Stacking game

Abstract

A method for a single-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces includes rolling a die piece to produce a roll result, responsive to the roll result, taking a stacking action using a plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces. The method also includes, after the stacking action is taken, determining if an end-game condition is satisfied, and upon determining that the end-game condition is satisfied, ending the game. A method for a multi-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces includes, after the stacking action is taken, determining if an end-game condition is satisfied, and upon determining that the end-game condition is not satisfied, the method further includes rolling a die piece to produce a second roll result for a second stack.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 781,131 filed on Mar. 31, 2025, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to games of skill. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a game in which one or more players build a collapsible stack from non-uniformly shaped pieces.BACKGROUND

[0003] Tower building games include a number of rectangular bricks are arranged in layers to form a tower. Some tower building games may include varying the orientation of the rectangular bricks by alternating from one layer to the next to provide frictional coupling between layers and adjacent bricks in the same layer. For example, during a typical play scenario, the height of the tower is increased by removing bricks from one or more lower layers to build successive upper layers. The game ends if the tower collapses because a brick has been removed, or if the tower becomes unstable or is knocked over during the attempted removal of any brick. However, these tower building games may get repetitive and monotonous.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a new and improved stacking games variation to provide new challenges to conventional strategies.SUMMARY

[0005] This disclosure provides a game in which one or more players build a collapsible stack from non-uniformly shaped pieces.

[0006] In some examples, a method for a single-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces is provided. The method includes rolling a die piece to produce a roll result and, responsive to the roll result, taking a stacking action using a plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces. The method also includes, after the stacking action is taken, determining if an end-game condition is satisfied, and upon determining that the end-game condition is satisfied, ending the game.

[0007] Any single one or any combination of the following features may be used with the above embodiment. The method also includes, upon determining that the end-game condition is not satisfied, determining if an end-round condition is satisfied. The method also includes, after taking a stacking action and before determining if the end-game condition is satisfied, determining if one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces has fallen from a stack and, upon determining that one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces has fallen from the stack, adding the one or more fallen pieces to a pile that is drawn from during a subsequent stacking action.

[0008] In other examples, a method for a multi-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces is provided. The method includes rolling a die piece to produce a first roll result for a first stack and, responsive to the first roll result, taking a stacking action using a first plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces on the first stack. The method also includes, after the stacking action is taken, determining if an end-game condition is satisfied. Upon determining that the end-game condition is not satisfied, the method further includes rolling the die piece to produce a second roll result for a second stack. The method also includes, responsive to the second roll result, taking a second stacking action using a second plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces on the second stack and, after the second stacking action is taken, determining if the end-game condition is satisfied.

[0009] Any single one or any combination of the following features may be used with the above embodiment. The method also includes, upon determining that the end-game condition is not satisfied, determining if an end-round condition is satisfied and, upon determining that the end-round condition is satisfied, beginning a new round by rolling the die piece to produce the first roll result for the first stack. The method also includes, after taking the stacking action on the first stack and before determining if the end-game condition is satisfied, determining if one or more of the first or second plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces has fallen from the first or second stack and, upon determining that one or more of the first or second plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces has fallen from the first or second stack, adding the one or more fallen pieces to a pile that is drawn from during a subsequent stacking action on the first stack.

[0010] Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate an example stacking game piece set of a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces in accordance with this disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an example method for a single-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces according to this disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates an example single-player environment of a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces in accordance with this disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates an example method for a multi-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces according to this disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an example multi-player environment of a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces in accordance with this disclosure; and

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates an example multi-player environment of a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces in accordance with this disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] FIGS. 1A through 6, described below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any type of suitably arranged device or system.

[0019] As previously mentioned, tower building games include a number of rectangular bricks are arranged in layers to form a tower. Some tower building games may include varying the orientation of the rectangular bricks by alternating from one layer to the next to provide frictional coupling between layers and adjacent bricks in the same layer. For example, during a typical play scenario, the height of the tower is increased by removing bricks from one or more lower layers to build successive upper layers. The game ends if the tower collapses because a brick has been removed, or if the tower becomes unstable or is knocked over during the attempted removal of any brick.

[0020] Although conventional stacking games have achieved notoriety and respect from fans and players alike, a need exists for a new and improved stacking games variation to provide new challenges to conventional strategies.

