U.S. patent application number 12/605832 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-18 for game piece and method of playing game using same.
Invention is credited to Tsunekazu Ishihara, Masayuki Miura, Kouichi Oyama.
Application Number | 20100038852 12/605832 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38123273 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100038852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ishihara; Tsunekazu ; et
al. |
February 18, 2010 |
GAME PIECE AND METHOD OF PLAYING GAME USING SAME
Abstract
An article of manufacture for use by a player in a game or as a
collectible figure, comprising a first portion comprising a
representational figure and a second portion affixed to the first
portion and comprising a coupling member arranged to be coupled
with a preexisting support structure so that a user of the article
of manufacture is enabled to couple it with the support structure
and uncouple it therefrom.
Inventors: |
Ishihara; Tsunekazu; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Oyama; Kouichi; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Miura;
Masayuki; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENT DOCKET CLERK;COWAN, LIEBOWITZ & LATMAN, P.C.
1133 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
38123273 |
Appl. No.: |
12/605832 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11482462 |
Jul 6, 2006 |
|
|
|
12605832 |
|
|
|
|
60696966 |
Jul 6, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/236 ;
273/288 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2003/00716
20130101; A63F 3/00697 20130101; A63F 2011/0016 20130101; A63F
2011/0062 20130101; A63F 2003/00826 20130101; A63F 1/00 20130101;
A63F 2011/0072 20130101; A63F 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/236 ;
273/288 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/00 20060101
A63F003/00 |
Claims
1. An article of manufacture for use by a player in a game or as a
collectible figure, comprising: a first portion comprising a
representational figure; and a second portion affixed to the first
portion and comprising a coupling member arranged to be coupled
with a preexisting support structure so that a user of the article
of manufacture is enabled to couple it with the support structure
and uncouple it therefrom.
2. An article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the coupling
member is arranged to couple with the preexisting support structure
so that the coupling member is rotatable thereon.
3. An article of manufacture of claim 2, wherein the coupling
member is arranged to rotate freely on the preexisting support
structure.
4. An article of manufacture of claim 3, wherein the preexisting
support structure includes a support portion and the coupling
member includes a mounting portion arranged to fit over the support
portion so that the coupling member is adapted to be mounted on the
preexisting support structure.
5. An article of manufacture of claim 4, wherein the second portion
includes a central member having an upper surface, the
representational figure being affixed to the upper surface, and a
medial ring portion extending outwardly from the central member,
and wherein the mounting portion is formed on a lower surface of
the central member so that the mounting portion is adapted to be
mounted on a support portion formed on an upper surface of the
preexisting support structure.
6. The article of manufacture of claim 5, wherein the mounting
portion has an inner surface adapted to fit closely over a post of
the preexisting support structure having a substantially
cylindrical shape.
7. The article of manufacture of claim 6, wherein the mounting
portion has a predetermined length such that a lowermost edge of
the mounting portion is supported by an upper surface of the
preexisting support structure.
8. The article of manufacture of claim 7, wherein at least one of
the coupling member and the preexisting support structure is formed
from a molded plastic having a low friction surface.
9. The article of manufacture of claim 8, wherein the molded
plastic comprises molded ABS.
10. A game piece, comprising the article of manufacture of claim
and said preexisting support structure, the article of manufacture
being supported by the preexisting support structure and freely
rotatable thereon.
11. The game piece of claim 10, wherein one of the article of
manufacture and the preexisting support structure comprises an
index indicator and the other one of the article of manufacture and
the preexisting support structure comprises game related indicia so
that when the article of manufacture is rotated with respect to the
preexisting support structure, the index indicator is registered
with the game related indicia.
12. The game piece of claim 11, wherein the representational figure
is at least one of a figure representing an animal, a character, a
person, a marker, a scoring device, a record keeping device, a
structure, sports equipment, a weapon, a tool, a vehicle and a
device.
13. The game piece of claim 11, wherein the preexisting support
structure includes a base and a retaining member releasably engaged
with the base, and wherein the coupling member is captured by the
base and the retaining member.
14. The game piece of claim 13, wherein the retaining member is
rotatable relative to the base to releasably engage the retaining
member with the base.
15. The game piece of claim 14, wherein the retaining member
includes a plurality of retainer fingers formed integrally with the
retaining member and the base includes a plurality of recesses, the
plurality of retainer fingers being arranged to engage with the
respective recesses.
16. The game piece of claim 15, wherein each recess includes a
first recess portion arranged to pass a respective one of the
retainer fingers therethrough and a second recess portion arranged
to capture the respective one of the retainer fingers to engage the
retaining member to the base.
17. The game piece of claim 16, wherein the first recess portion
has a width greater than a width of the second recess portion.
18. The game piece of claim 11, wherein the second portion includes
a central member having a flat upper surface, the representational
figure being affixed to the flat upper surface, and a medial ring
portion extending outwardly from the central member.
19. The game piece of claim 18, wherein the preexisting support
structure includes a base and a retaining member releasably engaged
with the base, and wherein the second portion includes an outer lip
portion adapted to be captured by the base and the retaining
member.
20. The game piece of claim 19, wherein the outer lip portion
comprises a ring-shaped lip portion and wherein a first segment of
the outer lip portion extends downwardly from the central member
and a second segment of the outer lip portion extends outwardly
from the first segment.
21. The game piece of claim 19, wherein the retaining member
comprises a ring-shaped member and wherein an inner periphery of
the retaining member is smaller than an outer periphery of the
outer lip portion so that the outer lip portion is captured between
the retaining member and the base when they are releasably
engaged.
22. The game piece of claim 21, wherein the retaining member
includes an outer skirt portion extending at least downwardly from
an outer edge of the ring-shaped member and wherein a lower surface
of the outer skirt portion abuts an upper surface of the base.
23. The game piece of claim 22, wherein the retaining member
includes a plurality of retainer fingers formed integrally with the
retaining member and interrupting the lower surface of the outer
skirt portion, and the base includes a plurality of recesses, each
of the plurality of retainer fingers being arranged to engage with
a respective one of the recesses.
24. The game piece of claim 23, wherein the retainer fingers are
equally spaced about the lower surface of the outer skirt portion
of the retaining member.
25. The game piece of claim 23, wherein each retainer finger
includes a downwardly projecting portion and an outwardly
projecting portion, and each recess includes a first recess portion
arranged to pass the outwardly projecting portion of the respective
retainer finger therethrough and a second recess portion arranged
to engage with the outwardly projecting portion to capture the
retainer finger.
26. The game piece of claim 25, wherein the first recess portion
has a width greater than a width of the second recess portion.
27. The game piece of claim 26, wherein the second recess portion
is formed by an inwardly projecting flange, an upper surface of the
inwardly projecting flange being co-extensive with an upper surface
of the base, and a thickness of the inwardly projecting flange
being smaller than a thickness of the base.
28. The game piece of claim 23, wherein each retainer finger
includes a downwardly projecting portion projecting from the lower
surface of the outer skirt portion and an inwardly projecting
portion, and each recess extends inwardly from an outer periphery
of the base and includes a first recess portion arranged to pass
the respective retainer finger therethrough and a second recess
portion arranged to engage with the inwardly projecting portion of
the retainer finger to capture the retainer finger.
29. The game piece of claim 28, wherein the first recess portion
has a width greater than a width of the second recess portion.
30. The game piece of claim 29, wherein the second recess portion
is formed by an outwardly projecting flange having an upper surface
co-extensive with an upper surface of the base, and having a
thickness smaller than a thickness of the base.
31. The game piece of claim 30, wherein one of an inner surface of
the downwardly projecting portion of the retainer finger and an
outer surface of the outwardly projecting flange includes a locking
projection for restraining disengagement of the retaining member
from the base, and the other one of the inner surface of the
downwardly projecting portion and the outer surface of the
outwardly projecting flange includes an indentation adapted to
align with the locking projection and sized to accommodate the
locking projection when the retaining member is engaged with the
base.
32. The game piece of claim 27, wherein one of an outer surface of
the downwardly projecting portion of the retainer finger and an
inner surface of the inwardly projecting flange includes a locking
projection for restraining disengagement of the retaining member
from the base, and the other one of the outer surface of the
downwardly projecting portion and the inner surface of the inwardly
projecting flange includes an indentation adapted to align with the
locking projection and sized to accommodate the locking projection
when the retaining member is engaged with the base.
33. The game piece of claim 13, wherein the base includes a support
portion and the coupling member includes a mounting portion adapted
to fit over the support portion to mount the coupling member on the
base.
34. The game piece of claim 33, wherein the coupling member
includes a central member having a flat upper surface, the
representational figure being affixed to the flat upper surface,
and a medial ring portion extending outwardly from the central
member, and wherein the mounting portion is formed on a lower
surface of the central member and the support portion is formed on
an upper surface of the base.
35. The game piece of claim 34, wherein the support portion
comprises a post having a substantially cylindrical shape and an
inner surface of the mounting portion is adapted to fit closely
over the post to mount the coupling member on the base.
36. The game piece of claim 34, wherein the base includes a raised
platform on an upper surface of the base, the raised platform
supporting a lowermost edge of the mounting portion, and wherein
the mounting portion has a predetermined length such that the
lowermost edge of the mounting portion does not extend beyond a
lowermost surface of the medial ring portion.
37. The game piece of claim 34, wherein a lowermost edge of the
mounting portion is supported by an upper surface of the base and
wherein the mounting portion has a predetermined length such that
the lowermost edge of the mounting portion extends beyond a
lowermost surface of the medial ring portion.
38. The game piece of claim 13, wherein the base includes a lateral
projection extending outwardly beyond an outer edge of the
retaining member when releasably engaged with the base and of
sufficient size to permit a player to grasp the lateral
projection.
39. The game piece of claim 13, wherein one of the coupling member
and the base comprises the index indicator and the other one of the
coupling member and the base comprises game related indicia, and
wherein the game related indicia includes a plurality of sections
representing at least one parameter.
40. The game piece of claim 39, wherein each parameter is at least
one of an action, a condition and a capability of the game
piece.
41. The game piece of claim 40, wherein the index indicator
comprises an arrow.
