System and method for board game

Abstract

A novel board game and method of play is herein disclosed. The game comprises a gameboard, dice, tokens, and a score card. Players compete in a random game of chance against each other by rolling the dice, gathering letters, constructing words from the gathered letters, and assigning point values to those letters and words.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63 / 735,650 filed on Dec. 18, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This patent application relates to a novel board game, game pieces and method of gaming.BACKGROUND

[0003] Board games come in a variety of types and are frequently enjoyed by players around the world. Playing board games is entertaining, and for many people brings back feelings of nostalgia for playing board games as children. Board games provide a benefit of stimulating the brain, connecting players with an entertaining experience, and opportunities to exercise decision making, problem solving, and strategy. Thus there is a need for a new system and method for a board game.SUMMARY

[0004] The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a game apparatus and method of play adapted to be played by a plurality of players. The game apparatus including, a gameboard, dice, tokens, and a score card. Players compete in a random game of chance against each other by rolling the dice, gathering letters, constructing words from the gathered letters, and assigning point values to those letters and words.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] Embodiments of the application will be described in detail in conjunction with FIGS. 1-10.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a view of the game board.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a view of the scorecard.

[0008] FIG. 3 is view of six-sided dice.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a view of game tokens.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a view of a game board.

[0011] FIG. 6 is view of a game board.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a game board.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a view of target tokens.

[0014] FIG. 9 is a view of a score sheet.

[0015] FIG. 10 a view of a game board during game play.

[0016] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the method of playing the game using the game pieces.

[0017] FIG. 12A through FIG. 12T illustrate exemplary outcomes using the method of playing the game using the game pieces.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment(s) with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the one or more embodiments described herein. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid complicating the description.

[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1-10 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.LIST OF REFERENCES100 Gameboard

[0021] 105 Circles

[0022] 106 Circle Lane

[0023] 107 Rectangle Lane

[0024] 107a Rectangle Lane

[0025] 108 Quadrant

[0026] 108a Quadrant

[0027] 110 First Game Value

[0028] 112 Second Game Value

[0029] 200 Scorecard

[0030] 205 Scorecard left column

[0031] 210 Scorecard right column

[0032] 215 Scorecard score box

[0033] 300 Dice

[0034] 400 Tokens

[0035] 500 Playing Surface

[0036] 600 Playing Surface Embodiment

[0037] 700 Example of a textured Rectangle Lane 107 or 107a

[0038] 800 Example Tokens

[0039] 900 Example Scorecard

[0040] This disclosure recognizes a novel board game and method of play, comprising a gameboard 100, score card 200, dice 300, and tokens 400 and a novel method of randomly by chance of rolling the die, and gathering letters and constructing words from the chance letters, and thus providing point values to those letters and claimed words by means of random and chance selection. In a non-limiting embodiment, the gameboard and method of play are referred to as Wordabit.

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates and embodiment of the gameboard 100. The gameboard 100 is generally comprised of multiple circles 105. Each circle 105 defines a circle lane 106. In an embodiment as shown on the gameboard 100, the circles 105 alternate between light and dark shading circle lanes 106 to denote separate lanes. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the gameboard 100 may be part of a larger playing surface 500. The larger playing surface 500 shown in FIG. 5 includes the gameboard 100 as part of the playing surface 500, and also includes text description that may include rules, branding such as Wordabit, and other information. The playing surface 500 may be constructed of any type of material, for example, cardboard, cloth, paper, or other suitable surface. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the playing surface 500 is shown constructed from wood. FIG. 7 and FIG. 10 also show the playing surface constructed from wood as a non-limiting embodiment.

[0042] The gameboard 100 comprises a set of circle lanes 106, on the inside perimeter of the board, and a plurality of rectangle lanes 107 that extend across the circle lanes 106. The rectangle lanes 107 are placed in a manner, overlaying the circle lanes 106. The overlapping portion of the circle lanes 106 and rectangle lanes 107 provide a quadrant 108 to hold a first game value 110. In an embodiment, the quadrants 108 are marked with first game values 110 as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the quadrants 108 can be marked with other types of first game values 110, such as English letters, non-English letters, symbols, characters, or other values. In an embodiment, the first game values 110 are the same for each quadrant 108 in a circle lane 106. In an embodiment, the quadrants 108 also include a second game value 112. In an embodiment, the second game value 112 comprises a series of letters using the 26 standard letters of the English alphabet in four rectangle lanes 107 and quadrants 108, and an additional rectangle lane 107a with quadrants 108a that include the primary vowels of the English alphabet. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the quadrants 108 and 108a can be marked with other types of second game values 112, such as numbers, non-English letters, symbols, characters, or other values.