[0021] FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate an example stacking game piece set 100 of a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces in accordance with this disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1A illustrates an example plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102, and FIG. 1B illustrates an example base piece 120 and an example die piece 130.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1A, the stacking game piece set 100 includes the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102. The plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 may include a circular piece 104, a square piece 106, a pentagonal piece 108, a cubic piece 110, a rectangular piece 112, and a triangular piece 114. The plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 may include a plurality of each of the non-uniform stackable pieces, such as a plurality of the circular piece 104, a plurality of the square piece 106, a plurality of the pentagonal piece 108, a plurality of the cubic piece 110, a plurality of the rectangular piece 112, a plurality of the triangular piece 114, or a combination thereof.

[0023] The circular piece 104 may have a generally circular face 104a with an annular edge 104b and a side surface 104c extending for a depth 104d from the circular face 104a. The side surface 104c is annular and may be textured, ribbed, grooved, or include other surface features that aid in improving friction (e.g., grip) of the side surface 104c. Alternatively, the side surface104c may be smoothed to decrease friction. The decreased friction on the side surface 104c may increase difficulty in stacking the circular piece 104, providing more of a challenge when using the circular piece 104 in a stacking game.

[0024] Similarly, the square piece 106 may have a generally square face 106a with edges 106b having similar lengths and side surfaces 106c extending from the edges 106b of the square face 106a for a depth 106d. One or more of the side surfaces 106c may be textured, ribbed, grooved, or include other surface features that aid in improving friction (e.g., grip) of the side surface 106c. Alternatively, the side surfaces 106c may be smoothed to decrease friction. The decreased friction on the side surfaces 106c may increase difficulty in stacking the square piece 106, providing more of a challenge when using the square piece 106 in a stacking game.

[0025] The pentagonal piece 108 may have a generally pentagonal face 108a with edges 108b having similar lengths and side surfaces 108c extending from the edges 108b of the pentagonal face 108a for a depth 108d. One or more of the side surfaces 108c may be textured, ribbed, grooved, or include other surface features that aid in improving friction (e.g., grip) of the side surface. Alternatively, the side surfaces 108c may be smoothed to decrease friction. The decreased friction on the side surfaces 108c may increase difficulty in stacking the pentagonal piece 108, providing more of a challenge when using the pentagonal piece 108 in a stacking game.

[0026] The cubic piece 110 may have a generally square face 110a with edges 110b of similar lengths and side surfaces 110c extending from the edges 110b of the square face 110a for a depth 110d. The depth 110d is of similar length as the edges 110b of the square face 110a. One or more of the side surfaces 110c may be textured, ribbed, grooved, or include other surface features that aid in improving friction (e.g., grip) of the side surface. Alternatively, the side surfaces 110c may be smoothed to decrease friction. The decreased friction on the side surfaces 110c may increase difficulty in stacking the cubic piece 110, providing more of a challenge when using the cubic piece 110 in a stacking game.

[0027] The rectangular piece 112 may have a generally rectangular face 112a with opposing edges 112b having similar lengths, opposing edges 112e having similar lengths that are shorter than the lengths of edges 112b, and side surfaces 112c extending from the edges 112b and 112e of the rectangular face 112a for a depth 112d. One or more of the side surfaces 112c may be textured, ribbed, grooved, or include other surface features that aid in improving friction (e.g., grip) of the side surface. Alternatively, the side surfaces 112c may be smoothed to decrease friction. The decreased friction on the side surfaces 112c may increase difficulty in stacking the rectangular piece 112, providing more of a challenge when using the rectangular piece 112 in a stacking game.

[0028] The triangular piece 114 may have a generally triangular face 114a with side surfaces 114c extending from edges 114b of the triangular face 114a for a depth 114d. One or more of the side surfaces 114c may be textured, ribbed, grooved, or include other surface features that aid in improving friction (e.g., grip) of the side surface. Alternatively, the side surfaces 114c may be smoothed to decrease friction. The decreased friction on the side surfaces 114c may increase difficulty in stacking the triangular piece 114, providing more of a challenge when using the triangular piece 114 in a stacking game.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1B, the base piece 120 includes a playing surface 122 with an area 124 sized such that a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces may be performed using only the playing surface 122. The area 124 of the playing surface 122 may include dimensions 126 greater than dimensions of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102. For example, the area 124 may include a diameter that is larger than the largest dimension of the circular piece 104, the square piece 106, the pentagonal piece 108, the cubic piece 110, the rectangular piece 112, and the triangular piece 114 by at least 1.5 times, such as at least 2 times, such as at least 3 times, such as at least 5 times. The area 124 of the playing surface 122 directly affects the number of players capable of performing the stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces. As such, the larger the playing surface 122 is, the more players are able to participate at a time.

