US20080007000A1

US20080007000A1 - King's Way - interactive Christian board game

Info

Publication number: US20080007000A1
Application number: US11/482,577
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert Rodela; Bruce Raymond Harrison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-07-10
Filing date: 2006-07-10
Publication date: 2008-01-10

Abstract

An instructional interactive board game is provided which teaches spiritual kingdom living principles as revealed in the Bible to players of ages seven and up. The game is designed to be an interactive multi-player game that includes a board, player tokens, a pair of dice, score sheet, and question cards (Biblical History Cards, The Word of God Cards, and Kingdom Living Principles Cards) The board includes a sequential pattern of rectangles and squares which the players would move their tokens in response to a throw of the dice. The sequential pattern is in the shape of a cross. The players will transit the board following the sequential pattern with the object of attaining as many plus points as possible and avoiding minus points when landing on a various rectangles and squares and responding correctly to questions posed when the player lands on specific rectangles and squares. The game provides an interactive adventure for participants, where each player learns Bible history knowledge (Biblical History Cards), memorizes Bible verses (The Word of God Cards), and learns, practices, and strengthens truth and life biblical principles (Kingdom Living Principles Cards). The player or players who have attained the most points through the game satisfy the winning conditions. The interactive game is suitable for electronic gaming as well, that is, a computer game utilizing the method and layout may be provided. The game comes in a junior version, women's version, as well as a Spanish Language version.

Description

REFERENCES CITED

U.S. Patent Documents


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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to multi-player board games and more particularly to a multi-player interactive board game especially adapted to effect the instruction of Biblical Christianity through Biblical teachings.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Board games for the instruction of Christian values and Biblical teachings are known in the art of multi-player board games. U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,991 issued to Olsen discloses a Game Method and Apparatus. This game includes a board on which players transit the perimeter according to a certain set of parameters. U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,133 issued to Smith discloses a Board Game for Teaching Biblical Principles. The game includes a board on which players transit the perimeter according to a certain set of parameters. U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,816 issued to Davis et al. discloses a Biblical Question and Answer Board Game. The game includes a board on which players transit the perimeter according to a certain set of parameters. U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,308 discloses a board-playing surface shaped like a tree and playing pieces shaped as Bibles and the gathering and collection of objects and drawing of cards.
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use a board game to teach Biblical principles, no known game employs the same method of play as the instant invention. The prior art does not teach the use of a unique cross shaped board playing surface combined with playing pieces shaped as menorah, cross, dove, star of David, book, shepherds crook, scrolls, shofar, chalice, fish and bread loaf, the drawing of cards and the use of a timer. Nor does the prior art described above teach or suggest a simple to use board game device, which may be used by individuals to teach scripture, life lessons and Biblical principles according to the unique method of play, provided. The foregoing disadvantages are overcome by the unique rules and gaming components of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention, briefly described, provides an instructional board game designed to teach scripture and spiritual principles as taught in the Bible. The game is designed to be an easy to learn and play interactive multi-player game, which includes a board, player tokens, dice, cards and a timer. The board is shaped as a cross and may fold, the board further includes a playing surface, which has a number of squares and rectangles and indicia printed thereon. The squares and rectangles are shaped generally as to form a cross and are centrally located on the board. The squares and rectangles form a path around the cross which players progress around collecting a score and making progress based on a dice roll and the accuracy of answering questions encountered from the three question card pools; Word of God, Biblical History and Kingdom Living Principles. Furthermore the squares and rectangles are named after components of the Bible in historical order according to the Christian Bible and Jewish Scriptures.
The question cards come in sets and can be introduced for junior, senior and advanced players/students and can also be configured for specific areas of learning or themes e.g. Christmas, Revival et al. This provides broad appeal to the invention.
Each player starts on the board at “Begin Life Journey and move their token by the value of the rolled dice/random number generator to a square and follow the instructions on the square, which can be a credit, a debit, a move to, or to pick up a question card from one of the three card decks; Word of God, Biblical History and Kingdom Living Principles. The question cards are picked up by the player/team whose turn it is next and read to the current player/team. The answer is written along with the question on each card along with an assigned reward for the correct answer. When the card is answered it is retained by the current player if answered correctly and returned to the bottom of the deck if answered incorrectly. Each player keeps their score as they progress and the player with the highest score at the end of the game is declared the winner.
The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least the preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved Bible board game, which permits the instruction of Biblical principles in a fun, serious, and interactive manner.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved Bible board Game, which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a new and improved Bible board game, which is of durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved Bible board game which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a Bible board game available to the buying public.
These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and the above objects as well as objects other than those set forth above will become more apparent after a study of the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view showing the general configuration of the playing board of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the Bible component rectangles and interactive squares that the player will land on during the course of the game.