[0043] Alternative embodiments of the invention can include using a flat gameboard 100. Alternative embodiments encompass different materials of the gameboard 100, for example colored plastic, fabric or other like material to construct the gameboard 100, so that it can be foldable and / or rolled tightly for storage. Alternative embodiments of the invention also include using multiple elements such as plastic, wood or other materials which can provide dimensionally textured and / or contoured surfaces to the gameboard 100.

[0044] For example, in the embodiments of this invention, the circle lanes 106 of the gameboard 100 may be the same height, or may be different in vertical height. The rectangular lanes 107 may have raised and / or recessed numbers, as well as raised and / or recessed letters. In another embodiment, the quadrants 108 may have raised numbers, recessed numbers, raised letters, recessed letters, and / or pockets which provide dimension and random chance to play the game.

[0045] By adding different dimensional surfaces to the gameboard itself, the dice react differently when it lands on the gameboard 100. For example, rolling a die on a flat surface, will react differently as opposed to rolling a die on a surface with different contours. As such, the embodiments that include contours, ridges and / or pockets throughout the gameboard 100 could be an element of the game and creates an increased difficulty and random play.

[0046] In an embodiment of the game, the gameboard 100 is a table top game and sized accordingly so at least 8 people of average size can fit around the gameboard 100 comfortably. However, the actual size of the gameboard is not restricted to the inventive concept, and thus can be adapted for a variety of different sizes, including miniature and oversized as well. In addition, it is within the scope of the invention that the game occur in an online environment with players situated at computers and / or phones and playing each other on a virtual gameboard 100. Further, it shall be noted that the letters and numbers of the alphabet and the numerical system, shall not limited the invention of this gameplay, for example, the inventive concept of the gameboard can be comprised of different languages and numerical values for reference in other countries or other forms of communications and numerical valuations.

[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a score card 200. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, scorecard 200 has two columns. The first column 205 is for a player to use as a scratch pad and to write down claimed words. The second column 210 illustrates a list of rolls for each round, and a space for a value of a letter and point value. The scorecard 200 includes a score box 215 for total word score(s) during that round of play. A person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize other variations of the scorecard 200 may be used for gameplay.

[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of dice 300. Dice 300 are conventional six-sided dice. In an embodiment, two six-sided dice 300 are used for gameplay. In alternative embodiments, it is contemplated and within the scope of the invention that other types of dice may be used with gameplay. For example, dice 300 may include symbols, letters, more than six sides, less than six sides, and other known variations.

[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a token 400. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 400, the token 400 is shown as a circular piece. The token 400 may be other shapes, for example, square, rectangular, triangle, or a three-dimensional game piece.

[0050] In an embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 11, a method 1100 includes a method of playing a game with game pieces 100, 200, 300, and 400. The method of playing the game includes step 1110 which is a player rolling two dice 300. The roll of the dice 300 determines how many turns each player will have to roll the dice 300 per round of the game. For example, if a player rolls 7 on the dice 300, players will each get 7 turns to roll the die 300 and collect letters and point values.

[0051] At step 1120, round play begins and each player takes a turn to roll the dice 300. Each player takes a turn to roll the dice 300. At step 1130, each player may chose a single letter or multiple letters from the gameboard 100 based on their roll of the dice 300. For example, if a player rolls a 5, the player may choose to pick a single letter from any lane that the number 5 is in. However, if the player rolls the 5, and the die actually lands in the circle lane 107 that includes 5,then the player can claim all the letters in that lane. If the player rolls a 5, and the die actually lands in the rectangle 5 quadrant, then the player can select all letters in the rectangle lane, The player marks the claimed letters on their score card, and then also takes note of the point value, which is in this case, 5.