[0030] Additionally, the playing surface 122 may be textured similar to the side surfaces of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 to improve friction on the playing surface 122 to facilitate stacking of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102.

[0031] The die piece 130 includes a plurality of surfaces 132 (e.g., 12 as shown) that each may include a marking 134 (one shown). The plurality of surfaces 132 may be uniform (e.g., include similar shapes and dimensions) or may be non-uniform (e.g., different shapes and dimensions between the plurality of surfaces 132). The marking 134 may be a shape corresponding to actions that a user should take regarding the stacking game. For example, the marking 134 may correspond to a stacking action using one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 required by the user as part of the stacking game. The die piece 130 may include different marking 134 on one or more of the plurality of surfaces 132. For example, each of the plurality of surfaces 132 may have a marking 134 that is different from the other plurality of surfaces 132. Alternatively, a group of the plurality of surfaces 132 may include the same or similar marking 134.

[0032] Although FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a stacking game piece set 100 of a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, various changes may be made to FIGS. 1A-1B. For example, various components in FIGS. 1A-1B may be combined, further subdivided, replicated, omitted, or rearranged and additional components may be added according to particular needs. In another example, one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 may be omitted or multiple of the base piece 120 or the die piece 130 may be included in the stacking game piece set 100.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an example method 200 for a single-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces according to this disclosure. For ease of explanation, the method 200 of FIG. 2 is described as being performed using the stacking game piece set stacking game piece set 100 of FIGS. 1A-1B. However, the method 200 may be used with any other suitable system and any other suitable stacking game piece set.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the die piece 130 may be rolled (e.g., by a user) to produce a roll result at step 202. For example, the die piece 130 may be rolled and a marking 134 on the plurality of surfaces 132 that is facing upwards indicates the roll result. The roll result may include a stacking action, such as removing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 in a stack, placing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 at a desired location on the base piece 120, or not placing a plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 during the current turn.

[0035] Responsive to the roll result, a stacking action is taken at step 204. For example, if a roll result is indicative of removing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 from the stack, then one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 (e.g., one or more of the circular piece 104, the square piece 106, the pentagonal piece 108, the cubic piece 110, the rectangular piece 112, the triangular piece 114, or a combination thereof) are removed from the stack. Additionally, a user may perform the stacking action using only one hand.

[0036] Optionally, if one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 fall from the stack during the stacking action, then the one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 are added to a pile in optional step 206. For example, if a plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 (e.g., a circular piece 104) falls while another plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 (e.g., a square piece 106) is being placed on the stack, then the fallen plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 (e.g., the circular piece 104) is not placed back on the stack but becomes part of a pile that is drawn from during a subsequent stacking action.

[0037] After the stacking action is taken, satisfaction of an end-game condition is determined at step 208. An end-game condition may include having all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 placed vertically as part of the stack, reaching a predetermined number of points, or after a predetermined period of time. For example, if all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 of a pile is placed on the stack, the end-game condition is satisfied and the method 200 is complete (e.g., the stacking game ends). If an end-game condition is not satisfied, the method 200 repeats steps 202-208.

[0038] Although FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a method 200 for a single-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, various changes may be made to FIG. 2. For example, while shown as a series of steps, various steps in FIG. 2 may overlap, occur in parallel, or occur any number of times.

