U.S. patent number 3,850,434 [Application Number 05/362,940] was granted by the patent office on 1974-11-26 for outrageous game.
Invention is credited to Laurence R. Ockenfels.
United States Patent |
3,850,434 |
Ockenfels |
November 26, 1974 |
OUTRAGEOUS GAME
Abstract
A game, laced with luck, challenging the acquisition fervor,
competitive spirit and trading shrewdness of the players is
disclosed. A three-section game board is laid out to depict three
types of sub-games playable during the game. The sub-games
associated with the first section allow them to acquire power cards
and money and ranks the players. The sub-games associated with the
second section allow the players to make various transactions to
acquire power cards and/or money from other players or the bank.
The sub-games associated with the third section allow the players
to confront one another in all-out attacks for possession of power
cards and money. Throughout the sub-games, the highest ranking
player is advantaged as to selection of games, but the ranking
player's advantage may be nullified by judicious useage of certain
of the power cards. A factor of luck is introduced by a roll of a
set of dice during some of the sub-games.
Inventors: |
Ockenfels; Laurence R. (Tempe,
AZ) |
Family
ID: |
23428135 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/362,940 |
Filed: |
May 23, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/274;
273/236 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F
3/00063 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
3/00 (20060101); A63f 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/135,13R,13A,13B,13AB,13H,134C,136GB,146 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
964,296 |
|
Jul 1964 |
|
GB |
|
456,477 |
|
Apr 1950 |
|
IT |
|
1,159,587 |
|
Feb 1958 |
|
FR |
|
Primary Examiner: Shapiro; Paul E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cahill, Sutton & Thomas
Claims
I claim:
1. A game device for a plurality of players and embodying property
acquisition sub-games, transaction sub-games and confrontation
sub-games, said game device comprising in combination:
a. a game board, said game board being divided into three playing
sections;
b. a plurality of dice for indicating one of a plurality of
combinations in response to a roll of said dice;
c. a first one of said sections comprising:
i. alpha numeric indicia representative of games determining the
initial standings of each of the players;
ii. a grid for determining the amount of property to be distributed
to a player in response to a roll of said dice, said grid
comprising a first column listing all possible rolls of said dice,
and a second column listing the numerical value of the property to
be distributed to each player corresponding to each roll of said
dice;
d. a second one of said sections comprising alpha numeric symbology
representative of a plurality of individual transaction sub-games
available to the players and an envelope defining the boundaries of
a bank for storing the property which is not in the possession of
one of the players;
e. a third one of said sections comprising alpha numeric
demarcations for identifying a plurality of confrontation sub-games
resolved by rolling said dice; and
f. a plurality of power cards having written information disposed
on each side, each of said cards providing a player with the power
to alter the course of play in accordance with the written
information; whereby, the property distributed to each of the
players in said first section, the transactions conducted in said
second section and the confrontations resolved in said third
section may be altered by use of one of said power cards.
2. The device as set forth in claim 1 further including a grid
disposed within said third section, said grid including a plurality
of rows, each of said rows including unique indicia for identifying
one of the players, a plurality of columns, each of said columns
including further unique indicia for identifying a specified roll
of said dice, and markings disposed at the intersection of each of
said rows and columns for defining a payment ratio, said grid
defining in totality one of the confrontation sub-games.
3. The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said third section
includes a plurality of lines of demarcation for segmenting said
third section into a plurality of discrete areas, said plurality of
areas defining another of the confrontation sub-games.
4. The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said third section
includes a further line of demarcation for defining the place of
play of a further one of the confrontation sub-games.
5. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said dice
includes first indicia disposed upon one face, second indicia
disposed upon each of two faces and third indicia disposed upon
each of three faces.
Description
The present invention relates to games, and more particularly, to
games having a plurality of discrete sub-games.