[0052] Alternately, the player may choose to use their token 400 to take a chance at more specific letters on the gameboard 100. In this instance, the player places their token 400 on the gameboard 100, specifically in a circle or rectangle lane 170 of their choosing, and on a specific number. For example, the player chooses 5, if the player then rolls a 5 on their turn, the player can collect all letters that are within that lane. However, if the player does not roll the selected target number, then the player may choose only 1 letter from within that lane. The player may chose to use the token 100 on every turn if so desired. The player may also use the token 400 to gain additional value points or bonuses by targeting certain letters in in certain circle or rectangle lanes 107 to form specific words.

[0053] At step 1140, each player may attempt to form potential words using the letters selected during each roll of the dice 300. As in this instance as determined above by this example, the players have 7 rounds to play this type of gameplay to determine what letters they can use to form words after 7 rolls of the die. After 7 rounds, the players have a pre-determined amount of time to form words and close out this round. For example, the players may choose 1 or 2 minutes after the 7th roll to form their words.

[0054] In a form of easy play, the players may use each letter only once in a word, and may form as many words as possible within that time frame. Words can be formed from the acceptable words of any form of reference that the players agree upon prior to commencing the rounds.

[0055] In an alternate form of round play, players may use each letter only once, in only one word. In this game play, the players can tally the point value of the word formed, by adding together each letters point value, which is determined by the roll of the die, and the corresponding value on the gameboard.

[0056] At step 1150, a score value is calculated for each player based on a word value for each word formed in the previous step. An alternate type of word scoring which is further by random selection and chance, can be used to calculate the points of the words. In this alternate type of word play, players roll the die, collect letters for 7 rolls of the die, then have either 1 or 2 minutes to form their words. When the players have formed all their words within the agreed upon timeframe, then each player rolls a die to determine the point value of their word. For example, if player 1 has 10 words, and rolls a 2, then player 1 has a total of 20 points for that round. If player 2 has 10 words and rolls a 1, then player 2 only has 10 points for that round. Additionally, players can opt for a type of play that combines both types of point scoring.

[0057] Additionally, it should be noted that the value of 8 players is not a limitation of the present invention. For example, players can be for as many as can comfortably fit around the gaming board. For larger game play, it's possible that larger boards can be created and additional target tokens can be used.

[0058] FIGS. 12A through 12T illustrate various possible outcomes of playing the game utilizing the method 1100 with game pieces 100, 200, 300, and 400. In exemplary FIGS. 12A through 12T, a group of five players is playing the game utilizing the method 1100. The first roll of the dice 300 yielded a “2” using dice 300, which determined that one round of the game will consist of two roll of the die 300 per player. FIG. 12Aa through 12E illustrate the first roll for each of the five players, which determines the first letter or letters each player may use to form words. FIGS. 12F through 12T illustrate the second roll for each of the five players, which determines the second letter or letters each player may choose to form words from, and the various ways word value may be determined.

[0059] FIG. 12A shows one possible outcome for the first player after rolling the dice 300 onto the gameboard 100. The first player rolled a “5” and the dice 300 landed on the third circle 105. The first player may chose a single letter from any of the letters in the fifth quadrant 108 of each rectangular lane 107 because the first player rolled a number that did not correspond to the number of the circle on which the dice 300 landed. In this example, the first player may choose a single letter from “E”, “N”, “E”, “H”, and “T”. The first player then marks their chosen letter and the corresponding point value on their scorecard 200.

[0060] FIG. 12B shows one possible outcome for the second player after rolling the dice 300 onto the gameboard 100. The second player rolled a “5” and the dice 300 landed on the fifth circle 105. The second player may choose all of the letters from the fifth quadrant 108 of each rectangular lane 107 because the dice 300 landed on the circle 105 corresponding to the number rolled on the dice 300. In this example, the second player may use any of the letters “E”, “N”, “E”, “H”, and “T”. The second player then marks their chosen letters and the corresponding point value on their scorecard 200.