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates an example single-player environment 300 of a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces in accordance with this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3,

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the single-player environment 300 includes a base piece 302 having a stack 310. The stack 310 may include one or more non-uniform pieces from a pile of non-uniform pieces (e.g., the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 of FIG. 1A). For example, the stack 310 may include a first non-uniform piece 312, a second non-uniform piece 314, a third non-uniform piece 316, a fourth non-uniform piece 318, and a fifth non-uniform piece 320. The first non-uniform piece 312 may be a cubic piece 110, the second non-uniform piece 314 may be a square piece 106, the third non-uniform piece 316 may be a rectangular piece 112, the fourth non-uniform piece 318 may be a pentagonal piece 108, and the fifth non-uniform piece 320 may be a circular piece 104. Although the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 of the stack 310 are shown in a particular arrangement (e.g., the first non-uniform piece 312 may be a cubic piece 110, etc.), the non-uniform pieces in the stack 310 may be any combination of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 of FIG. 1A, including repeated pieces (e.g., two or more of any of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102) or having pieces omitted.

[0041] The stack 310 includes a height 322 that is measured from the playing surface 122 of the base piece 302 (e.g., a bottom of the first non-uniform piece 312) to the top of the top non-uniform piece (e.g., a top of the fifth non-uniform piece 320).

[0042] Although FIG. 3 illustrates a single-player environment 300 of a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, various changes may be made to FIG. 3. For example, various components in FIG. 3 may be combined, further subdivided, replicated, omitted, or rearranged and additional components may be added according to particular needs.

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates an example method 400 for a multi-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces according to this disclosure. For ease of explanation, the method 400 of FIG. 4 is described as being performed using the stacking game piece set stacking game piece set 100 of FIGS. 1A-1B. However, the method 400 may be used with any other suitable system and any other suitable stacking game piece set.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the die piece 130 may be rolled by a first user to produce a first roll result for a first stack at step 402. For example, the die piece 130 may be rolled and a marking 134 on the plurality of surfaces 132 that is facing upwards indicates the roll result. The roll result may include a stacking action, such as removing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 in a stack, placing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 at a desired location on the base piece 120, not placing a plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 during the current turn, or reversing an order of users between two or more users.

[0045] Additionally, the users may determine the order in which the users will take turns by rolling the die piece 130. For example, the users may take turns rolling the die piece 130 until one of the users rolls the die piece 130 to show a predetermined marking 134, indicating that the user will roll first during the method 400 for the multi-player stacking game. The remaining users may repeat this process until the order of the users is determined. Alternatively, after the first user to roll the predetermined marking 134 is identified, the users may establish the order based on rotational position of the users from the first user (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise from the first user).

[0046] Responsive to the first roll result, a stacking action is taken for a first stack at step 404. For example, if a roll result is indicative of removing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 from the stack, then one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 (e.g., one or more of the circular piece 104, the square piece 106, the pentagonal piece 108, the cubic piece 110, the rectangular piece 112, the triangular piece 114, or a combination thereof) are removed from the stack. Additionally, a user may perform the stacking action using only one hand.

[0047] Optionally, if one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 fall from the stack during the stacking action, then the one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 are added to a pile in optional step 406. For example, if a plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 (e.g., a circular piece 104) falls while another plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 (e.g., a square piece 106) is being placed on the stack, then the fallen plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 (e.g., the circular piece 104) is not placed back on the stack but becomes part of a pile that is drawn from during a subsequent stacking action.

[0048] After the stacking action is taken by the first user, satisfaction of an end-game condition is determined at step 408. An end-game condition may include having all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 placed vertically as part of the stack, reaching a predetermined number of points, or after a predetermined period of time. For example, if all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 of a pile is placed on the stack, the end-game condition is satisfied and the method 400 is complete (e.g., the stacking game ends).

[0049] If an end-game condition is not satisfied, satisfaction of an end-round condition is determined at step 410. An end-round condition may include having all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 placed vertically as part of the first stack and having the tallest stack of a plurality of stacks. For example, if an end-round condition is satisfied (e.g., the first user has the tallest stack and has placed all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 in the pile of the first user), the first user may be awarded points. Points may be awarded, for example, based on the amount of non-uniform pieces in piles of other users. Other point methods are contemplated. If an end-round condition is not satisfied, a subsequent user performs step 412.

[0050] After a predetermined period of time or turn condition, the die piece 130 may be rolled by a second user to produce a second roll result for a second stack (which may be the first stack) at step 412. The predetermined period of time may commence upon any desired condition, such as the first player completing the stacking action of step 404. A turn condition may include actions taken by one or more of the users (e.g., the second user picking up the die piece 130). For example, the die piece 130 may be rolled and a marking 134 on the plurality of surfaces 132 that is facing upwards indicates the roll result. The roll result may include a stacking action, such as removing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 in a stack, placing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 at a desired location on the base piece 120, or not placing a plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 during the current turn.

[0051] Responsive to the second roll result, a stacking action is taken for the second stack (which may be the first stack) at step 414. For example, if a roll result is indicative of removing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 from the stack, then one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 (e.g., one or more of the circular piece 104, the square piece 106, the pentagonal piece 108, the cubic piece 110, the rectangular piece 112, the triangular piece 114, or a combination thereof) are removed from the stack. Additionally, a user may perform the stacking action using only one hand.

[0052] Optionally, if one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 fall from the stack during the stacking action, then the one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 are added to a pile in optional step 416. For example, if a plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 (e.g., a circular piece 104) falls while another plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 (e.g., a square piece 106) is being placed on the stack, then the fallen plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 (e.g., the circular piece 104) is not placed back on the stack but becomes part of a pile that is drawn from during a subsequent stacking action.

[0053] An end-game condition is determined at step 418. An end-game condition may include having all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 placed vertically as part of the stack, reaching a predetermined number of points, or after a predetermined period of time. For example, if all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 of a pile is placed on the stack, the end-game condition is satisfied and the method 400 is complete (e.g., the stacking game ends).

[0054] If an end-game condition is not satisfied, satisfaction of an end-round condition is determined at step 420. An end-round condition may include having all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 placed vertically as part of the first stack and having the tallest stack of a plurality of stacks. For example, if an end-round condition is satisfied (e.g., the first user has the tallest stack and has placed all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 in the pile of the first user), the first user may be awarded points. Points may be awarded, for example, based on the amount of non-uniform pieces in piles of other users. Other point methods are contemplated. If an end-round condition is not satisfied, the method 400 returns to step 402 and a subsequent user (including the first user in two-player rounds) performs step 402.

[0055] Although FIG. 4 illustrates one example of a method 400 for a multi-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, various changes may be made to FIG. 4. For example, while shown as a series of steps, various steps in FIG. 4 may overlap, occur in parallel, or occur any number of times.

[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates a multi-player environment 500 of a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces in accordance with this disclosure. In particular, the multi-player environment 500 may be a result of multiple iterations of the method 400 of FIG. 4. Although described using FIG. 4, any other methods of performing a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces are contemplated.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 5, the multi-player environment 500 includes a base piece 502 having a first stack 510 and a second stack 530. The first stack 510 may include one or more non-uniform pieces from a first pile of non-uniform pieces (e.g., the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 of FIG. 1A). For example, the first stack 510 may include a first non-uniform piece 512, a second non-uniform piece 514, a third non-uniform piece 516, a fourth non-uniform piece 518, and a fifth non-uniform piece 520. The first non-uniform piece 512 may be a cubic piece 110, the second non-uniform piece 514 may be a square piece 106, the third non-uniform piece 516 may be a rectangular piece 112, the fourth non-uniform piece 518 may be a pentagonal piece 108, and the fifth non-uniform piece 520 may be a circular piece 104. Although the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 of the first stack 510 are shown in a particular arrangement (e.g., the first non-uniform piece 512 may be a cubic piece 110, etc.), the non-uniform pieces in the stack 510 may be any combination of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 of FIG. 1A, including repeated pieces (e.g., two or more of any of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102) or having pieces omitted.

[0058] The first stack 510 includes a first height 522 that is measured from the playing surface 122 of the base piece 502 (e.g., a bottom of the first non-uniform piece 512) to the top of the top non-uniform piece (e.g., a top of the fifth non-uniform piece 520).

[0059] Similarly, the second stack 530 may include one or more non-uniform pieces from a second pile of non-uniform pieces (e.g., a second plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102). For example, the second stack 530 may include a sixth non-uniform piece 532, a seventh non-uniform piece 534, and an eighth non-uniform piece 536. The sixth non-uniform piece 532 may be a rectangular piece 112, the seventh non-uniform piece 534 may be a cubic piece 110, and the eighth non-uniform piece 536 may be a pentagonal piece 108. The second stack 530 includes a second height 542 that is measured from the playing surface 122 of the base piece 502 (e.g., a bottom of the sixth non-uniform piece 532) to the top of the top non-uniform piece (e.g., a top of the eighth non-uniform piece 536). The first height 522 and the second height 542 may, for example, be compared to determine an end-round condition (e.g., during steps 410 or 420) or end-game condition (e.g., during steps 408 or 418).