FIG. 3 illustrates the academic awards and question cards that the player will land on during the course of the game.

FIG. 4 illustrates the phase change, redemption, warnings and reward rectangle and interactive squares that the player will land on during the course of the game.

FIG. 5 illustrates the tokens/icons used in the game to represent the players.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, a new interactive board game teaching Biblical principles in a fun, serious, and thoughtful fashion embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described,
Turning initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a first exemplary embodiment of the King's Way Board Game of the invention. In its preferred form, the Bible board game comprises a generally cross shape board. The board may be constructed of cardboard, wood or other suitable material. The board may include a layer of lamination, which has indicia and/or other figures printed thereon. The playing surface includes a variety of squares and rectangles. The squares and rectangles are generally arranged side by side. The squares and rectangles generally form a playing surface, which is shaped like a cross. The playing surface is entered at the top right square, Begin Life Journey, 10.
Adjacent to the cross-shaped playing surface is a plurality of rectangles, 30, which are designed to have interactive playing cards placed atop their location. These rectangles are associated with different Biblical principles (Kingdom Living Principles), Bible memorizing (Word of God), and Bible content (Biblical History). When a player lands on a designated Choose A Card square or rectangle, the associated interactive card is drawn from the correct deck by the player/team that goes next. A Kingdom Living Principles card has a question mark designation. A Word of God card has a question mark designation. A Biblical History card has a question designation. These designations are for the purposes of posing questions, for participants to answer correctly and to receive higher points. Some cards have automatic minus points that are awarded by chance of the draw. The player will start from top right of the cross and move downward around the cross in a clockwise fashion. Referring now to 20, the rectangle adjacent to the beginning square located at the top right of the cross is the first of the old testament Bible sections, The Torah—5 points are awarded. The rectangle square adjacent to the Torah, located the top right of the cross is the Word of God-Choose A Card. The square adjacent to the Word of God, located in one of the four central located spots is the Kingdom Living Principles square; this is the first of Kingdom Living Principles cards that are located adjacent to the playing surface.
Referring now specifically to the right section of the cross consists of the following rectangles and squares in this consecutive order. Adjacent to the first Kingdom Living Principles square is a Warning rectangle (Temptation Approaching-Need to Resist) possible minus 30 points unless three weapons from the Full Armor of God is quoted, then Biblical History rectangle—Choose A Card, Holy Bible square—When landing on this square player/team is awarded 50 points, The Word of God rectangle—Choose A Card, Bible section—The History Books—5 points are awarded when landing on this rectangle, Redeemed square—Well Done—You trust in the Lord with all your heart—plus 20 points is awarded, Bible section—The Major Prophets rectangle—5 points are awarded on this location, and Biblical History rectangle—Choose A Card.
Referring now specifically to, the lower right side and bottom of the cross consists of the following locations in this consecutive order. Beginning with the second Kingdom Living Principles square—Choose A Card is followed by a Warning rectangle—Falling for Temptation, Still time to flee—possible minus 40 points unless four weapons from the full Amour of God are quoted. The next rectangle is The Word of God—Choose A Card. Next is the Bachelor's Degree rectangle where player/team is awarded 10 points. The Bible section, The Minor Prophets rectangle—plus 5 points. The Biblical History rectangle—Choose A Card. The next rectangle is a Redeemed—Well done, Your devotions are dynamic. The player/team is awarded 20 points and advances game token 5 spaces.
The bottom of the cross has the following four rectangles and squares. The first square is The Bottomless Pit. The player/team receives minus 25 points and loses a turn. Adjacent to the last of the Old Testament Bible sections, The Poetry Books rectangle—5 points are awarded. Adjacent to The Poetry Books rectangle is The Word of God rectangle—Choose A Card. The last square for the bottom of the cross is Your Theology is Misguided, Return to the Holy Bible for the Truth. The player/team receives minus 25 points and must move their token in reverse motion to the Holy Bible square and must next move from that position.
The specific interactions between players, movement and specific actions to be taken will become clearer during the discussion of the Rules of Play. It is to be understood that the above-mentioned indicia may be changed in the final production game version.
Referring now to FIG. 5 the specific board pieces and devices are shown. These include a timer which at the beginning of play, is set to an arbitrary time period. When the timer reaches the preset time, the game ceases.
FIG. 5 also shows a pair of six sided dice. The dice are rolled to determine the number of spaces a player may move during their turn. The dice may also be utilized to determine the order of play. It is to be understood that any device which imparts a random number may be utilized to generate the number of spaces that a player may move. In the preferred embodiment a single six sided die will be employed.
FIG. 5 shows player icons in the following recognizable shapes; bible, cross, scroll, crook, shofar, menorah, star of David, 10 Commandments tablet, dove, chalice, fish, and bread loaf.
The previous discussion of the game board, elements, and general layout are designed only to put forth one embodiment of the instant invention. Other configurations are possible and will be covered in the scope of the appended claims.
Rules and Method of Play
In order to better understand the disclosed invention, a version of the rules, which incorporates the major concepts of the game, are presented. It is to be understood that these rules may be modified or changed within the scope of game disclosure.
Kings Way is an ideal interactive game for families, friends, schools, colleges, and Sunday Schools. The game is designed to strengthen believers to have a fruitful life in Christ Jesus the King.
Participants
Individuals: 2-6 players: Allow some time for player to answer the question.
Teams: 2 players per team; maximum 4 teams: Allow some time for teams to discuss possible answers.
Materials
Game board
60 Biblical History Cards
60 The Word of God Cards
100 Kingdom Living Principles Cards
25 Score Sheets
6 Game tokens
A pair of dice
Instructions
Method of Play
The King's Way may be played in five (5) different ways. Choose the game that best fits your situation.
Time Play (Short game)

- Determine the amount of time (15, 20, 30, 40, minutes, etc.) you want to play. After time is up, game is over. The player/team with the most points wins the game.

Number of Turns (Short game)

- Determine the number of turns each player/team will take (5, 10, 15, 25, turns not consecutively, etc.) you want to play. After all players/teams have taken their turn, game is over. The player/team with the most points wins the game.

No More Cards Play (Long game)

- Play until all the sets of cards have been used, game is over. The player/team with the most points wins the game. If there are no more cards of one set (or more or all) of cards and player lands on that space, then that space becomes a resting spot where no minus or plus points are awarded.

Most Common Method of Play
Continuous Play (Long game)

- Play until all participants determine when the game is over. When a set of cards is completely used, reshuffle the used cards and continue playing.

No Points Play

- The number of cards the player/team answers determines winner of the game. For details, see explanation under the No Points Game.

Order of Players/Teams
The player/team at the top of the cross of the game goes first and continues clockwise. There really is no advantage in going first or last.
Rules on the Game Board
Player/team rolls the dice, move game token according to the total sum of the dice. Follow the instructions on the rectangle or square on the game board. Additional information includes the following:
1. If a player/team lands on a rectangle/square that has plus or minus points (Bible Sections, Holy Bible, Degrees, Redeemed, and Warning), record points on score sheet. Keep a running total.
2. If a player/team lands on a Choose A Card rectangle/square (The Word of God, Biblical History, or Kingdom Living Principles), the player/team that goes next will pick up the card and read the question. If answered correctly, record points on score sheet. If answered incorrectly, replace the card back into the deck. No points are received or subtracted. Keep a running total.
3. If the Choose A Card is a Redemption or Warning card, record the points on the score sheet. Keep a running total.
Note: If a player/team has a negative (−) running total and chooses a “Redemption” card, subtract the positive points from the negative running total. Thereby decreasing the total negative points, possibly bringing the player/team to a positive points position.
If the player/team has a negative (−) running total and chooses a “Warning” card, add the negative points to the negative running total. Thereby increasing the total negative points, and digging the player/team deeper into a hole.
4. If a player/team lands on a WARNING rectangle where minus points may be avoided, follow the instructions on the rectangle. If player/team cannot name the weapons of the Full Armor of God, minus points are awarded. Record the minus points on the score sheet. Keep a running total. Rules on the Game Board (continued)
5. If a player/team lands on the Bottomless Pit square, subtract 25 points on the score sheet and on the next turn of the score sheet write “Lose A Turn” and bring the running total down. For example:


Turn	Points	Running Total

5	+10	+95
7	Lose A Turn	+70
6	−25	+70
8

6. If player/team lands on “Return to the Holy Bible” square, subtract 25 points and move game token to the Holy Bible square; do not receive 50 points at that location.
7. If a player/team lands on “Take A Break . . . ” square, no points are added or subtracted.
8. When a player/team completes a Life Journey around the cross, 40 points are awarded. