Game equipment set

Abstract

To provide a game tool set that allows game players to easily and casually enjoy the game while improving the entertainment value of a prediction game played in an event in which event players compete for victory or defeat. [Solution] The game equipment set is a game equipment set used by a third party game player to play a prediction game for an event in which event players compete for the outcome, and includes at least one chip to be distributed to the game player, and a play mat with chip placement areas depicting the name of a multiple event that may occur during a period of the event that may affect the outcome of the event and a prediction multiplier that is the multiplier of the chips that will be returned if the event occurs, corresponding to each of the multiple events that may be predicted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a game equipment set.

Background Art

[0002] Competitive card games are analog games that are becoming increasingly popular among enthusiasts year by year due to the charm of the characters depicted on the cards and the excitement associated with the competition. It seems that various ideas have been applied to the game toys used in such card games (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In competitive events such as sports, horse racing, and motorcycle racing, prediction games for predicting which event player will win have been conducted for a long time. For example, Toto, a soccer lottery, is a system where one predicts which of the opposing teams (i.e., the two event players facing each other) will win and purchases a lottery ticket. Thus, for an event where event players compete for victory, in most cases, what game players who enjoy the prediction game predict is the victory or defeat result. For example, when the event is soccer, it takes at least 90 minutes or more until the game ends, and the only thing to enjoy the prediction about is almost the game result (win or lose).

[0005] From the perspective of the interestingness of a prediction game, it can be said that it is not preferable to keep the game player waiting for a long time for the outcome of the win-lose result, which is the only thing to be predicted. Instead, there is a tendency that a game where the player can select a preferred one from many prediction targets and the result is revealed in a short time is favored. On the other hand, for example, in a real-time competitive event, if many prediction targets are set for the progress of the event, it becomes difficult for the game manager who manages the prediction game, and the game player may become tired of continuously grasping the situation.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and provides a game tool set that can improve the interestingness of a prediction game conducted for an event in which event players compete for victory or defeat, and that allows game players to enjoy it more easily and comfortably.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A game tool set according to an aspect of the present invention is a game tool set used for a third-party game player to play a prediction game for an event in which event players compete for victory or defeat, and includes at least one or more chips distributed to the game player, and a play mat on which a chip placement area indicating an event name and a prediction magnification, which is the magnification of the chip to be returned when the event is realized, corresponding to each of a plurality of events that can occur during a period of an event that can affect the victory or defeat of the event, is drawn, with the plurality of events being targets of prediction.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game tool set that can achieve both the analog simplicity such as a competitive card game and the interestingness of being able to predict various events set for a real-time competitive event.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, those with the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations. Also, in each figure, when there are multiple structures having the same or similar configurations, in order to avoid complexity, some may be labeled with reference numerals, and in other cases, the use of the same reference numerals may be omitted. Note that not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are essential as means for solving the problems.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing how a game player enjoys a prediction game using the game equipment set 10 according to this embodiment. Specifically, an event display monitor 20 for relaying an event and a table 30 on which the game equipment set 10 is placed are installed in the playroom, and it shows a state where the table 30 is surrounded by a game manager and game players.

[0012] Here, a professional baseball game is assumed as an event in which event players compete for victory or defeat, and the event players are individual professional baseball players or teams as a collective of players. The event display monitor 20 displays a live broadcast of a professional baseball game in progress, and the game manager and game players play a prediction game while watching the event display monitor 20. Neither the game manager nor the game players know how the game will develop over time.

[0013] In the prediction game of the present embodiment, the objects of prediction are a plurality of events that can occur during a period of the event and can affect the victory or defeat of the event. Here, the event is a professional baseball game, and as a period from the start to the end of the game, for example, a period until a single batter enters the batter's box and leaves a batting result can be set. That is, the game player enjoys a prediction game by predicting what result the batter who has entered the batter's box will leave, taking various events related to the batter's box as the objects of prediction.

