GB2241649A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A game apparatus comprises two sets of playing pieces for movement over a grid pattern defined on a playing surface. Each piece bears a plurality of indications of movement oriented in different directions, and selection means such as a pair of dice are provided for determining how each piece is moved. The selection means provides two discrete instructions; one to identify which piece can be moved, and the other to specify the extent of movement that is permitted. <IMAGE>

Description

BOARD GAMES This invention relates to board games, although it is also applicable to games for presentation on a video screen. Particularly, it relates to games for playing by two or more people in which pieces are moved around a board or playing surface to either reach a specific goal or render it impossible for the other player or players to do so.

Many board games are known in which pieces are capable of movement across a playing surface according to specified rules. Well known examples are chess and drafts. Games are also known in which movement of pieces along a given path are determined by some form of random selection means such as dice. The present invention is concerned with a board game in which the path of movement of pieces is not predetermined, but in which the pieces and selection means define criteria for a possible move which the player must then apply to his or her position in a particular game.

According to the invention, a game comprises a playing surface forming a grid pattern, and at least two sets of pieces for movement on the grid, each piece being identified with a particular set. Each piece also defines a plurality of heads or other suitable indications oriented in different directions. A selection mechanism such as dice are provided for determining a move that is available to a player. The selection mechanism is operative not only to specify the extent of movement permitted, but also to identify a piece that can be moved. Typically, the selection mechanism comprises two dice, one of conventional form to define the extent of possible movement, and another which serves to identify a piece that can be moved.The faces of the second dice are normally identified with the heads on the pieces, and thus only a piece with an head oriented in the specified direction, normally away from the player's playing position, can it be moved.

Typically, each face of the second dice bears a colour corresponding to a colour on a head of a piece.

The selection means can also be used to set the orientation of a piece at the end of a move. This might also be achieved using a dice, but where dice are used to define the first two criteria, as described above, the second dice can define this third criterion also. Thus, a face of the second dice can bear two colours, one, normally the background colour identifying which piece or pieces can be moved, and the other colour specifying its final orientation.

Each piece of a set in a game according to the invention is normally -identical, both in the number of heads and in the manner of their identification. In the preferred embodiment, each piece is substantially triangular with each apex of the triangle being identified by a colour. The use of triangular pieces conveniently matches the use of six-sided dice as the selection means.

The grid pattern formed on the playing surface will normally define a plurality of squares in a substantially square or rectangular playing area. This arrangement is best suited for play between two or four sets of pieces, and object areas may be defined on the pattern as a goal for each player to reach and fill.

Rules may be set for the game which determine whether pieces may be "taken" and thus removed from the game; prevent certain moves; or restrict such movement. The flexibility of a game according to the invention will be better apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment in which reference will be made to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a board for use in the game according to the invention showing a number of pieces thereon; Figure 2 shows perspective views of two pieces of the kind shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows two dice for use in determining possible moves for pieces on the board illustrated in Figure 1.

The rectangular board illustrated in Figure 1 has 180 squares 20 arranged in a rectangular pattern of 15x12. At the centre of each of the shorter sides of the board are defined six "home squares 22. Each shorter row of squares 20 is identified by a number 1 to 15, and each longer row by a letter A to L. Thus, the home area at the lower end of the board shown in Figure 1 consists of squares 1E to 1H and squares 2F and 2G. Those at the other end are defined as squares 15E to 15H, and 14F and 14G. Ten pieces 24, 26 are shown on the board. The pieces 24 are identified by an "O" and the pieces 26 are identified by an "X". The "O" and 'tax" identify respective sets of pieces, and five of each are shown remaining in the game. Apart from the "X" and "O" identification, each piece is identical.

Figure 2 shows two pieces 24 and 26. Each is triangular, with a central portion bearing the "X" or 11011 identification. Each apex of each piece 26 is differently shaded to indicate a different colour, but the same colours are used on each piece. The colours are identified as "P", "S", and 'T". It will be appreciated of course that the "X" and "O" identification may also be by colour if desired. Thus, each piece has three heads 28 identified respectively by a colour P, S, or T.

Figure 3 shows two dice that may be used to dictate the movement of the pieces 24 and 26 on the squares 20 on the board shown in Figure 1. Dice 30 is of conventional form displaying a number on each of six sides thereof. The dice 32 however, although also sixsided, shows on each face two of the colours identifying the heads 28 on the pieces 24 and 26. Thus, the upper face 34 has a background colour P, and a central area coloured T. According to the rules of the game illustrated, the background colour P identifies a piece that can be moved, and the central colour T determines the orientation of the piece at the completion of a move.

The dice 30 indicates the number of squares a piece can move. The identification of a movable piece, and its eventual orientation is always determined with reference to the direction across the board that a player is seeking to move his pieces. Thus, as is apparent from Figure 1, all the "0" pieces are oriented with an head 28 directed upwards in the Figure, while an head 28 of each of the pieces 26 is directed downwards.

It will be appreciated that given the basic criteria, the actual rules of the game may be substantially varied. Listed below are some rules which provide a basis for a successful game. In these rules a "qualifying piece" is one which is deemed capable of movement by the dice 32.

1. A qualifying piece can move in a direction in a straight line, but may not pass through or occupy a square already occupied by any other piece.

2. Where a direct line is blocked, a qualifying piece may complete its move by continuing in any straight line from the last square that it can occupy before being blocked.

3. In making its move, a qualifying piece cannot re-occupy its original square or pass through any square it has already passed through in the move.

4. If in making its move a qualifying piece is blocked in its path by a boundary of the board, it may complete its move in any direction from the square at the boundary including backward.

5. If a "1" is thrown on score dice, then a qualifying piece may alter its orientation without moving from its original position, or move one square.

6. If at the end of its move a qualifying piece is oriented with its forward colour head matching the forward colour head of a directly opposing piece of the other set, then that opposing piece is removed from the board.

7. A qualifying piece must always complete its move; ie, if a 4 is thrown, then it must move four squares.

8. If upon throwing a dice a piece does not qualify, or no qualifying piece can complete its move, then the player loses a turn.

A game using the board, pieces and dice shown in the drawings will now be briefly described. At the start of the game, each of two players has thirty pieces those of one player being identified by "0" and those of the other player identified by "X". All the pieces of one player are placed in rows 1 to 3 on the board in Figure 1, but not in the home squares 22. All the pieces of the other player are similarly located in rows 13 to 15. The orientation of each piece at the start of the game may be chosen by the respective player.

The dice 30 is first thrown by each player, and the player throwing the highest number then starts the game by throwing both dice simultaneously. Assume the first player has the "O" pieces occupying rows 1 to 3.

Because any movement of the pieces in rows 1 and 2 is blocked by the pieces in row 3, only the pieces in row 3 can make the first move. The player must first check dice 32, and select a piece in row 3 whose head matches the background colour on the uppermost face of the dice 32. That piece may then move in any direction forward from row 3 in a straight line (or rebounding from the boundary) by the number indicated on dice 30. It is then the turn of the other player with the "X" pieces, who now similarly throws both dices together. Player X has then to similarly move one of his pieces forward from row 13 to complete his move, and then each player throws his dice in turn to make moves. Normally, it is only after a number of moves by each player that moves threaten to interfere, thus requiring implementation of the above rules.The game is played until one player has moved six pieces into the opposing home squares to win, or loses by having all his pieces removed.

Some typical situations that can develop in a game according to the invention are shown in Figure 1. The situation illustrated will only develop at a relatively late stage in the game, and it will be appreciated that prior thereto there will be considerably more pieces on the board. This stage is chosen for ease of explanation.

In squares 5D and 6D, two pieces of opposing sides are shown head to head. If the "0" piece has just moved to square 5D, and the dice 32 has dictated a final orientation such that his head 28 matches the facing head 28 of the "X" piece on square 6D, then the X piece has to be removed from the game. If they do not match however, both remain, although if either player now throws "1" then his piece may be re-oriented (according to rule 5) such that its head matches the head of the opposing piece to force the removal of the opposing piece.

The "O" pieces in square 7C and 8C are disposed one behind each other, and thus the piece on square 7C is protected by the other piece. The reason for this is that no opposing piece can occupy square 8C and force removal of the piece on square 7C. This is a good defensive position. The "X" pieces on squares 12G and 13G form a similarly effective barricade, with the additional advantage that the piece on 13G is protecting an entrance to the home squares 32 in rows 14 and 15.

The "X" piece on square llB appears to be relatively free, but does in fact have a fairly limited range of linear movement. If for example in throwing the dice 30 and 32 the "X" player throws a "5" it can only move in two directions without being impeded. It can move laterally to square llG, or forward to square 6B.

If it were to move rearwardly, upon reaching square 15B it must rebound to one of squares 14A, 15A, 14C or 15C.

If it moves rearwardly and diagonally, it must rebound from square 12A or 14E, and if it moves diagonally forwardly towards square IL, it must rebound from square 8E. If it moves diagonally to square lOA, it must then rebound from that square. The ot piece on square 51 is likewise restricted in its linear movements, although it can of course move diagonally forward toward square 13A between the pieces on row 7F and 8G. These two pieces -although on adjacent diagonal squares, are not threatening each other beyond each blocking the movement of the other through or to its own square.

In the position shown in Figure 1, the game has reached a stage where there are only five pieces remaining on each side. It is thus no longer possible for either side to fully occupy the home squares 22 at the target end of the board. This game therefore can only be completed by one player securing the total removal of all the other player's pieces from the board.

Normally, such a situation will not develop but if it does, rules may be devised to ensure that the game can be completed or to call a draw. For example, a piece might be regained if a piece on the board successfully advances to the target end row, and such a rule can be usefully implemented in a game which starts with fewer than thirty pieces per side. Different rules may also be adopted for securing the removal of opponents pieces, for example by diagonal confrontation such as the pieces illustrated on squares 7F and 8G, or by landing on(a square occupied by an opponent's piece. Broadly though, games played on the board illustrated starting with thirty pieces each and adopting the rules listed above can be both stimulating and amusing, and will normally lead to a definitive result.

It will be appreciated that the game described herein can develop a wide range of situations, and successful players are required to make careful decisions regarding the selection of a piece to move and the direction of such movement. It will be appreciated also that the game is readily adaptable to electronic presentation and can thus be programmed to operate on a small computer with a screen. As a board game it can of course be played on a table, but may be readily adapted for use as a portable game using a magnetic board and pieces, or in wallet form withUsmall pockets for the securance of pieces in the respective squares.

Although specifically described using triangular pieces and two dice, it will also be appreciated that different shaped pieces can be used and that a wider range of permutations is available if each piece has a greater number of heads. Likewise, a simpler game might use pieces having only two heads. Dice form a convenient means by which the movement criteria may be established, but other selection means can be equally suitable.

Claims (10)

1. A game comprising a playing surface forming a grid pattern; at least two sets of pieces for movement on the grid, each piece being identified with a particular set and defining a plurality of heads oriented in different directions; and selection means for determining a move to be made by a piece, the selection means being operative to identify a piece that can be moved and the extent of movement permitted.

2. A game according to Claim 1 wherein the selection means comprises two dice, one for identification of a movable piece, and the other for determination of the extent of movement.

3. A game according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 where in the selection means is operative to identify both a piece that can be moved and specify the orientation of an head thereof at the end of a said movement.

4. A game according to Claim 2 and Claim 3 wherein each side of the one dice has a first portion identifying a movable piece and a second portion specifying it orientation at the end of a said movement.

5. A game according to any preceding Claim wherein the heads on each piece are identified in the same way, and by the same plurality of colours.

6. A game according to any preceding Claim wherein each piece is of triangular form with one head at each apex thereof.

7. A game according to any preceding Claim wherein the grid pattern has areas thereon corresponding to the number of sets of pieces, the object of the game being to fill a said area with pieces from a respective set.

8. A game substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A game according to any preceding Claim in the form of a computer programme.

10. A computer programme for the playing of a game according to Claim 9.