42. The game piece of claim 40, wherein the coupling member
comprises a central member having an upper surface for affixing the
representational figure thereto and a medial ring portion extending
outwardly from the central member and including the game related
indicia, and wherein the retaining member includes the index
indicator such that when the coupling member is rotated relative to
the preexisting support structure, the game related indicia is
rotated with the coupling member relative to the index indicator on
the retaining member.
43. The game piece of claim 42, wherein an upper surface of the
medial ring portion includes the game related indicia and an upper
surface of the retaining member includes the index indicator.
44. The game piece of claim 43, wherein at least one of the
parameters includes a predetermined value representing one of a
damage value and a defense value.
45. The game piece of claim 43, wherein the game indicia further
includes at least one figure parameter representing at least one
characteristic of the game piece.
46. The game piece of claim 45, wherein the figure parameter
comprises a moving value representing a maximum distance the game
piece can move in one turn of a game.
47. The game piece of claim 10, wherein at least one of the second
portion and the preexisting support structure is formed from a
molded plastic having a low friction surface.
48. The game piece of claim 47, wherein the molded plastic
comprises molded ABS.
49. A game piece, comprising the article of manufacture of claim 1
and said preexisting support structure, the article of manufacture
being supported by the preexisting support structure, the
preexisting support structure comprising a base and a retaining
member, the retaining member being releasably engaged with the
base, with the coupling member of the article of manufacture being
captured between the base and the retaining member, the retaining
member and the base being arranged such that they may be released
from engagement by rotation of the retaining member with respect to
the base.
50. The game piece of claim 49, wherein the retaining member
includes a plurality of retainer fingers formed integrally with the
retaining member, and the base includes a plurality of recesses
corresponding to the retainer fingers, the plurality of the
retainer fingers being arranged to engage with respective
recesses.
51. The game piece of claim 50, wherein each recess includes a
first recess portion arranged to permit a respective one of the
retainer finger to pass therethrough and a second recess portion
arranged to capture the respective one of the retainer fingers to
releasably engage the retaining member to the base.
52. The game piece of claim 51, wherein the coupling member
includes a central member having a flat surface arranged to affix
the representational figure thereto, a medial ring portion
extending outwardly from the central member and an outer lip
portion adapted to be captured by the base and the retaining
member.
53. The game piece of claim 52, wherein the outer lip portion is
ring-shaped and a first segment of the outer lip portion extends
downwardly from the central member and a second segment of the
outer lip portion extends outwardly from the first segment.
54. The game piece of claim 53, wherein the retaining member
comprises a ring-shaped member, an inner periphery of the
ring-shaped member being smaller than an outer periphery of the
outer lip portion.
55. The game piece of claim 54, wherein the retaining member
includes an outer skirt portion extending at least downwardly from
an outer edge of the ring-shaped member and wherein a lower surface
of the outer skirt portion abuts an upper surface of the base.
56. The game piece of claim 55, wherein the plurality of the
retainer fingers interrupt the lower surface of the outer skirt
portion, each of the retainer fingers including a downwardly
projecting portion and an outwardly projecting portion, and wherein
the first recess portion of each recess is arranged to permit the
outwardly projecting portion of the respective retainer finger to
pass therethrough and the second recess portion is arranged to
engage with the outwardly projecting portion to capture the
retainer finger.
57. The game piece of claim 56, wherein the second recess portion
of each of the plurality of recesses is formed by an inwardly
projecting flange, an upper surface of the inwardly projecting
flange being co-extensive with an upper surface of the base, and a
thickness of the inwardly projecting flange being smaller than a
thickness of the base.
58. The game piece of claim 55, wherein each of the plurality of
the retainer fingers includes a downwardly projecting portion
projecting from a lower surface of the outer skirt portion and an
inwardly projecting portion, and wherein each recess extends
inwardly from an outer periphery of the base, the second recess
portion of the recess being arranged to engage with the inwardly
projecting portion of the retainer finger to capture the retainer
finger.
59. The game piece of claim 58, wherein the second recess portion
is formed by an outwardly projecting flange having an upper surface
co-extensive with the upper surface of the base and having a
thickness which is smaller than a thickness of the base.
60. The game piece of claim 49, wherein the base includes a support
portion and the coupling member includes a mounting portion adapted
to fit over the support portion to mount the coupling member on the
base.
61. The game piece of claim 60, wherein the coupling member
includes a central member having an upper surface for affixing the
representational figure and a medial ring portion extending
outwardly from the central member, and wherein the mounting portion
is formed on a lower surface of the central member and the support
portion is formed on an upper surface of the base.
62. The game piece of claim 61, wherein the base includes a raised
platform on the upper surface of the base for supporting a
lowermost edge of the mounting portion and wherein the mounting
portion has a predetermined length such that the lowermost edge of
the mounting portion does not extend beyond a lowermost surface of
the medial ring portion.
63. The game piece of claim 61, wherein a lowermost edge of the
mounting portion is supported by an upper surface of the base and
wherein the mounting portion has a predetermined length such that
the lowermost edge of the mounting portion extends beyond a
lowermost surface of the medial ring portion.
64. The game piece of claim 61, wherein the support portion
comprises a post having a substantially cylindrical shape and the
mounting portion is arranged to fit closely over the post.
65. The game piece of claim 49, wherein at least one of the
coupling member and the preexisting support structure are formed
from a molded plastic having a low friction surface.
66. The game piece of claim 65, wherein the molded plastic
comprises molded ABS.
67. A game piece, comprising the article of manufacture of claim 1
and said preexisting support structure, the article of manufacture
being supported by the preexisting support structure, the game
piece further comprising indicia on one of the article of
manufacture and the preexisting support structure representing a
plurality of attack parameters usable in a preexisting game, said
indicia being movable with respect to the other of the article of
manufacture and the preexisting support structure in response to a
force applied by a user, wherein selection of an attack parameter
from said plurality of attack parameters is determined by a
position at which said indicia rests after being moved by the
user.
68. An article of manufacture for use by a player in a game or as a
collectible figure, comprising: a support member adapted to support
a representational figure; a base; and a retaining member; wherein
said base and said retaining member are adapted to capture said
support member therebetween, and said retaining member is adapted
to releasably engage with said base by rotating one of said base
member and said retaining member with respect to the other of said
base and said retaining member.
69. An article of manufacture for use by a player in a game
comprising: a collectable figure comprising a representational
figure on a support member; a base; and a retaining member; the
retaining member being rotatable relative to the base with the
support member therebetween to releasably engage the retaining
member with the base and capture the support member
therebetween.
70. The article of manufacture of claim 68, wherein one of the base
and the retaining member comprises an index indicator and the
support member comprises game related indicia so that when the
support member is captured between the base and the retaining
member and is rotated with respect thereto, the index indicator is
registered with the game related indicia.
71. The article of manufacture of claim 68, wherein the support
member, the base and the retaining member are configured so that,
when the support member is captured between the base and the
retaining member, the support member is freely rotatable with
respect to the base and the retaining member.
72. The article of manufacture of claim 69, wherein one of the base
and the retaining member comprises an index indicator and the
support member comprises game related indicia so that when the
support member is captured between the base and the retaining
member and is rotated with respect to the base and the retaining
member, the index indicator is registered with the game related
indicia.
73. The article of manufacture of claim 69, wherein the support
member, the base and the retaining member are configured so that,
when the support member is captured between the base and the
retaining member, the support member is freely rotatable with
respect to the base and the retaining member.
74. A game piece for use as a position marker on a game board, the
game piece comprising: a base having a rotatable top portion and a
stationary bottom portion, the top portion being prevented from
unintentional separation from the bottom portion and being freely
rotatable in relation to the bottom portion in a manner wherein
there is the absence of circumferential impedance elements against
the free rotation of the top portion; a retainer releasably engaged
with the bottom portion of the base and enclosing but not
contacting an outer circumferential section of the top portion such
that the top portion is prevented from unintentional separation
from the stationary portion and is allowed to freely rotate; and a
game figure connected to the top portion of the base.
75. A game piece for use as a position marker on a game board, the
game piece comprising: a base having a rotatable top portion and a
stationary bottom portion, the stationary bottom portion having a
post member defining a vertical axis, the top portion having a
bushing for engaging the post member, the top portion being freely
spinnable around the vertical axis in a manner wherein there is the
absence of circumferential impedance elements against the free
spinning of the top portion; and a game figure connected to the top
portion of the base.
76. The game piece as claimed in claim 75 wherein the sole
engagement of the top and bottom portion is through the post and
bushing.
77. A game piece for use as a position marker on a game board, the
game piece comprising: a base having a rotatable top portion and a
stationary bottom portion, the bottom portion having a plurality of
slots, a post member, and a raised platform surrounding the post
member, the top portion having a bushing for engaging the post
member, the raised platform supporting the bushing such that the
bottom portion solely contacts the top portion through the bushing,
the retainer enclosing but not contacting an outer circumferential
section of the top portion and having a plurality of fingers
releasably engaged with the plurality of slots in the bottom
portion, thereby preventing the top portion from unintentional
separation from the bottom portion; and a game figure connected to
the top portion of the base; wherein the top portion is freely
spinnable around the post member in a manner wherein there is the
absence of circumferential impedance elements against the free
spinning of the top portion.
78. The game piece as claimed in claim 77 wherein the bottom
portion of the base includes an extension to facilitate a user in
maintaining the bottom portion stationary while spinning the top
portion.
79. The game piece as claimed in claim 77 wherein the top portion
of the base includes a plurality of game related indicia specific
to the connected game figure and wherein the retainer includes an
index indicator for designating one of the plurality of game
related indicia.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/482,462, filed Jul. 6, 2006, which claims
the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/696,966,
filed Jul. 6, 2005. The disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/482,462 and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/696,966
are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention concerns game pieces, games that
employ game pieces and methods of playing a game using one or more
game pieces.