[0061] FIG. 12C shows one possible outcome for the third player after rolling the dice 300 onto the gameboard 100. In this example, the third player placed a token 400 on the fifth circle 105 before rolling the dice 300, then rolled a “5” and the dice 300 landed on the third circle 105. The third player may choose all of the letters in the fifth quadrant 108 of each rectangular lane 107 because the third player placed the token 400 on a circle 105 and happened to roll the number corresponding to the circle 105 on which the token 400 was placed. In this example, the third player may use any of the letters “E”, “N”, “E”, “H”, and “T”. The third player then marks their chosen letters and the corresponding point value on their scorecard 200.

[0062] FIG. 12D shows one possible outcome for the fourth player after rolling the dice 300 onto the gameboard 100. In this example, the fourth player placed a token 400 on the fifth quadrant 108 of the rectangular lane 107 at the bottom of the gameboard 100 before rolling the dice 300, then rolled a “5” and the dice 300 landed on the third circle 105. The fourth player may choose all of the letters in the rectangular lane 107 on which the token 400 was placed because the fourth player rolled the number corresponding to the quadrant 108 on which the token was placed. In this example, the fourth player may use any of the letters “S”, “T”, “U”, “V”, “W”, “X”, “Y” and “Z”. The fourth player then marks their chosen letters and the corresponding point value on their scorecard 200.

[0063] FIG. 12E shows one possible outcome for the fifth player after rolling the dice 300 onto the gameboard 100. In this example, the fifth player placed a token 400 on the fifth quadrant 108 of the rectangular lane 107 at the bottom of the gameboard 100 before rolling the dice 300, then rolled a “4” and the dice 300 landed on the third circle 105. The fifth player may chose a single letter from any of the letters in the rectangular lane 107 on which the token 400 was placed because the fifth player rolled the number that was different from the number of the quadrant 108 on which the token was placed. In this example, the fifth player choose a single letter from the letters “S”, “T”, “U”, “V”, “W”, “X”, “Y” and “Z”. The fifth player then marks their chosen letter and the corresponding point value on their scorecard 200.

[0064] FIGS. 12F through 12J illustrate one example of how word value and score value may be determined for each player after each player has rolled the dice 300 for the second time and chosen a second letter or letters in accordance with same rules as explained above. In this example, the word value for each word is determined by (1) multiplying the number of occurrences of the first chose letter or letters in each word by the point value corresponding with the first chosen letter or letters, (2) multiplying the number of occurrences of the second chose letter or letters in each word by the point value corresponding with the second chosen letter or letters, and (3) adding the resulting multiplication of the first chosen letter or letters to the resulting multiplication of the second chosen letter or letters into a single combined word value. In this example, the point value for each letter is determined by the number of the quadrant 108 corresponding to the chosen letter or letters.

[0065] For example, as shown in FIG. 12F, the first player rolls a “4”, which lands on the third circle 105. The first player may chose a single letter for their second letter from the letters “U”, “I”, “I”, “D”, and “O”, which are each found in the fourth quadrant 108 of each rectangular lane 107. Each of those letters has a corresponding letter point value of “4” because each of those letters is found in the fourth quadrant 108 of each rectangular lane 107. In this example, the first player's scorecard 200 has been marked with their first letter selection from the first roll, in this case the letter “E” from the fifth quadrant 108 with a corresponding letter value of “5”, and their second letter selection from the second roll, in this case the letter “D” from the four quadrant 108 with a corresponding letter value of “4”. The first player has written two words on their scorecard 200, each word having a single occurrence of the letters “E” and “D”. Therefore, each word has a word value of “9”, bringing the first players totally score value to “18”.

[0066] FIGS. 12K through 12O illustrate another example of how word value and score value may be determined for each player after each player has rolled the dice 300 for the second time and chosen a second letter or letters in accordance with same rules as explained above. In this example, the word value for each word is determined by the number on the dice 300 rolled by that player during the second roll.

[0067] For example, as shown in FIG. 12K, the first player rolls a “4”, which lands on the third circle 105. The first player may chose a single letter for their second letter from the letters “U”, “I”, “I”, “D”, and “O”, which are each found in the fourth quadrant 108 of each rectangular lane 107. In this example, each word has a corresponding word value of “4” because the first player rolled a “4” during their second roll. The first player has written two words on their scorecard 200 utilizing the letters chosen during their first and second rolls. Therefore, each word has a word value of “4”, bringing the first players totally score value to “8”.