Games, from time immemorial, have been played by children and
adults. The most popular games have been those in which the outcome
has been based upon the combination of player skill and luck. If
one or the other predominated, the universal appeal of the game was
diminished. Similarly, games in which the mode of play was directed
along a single concept, the satisfaction derived from the game was
less than otherwise possible.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to
provide a game having several discrete modes of play.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a game having
interrelated but segregated modes of play.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a game
having an element of luck interspersed with 0 a requirement of
business acumen.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a game
directed to man's urge to accumulate wealth by clever
negotiation.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a game
having acquisition, transaction, and confrontation modes of
play.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a
game favoring the initially highest ranking player.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a game
offering the opportunity to unseat the highest ranking player.
These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof
proceeds.
The present invention may be described with greater specificity and
clarity with reference to the following figures, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a first section of the playing board of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a second section of the playing board of the
present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a third section of the playing board of the
present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement of the three sections, which
sections constitute the playing board of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates the O-1 power card.
FIG. 6 illustrates the U-2 power card.
FIG. 7 illustrates the T-3 power card.
FIG. 8 illustrates the R-4 power card.
FIG. 9 illustrates the A-5 power card.
FIG. 10 illustrates the G-6 power card.
FIG. 11 illustrates the E-7 power card.
FIG. 12 illustrates the O-8 power card.
FIG. 13 illustrates the U-9 power card.
FIG. 14 illustrates the S-10 power card.
FIG. 15 illustrates the obverse side of the power cards shown in
FIGS. 5 - 14.
FIGS. 16a - 16c illustrate the dice to be used in conjunction with
the playing board shown in FIG. 4.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a crescent-shaped section 1 of
the game board used in the present invention. The alpha-numeric
symbols O-1, U-2, and T-3 identify section 1 and are coded symbols
for the series of OUT games to be played in conjunction with
section 1. A schedule 2 is disposed central to section 1.
Schedule 2 defines the course of action to be taken by the
respective players in response to their rolls of the dice 4, 5, and
6 (shown in FIGS. 16a, 16b, and 16c). As will be explained in
further detail below, each of the dice will display one of three
possible colors, green, yellow or pink. All possible color
combinations of the three dice are listed in Column 3. Column 7
indicates either the number of points or the number of thous
corresponding to each of the possible rolls of the dice. Column 8,
defined as the card circulation number, defines the number of cards
(shown in FIGS. 5-14) to be circulated in response to each roll of
the dice. Column 9, defined as the go or stop, indicates whether or
not a player goes or stops in response to his roll of the dice.
Column 10 is a duplicate of Column 3 and lists each of the 10
possible results of rolling the dice.
FIG. 2 illustrates section 15 of the game board 11 (also see FIG.
4). The alpha-numeric symbols R-4, A-5, G-6 and E-7 identify
section 15 and are coded symbols for the series of RAGE games to be
played in conjunction with section 15. Box 16 indicates the
location at which the new cards are to be stacked. Similarly, box
17 indicates the location at which the used cards are to be
stacked. Central to section 15 there is shown as envelope 18, which
envelope is defined as the thou bank. Envelope 18 encircles three
groupings of indicia, 19, 20, and 21. Tokens, representing play
money, are stacked within the indicia. The first grouping 19 is
formed of a single pile of tokens having a value of 500 thous. The
second grouping 20 includes nine piles of tokens, each pile having
a value of 50 thous. The third grouping 21 includes ten piles of
tokens, each pile having a value of 5 thous. The total value of all
of the groupings is 1000 thous.
FIG. 3 is illustrative of section 25 of the game board 11 (see also
FIG. 4). The alpha-numeric symbols O-8, U-9, and S-10 identify
section 25 and are coded symbols for the series of OUS games to be
played in conjunction with section 25. Section 25 is divided into
three primary parts.
The Power Card Arena 26 serves as the area within which the O-8
game is played. The O-9 game, U-Bet, is played in the central part
of section 25. The part includes the necessary symbology and grid
27 for playing games in accordance with the rules of the O-9 game.
Part 27 includes a plurality or rows and columns. Rows 28, 29, 30,
31, 32 and 33 correspond to one of the players of the O-9 game.