[0003] Game manufacturers produce a variety of game pieces and
battle games for two or more players, in which the game pieces can
be employed. Trading card games, in which trading cards collected
by players are used for battling other players' trading cards, are
well known. Conventional trading card games typically include a
plurality of character battle cards which can be used alone or in
combination with energy cards to battle other players' character
battle cards. An example of a trading card game is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,851, which discloses a card game toy that
includes a master card representing the player and a plurality of
monster battle cards, each of which includes a printed
representation of the monster and printed characteristics of the
monster. In playing the game of the '851 patent, each player's
battle cards and master card are placed on a battle field and each
player is capable of attacking an opponent's battle card or master
card, defending one's own battle or master card, moving one of the
battle cards within the battle field or evicting a battle card from
the battle field. When one player uses one of its cards to attack
one or more of another player's cards, the printed characteristics
are used to determine the outcome or result of the attack.
[0004] Some conventional games have added a degree of realism to
the game by using three-dimensional figures representing characters
in the game instead of trading cards. An example of such games is
disclosed in U.S. published applications numbers US 2002/0180150
and US 2003/0071414. In particular, the 2002/0180150 and
2003/0071414 publications disclose using miniature figures as game
pieces in a game, in which the game pieces of opposing players are
used to battle one another. In order to eliminate frequent
reference to a manual to keep track of changes in the
characteristics of each game piece as the game progresses, each of
the game pieces in the 2002/0180150 and 2003/0071414 includes a
base and variable printed characteristics of the game piece
inserted in the base, such that the base can be adjusted to display
current characteristics of the game piece. The characteristics
displayed on the base of the game piece are used in determining the
outcome of the attack or defense when one player uses its game
piece to battle another player's game piece.
[0005] In the above-described conventional games, the determination
of the outcome of the battle between two game pieces is often
complicated and may become tedious for the players, since the game
pieces typically include multiple characteristics. Accordingly, a
game piece for use in a battle game and a battle game which
simplifies the determination of the battle outcome is desired.
Moreover, in order to enhance the enjoyment of the battle game, a
game that includes additional new characters, options and
strategies is also desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The above and other features and aspects of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading the following
detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 shows an assembled game piece;
[0008] FIG. 2 shows the game piece of FIG. 1 disassembled into its
component parts;
[0009] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a bottom surface of the
support member of the game piece of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0010] FIG. 4 shows a bottom perspective view of one of the
embodiments of a retaining member component of the game piece of
FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0011] FIG. 5 shows the retaining member of FIG. 4 used together
with a base member of the game piece of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0012] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the
retaining member and the base member;
[0013] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of
the retaining member and the base member of FIG. 6;
[0014] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of a recess in the base member
circled as "A" in FIG. 6;
[0015] FIG. 9 shows an illustrative example of a second character
game piece;
[0016] FIG. 10 shows an illustrative example of a playmat for a
two-player game; and
[0017] FIG. 11 shows a more detailed view of one of peripheral
areas of the playmat of FIG. 10.
DISCLOSURE
[0018] An article of manufacture for use by a player in a game or
as a collectible figure, comprises a first portion comprising a
representational figure, and a second portion affixed to the first
portion and comprising a coupling member arranged to be coupled
with a preexisting support structure so that a user of the article
of manufacture is enabled to couple it with the support structure
and uncouple it therefrom. In certain embodiments, the coupling
member is arranged to couple with the preexisting support structure
so that the coupling member is freely rotatable thereon.
[0019] A game piece comprises the article of manufacture and the
preexisting support structure, such that the article of manufacture
is supported by the preexisting support structure and is freely
rotatable thereon. In certain embodiments, one of the article of
manufacture and the preexisting support structure of the game piece
comprises an index indicator and the other one of the article of
manufacture and the preexisting support structure comprises game
related indicia so that when the article of manufacture is rotated
with respect to the preexisting support structure, the index
indicator is registered with the game related indicia.
[0020] A game piece comprises the article of manufacture and the
preexisting support structure such that the article of manufacture
is supported by the preexisting support structure and the
preexisting support structure comprises a base and a retaining
member, the retaining member being releasably engaged with the
base, and the coupling member of the article of manufacture is
captured between the base and the retaining member, the retaining
member and the base being arranged such that they may be released
from engagement by rotation of the retaining member with respect to
the base.
[0021] A game piece comprises the article of manufacture and the
preexisting support structure, with the article of manufacture
being supported by the preexisting support structure and the game
piece further comprises indicia on one of the article of
manufacture and the preexisting support structure representing a
plurality of attack parameters usable in a preexisting game, the
indicia being movable with respect to the other of the article of
manufacture and the preexisting support structure in response to a
force applied by a user, wherein selection of an attack parameter
from the plurality of attack parameters is determined by a position
at which the indicia rests after being moved by the user.
[0022] An article of manufacture for use by a player in a game or
as a collectible figure, comprises a support member adapted to
support a representational figure, a base member and a retaining
member, wherein the base member and the retaining member are
adapted to capture the support member therebetween, and the
retaining member is adapted to releasably engage with the base
member by rotating one of the base member and the retaining member
with respect to the other of the base member and the retaining
member.
[0023] An article of manufacture for use by a player in a game
comprises a collectable figure comprising a representational figure
on a support member, a base, and a retaining member, the retaining
member being rotatable relative to the base with the support member
therebetween to releasably engage the retaining member with the
base and capture the support member therebetween.
[0024] The game pieces of the present invention are useful in games
of many kinds, including games involving battles or other contests
between or among the game pieces, sports games (for example,
baseball or football), adventure games, role playing games, racing
games, knowledge games, party games, social simulation games,
strategy games, battle simulation games and memory games.
[0025] Certain game piece embodiments disclosed herein include
figures representing fictional animals. However, in other
embodiments the game pieces include one or more figures
representing real animals, or real or fictional persons. In still
other embodiments, in place of or in addition to such a figure, the
game piece includes an object such as a marker, a scoring or record
keeping device, a structure, sports equipment, a weapon, a tool, a
vehicle, a device or the like, or a representation of such an
object.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an assembled game piece 20 and FIG. 2
shows the game piece 20 disassembled into its component parts. As
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the game piece 20 comprises a
representational figure 130 on a support member 25 and a base 10,
with the support member 25 being freely rotatable relative to the
base 10. In certain embodiments, one of the support member 25 and
the base 10 includes an index indicator 260, and the other one of
the support member 25 and the base 10 includes game related indicia
140, so that when the support member 25 is rotated with respect to
the base 10, the index indicator 260 is registered with the game
related indicia 140.
[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the representational figure
130 may comprise a three-dimensional character which represents the
identity of the game piece 20 and is mounted on an upper surface of
the support member 25. In other embodiments, the representational
figure may comprise a two-dimensional piece such as, for example, a
card showing the identity of a character or an item used in a game,
or any other representational element which identifies or
represents a character or an item that can be used in a game. In
certain embodiments, the representational figure 130 and the
support member 25 are formed as separate pieces and then affixed to
one another, while in others the representational figure 130 and
the support member 25 are formed as a single piece. In certain
embodiments, the support member 25 and the base 10 are formed from
a molded plastic material, such as molded ABS, having a low
friction surface which enables the support member 25 to rotate
freely in relation to the base 10.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the base 10 includes a base member
10a and a retaining member 30 releasably engaged with the base
member 10a, such that the support member 25 is captured between the
base member 10a and the retaining member 30. In certain
embodiments, the retaining member 30 can be rotated relative to the
base member 10a so as to releasably engage therewith and so as to
capture the support member 25 between the base member 10a and the
retaining member 30. In one of the illustrative embodiments, the
retaining member 30 includes a plurality of retainer fingers 200
formed integrally with the retaining member 30 and sized and
positioned to engage with a respective slot or recess 220 formed in
the base member 10a. In particular, and with reference to FIG. 5,
each slot or indentation 220 includes a first portion 230 sized to
permit a respective one of the retainer fingers 200 to pass
therethrough and a second portion 240 sized to capture the retainer
finger 200 to as to prevent separation of the retaining member 30
from the base member 10a. In the embodiment shown, the width of the
first portion 230 is greater than the width of the second portion
240. Illustrative configurations of the retainer fingers 200 and
the slots or recesses 220 formed in the retaining member 30 and the
base member 10a, respectively, are shown in more detail in FIGS.
4-8 and are described in more detail herein below.
[0029] In certain embodiments, the support member 25 includes a
central member 100 having a flat upper surface and a medial ring
110 extending outwardly from the central member 100. In the
illustrative configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the central
member 100 is shaped as a truncated cone and the representational
figure 130 is mounted on the flat upper surface of the central
member 100. As also illustratively shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the
support member 25 may include an outer ring-shaped lip 120
extending downwardly from the central member 100 and thence
outwardly a short distance. The lip 120 enables the support member
25 to be retained by the retaining member 30 of the base 10. In
particular, in the illustrative configuration shown, the retaining
member 30 comprises a ring-shaped member having an inner diameter
which is smaller than an outer diameter of the lip 120 of the
support member 25. In an assembled state, the retaining member 30
partially covers the lip 120 of the support member 25 so as to
capture and retain the support member 25 between the retaining
member 30 and the base member 10a.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a bottom surface of
the support member 25 of the game piece 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in FIG. 3, in certain embodiments, the support member 25
includes a bushing 22 having a substantially cylindrical inner
surface. The bushing 22 can be formed on the lower surface of the
central member 100 of the support member. Referring now to FIG. 2,
the base member 10a includes a post 12 formed on its upper surface.
The post 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the inner
surface of the bushing 22 is dimensioned to fit closely over the
post 12 in order to mount the support member 25 on the base member
10a.
[0031] When the support member 25 is mounted on the base member
10a, as shown in FIG. 1, the weight of the support member 25 and
the representational figure 130 thereon is borne by a lowermost
edge 24 of the bushing 22 against an upper surface of the base
member 10a. The low friction surface of the support member 25 and
the base member 10 allows the support member 25 to rotate freely on
the lowermost edge 24 of the bushing 22 supported by the upper
surface of the base member 10a.
[0032] In certain embodiments, the base member 10a is also provided
with a projection 170, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This projection
170 can be grasped by a user to enable the user to maintain a firm
grip on the game piece 20 when the support member 25 is rotated
relative to the base 10.