[0060] Although FIG. 5 illustrates an example multi-player environment 500 of a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, various changes may be made to FIG. 5. For example, various components in FIG. 5 may be combined, further subdivided, replicated, omitted, or rearranged and additional components may be added according to particular needs. Additionally, one or more of the non-uniform pieces in a stack may be similar to other non-uniform pieces of the stack as shown in FIG. 6.

[0061] FIG. 6 illustrates an example multi-player environment multi-player environment 600 of a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces in accordance with this disclosure. In particular, the multi-player environment 600 may be a result of multiple iterations of the method 400 of FIG. 4. Although described using FIG. 4, any other methods of performing a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces are contemplated.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 6, the multi-player environment 600 includes a base piece 602 having a first stack 610 and a second stack 630. The first stack 610 may include one or more non-uniform pieces from a first pile of non-uniform pieces (e.g., the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102 of FIG. 1A). For example, the first stack 610 may include a first non-uniform piece 612, a second non-uniform piece 614, a third non-uniform piece 616, a fourth non-uniform piece 618, and a fifth non-uniform piece 620.

[0063] Similarly, the second stack 630 may include one or more non-uniform pieces from a second pile of non-uniform pieces (e.g., a second plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces 102). For example, the second stack 630 may include a sixth non-uniform piece 632, a seventh non-uniform piece 634, an eighth non-uniform piece 636, and a ninth non-uniform piece 638. The sixth non-uniform piece 632 may be a first rectangular piece 112, the seventh non-uniform piece 634 may be a cubic piece 110, the eighth non-uniform piece 636 may be a second rectangular piece 112, and the ninth non-uniform piece 638 may be a pentagonal piece 108.

[0064] Although FIG. 6 illustrates an example multi-player environment multi-player environment 600 of a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, various changes may be made to FIG. 6. For example, various components in FIG. 6 may be combined, further subdivided, replicated, omitted, or rearranged and additional components may be added according to particular needs.

[0065] It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and / or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C.

[0066] The description in the present disclosure should not be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential or critical element that must be included in the claim scope. The scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. Moreover, none of the claims invokes 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) with respect to any of the appended claims or claim elements unless the exact words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim, followed by a participle phrase identifying a function. Use of terms such as (but not limited to) “unit,”“component,”“element,”“member,” or “apparatus,” within a claim is understood and intended to refer to structures known to those skilled in the relevant art, as further modified or enhanced by the features of the claims themselves, and is not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).

[0067] While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for a single-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, the method comprising:rolling a die piece to produce a roll result;responsive to the roll result, taking a stacking action using a plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces;after the stacking action is taken, determining if an end-game condition is satisfied; andupon determining that the end-game condition is satisfied, ending the single-player stacking game.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:after taking a stacking action and before determining if the end-game condition is satisfied, determining if one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces has fallen from a stack; andupon determining that one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces has fallen from the stack, adding the one or more fallen pieces to a pile that is drawn from during a subsequent stacking action.

3. A method for a multi-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, the method comprising:rolling a die piece to produce a first roll result for a first stack;responsive to the first roll result, taking a stacking action using a first plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces on the first stack;after the stacking action is taken, determining if an end-game condition is satisfied;upon determining that the end-game condition is not satisfied, rolling the die piece to produce a second roll result for a second stack;responsive to the second roll result, taking a second stacking action using a second plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces on the second stack;after the second stacking action is taken, determining if the end-game condition is satisfied; andupon determining that the end-game condition is satisfied, ending the multi-player stacking game.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:upon determining that the end-game condition is not satisfied, determining if an end-round condition is satisfied; andupon determining that the end-round condition is satisfied, beginning a new round by rolling the die piece to produce the first roll result for the first stack.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:after taking the stacking action on the first stack and before determining if the end-game condition is satisfied, determining if one or more of the first or second plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces has fallen from the first or second stack; andupon determining that one or more of the first or second plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces has fallen from the first or second stack, adding the one or more fallen pieces to a pile that is drawn from during a subsequent stacking action on the first stack.

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