Column 34, identified as the green area, defines the odds
corresponding to an all green roll of the dice. Column 35
corresponds to the odds for an all yellow roll of the dice. Column
36 corresponds to the odds for an all pink roll of the dice. Column
37 corresponds to the odds for a roll of the dice showing green,
yellow and pink. Columns 38 and 39 match one another and are
indicative of the players participating in the O-9 game.
Part 40, identified as the Show-Down spot, defines the area within
which the O-10 games is to be played. Part 40 is divided into four
divisions, 41, 42, 43 and 44. Division 41 corresponds to an all
green roll of the dice. Section 42 corresponds to an all yellow
roll of the dice. Section 43 corresponds to an all pink roll of the
dice. Section 44 corresponds to a green, yellow and pink roll of
the dice.
In the following description of the power cards illustrated in
FIGS. 5-14, the alpha-numeric symbology associated with each of the
cards will be used to identify the cards rather than further
numerical indicia. It is believed that such identification will
obviate confusion from possible misidentification.
The O-1 power card shown in FIG. 5 is termed the Upper-Over. This
card permits a player to increase his own score by as many points
as can be obtained by playing the U-1 game of section 1. Card O-1
is subservient to cards O-8, U-9, and S-10.
The U-2 power card shown in FIG. 6 is termed the Under-Downer. Card
U-2 permits a player to decrease another player's score by an
amount determined by playing the U-1 game associated with section
1. Card U-2 is subservient to card O-8, U-9, and S-10.
The T-3 card shown in FIG. 7 is termed the Trespasser. Card T-3
permits a player to suspend a game and begin a new game against any
other player. Card T-3 is subservient to cards O-8, U-9, and
S-10.
The R-4 power card termed the Reverser is shown in FIG. 8. Card R-4
permits a player to switch scores with an opposing player. Card R-4
is subservient to cards O-8, U-9, and S-10.
The A-5 power card, termed the Abolisher, is shown in FIG. 9. Card
A-5 permits a player to reduce another player's score to zero. Card
A-5 is subservient to cards O-8, U-9, and S-10.
The power card G-6 termed the Grabber is shown in FIG. 10. Card G-6
permits a player to freeze the scores by ending further playing in
the game in progress. Card G-6 is subservient to cards O-8, U-9,
and S-10.
The E-7 power card termed the Equalizer is shown in FIG. 11. Card
E-7 permits a player to increase his score to equal that of any
other player. Card E-7 is subservient to cards O-8, U-9, and
S-10.
The O-8 power card, termed the O.sub.1 U.sub.2 T.sub.3 R.sub.4
A.sub.5 G.sub.6 E.sub.7 R is shown in FIG. 12. Card O-8 has the
power of any of cards O-1, U-2, T-3, R-4, A-5, G-6, E-7, at the
player's option. It is subservient to cards U-9 and S-10.
The U-9 power card termed the Undoer is shown in FIG. 13. Card U-9
cancels or nullifies the effect of any other card played, except
another U-9 card or a S-10 card.
The S-10 power card termed the Superswitcher is shown in FIG. 14.
Card S-10 provides a player with two options. Under option A, the
player can reverse the power of any other card except another S-10
card. Under option B, a player can place himself into any bank game
in progress within section 15 of the playing board.
The card 45 shown in FIG. 15 represents the obverse side of each of
the cards shown in FIGS. 5 - 14. They are termed the Outrageous
Payment Cards. There are 100 Outrageous Payment Cards segregated
into 10 groups, each of which groups corresponds to one of the
power cards identified above.
Each of the dies shown in FIGS. 16a, 16b, and 16c are color-coded
in the following manner. Each face representing numbers 1, 2, and 3
is colored pink. Each face representing numbers 4 and 5 is colored
yellow, and each face representing number 6 is colored green. With
this color combination, it becomes obvious that there is a greater
probability of rolling one or more pink sides than a yellow or a
green side. Similarly, there is a greater probability of rolling a
yellow side than a green side.
The primary object of each of the players of the game is to win all
of the money, that is, 1000 thous. When one player or the bank has
amassed all of the money, the game ends.