[0033] In certain embodiments, the game related indicia 140
provided on one of the support member 25 and the base 10 represents
a plurality of attack parameters 150, 160 and is movable with
respect to the other of the support member 25 and the base 10 in
response to a force applied by a user. Selection of an attack
parameter 150, 160 from the plurality of attack parameters of the
game related indicia 140 is determined by a position at which the
indicia 140 rests after being moved by the user.
[0034] In certain embodiments, the game related indicia 140 is
provided on a label or a sticker and includes a plurality of
sections 150, 160, each section representing one or more attack
parameters. The attack parameter represented by the indicia can be
one or more of an action, a condition or a capability of the piece
20. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sections 150, 160
of the game related indicia 140 comprise arcuate segments printed
on a sticker which is affixed to the support member 25. In
particular, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sticker is affixed to an
upper surface of the medial ring 110 of the support member 25. As
also illustratively shown, the index indicator 260 can be in the
form of an arrow provided on an upper surface of the base 10 and,
in particular, on an upper surface of the retaining member 30.
Using this configuration of the game piece 20, if a user applies a
force to the support member 25 or the representational figure 130
mounted on the support member 25 so as to rotate the support member
25 relative to the base 10, the game related indicia 140 moves with
the support member 25 relative to the index indicator 260 and the
base 10. When the support member 25 and the game related indicia
140 come to rest relative to the base 10 and the index indicator
arrow 260, that section 150, 160 of the game indicia 140 which is
registered with the index indicator 260 can be selected as the
attack parameter. As described herein below, the selection of the
attack parameter can be used by the user when playing a game using
one or more of the game pieces 20.
[0035] Although the game piece 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes
two sections 150, 160 corresponding to attack parameters
"Thundershock" and "Miss," it is understood that the game indicia
may include more than two sections and that the same attack
parameter may be represented by more than one section of the game
indicia. Thus, for example, game indicia may include two sections
representing actions such as "Mow Down," "Earthquake," a section
representing a capability such as "Dodge," and two sections
representing an action such as "Miss" separated by one of the other
sections.
[0036] Some attack parameters may also include a predetermined
value assigned or corresponding thereto. For example, the
predetermined value may represent a damage value or a defense value
corresponding to an attack parameter representing an action.
Moreover, the game indicia may include other parameters such as a
moving value for the piece 20 representing an allowable number of
spaces or a maximum distance that the piece 20 is can move in one
turn.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of one of the
embodiments of the retaining member 30 of the base 10. The
retaining member 30 may be formed from similar molded materials as
the base member 10a, including, but not limited to, molded ABS
material. In this embodiment, the retaining member 30 has a ring
shape and includes an inner ring portion 180 having an inner
diameter which, as described above, is smaller than the outer
diameter of the outer lip 120 of the support member 25. In certain
configurations, the retaining member 30 also includes an outer
skirt portion 190 extending outwardly and downwardly from an outer
edge of the inner ring 180. A lower surface of the outer skirt
portion 190 of the retaining member 30 abuts the upper surface of
the base member 10a when the retaining member 30 is engaged with
the base member 10a.
[0038] In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the
periphery of the outer skirt 190 is interrupted by a plurality of
retaining fingers 200 spaced about the circumference of the
retaining member 30. As can be appreciated, the number of the
retaining fingers 200 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4 and
may vary depending on the size and the desired construction of the
game piece 20. In addition, the retaining fingers 200 may be
equally spaced about the retaining member's circumference or may be
provided at varying intervals. In the illustrative configuration
shown in FIG. 4, each of the retaining fingers 200 is formed
integrally with the retaining member 30 to have a wall 201
projecting downwardly from the inner ring 180 to an outwardly
projecting portion 202.
[0039] As discussed above, each of the retaining fingers 200 is
formed and positioned so as to engage with a respective slot or
recess 220 formed in the base member 10a. FIG. 5 illustrates a
perspective view of base member 10a which is adapted to engage with
the retaining member 30 of FIG. 4. In particular, FIG. 5 shows a
detailed view of a bottom surface of the base member 10a. As
illustratively shown, the base member 10a includes a plurality of
slots 220, each of which includes the first portion 230 and the
second portion 240. The first portion 230 has a greater width than
the second portion 240 and is sized so as to allow one of the
retaining fingers 200 to pass therethrough. The second portion 240
is sized so that the width of the outwardly projecting portion 202
of the retaining finger 200 is greater than the second portion
240.
[0040] In certain embodiments, the second portion 240 is formed by
an inwardly projecting flange 250, an upper surface of which is
co-extensive with the upper surface of the base member 10a. The
thickness or height of the flange 250 is smaller than the height or
thickness of the base member 10a, thus forming a notch or an
indentation along the length of the flange 250.
[0041] When the retaining member 30 illustrated in FIG. 4 is used
together with the base member 10a shown in FIG. 5, each of the
retaining fingers 200 is first inserted into the first portion 230
of the respective slot or recess 220 in the base member 10a. The
retaining member 30 is then rotated relative to the base member 10a
so that each of the retaining fingers 200 slides into the second
portion 240 of the respective slot or recess 220 in the base member
10a. In this way, the outwardly projecting portion 202 of each
retaining finger 220 is captured by the respective flange 250
forming the second slot portion 240 such that an upper surface of
each outwardly projecting portion 202 abuts the respective flange
250. The narrower width of the second portion 240 prevents the
retaining finger 220 from disengaging from the base member 10a.
Moreover, due to the smaller thickness of the flange 250 relative
to the thickness of the base member 10a, the outer portion 202 of
the retaining finger can be housed in the notch or indentation
formed along the length of the flange 250. This illustrative
configuration of the flange 250 prevents the outer portion 202 of
the retaining finger 200 captured by the flange 250 from protruding
outwardly from the bottom surface of the base member 10a, so that
the bottom surface of the base member 10a is leveled when the game
piece 20 is in the assembled state.
[0042] FIGS. 6 and 7 schematically illustrate another embodiment of
the retaining member 32 and the base member 10b. In certain
embodiments, the retaining member 32 has a ring shape and includes
an inner ring portion 182 and an outer wall portion 192 extending
downwardly from an outer edge of the inner ring portion 182. With
reference to FIG. 7, the inner diameter of the inner ring portion
182 is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer lip 120 of the
support member 25, so that in an assembled state, the outer lip 120
is partially covered by the ring portion 182 of the retaining
member 32. The outer diameter of the inner ring portion 182 is
slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer lip 120 so as
to allow the support member 25 to freely rotate relative to the
retaining member 32. In certain embodiments, the base member 10b is
provided with a plurality of slightly raised, arcuate segments 262
on its upper surface spaced a small distance from the lateral edge
of base member 10b. The distance of the arcuate segments from the
lateral edge of the base member 10b is selected so that an upper
edge of each of arcuate segments 262 opposes a lower surface of the
outer lip 120 of the support member 25. Accordingly, lateral forces
exerted by a player on the retaining member 32 will be absorbed by
the arcuate segments 262 without resulting in a permanent
deformation of the support member 25 that causes the surface of
outer lip 120 to come in contact with the surface of the base
member 10b when the support member 25 spins on the base member 10b.
The arcuate segments 262 also serve as guides for mounting the
retaining member 32 on the base member 10b.
[0043] As illustratively shown in FIG. 6, in certain embodiments,
the retaining member 32 includes a plurality of retaining fingers
200a formed at the lower periphery of the outer wall portion 192.
In particular, the lower periphery of the outer wall portion 192 is
interrupted by the retaining fingers 200a spaced about the
circumference of the retaining member, wherein each of the
retaining fingers 200a includes a wall 203 projecting downwardly
from the lower periphery of the outer wall portion 192 and an
inwardly projecting portion 204. As discussed above with respect to
FIG. 4, the number of, and the intervals between, the retaining
fingers 200a may vary.
[0044] As also illustratively shown in FIG. 6, in certain
embodiments, the base member 10b adapted to engage with the
retaining member 32 also shown in FIG. 6 includes a plurality of
recesses 222 formed along the outer periphery of the base member
10b. Each of the recesses 222 is formed and positioned so as to
engage with the respective retaining finger 200a formed on the
retaining member 32. As illustrated in FIG. 6, each recess 222
extends inwardly from the outer periphery of the base member 10b
and includes a first portion 232 and a second portion 242. The
distance by which the first portion 232 extends inwardly from the
outer periphery of the base member 10a is greater than the distance
of the inward extension of the second portion 242, so that the
width of the first portion 232 is greater than the width of the
second portion 242. Particularly, the width of the first portion
232 is such that the inwardly projecting portion 204 of the
respective retaining finger 200a can be accommodated thereby and is
allowed to pass therethrough. The second portion 242 is sized so
that it captures and engages with the inwardly projecting portion
204 of the retaining finger 200a.
[0045] In certain embodiments, the second portion 242 of each
recess 222 is formed by an outwardly projecting flange 252 having
its upper surface co-extensive with the upper surface of the base
member 10b. The thickness or height of the flange 252 is smaller
than the thickness or height of the base member 10b, forming a
notch or an indentation along the length of a lower surface of the
flange 252.
[0046] When the retaining member 32 and the base member 10b
illustrated in FIG. 6 are used together, the base member 10b is
positioned relative to the retaining member 32 so that each of the
retaining fingers 200a is inserted into the first portion 232 of
the respective recess 222 in the base member 10b. The retaining
member 32 is then rotated relative to the base member 10b so that
each of the retaining fingers 200 is captured by the second portion
242 of the respective recess.
[0047] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of
the retaining member 32 and the base member 10b of FIG. 6 engaged
with one another so as to capture the support member 25
therebetween. The configuration of the support member 25 shown in
FIG. 7 is substantially similar to the configuration of the support
member 25 described herein above with respect to FIGS. 1-3. As can
be seen in FIG. 7, the inner ring portion 182 of the retaining
member 32 captures the outer lip 120 of the support member 25 so
that at least a portion of a lower surface of the inner ring
portion 182 is disposed in an adjoining relationship with the upper
surface of the outer lip 120. The cross-sectional view in FIG. 7
also shows the retaining finger 200a (see also FIG. 6) extending
downwardly from the wall portion 192 of the retaining member 32 to
the inwardly projecting portion 204. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the
inwardly projecting portion 204 abuts the upper surface of the
outwardly projecting flange 252 of the base member 10b. The flange
252 thus prevents the retaining member 32 from disengaging from the
base member 10b.