[0014] One prediction game starts at the timing when a player of the attacking team enters the batter's box. The game manager resets the play mat 100 in accordance with the start of the prediction game, that is, removes the chips 200 and the like that have been placed until then, and prepares the game environment so that the game player can place the chips 200 that he or she has on the play mat 100. The game player places a portion of the chips 200 that he or she owns according to his or her prediction on a specific event related to the result of the player entering the batter's box.

[0015] When a player enters the batter's box, the game manager closes the prediction of the game player. When the result of the batter's box is confirmed by the event display monitor 20, the game manager delivers to the game player chips 200 in an amount obtained by multiplying the face value of the placed chips 200 by a predetermined magnification for a winning prediction, and confiscates the placed chips 200 for a losing prediction. The game player can compete for rankings with other game players or receive prizes from the organizer according to the held chips 200 at the time when a series of prediction games regarding the event end, or the held chips 200 accumulated also in prediction games of an event different from the said event.

[0016] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a chip used in a prediction game. The chip used in the prediction game is one of the implements constituting the game implement set 10. Fig. 2(A) shows an example of the chip 200 prepared so as to be available to any game player. The chip 200 is composed of a plurality of types with different amounts engraved on the surface, and each has a face value such as 1 point, 5 points, 10 points, 50 points, 100 points as shown in the figure. Each chip 200 is in the shape of a coin size and is formed of plastic or metal. The game player receives a plurality of chips 200 corresponding to a certain amount in accordance with the start of the prediction game, or obtains a plurality of chips 200 corresponding to a desired amount by exchange with money or the like.

[0017] As a derivative of the chip 200, it is also possible to prepare a chip that is only available to specific game players. FIG. 2(B) shows an example of a personal chip 210 prepared for a specific game player. A specific player can receive a dedicated personal chip 210 for himself, for example, as a reward when the accumulated chips 200 reach a certain amount, or by exchange with money or the like. The personal chip 210 has a design that is distinguishable from the chip 200. For example, the initials of a specific game player (in the example of the figure, "N") are engraved on the surface. The design distinguishable from the chip 200 may be a pattern such as a specific character. Since the personal chip 210 can be used in the same way as the chip 200, when referring to the chip below, it will be described by the chip 200.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a play mat 100 used in a prediction game. Here, an example of the play mat 100 used in the scenario described in FIG. 1, that is, a scenario where a prediction game is implemented to predict what results a batter who enters the batter's box in a professional baseball game will leave, will be described.

[0019] The play mat 100 is formed of a plastic sheet, a rubber sheet, a non-woven fabric, or the like, and a placement area 110 for placing the chip 200 is drawn corresponding to each of a plurality of events to be predicted. Specifically, printing is performed on the sheet material or a seal is attached. In each placement area 110, an event name 120 to be predicted and a prediction magnification 130, which is the magnification of the chip to be returned when the event is realized, are drawn.

[0020] When the period from when a batter enters the batter's box until leaving a batting result is defined as one period, the events that can be predicted and can actually occur cover a wide range. In the illustrated example, in addition to "reach base" and "not reach base", which can also be said to be the batting results for that batter, the content of the process of how that batting result is realized is also included, such as "HR" (hit a home run), "Hit H" (hit a hit), "fly out" (hit a fly and get out), "ground out" (hit a ground ball and get out), "strikeout", and "fast ball", which are prepared as events to be predicted. Furthermore, although not directly representing the batting result, events that can occur when the batter stands in the batter's box, such as "right field foul" (foul ball to the first base side stand), "left field foul" (foul ball to the third base side stand), "fly into the outfield fair zone", "fly into the infield fair zone", and "full count" (a situation of 3 balls and 2 strikes), are also prepared as events to be predicted. Furthermore, events such as "successful sacrifice bunt" and "successful stolen base", which can be predicted only when there are other runners on base when the batter stands in the batter's box, are also prepared.

[0021] And according to the likelihood of each event occurring, a prediction multiplier 130 is set. For example, for "HR" which is the prediction target, a prediction multiplier 130 of "10 times" is set. For example, when a game player places a 5-point chip 200 in the placement area 110 where "HR" is depicted as the event name 120 and the batter actually hits a home run, a 10-fold 50-point chip 200 can be obtained. The organizer of the prediction game may set a rule that the game player may place the chip 200 only for any one of the events depicted in the placement area 110, or may set a rule that the game player may place the chip 200 for multiple events.

[0022] The playmat 100 has event graphics 140 that evoke a baseball ground, which is the venue of the event, as the background. And each of the placement areas 110 described above is drawn in the area of the event graphics 140 that corresponds to the specific area when the event occurs in a specific area of the baseball ground. For example, the placement area 110 with the event name 120 of "fly to the outfield fair zone" is drawn superimposed on the position corresponding to the fair zone of the outfield in the event graphics 140. Similarly, the placement area 110 with the event name 120 of "right foul" is drawn at the position corresponding to the first base side stand, and the placement area 110 with the event name 120 of "left foul" is drawn at the position corresponding to the third base side stand. With such an arrangement, the game player can easily find out the placement area 110 corresponding to the desired event from among the many drawn placement areas 110.

[0023] The playmat 100 shown in FIG. 3 can be used for any batter standing at the batter's box. For example, when one game of professional baseball is regarded as one event and one team is the target of the prediction game, the same playmat 100 can be repeatedly used for approximately 27 batters (that is, 27 periods, 27 times of prediction games) in 9 innings of offense. However, in order to enhance the interest more, a plurality of playmats corresponding to each period whose characteristics change over time, or a plurality of playmats selectively used according to the characteristics of the batter entering the batter's box in a certain period, etc. may be prepared as the equipment constituting the game equipment set 10. Since the game manager only needs to replace the playmat placed on the table 30 according to the situation, the prediction game can be easily continued for the continuously progressing event.

[0024] Specifically, for example, during the attacking period of the 7th inning, which is generally considered to be a lively period, a playmat with a higher predicted magnification can be used compared to the playmat used during the periods of other innings. Also, when the batter about to enter the batter's box is a star player or when the player is a pitcher during defense, a playmat that adopts the predicted target event and predicted magnification according to their respective characteristics can be used.

[0025] A more detailed explanation will be given regarding the case of using multiple types of playmats. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing examples of multiple types of playmats prepared according to an event (here, a professional baseball game). FIG. 4(A) shows a playmat 101 as an example to be used when the player about to enter the batter's box is a player known as a home run hitter who frequently hits home runs. The playmat 101 has a tag 150 for distinguishing it from other playmats, and here, the tag 150 is printed with "For slugger" indicating that it is for a home run hitter.

[0026] Some of the predicted magnifications are set to be different from the predicted magnifications of the same event shown in the normal playmat 100. For example, since a home run hitter hits more home runs, the predicted magnification corresponding to the event name 120 being "HR" is changed to a lower 8.0 times (10 times in playmat 100), while on the other hand, since the number of simple hits decreases accordingly, the predicted magnification corresponding to the event name 120 being "Hit H" is changed to a higher 3.0 times (2.0 times in playmat 100). The area showing the changed magnification may be given a different color that is more prominent than the area showing other magnifications.

[0027] In addition, some events to be predicted are set to be different from the events shown in the normal playmat 100. For example, since home run hitters are more shunned, in the playmat 100, the event of "intentionally avoiding" is adopted instead of the event of "full count". The placement area 110 where events different from the normal playmat 100 are adopted may be colored differently so as to be more prominent than other placement areas 110.

[0028] FIG. 4(B) is a playmat 102 as an example used when the player about to enter the batter's box is a player known as an average hitter with a high batting average. Further, FIG. 4(C) is a playmat 103 as an example used when the player about to enter the batter's box is a player who serves as a pitcher during defense. Also in these playmats, according to characteristics such as that an average hitter is likely to receive a dead ball and that a pitcher hitter has a lot of strikeouts, some prediction magnification factors and events to be predicted are replaced with respect to the normal playmat 100.

[0029] In the above, a baseball game is taken as an example of an event to compete for victory or defeat, and an example of a playmat in the case where the period when each batter enters the batter's box is taken as a target of a prediction game as a period that can affect victory or defeat in a baseball game has been described. For an event where offense and defense alternate, such as a baseball game, it is easy to set a period based on the offensive period and the defensive period. The period is not limited to the period when each batter stands in the batter's box as described above, and may be a single offensive period, or if the event to be predicted is set from the pitcher's perspective, it may be a single defensive period. Furthermore, even for an event where offense and defense alternate continuously, such as basketball or soccer, it is possible to set a period and establish a prediction game. Next, a prediction game targeting basketball will be described.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a play mat 104 used in a prediction game when a professional basketball game is the event target. Here, the first 3 minutes at the beginning of each quarter from the first quarter to the fourth quarter are set as one period. The game player selects a favorite event from a plurality of events that can occur in 3 minutes and makes a prediction for it.

[0031] If the event players are Team A and Team B that compete with each other for victory or defeat, as target events to predict what will occur, there are those where it occurs to either Team A or Team B, where it occurs only to Team A, and where it occurs only to Team B. To also accommodate such events, on the play mat 104, there is a placement area 111 for placing the chip 200 when predicting that the target event will occur to either Team A or Team B, a placement area 112 for placing the chip 200 when predicting that it will occur only to Team A, and a placement area 113 for placing the chip 200 when predicting that it will occur only to Team B, which are depicted in a distinguishable manner from each other. In the figure, the area of the placement area 111 is shown as a blank space, the area of the placement area 112 is represented by right diagonal lines, and the area of the placement area 113 is represented by left diagonal lines.

[0032] For example, on the playmat 104, within 3 minutes from the start of each quarter, there are placement areas 112 corresponding to the event that Team A makes a successful 3-point shot (designated as "3P success" under event name 122), placement areas 113 corresponding to the event that Team B makes a successful 3-point shot (also designated as "3P success" under event name 123), and a placement area 111 corresponding to the event that either Team A or Team B makes a successful 3-point shot (also designated as "3P success" under event name 121), which are arranged and depicted. Thus, even though the target event of "making a successful 3-point shot" is the same, when predicting including which team will achieve it, compared to the case of predicting without distinguishing teams, a higher prediction multiple is set. In the example of FIG. 5, the prediction multiple 132 when Team A achieves it and the prediction multiple 133 when Team B achieves it are each set to "4.0 times", and the prediction multiple 131 when either Team A or Team B achieves it is set to "2.0" times.

[0033] When the event to be predicted occurs only for either Team A or Team B, for that event, it is depicted only with the placement area 112 when it occurs for Team A and the placement area 113 when it occurs for Team B. For example, for the event of creating a difference of 7 points or more against the opposing team within 3 minutes, two such placement areas are depicted in this way.

[0034] Also, for example, in the case of events that occur rarely (such as "dunk shot goal") or events achieved by both teams (such as "no foul"), it is depicted only with the placement area 111 without distinguishing teams. Note that on the playmat 104, an event graphic 140 that reminds of the basketball court, which is the venue for the event, is depicted as the background.

[0035] In the above, the game equipment set 10 has been described as including a play mat and chips, but it is also possible to add other equipment to enhance the game's appeal. As an example, a play card will be described. Figure 6 shows an example of a play card 300 that is used incidentally.

[0036] The play card 300 is used by a game player to individually increase the predicted multiplier shown on the play mat for a specific event player when the game player predicts a target event related to that event player. The play card 300 describes event player information 310, which is information on the event player to which the prediction is to be applied, and change multiplier information 320, which is information for changing the predicted multiplier.

[0037] The event player information 310 is a logo or text indicating a specific event player for which a change in the multiplier is permitted. It may be a photo of a character or player employed by the event player. As described above, the event player may be a team or an individual player. If team information is described in the event player information 310, a change in the multiplier is permitted in the prediction game of any player belonging to that team, and if a specific player is described in the event player information 310, a change in the multiplier is permitted only in the prediction game of that player. The change multiplier information 320 indicates a multiplier to be further multiplied by the prediction multiplier shown on the play mat. In the example shown in the figure, "x3" is shown, which indicates that the prediction multiplier shown on the play mat is multiplied by three.

[0038] When a game player wishes to increase the predicted odds in a particular prediction game, he or she places a play card 300 together with chips 200 in the target placement area 110, etc. If the prediction is realized, the game player can receive chips 200 equivalent to the increased predicted odds.

[0039] In the present embodiment described above, sports have been described as an example of an event in which victory or defeat is contested, but the event in which victory or defeat is contested is not limited to sports. For example, it may be horse racing, shogi, or mahjong, or it may be an event in which comedians compete for funniness. These events are those in which event players compete for a certain period of time to determine victory or defeat, and a plurality of events that can occur during a subdivided period that can affect the victory or defeat can be the targets of prediction.

[0040] Further, in the above-described present embodiment, the case has been described in which the game player enjoys the prediction game while watching the relay of the event progressing in real time on the event display monitor 20, but the play environment of the prediction game is not limited to such a case. For example, it is also conceivable that a playroom is provided at the venue where the event is being held, and the game player enjoys the prediction game while watching the actual event.

[0041] Further, the target event does not have to be an event that is progressing in real time. For example, it may be a past event in which the result of the event to be predicted, such as an event before the game player is born, is assumed not to be known to the game player.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0042] 10... Game equipment set, 20... Event display monitor, 30... Table, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104... Play mats, 110, 111, 112, 113... Placement areas, 120, 121, 122, 123... Event names, 130, 131, 132, 133... Prediction multipliers, 140... Event graphics, 150... Tags, 200... Chips, 210... Personal chips, 300... Play cards, 310... Event player information, 320... Change multiplier information

Claims

1. A game equipment set used for a third-party game player to conduct a prediction game for an event in which event players compete for victory or defeat, at least one or more chips distributed to the game player, A plurality of periods into which the course of the event is divided, each corresponding to the one period, with a chip placement area showing a prediction magnification, which is the name of an event corresponding to each of the plurality of events that can occur during the one period of the event and the magnification of the chip to be returned when the event is realized, drawn for each of the plurality of events that can occur during the one period of the event and that can affect the victory or defeat of the event A game equipment set including the above.

2. The game equipment set according to claim 1, including a plurality of the play mats prepared corresponding to the characteristics of each of the event players that can be the target of prediction and selectively used for the one period.

3. The game equipment set according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of the play mats prepared corresponding to the characteristics of the event players have different prediction magnifications in at least a part of the plurality of events.

4. The game equipment set according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the plurality of events are different from each other among the plurality of the play mats prepared corresponding to the characteristics of the event players.

5. The play mat is drawn with a graphic that reminds of the venue of the event as a background, and the chip placement area for the event that occurs in the specific area of the venue among the plurality of events is drawn in the area corresponding to the specific area in the graphic. The game equipment set according to claim 1.

6. For one of the plurality of events, a plurality of the chip placement areas corresponding to each of the event players for predicting which event player the event will occur to, and one chip placement area corresponding to the whole of the event players for predicting whether the event will occur to at least any one of the event players are arranged and drawn. The game equipment set according to claim 1 including the play mat.

7. The game equipment set according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of play cards on which information of the event players that can be the target of prediction and information for changing the prediction magnification applied to the event players are described respectively.

8. The game equipment set according to claim 1, wherein the chips include a first chip available to a specific game player and a second chip available to any game player.

Images