As alluded to in the above description of the apparatus employed in
playing the game, there are three primary subgames. These subgames
are identified as the OUT games, the RAGE games, and the OUS games.
The combination of OUT, RAGE, and OUS games define a cycle of
games. The cycles of games continue until one player or the bank
acquires all the money.
The first game, O-1, of the OUT set of games is played as follows.
Each player throws the dice 4, 5, and 6. Each of the dice will have
one of the colors, green, yellow or pink, as the showing color. The
combination of colors displayed will correspond with one of the
rows of column 3 in FIG. 1. The player is then awarded the number
of thous depicted in column 7. In example, a roll of green, yellow
and pink will provide the player with 111 thous. Each player rolls
the dice until he rolls a combination of colors corresponding to a
row marked Stop in column 9. Should two of the players have
identical rolls, all previous rolls are cancelled and the players
begin to roll the dice anew. The player receiving the greatest
amount of points is identified as number one with the succeeding
players being ranked in diminishing order. The first game within
the set of OUT games is now completed.
The second game, U-2, of the OUT set of games now proceeds. The
purpose of the U-2 game is that of distributing the OUTRAGEOUS
PAYMENT CARDS in accordance with the roll of the dice. The highest
ranked player from the O-1 game rolls first. The roll of the dice
corresponds to one of the rows within column 3 and the number
within column 8 determines the number of OUTRAGEOUS PAYMENT CARDS
that the player is to receive for distribution to other players.
Each player rolls the dice until he rolls a combination of colors
corresponding to a row marked STOP in column 9. The player then
distributes received cards one at a time as far as they go to
number one first, number two, ect. He may examine power side of
OUTRAGEOUS PAYMENT/POWER CARDS and distribute the cards as he
wishes, but he must distribute first card to number one, etc. The
succeedingly ranked players roll the dice in turn and receive and
distribute their designated number of OUTRAGEOUS PAYMENT CARDS.
When all players have received their cards, the U-2 game is
completed.
The third game, T-3, of the OUT set of games begins with the
highest ranked player rolling the dice first. The roll of the dice,
corresponding to one of the rows of column 3, determines the number
of points he is to receive, as depicted on column 7. The number of
points received correspond to the number of thous awarded to the
player. Each player rolls the dice one. The succeedingly ranked
players then throw the dice to determine the number of points
awarded to them and the amount of thous which each player may
collect. When all of the players have rolled the dice, the T-3 game
is completed.
On completion of the OUT set of games, the players commence to play
the RAGE set of games. The RAGE set of games are depicted on
section 15 of gameboard 11. The RAGE games are transactional games
in that the players negotiate to transfer OUTRAGEOUS PAYMENT CARDS
in return for thous. The transactions may be between individual
players or between a player and the bank. Each transaction can be
initiated only during a player's turn. The transactions must be
secret or may be public.
The ranking player may select and play any one of the RAGE games,
or he may pass. After the game selected by the ranking player has
been played, or after he has passed, the other players in
descending rank may select a game or pass.
Each player has two options under the R-4 game. Under option a, the
player proposes to exchange a given number of cards for a given
number of thous. If the proposal is accepted by another player, the
transaction is completed. If the other player does not accept the
proposal, the proposing player loses his turn. There may not be a
counter proposal. Under option b, a player may place a given number
of OUTRAGEOUS PAYMENT CARDS face up within box 17. In return, the
player will receive 10 thou per card from the bank. If there are an
insufficient number of thous in the bank, the transaction cannot be
completed and the player loses his turn. When all players have
transacted or attempted to transact an exchange of cards for thous,
the R-4 game is completed.
In the A-5 game, there are two options. Under option a, a player
may propose to auction a given number of cards to the highest
bidding player. On receipt of a bid, and the resulting exchange,
the proposing player's turn is completed. Under option b, a player
may propose that the bank auction a specified number of new cards
from box 16 or used cards from box 17 to the highest bidder. The
number of cards to be auctioned is determined subsequent to the
completion of the bidding under the rules of the U-1 game. After
all the players have elected and completed either option a or
option b, the A-5 games are completed.
In the G-6 games, each player may elect option a or option b. Under
option a, a player may propose to receive a given number of
OUTRAGEOUS PAYMENT CARDS in exchange for a specified number of
thous from another player. If the other player accepts the
proposition, the transaction is completed. If the proposition is
not accepted, the proposing player looses his turn. Under option b,
a player may withdraw a card from the pile of OUTRAGEOUS PAYMENT
CARDS in box 16 or box 17 in exchange for every ten thou that the
player puts into the bank. When all of the players have elected
either option a or option b and completed or attempted to complete
their transactions, the G-6 games end.
In the E-7 games, each player may elect option a or option b. Under
option a, a player may propose to exchange a given number of cards
for another given number of cards with another player. If the other
player accepts the proposition, the transaction is completed. If
the proposition is not accepted, the proposing player loses his
turn. Under proposition b, a player receives an OUTRAGEOUS PAYMENT
CARD from the new card pile in box 16 for every OUTRAGEOUS PAYMENT
CARD he deposits within the used card pile in box 17. After all the
players have completed or attempted to complete either option a or
option b, the E-7 games end.
Following the completion of the RAGE games, the games depicted
within section 25 of game board 11 are played. These games are
identified collectively as the OUS games and are games of
confrontation.
The OUS games are called confrontation games because they permit
the ranking player to select his opponents and to select the game
which he and his opponents are to play. As such, the ranking
players may attempt to acquire all the opposing player's thous at a
high risk or simply to acquire a portion of them at a lower risk.
The three games forming the OUS game are individually identified as
O-8, U-9 and S-10.
The O-8 game may be referred to as the most OUTRAGEOUS game of all.
In the OUS game, the highest ranking player is in a position of
power. He may elect to play either the O-8 game (Blitz Ball), or
S-10 (Show-Down). In addition, the ranking player may select any
one of the other players as his primary opponent. For strategic
reasons, the selected opponent should be a player having the
greatest number of thous. If the ranking player elects to play the
O-8 game, the game proceeds as follows.
The ranking player throws the dice, scoring one hundred points for
each green showing, 10 points for each yellow showing, and one
point for each pink showing. The player continues to roll the dice
until they come up such that they all show green, yellow, pink, or
one green, one yellow and one pink. When the latter happens, the
ranking player's turn is finished.
After the ranking player has completed his turn, the opposing
player has the option of paying off, playing a power card, or
passing. If the ranking player should make 1,000 or more points
during a series of rolls, a "blitz" occurs, which blitz halts the
game at the end of the series of rolls.
The highest number of points garnered, less the opponent's points,
determines the amount of payment under the "OUTRAGEOUS Payment
Rule." The OUTRAGEOUS Payment Rule states that the opposing player
must pay thous at the rate of one thou per point until his thous
are exhausted. Thereafter, the opposing player can cancel the
remaining debt by giving the winner one OUTRAGEOUS Payment
Card.
In the Blitz Ball game, O-8, the ranking or opposing player may
elect to pass his turn for as many times as he wishes. If three
consecutive passes are made by one or the other player, the game
terminates. The game may be terminated by a player playing card
G-6, the Grabber, provided that its power is not undone by the U-9
card, the Undoer. In addition, a player may play a T-3 card, the
Trespasser. If played, the opponent must either pass or play his
U-9 card, the Undoer. If the opponent passes, a new game of Blitz
Ball commences and the player playing the T-3 card becomes the
offensive player. The new defensive player may now play a T-3 card
to return the game to its original status. A further option
available is that of playing the S-10 card, the "Superswitcher."
The S-10 card provides the card playing player with the power to
switch the game from Blitz Ball to any bank game he wishes. The
playing of the Blitz Ball game is suspended until completion of the
bank game.
The second game within the OUS set of games shown in section 25 in
FIG. 4 is identified as the U-9 game. This game is played by one or
more of the players simultaneously with the playing of the O-8 game
by the ranking player and his opponent.
The players make bets with the bank by placing any number of thous
upon one of the spots in grid 26. Each of the remaining players
selects his row corresponding to his ranking and places his thous
within that row and in the column corresponding to the expected
payoff. The payoff, if warranted by the dice, follows each roll.
The ranking player and his opponent may also place one or more of
their thous on rows 27 or 29, respectively, and in the column that
they wish to bet. As may be determined from grid 26, a bet within
column 34 pays at the rate of one hundred to one for all green;
column 34 pays at the rate of 10 to one for all yellow; column 36
pays at the rate of one to one for all pink; and column 37 pays at
the rate of one to one if the dice show the combination of green,
yellow and pink.
The third game of the OUS set of games shown in section 25 of FIG.
4 is the S-10 game, Show-Down. It is a straight dice game without
the keeping of any score. The S-10 game is played within part 40 of
section 25. Part 40 includes boxes 41 corresponding to green, box
42 corresponding to yellow, box 43 corresponding to pink, and box
44 corresponding to the combination of green, yellow and pink.
The ranking player may choose to play the S-10 game rather than the
O-8 game on completion of the RAGE games, or another player may
choose to play it by playing an S-10 card. The player electing the
S-10 game, ranking player, has the option of selecting the opposing
player, provided that the opposing player has at least one thou.
The size of the bet is determined by whichever of the two players
has the lesser amount of thous. The amount is bet by both players
in one of divisions 41, 42, 43, or 44, as selected by the opposing
player.
In play, the ranking player, or the opposing player at the ranking
player's option, throws the dice until they all show green, yellow
or pink or until the three dice show green, yellow and pink. If the
final roll of the dice corresponds to the division in which the
bets are placed, the dice-rolling player wins, otherwise, the other
player wins. Simultaneously, any of the other players may play in
the U-9 game against the bank. Their payoffs or losses will occur
simultaneously with the payoff or loss of the Show-down game.
The S-10 game also has an option. If the ranking player and the
bank are the only two entities having any thous, the ranking player
may challenge the bank. The amount of the bet and method of play
are similar to that described above. In addition, if at any time
after the OUS games, all of the thous are held by a player and the
bank, that player may play Show-Down with the bank. Further, any
player playing an S-10 card during a Blitz Ball game can switch to
any one of the above-discussed bank games. One of the bank games
that he may wish to choose is that of Show-Down with the bank.
As the series of games may terminate at any time, when a player or
the bank is in possession of all of the thous, there exists a
further option exercisable before or after a game of Show-Down. The
option available is that of converting a player's power cards to
thous by placing the power cards in box 17 of section 15 and
obtaining thous from the bank. The rate of exchange between the
player and bank is that of 10 thou per card deposited. Thus, it is
possible to prevent the termination of a series of games by any
player having any remaining power cards.
The playing of any power cards by any player is solely at the
player's option. With the power vested in the different cards, the
player may rearrange or redirect the course of action of any one of
the O-1, U-2, T-3, R-4, A-5, G-6, E-7, O-8, U-9, or S-10 games at
his discretion. Thus, it is incumbent upon the players to
familiarize themselves with the various options permissible during
any one of these games. There are 100 power cards divided into 10
groups, each of which groups corresponds to one of the cards shown
in FIGS. 5 - 14. These groups of cards may be grouped into three
distinct groupings in response to their power or order of play. The
O-1, U-2, and T-3 cards are associated with the OUTRAGEOUS decision
dice play shown in section 1 of game board 11. The R-4, A-5, G-6,
and E-7 cards can be used to generate an automatic effect on the
score of any games played within section 15 of game board 11. The
O-8, U-9, and S-10 power cards are special power cards. With these
cards, a player may elect options which affect or change the
individual games being played at the time.
While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in
an illustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to
those skilled in the art many modifications of structure,
arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components,
used in the practice of the invention which are particularly
adapted for specific environments and operating requirements
without departing from those principles.
* * * * *