retail outlets.
10. 10. A game as claimed in Claims 1-8 in which the player aids are sold exclusively in electronic form.