[0068] In the example shown in FIGS. 12K through 12O, the second and the third player have the same score value. In this case, to determine a tie breaker, the five players can agree to one of the following: (a) have the tied players each roll the dice 300 again to determine a new point value for each word, then recalculate the word value and score value for each tied player based on what they rolled, or (b) have the tied players play another roll of the dice 300 according to the rules as explain above to see if either player can form any new word or words based on the new roll, resulting in a higher score value.

[0069] FIGS. 12P through 12T illustrate yet another example of how word value and score value may be determined for each player after each player has rolled the dice 300 for the second time and chosen a second letter or letters in accordance with same rules as explained above. In this example, the point value for each word is determined by the number on the die 300 rolled by that player during the second roll and the occurrence of each chosen letter or letters within the word is counted once.

[0070] For example, as shown in FIG. 12P, the first player rolls a “4”, which lands on the third circle 105. The first player may chose a single letter for their second letter from the letters “U”, “I”, “I”, “D”, and “O”, which are each found in the fourth quadrant 108 of each rectangular lane 107. In this example, each word has a corresponding word value of “4” because the first player rolled a “4” during their second roll. The first player has written a single word on their scorecard 200 utilizing the letters chosen during their first and second rolls. Even though the word includes two occurrences of the chosen letters, one occurrence of the first letter and one occurrence of the second letter, the word is assigned a word value of “4”.

[0071] This disclosure describes various elements, features, aspects, and advantages of various embodiments and examples and configurations thereof of composite compositions. It is to be understood that certain descriptions of the various embodiments have been simplified to illustrate only those elements, features and aspects that are relevant to a more clear understanding of the disclosed embodiments, while eliminating, for purposes of brevity or clarity, other elements, features and aspects. Any references to “various embodiments,”“certain embodiments,”“some embodiments,”“one example,”“one embodiment,”“an example,” or “an embodiment” generally means that a particular element, feature and / or aspect described in the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The phrases “in various embodiments,”“in certain embodiments,”“in some embodiments,”“in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” may not refer to the same embodiment.” Furthermore, the phrases “in one such embodiment” or “in certain such embodiments,” or “in one example,” while generally referring to and elaborating upon a preceding embodiment, is not intended to suggest that the elements, features, and aspects of the embodiment introduced by the phrase are limited to the preceding embodiment; rather, the phrase is provided to assist the reader in understanding the various elements, features, and aspects disclosed herein and it is to be understood that those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that such elements, features, and aspects presented in the introduced embodiment may be applied in combination with other various combinations and sub-combinations of the elements, features, and aspects presented in the disclosed embodiments. It is to be appreciated that persons having ordinary skill in the art, upon considering the descriptions herein, will recognize that various combinations or sub-combinations of the various embodiments and other elements, features, and aspects may be desirable in particular implementations or applications. However, because such other elements, features, and aspects may be readily ascertained by persons having ordinary skill in the art upon considering the description herein, and are not necessary for a complete understanding of the disclosed embodiments, a description of such elements, features, and aspects may not be provided. As such, it is to be understood that the description set forth herein is merely exemplary and illustrative of the disclosed embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined solely by the claims.

Claims

1. A game apparatus comprising:a gameboard including:a plurality of concentric circle lanes; anda plurality of rectangle lanes extending across the circle lanes and intersecting the circle lanes to form quadrants within the respective rectangle lanes, wherein each quadrant displays a game value;at least one die having a plurality of faces, each face displaying a number corresponding to a game value displayed on the quadrants;a plurality of tokens configured to be placed on the gameboard; anda scorecard configured to record selected game values with respect to quadrants and calculate a score value.

2. A method of playing a word-forming game, the method comprising:rolling at least one die to determine a number of rounds;for each round:rolling the at least one die by a player to generate a rolled number;selecting, by the player, at least one letter value from a gameboard based on the rolled number, wherein the gameboard comprises a plurality of circle lanes intersecting with a plurality of rectangle lanes to form quadrants, each quadrant displaying a number value and at least one letter value; andrecording the selected at least one letter value and a corresponding point value;forming at least one word using the selected letter values from multiple rounds; andcalculating a score value based on the at least one word formed and the corresponding point values.

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