[0048] In certain embodiments, the outwardly projecting flange 252
may also include a locking projection 254 on a surface which comes
into contact with the respective retaining finger 200a. FIG. 8
shows an enlarged view of the recess 222 circled as "A" in FIG. 6,
and illustrates an example of the locking projection 254 formed on
an outwardly facing surface of the flange 252. In other
embodiments, the projection 254 may be formed on the lower surface
of the flange 252. As shown, the locking projection 254 has a
rounded shape so as to permit the respective retaining finger 200a
to be passed over it when the support member 32 is rotated relative
to the base member 10b. The locking projection 254 functions to
increase the resistance or friction between the abutting surfaces
of the flange 252 and the respective retaining finger 200a when the
retaining member 32 is engaged with the base member 10b.
[0049] In certain embodiments, each of the retaining fingers 200a
includes an indentation sized so as to accommodate the locking
projection 254 and located on a predetermined surface of the
retaining finger 200a and at position so as to align with the
locking projection 254 when the retaining member 32 is engaged with
the base member 10b. For example, each of the retaining fingers
200a may include an indentation on an inner surface of the wall
portion 203 to accommodate the locking projection 254 shown in FIG.
8. In the alternative, the indentation may be located on an upper
surface of the inwardly projecting portion 204 of the retaining
finger 200a to accommodate the locking projection 254 located on
the lower surface of the flange 252. While a rounded locking
projection 254 is illustrated in FIG. 8, in certain embodiments
this is replaced by a locking projection having a square or
rectangular cross section or other cross-sectional shape.
[0050] In other embodiments, the flange 252 includes an indentation
sized so as to accommodate the locking projection 254 formed on a
predetermined surface of the retaining finger 200a. In certain
illustrative embodiments, the locking projection 254 is formed on
an inner surface of the wall portion 203, while the indentation
adapted to accommodate the locking projection 254 is located on the
outwardly facing surface of the flange 252. In the alternative, the
locking projection 254 may be located on an upper surface of the
inwardly projecting portion 204 of the retaining finger 200a and is
accommodated by the indentation located on the lower surface of the
flange 252.
[0051] The shape of the locking projection 254 may vary and is
preferably curved so as to allow the retaining finger to pass over
the flange.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 7, in certain embodiments the base
member 10b includes a raised platform 11 surrounding the post 10b
formed on the upper surface of the base member 10b. In an assembled
state illustrated in FIG. 7, this raised platform 11 supports the
lowermost edge 24 of the bushing 22. In the illustrative
configuration shown in FIG. 7, the length of the bushing 22 is such
that the lowermost edge 24 does not extend beyond a lowermost
surface of the medial ring portion 110, i.e. a lowermost edge of
the outer lip 120. In this way, when the support member 25 is
placed on a substantially flat surface, it is supported by at least
the lowermost edge of its outer lip 120, and not only by the
lowermost edge 24 of the bushing. In a configuration where the
length of the bushing is such that its lowermost edge 24 is aligned
with the lowermost edge of the outer lip 120, the support member 25
is supported by both the lowermost edge of the outer lip 120 and
the lowermost edge 24 of the bushing 22 when it is placed on a
substantially flat surface. Such configurations provide additional
support and balance to the support member 25 when a user displays a
representational figure (not shown for purposes of simplicity and
clarity) on the support member 25. When the support member 25 is
captured by the retaining member 32 and the base member 10b as
shown in FIG. 7, the upper surface of the medial ring portion 110,
which may include game related indicia as described herein above
with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, is preferably aligned with an upper
surface of the inner ring portion 182, which may include the index
indicator as described above. In this way, a determination as to
which attack parameter of the game related indicia is registered
with the index indicator can be easily made by the user. In
addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower surface of the outer lip
120 of the support member 25 is raised above the upper surface of
the base member 10b so that the medial ring portion 110 is not in
contact with the upper surface of the base member 10b. Such
illustrative construction minimizes friction between the base
member 10b and the support member 25 when the support member 25 is
rotated relative to the base member 10b. In the other illustrative
configuration, the length of the bushing 22 of the support member
25 may be adjusted so that the lowermost edge 24 of the bushing
extends beyond the lowermost surface of the medial ring 110, i.e.
lowermost surface of the outer lip 120 and such that when the
support member 25 is used with the base member 10b illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 4, the lowermost surface of the medial ring portion
110, i.e. the outer lip 120, is slightly raised above the upper
surface of the base member 10b.
[0053] Although not shown for purposes of clarity and simplicity,
the base member 10b may be formed from a transparent or translucent
material and the game indicia may be provided on the upper surface
of the medial ring portion 110 as well as on the lower surface of
the medial ring portion 110. In this way, the game indicia on the
lower surface of the medial ring portion 110 is visible through the
transparent or translucent base member 10b when the support member
25 is captured by the base 10. In certain embodiments, the game
related indicia for determining the result of attacking, as
described in more detail herein below, is provided on the upper
surface of the medial ring portion 110, while other game related
indicia, such as character information about the game piece, is
provided on the lower surface of the medial ring portion 110.
Character information may include, but is not limited to, the name
and dimensions, e.g. length and weight, of the representational
figure 130 mounted on the support member 25, and a collector number
and rarity indicia for identifying the number of the
representational figure 130 and its popularity or rarity. Character
information may also include evolution indicia to assist the
players in determining which family of representational figures the
game piece belongs to and for determining a "chain of evolution"
when the game piece is "evolved" as described in more detail herein
below.
[0054] The game piece 20 described above can be used in a game for
two or more players. In certain embodiments, the game comprises the
steps of each player selecting a predetermined number of pieces 20
from a plurality of pieces and each player executing a turn. During
a player's turn, the player has an option of at least one of moving
one of the player's selected pieces from one location to another,
and attacking one of another player's selected pieces using the
player's selected piece.
[0055] In certain embodiments, when a player executes a turn
wherein the player uses one of his or her pieces to attack one of
the other player's pieces, the result of the attack is determined
by the player performing a predetermined action using the piece he
or she used for the attack, i.e. the attacking piece, and the other
player performing the predetermined action using the piece which
was attacked, i.e. the defending piece. In certain embodiments, the
predetermined action performed by the player and the other player
comprises spinning the attacking piece and the defending piece,
respectively, by applying a force to the respective piece 20 so as
to rotate the respective piece's support member 25 relative to the
base 10. The effect of the attack will depend on the results of the
two spins.
[0056] When a player chooses the option to move one of the player's
pieces from one location to another, the piece may be moved along a
desired path of movement, such as to approach an opposing player's
piece, unless the desired path of movement of the piece is blocked
by another piece. In certain embodiments, the player's piece may be
required to be adjacent to the other player's piece in order to
attack that piece, and thus, movement of the player's piece may be
required so as to approach the other player's piece. In certain
embodiments, the distance by which a piece may be moved during the
player's turn may be limited and the maximum allowed distance per
turn may vary from one piece to another. For example, the maximum
distance by which a piece may be moved during the player's turn may
be included in the game related indicia 140 displayed on the game
piece 20.
[0057] After the player completes executing his or her turn,
another player can then execute a turn wherein this player has the
same or similar options as the first or previous player had during
his or her turn.
[0058] In certain embodiments, when the player executes a turn, the
player has an option of at least one of moving one of the player's
pieces from one location to another, and attacking one of the
opposing player's pieces, wherein the attacking is executed by
rotating the support member 25 relative to the base 10 of at least
one of the attacking piece and the defending piece. The effect of
the attack will depend on the result of the rotation and can be
determined by the game related indicia 140 registered with the
index indicator 260 when the support member 25 of the respective
piece 20 comes to rest.
[0059] When such rotation, or spinning, of the piece 20 is used to
determine the effect of the attack by the attacking piece, the
strength and nature of the attack will be indicated by the section
150, 160 of the game related indicia 140 that comes to rest
opposite the index indicator 260, or the pointer, following the
spinning of at least one of the attacking piece and the defending
piece. The nature and the strength of the defense of the defending
piece can be similarly indicated by the section 150, 160 of the
game related indicia 140 representing one or more attack parameters
that comes to rest opposite the index indicator 260. In an
embodiment where both the attacking piece and the defending piece
are rotated or spun to determine the effect of the attack by the
attacking piece, the strength and nature of the attack will
typically be determined by the result of the spinning of the
attacking piece and the strength and nature of the defense will be
determined by the result of the spinning of the defending piece. In
an embodiment where only one of the attacking piece and the
defending piece is rotated or spun to determine the effect of the
attack, the strength and nature of one of the attack or of the
defense will be determined by the result of such spinning, while
the strength and nature of the other of the attack or defense may
be pre-defined by an indicia on the respective piece, or by the
players or the rules of the game.
[0060] If, as a result of the predetermined action performed by one
or more players as described above, it is determined that the
defending piece suffers more damage than the attacking figure, the
defending piece is defeated or "knocked out." A defeated piece may
be permanently or temporarily removed from the game. The amount of
damage suffered by each piece due to the attack is determined by
the number of points assigned to the attack by each piece's attack.
In certain embodiments, a player's piece may also be defeated and
removed from the game if it is surrounded by the opponent's pieces
so as to prevent the player from moving that piece from one
location to another.
[0061] As described above, in some embodiments the game related
indicia 140 of the game piece 20 comprises one or more attack
parameters. In certain embodiments, one or more of the attack
parameters may represent a condition which allows the piece with
such attack parameter to disable an opponent's game piece without
defeating the opponent's piece, when such attack parameter is
selected, e.g. by spinning. In particular, the nature of the
disability represented by the condition attack parameter can be
indicated by one or more sections 150, 160 of the game related
indicia 140, and the condition attack parameter is selected when
the section representing such parameter comes to rest opposite the
index indicator after spinning the piece. The condition attack
parameters may include, but are not limited to, "asleep," "burned,"
"confused," "frozen," "paralyze," "wait" and "poisoned," and the
effect of the disability attack parameters may vary but can include
an inability or a reduced ability of the affected piece to attack
or defend on a subsequent turn. For example, a piece which is
"asleep," "wait" or "frozen" may be unable to attack and/or move
from one location to another, while a piece which is "paralyzed,"
"burned" or "poisoned" may have reduced attacking capabilities. In
another example, if a piece is affected by a "confused" condition,
a different attack parameter may be selected than the parameter
resting opposite the index indicator after spinning the affected
piece. A piece disabled by another piece as a result of an attack
can be marked or labeled, such as by placing a collar or other form
of indicia around the disabled piece indicating the nature of the
disability or condition.
[0062] In this illustrative embodiment, the method of playing a
game for two or more players comprises steps of each player
selecting a predetermined number of first character items from a
plurality of first character items and at least one second
character item from a plurality of second character items, each
player selecting game items including a predetermined number of
second character game items comprising instructions for use with
the second character items, and each player executing a turn,
wherein the player has one of a first option and a second option.
In some embodiments, each of the game items for use with the second
character items may be assigned a point value and the maximum
number of such game items that can be selected by each player may
depend on a total maximum allowable point value of the second
character game items selected by each user.
[0063] In this embodiment, the first option for executing the
player's turn comprises at least one of moving one of the player's
selected first character items from one location to another and
attacking one of another player's selected first character items
using the player's selected first character item. The first option
may be performed in a similar fashion as in other embodiments
described above. The second option comprises using the player's
selected second character item with one of the player's selected
game items for use with the second character item, and executing
instructions on the game item. The first and second character items
may be in the form of one or more of trading cards, game pieces as
described above, or any other suitable form. In certain
embodiments, the first character items represent a variety of
playing characters, while the second character items represent
trainer or instructor characters. The characteristics and
capabilities of the first character items are different from those
of the second character items. For example, in some embodiments,
the first character items may be moved and used to attack other
character items, while the second character items are stationary
and may be used only together with the game item that provides
instructions for use of the second character item. The game items
for use with the second character items may be in the form of
trading cards or any other suitable form. These game items include
game items which may be used with any of the second character items
and game items which may be used only with one or more designated
second character items.
[0064] In certain embodiments, the method of playing a game may
comprise a step of the player executing a turn, wherein the player
has an option of performing a predetermined action using the
player's second character item to determine whether the game item
for use with the second character item is activated, and if the
game item is activated, executing instructions provided on the
activated game item. If the game item is not activated, the
player's turn ends and another player has a chance to execute a
turn wherein another player has the same or similar options as the
first or previous player during that player's turn.
[0065] In an embodiment where the second character item is in the
form of a game piece, the predetermined action to determine whether
the game item is activated may comprise spinning the second
character piece by causing the support member of the piece to
rotate with respect to its base. In this illustrative case, the
game related indicia of the second character piece includes at
least two parameters, wherein a first parameter indicates a success
in activating the game item and a second parameter indicates a
failure in activating the second character item. Whether or not the
second character game item is activated is dependent on the
position of the game related indicia when the support member stops
rotating with respect to the base of the second character piece. In
particular, the parameter which rests opposite the index indicator
when the support member stops rotating determines whether the game
item is activated. If the game item is activated, the player
executes instructions indicated on the game item and disposes of
the game item after it has been used. In certain embodiments, the
game item may be marked such as by marking the game item or by
changing the position of the game item while the game item is in
use.
[0066] FIG. 9 shows an illustrative example of the second character
game piece 500. As illustratively shown in FIG. 9, the construction
of the second character game piece 500 is similar to the
construction of the game piece 20 shown in FIG. 2 or FIGS. 6-8, and
therefore, detailed description of the same features is omitted. As
shown, the second character game piece 500 includes a support
member 525 and a base 510. The base 510 includes a base member 510a
and a retaining member 530 adapted to engage with the base member
510a so as to capture the support member 525 and to allow the
support member 525 to freely rotate with respect to the base 510.
The support member 525 supports a representational figure 532
representing the second character. The game piece 500 also includes
an index indicator 562 and game related indicia 540 which includes
a first section 550 representing success (in this case labeled
"Success") in activating a game item for use with the piece 500 and
a second section 560 representing failure (in this case labeled
"Miss") in activating the game item. In this illustrative
embodiment, the game related indicia 540 is in a form of a sticker
affixed to the support member 525 and the index indicator 562 is in
the form of an arrow or a pointer provided on the retaining member
530 of the base 510. As described above, the piece 500 is spun by
rotating the support member 525 with respect to the base 510 so as
to cause the game related indicia 540 to rotate with respect to the
index indicator 562. When the support member 525 comes to a stop
after being rotated, that section 550, 560 which is registered
with, or opposite, the index indicator 562 is selected to represent
the determination as to whether the game item is activated.
[0067] In certain embodiments, the method of playing a game for two
or more players further includes a step of using a deciding
character, which may be represented by a deciding piece, such as a
judge piece. The deciding character may be used to decide a variety
of issues, such as which player takes the first turn or to settle a
disagreement or a challenge between two or more players.
[0068] In an illustrative embodiment, the deciding character piece
has a similar construction as the game piece 20 described above and
includes game related indicia representing at least a first
deciding option and a second deciding option. The first and second
deciding options may be shown as different color sections, such as
a dark section and a light section. One way of using the deciding
piece is to have one player spin the deciding piece to cause the
support member of the deciding piece to rotate relative to the
base, while the other player selects a section of the game related
indicia to represent his or her position or side. For example, to
determine which player takes the first turn, one player can spin
the deciding piece while the other player can select the section of
the game related indicia, and if, when the deciding piece comes to
rest, the index indicator points to the section selected by the
player, the selecting player takes the first turn. Otherwise, the
spinning player takes the first turn. In another example, the
deciding piece may also be used to determine whether a player
should spin the player's character piece again if a previous spin
of the player's character piece lasted less than a predetermined
number of seconds or made less than a predetermined number of
rotations.
[0069] An illustrative example of a game for two or more players
which employs the game pieces 20, 500, the steps described above
and a method of playing the same will now be described. In an
illustrative embodiment, the game comprises a plurality of game
pieces, each of which represents a character and a field of play.
In playing the game, each player selects a predetermined number of
game pieces and has an option of using one or more of his or her
selected game pieces during his or her turn to attack one or more
game pieces of an opposing player. The object of the game can be
one of the following: defeating all of opposing player's game
pieces and/or disabling all of the opposing player's game pieces so
that the opposing player is unable to execute a turn, or receiving
a predetermined number of points and/or reaching a predetermined
goal or location on the field of play.
[0070] In certain embodiments, the field of play includes a play
area in which the players can move the game pieces from one
location to another and can attack opposing players' game pieces.
The field of play may also include peripheral areas which may be
used to provide spaces for each player's selected game pieces. In
certain embodiments, the field of play also includes a holding area
where defeated game pieces are placed. In particular, the holding
area may have a limited capacity and, if the holding area has
reached its maximum capacity, one of the game pieces in the holding
area is removed therefrom before another defeated game piece is
placed into this area. The holding area may be located in one or
more of the peripheral areas of the field of play.
[0071] In certain embodiments the field of play is in a form of a
playmat. In the alternative, the field of play is in the form of a
game board. An illustrative example of a playmat 300 for a
two-player game is shown in FIG. 10. As shown, the playmat 300
includes a play area 302 marked as "Field" and a peripheral area
for each of the players. In this case, the playmat 300 includes a
first peripheral area 400a that can be used by one of the players
and a second peripheral area 400b which can be used by the other
player. The play area 302 includes a plurality of field positions
320 joined by a plurality of pathways 310. The field positions 320
represent permissible stationary positions for the game pieces 20
in the play area 302. The pathways 310 represent permissible paths
for moving the game pieces from one field position 320 to
another.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 10, the field positions 320 may include
special types of field positions 320, including entry positions
330a, 330b and goal positions 340a, 340b. Entry positions 330a,
330b represent positions, or entry points, on the play area 302 at
which a player may have his or her game pieces 20, or character
pieces, enter the play area 302. In this illustrative example, two
entry positions 330a are provided adjacent the first peripheral
area 400a and two entry positions 330b are provided adjacent the
second peripheral area 400b. The goal positions 340a, 340b
represent the position that one of the opposing player's character
items or pieces has to reach in order to win the game. The goal
position 340a is provided adjacent the first peripheral area 400a
at a location between the entry positions 330a and represents the
goal position that a player starting from the peripheral area 400b
needs to reach using one of his or her character pieces in order to
win the game. The goal position 340b is provided adjacent the
second peripheral area 400b at a location between the entry
positions 330b and represents the goal position that the other
player starting from the peripheral area 400a needs to reach using
one of his or her character pieces. It is understood that the
locations of the entry positions 330a, 330b and of the goal
positions 340a, 340b on the play area 302 are not limited to those
shown in FIG. 10 and may vary depending on the design of the play
area 302. It is also understood that the arrangement of the
pathways 310 between the field positions 320 may also vary and is
not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. 10.
[0073] As also illustratively shown in FIG. 10, each peripheral
area 400a, 400b of the field of play 300 includes a starting
section 410a, 410b labeled as "Bench" in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 shows a
more detailed view of one of the peripheral areas 400a of the field
of play 300.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 10, each starting section 410a, 410b is
designed to hold the character items or game pieces 20 selected by
the respective player. The starting section 410a, 410b may have a
limited capacity. For example, each starting section 410a, 410b
shown in FIG. 10 has the capacity to hold a maximum of six pieces
20. As described in more detail herein below, each player may move
one of his or her pieces from the player's respective starting
section 410a, 410b to the respective entry position 330a, 330b,
when executing his or her turn in the game, so that the piece 20
enters the play area 302.
[0075] Each of the peripheral areas 400a, 400b may include a
separate area for placing or holding the second character item,
such as a trainer piece 500. As shown in FIG. 10, each peripheral
area 400a, 400b includes a trainer space 420a, 420b for
accommodating the respective player's trainer piece 500. As
discussed above, the trainer piece 500 can be used in the game
together with a game item which includes instructions for its use
with the trainer piece 500. In this illustrative embodiment, the
game items for use with the trainer pieces 500 comprise a plurality
of cards, also referred to as trainer cards, each of which provides
instructions for using the trainer piece.
[0076] As mentioned above, each of the peripheral areas 400a, 400b
may also include a holding area 430a, 430b having a limited
capacity for holding defeated or removed character pieces 20. As
shown, each peripheral area 400a, 400b includes a holding area
430a, 430b, labeled as "Pokemon Center," which includes two spaces
432a, 434a, 432b, 434b for accommodating a maximum of two defeated
character pieces. When a player's piece is defeated, it is first
placed in the first space 432a, 432b of the player's respective
holding area 430a, 430b. If another piece is already present in the
first space 432a, 432b, that piece is moved into the second space
434a, 434b of the player's respective holding area 430a, 430b. If,
when a player's piece is defeated, the player's respective holding
area 430a, 430b is already holding two defeated pieces, the piece
which is in the second space 434a, 434b is removed from the holding
area 430a, 430b and returned to the player's respective starting
area 410a, 410b. In this case, the piece which is located in the
first space 432a, 432b is moved into the respective second space
434a, 434b, so that the newly defeated piece can be placed in the
respective first space 432a, 432b of the holding area 430a,
430b.
[0077] Although not shown for purposes of simplicity and clarity in
FIGS. 10 and 11, the peripheral areas 400a, 400b may be designed so
as to also include a space for accommodating each of the player's
trainer cards. In some embodiments, the field of play 300 also
includes a separate area for accommodating the deciding piece 600,
such as the judge piece.
[0078] An illustrative method of playing a game using the
above-described pieces 20, 500, 600, game items and playmat 300
will now be described. In this illustrative case, the game is
played by two users or players, wherein a first player uses the
first peripheral area 400a and a second player uses the second
peripheral area 400b. Before taking turns, each of the players
chooses a predetermined number of game pieces 20 representing the
player's characters and a second character piece 500 representing
the trainer piece. In this illustrative case, the maximum number of
game pieces 20 that each player can choose is six pieces 20
corresponding to the capacity of the starting area 410a, 410b for
each player. Each player then places his or her selected character
pieces 20 on the spaces provided in his or her starting area 410a,
410b and also places his or her trainer piece 500 on the respective
trainer space 420a, 420b. In certain embodiments of the invention,
each player's game pieces 20 may be identified by a predetermined
indicia or color. For example, if game pieces 20 shown in FIGS. 1-9
are used by the players, each player's game pieces 20 can be
identified by a predetermined color of the base 10 of each of the
game pieces 20. That is, the base 10 of one player's game pieces 20
has a different color than the base 10 of the other players' game
pieces 20. Thus, the base 10 of each game piece 20 used by a user
should have the same color as the base 10 of each of the other game
pieces 20 used by that user.
[0079] Each of the players also selects game items, including a
predetermined number of trainer cards. The maximum allowable number
of trainer cards per player may also depend on the point value of
the cards selected by each player. For example, the trainer cards
may include trainer cards having a point value of 50 and trainer
cards having a point value of 100, and each player may be allowed
to select trainer cards totaling a maximum of 300 points.
[0080] In certain embodiments, one or more of a player's character
pieces may be evolved or exchanged for a character piece having
more advanced or superior attack parameters, e.g. attack parameters
having higher strength values. In such embodiments, each player is
allowed to select up to three "evolved" character pieces and place
them on a side of the field of play 300. In the alternative, a
marker item may be used to show that a character piece is
"evolved." The player's selected "evolved" character pieces should
correspond to the player's selected character pieces, such that
each of the selected "evolved" character pieces is from the same
"chain of evolution" as at least one of the selected character
pieces. In certain embodiments, a player's character piece can be
evolved if that piece defeats one of opponent's character pieces in
a battle.
[0081] In certain embodiments, evolution of a character piece
affects the attack parameters of that piece. For example, if a
character piece is evolved after defeating one of the opposing
character pieces, the strength value for each of the attack
parameters of the evolved piece is increased by 10 points, and if
this character piece is evolved again later in the game, then the
strength value of each attack parameter is again increased by 10
points.
[0082] After the players select their respective character pieces,
trainer pieces and game items, the game is played by each player
taking a turn. The object of the game is to reach the opposing
player's goal position 340a, 340b, which is adjacent to the
opposing player's peripheral area 400a, 400b. In order to determine
which player will take the first turn, the deciding piece, also
referred to as the judge piece 600, can be used. As discussed
above, one of the players spins the judge piece 600 by rotating its
support member with respect to its the base, while the other player
selects a section of the game related indicia on the support member
of judge piece 600. If the section selected by the other player is
registered with the index indicator on the base of the judge piece
600 when the support member stops rotating, then the selecting
player takes the first turn. If, however, the selected section is
not registered with the index indicator when the support member
stops rotating, then the spinning player takes the first turn.
[0083] When a player takes a turn, the player has an option of
selecting a character piece 20 from the player's starting area
410a, 410b and moving the piece to the play area 302 via one of the
entry positions 330a, 330b adjacent that player's starting area
410a, 410b. If the player already has one or more character pieces
in the play area 302, the player may instead choose to move one of
those character pieces from one field position to another. As
discussed above, the game related indicia 140 on the game piece may
include the allowable distance, or the number of moving points,
that the piece can travel during the player's turn. The moving
points indicated on the piece being moved will determine the
maximum distance, or number of field positions 320, that the piece
may move during the player's turn. For example, if a piece has one
moving point, then it can only be moved from one field position to
an adjacent field position connected by a pathway 310. When the
player moves one of the character pieces from his or her respective
starting area 410a, 410b, the character piece being moved is
required to have at least one moving point to enter the play area
302 at the respective entry position 330a, 330b, and any moving
points remaining after the piece is placed on the entry position
can be used to move the piece further through the play area 302. In
this illustrative embodiment, a character piece 20 is not permitted
to move to a field position 320 which is already taken up by
another character piece 20 or move through a field position 320
which is taken up by another piece. Thus, for example, if an entry
position 330a, 330b is taken up by a character piece, another
character piece will not be permitted to enter the play area 302
using that entry position 330a, 330b. Such blocking of a character
piece's movement may in some cases be used to "knock out" or defeat
one of opposing player's pieces. In particular, in this
illustrative game, a character piece can be defeated, and
thereafter removed to the holding area, if it is surrounded by the
opposing player's pieces blocking it from moving in any direction.
In certain embodiments, such blocking technique may supersede a
player's movement of his or her character piece into the goal
position. In particular, if a player moves his or her character
piece into the goal position, but that character piece is
surrounded by opposing player's character pieces, then the
surrounded character piece is removed into the holding area, rather
than the player winning the game.
[0084] During his or her turn, the player may also have an option
of using one of his or her character pieces to attack one of the
opposing player's character pieces. This option may be limited by
the location of the player's pieces on the play area 302. In
particular, the player may be required to first move the character
piece before using that piece to attack an opposing player's
character piece. Moreover, in some embodiments, the player's
attacking character piece may be required to be in a field position
adjacent to the field position of the opponent's character piece
before it can attack the opponent's character piece. In certain
embodiments, however, the player may be able to use his or her
character piece to execute a long-range attack against an
opponent's character piece from predetermined distance. The maximum
allowable distance and the strength value for the long-range attack
may be provided by the game related indicia 140 on the player's
character piece 20.
[0085] When the player uses one of his or her pieces, i.e.
attacking piece, to attack the opponent's character piece, i.e.
defending piece, the player spins the attacking piece as described
above while the opponent spins the defending piece. The effect of
the attack is determined by the results of the spins. If the result
of the spin of one of the defending piece and the attacking piece
cannot be determined, such as when the index indicator registers
with a line dividing two attack parameters, the judge piece 600 may
be used to determine the result of the spin. In the alternative,
one or both players may be allowed to spin their respective pieces
again.
[0086] In certain embodiments, only the attacking piece is spun.
For example, if the player uses one of his or her character piece
for a long-range attack against one of the opponent's pieces and
the opponent's defending piece's long-range attack strength value
is zero, then only the attacking piece is spun to determine whether
the long-range attack is successful.
[0087] In certain embodiments, the type of each attack parameter on
the game related indicia of the character piece may be represented
by a color which defines priority of that attack parameter relative
to the other types of attack parameters. An attack parameter with a
higher priority will defeat an attack parameter with a lower
priority. In this illustrative example, the attack parameters are
represented by four different colors, having priorities from the
highest to the lowest as follows: a first color represents an
attack parameter having the highest priority and supersedes all
other types of attack parameters, a second color represents a
condition attack parameter with a predetermined strength value
which has a higher priority than, and supersedes, an attack
parameter of a third color, but a lower priority than the attack
parameter represented by the first color, a third color represents
an ordinary attack parameter having a predetermined strength value,
and a fourth color represents a missed attack, i.e. "miss," having
the lowest priority.
[0088] If the spinning of the attacking and the defending pieces
results in two ordinary attack parameters of the third color being
selected, then the piece with a higher strength value for the
selected attack parameter wins the battle, and the piece which has
a lower strength value for the selected parameter is defeated.
Similarly, if the spinning of the pieces results in two attack
parameters of the second color being selected, then the piece which
has a higher strength value for the selected attack parameter wins
the battle. If the spinning of the attacking and defending pieces
results in the parameter of the first color being selected on the
attacking piece and the parameter of the second or third color
being selected on the defending piece, then neither piece is
affected as a result of the attack unless the first color includes
additional instructions, which then result. If the strength values
of both selected parameters are the same, then the result of the
attack is a draw. If the spinning of the attacking piece and the
defending piece results in two attack parameters of the first color
being selected, then the result of the attack is a draw. Finally,
if both of the selected attack parameters are of the fourth color,
then the result of the attack is a draw. When the result of the
attack is a draw, then neither the attacking piece nor the
defending piece is affected or damaged.
[0089] In certain embodiments, the attack parameter having the
second color may include instructions for one or more actions to be
performed by the player of the game piece. If the spinning of the
attacking figure results in the parameter of the second color being
selected and the spinning of the defending figure results in the
parameter of the third color or the fourth color being selected,
then the player of the attacking figure must perform as instructed
by the selected attack parameter of the second color. If the
spinning results in the parameter of the second color being
selected on the defending figure and the parameter of the third or
fourth color being selected on the attacking figure, then the
player of the defending figure must perform whatever is instructed
by the parameter of the selected second color parameter. If the
spinning results in the parameter of the second color being
selected on both the attacking figure and the defending figure,
then the player whose selected parameter has a higher strength
value must perform as instructed by the selected parameter of the
second color.
[0090] In certain embodiments, the attack parameter of the third
color may also include one or more conditions and/or instructions
for affecting the one or more conditions in addition to the
strength value. For example, game related indicia on a game piece
may include an attack parameter of the third color which has a
predetermined strength value of the attack and instructions that if
the game piece is defeated, then the defending game piece becomes
affected by a predetermined condition. It is understood that the
instructions and the conditions may vary from one game piece to
another.
[0091] Although this illustrative example describes four colors as
defining the priorities of attack parameters, it is understood that
a different number of colors may be used. Also, indicia other than
colors can be used to define the priorities of attack parameters.
Moreover, special indicia may be used to represent an attack
parameter having a varying priority. In this example, a fifth color
is used as the special indicia for attack parameters which have a
higher priority than the attack parameters of the second color, but
are treated as ordinary attack parameters, i.e. of the third color,
relative to all other types of attack parameters.
[0092] As described above, attack parameters indicated by the game
related indicia 140 on the character pieces 20 may include one or
more attack parameters representing a condition. Such condition
attack parameters, when selected as a result of spinning the
respective piece, are used to disable the opponent's character
piece without defeating the opponent's piece. The disability of an
affected character piece may be indicated by condition indicia
which represents the condition by which the character piece is
affected. Such condition indicia may be in the form of a collar
which indicates the name of the condition and is placed on or
around the affected piece.
[0093] In this illustrative example, the condition attack
parameters include "asleep," "burned," "confused," "frozen,"
"paralyze" and "poisoned" conditions, each of which has a different
disabling effect on the character piece affected thereby. In this
illustrative example, a character piece can be affected by only one
condition at any particular time, so that a subsequent condition
replaces any condition which already affects the character piece.
When a character piece affected by a condition is defeated and
placed into the holding area, that character piece continues to be
affected by the condition until it is removed from the holding area
and is moved to the starting area, as described in more detail
below. Moreover, if a character affected by a condition is evolved
as described above, the condition is removed from the "evolved"
character.
[0094] The specific conditions that can affect a character piece in
certain embodiments will now be described. If a character piece is
affected by the condition "asleep," such character piece cannot
move or attack during the respective player's turn, and cannot be
used for blocking movement of other character pieces in the play
area 302 or to surround an opponent's character piece. The "asleep"
condition can be removed by the player moving another one of his
character pieces to come in contact with the piece affected by the
"asleep" condition, in which case, the player's turn ends
immediately after this condition is removed. The "asleep" condition
is also removed from the affected character piece when the opposing
player uses one of his or her pieces to attack the affected
character piece. The condition "burned" has a negative effect on
the attack abilities of the affected character piece. In
particular, before the "burned" character piece is spun so as to
select an attack parameter, one of the attack parameters is
replaced with a "Miss" attack parameter which has no effect on the
opposing character. In addition, the strength value of any attack
parameter selected as a result of the spinning of the "burned"
character piece is reduced by a predetermined number of points,
e.g. 10 points. If a character piece is affected by a "confused"
condition, then a different attack parameter than the attack
parameter registered with the index indicator, is selected as the
result of spinning of the affected piece. For example, if a first
attack parameter is registered with the index indicator when the
"confused" character piece comes to a stop, the player has to move
the game related indicia of the "confused" piece in a predetermined
direction so that an adjacent attack parameter is selected as the
result of the spin instead of the first attack parameter. If a
character piece is affected by the "frozen" condition, then its
attacking ability is affected so that the selected attack parameter
is always a "miss" attack parameter. If a character piece is
affected by the "paralyze" or the "poisoned" condition, then its
attacking ability is affected so that the strength value of any
attack parameter selected as a result of the spinning is reduced by
a predetermined number of points, e.g. 20 points if a piece is
"poisoned." In other embodiments, when a character piece is
affected by the "paralyze" condition, one of the attack parameters
is pre-selected by the player to be replaced with a "Miss" attack
parameter which has no effect on the opposing character.
[0095] Although this illustrative example provides six conditions
that can be represented by the attack parameters, it is understood
that a greater or a smaller number of conditions can be used in the
game. In addition, the effects and names of the conditions may vary
depending on the rules and the design of the game. Thus, for
example, the "asleep" condition may also be referred to as a "wait"
condition. In certain embodiments, the attack parameters of a game
piece may include a condition that has an effect of increasing or
decreasing the strength value of one or more attack parameters of
the game piece or of the opponent's game piece.
[0096] In certain embodiments, some of the character pieces may
also possess one or more special abilities which can be represented
by the game related indicia. For example, a special ability of a
character piece may be represented by a border on the label 140
affixed to the support member 25 of the piece 20 and a description
of the special ability within this border. In this illustrative
example, if a piece possesses a special ability, this special
ability will have priority over and will supersede any attack
parameters selected during the attack.
[0097] In certain embodiments, the strength value of the selected
parameter as a result of spinning the game piece may be increased
if a predetermined requirement is satisfied after performing an
additional predetermined action. In this illustrative example, the
additional predetermined action is performing a further spin of the
game piece and the predetermined requirement is selecting the same
attack parameter as in the previous spin after performing the
further spin. Namely, if the spinning of the game piece results in
a first attack parameter being selected, then the strength value of
the first attack parameter if increased if a further spinning of
the game piece is performed and results in the same first attack
parameter being selected. It is understood that in some
embodiments, the additional predetermined action may be repeated so
as to further increase the strength value of the selected attack
parameter until the predetermined requirement for increasing the
strength value is not satisfied.
[0098] If it is determined based on the spin results that one of
the attacking piece and the defending piece has lost the battle,
this defeated piece is temporarily removed from the game and is
placed into the holding area 430a, 430b of its player. As described
above, the holding area has a limited capacity and when the maximum
capacity of the holding area is reached, one character piece must
be removed from the holding area before a newly defeated piece is
placed in this area. When a player removes a piece from the holding
area, that piece is placed in the player's starting area. However,
in some embodiments, this piece may not be immediately used by the
player during his or her turn. For example, in this illustrative
case, the player is not permitted to move any piece placed into the
starting area from the holding area during the player's turn
immediately following the piece's removal from the holding
area.
[0099] In this illustrative example, instead of moving one of the
character pieces or attacking the opposing player's piece, the
player also has an option to use one of the player's selected
trainer cards with the player's trainer piece 500 during his or her
turn. If the player chooses to use one of the selected trainer
cards, the player has to first notify the opposing player of the
selected trainer card that the player intends to use and attempt to
activate the selected trainer card before using it with the trainer
piece 500. As discussed above, to activate the trainer card, the
player may spin his or her trainer piece 500 so that the game
indicia on the support member is rotated with respect to the index
indicator on the base. If a parameter representing failure to
activate the trainer card is registered with the index indicator
when the support member comes to rest, then the selected trainer
card is discarded and the player's turn ends. If a parameter
representing successful activation of the trainer card is
registered with the index indicator when the support member comes
to rest, then the player has activated and may use the trainer card
with the trainer piece 500. The trainer card is used by performing
all of the instructions indicated on the trainer card. In certain
embodiments, if the instructions on the trainer card are in
conflict with a special ability of a character piece, then the
trainer card instructions will supersede the special ability. To
show that the trainer card is being used, the position of the
trainer card may be changed or a marker may be placed on the
trainer card. For example, trainer cards in use may be placed face
down to indicate that they are being used. After the trainer card
is used, it is removed from the game.
[0100] A player's turn ends after the player uses the trainer card,
or after it is determined that the trainer card is not activated.
If instead of using the trainer card with the trainer piece 500,
the player selects at least one of moving one of the player's
character pieces and attacking the opposing player's piece, the
player's turn ends when this option, i.e. the moving and/or the
attack, is completed. After the player's turn ends, the opposing
player's turn begins, during which the opposing player has the same
or similar options as the player.
[0101] The rules of the illustrative game described above may be
modified by the players. For example, the game may include a "first
piece entry rule," wherein the maximum allowable moving distance,
or the moving points, of any character piece that enters the play
area 302 first is reduced by a predetermined amount, e.g. 1 point.
Moreover, during an attack, the players may be required to spin
their respective pieces for a minimum predetermined period of time,
e.g. 3 seconds, and if one or more of the pieces spins for less
than the minimum predetermined period of time, the respective
player may be required to re-spin his or her piece. Any decisions
as to whether a player should re-spin his or her character piece 20
can be decided by the judge piece 600.
[0102] The rules of the game may also be modified to limit the time
each player may spend on his or her turn, or the total amount of
time that each player may spend on his or her combined turns. In
the case where the total time of each player is limited, a chess
clock may be used to regulate the turns of each player, and after a
player's predetermined time expires, the player may be required to
remove from the game all character pieces present in his or her
respective holding area. In addition, after the expiration of the
predetermined period of time, the game may be terminated and the
players may determine the winner of the game based on the number of
character pieces each player has remaining on the field of play
300, or based on the value of the total trainer cards that each
player has remaining at the end of the game, or based on the total
number of moving points that each player's character pieces have
remaining at the end of the game.
[0103] In all cases it is understood that the above-described
arrangements and methods are merely illustrative of the many
possible specific embodiments which represent applications of the
present invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements,
including use of different materials and various configurations of
components of the game pieces and the methods of playing the game,
can be readily devised in accordance with the principles of the
present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention. For example, the game and the method of playing a
game can be used with game pieces having varying constructions,
which are not limited to the construction described herein above,
or with other forms of game pieces including, but not limited to,
trading cards. Moreover, the game pieces may be employed in other
games such as sports games, e.g. baseball or football, adventure
games, auto racing games or the like, and used with other methods
of playing a game.
* * * * *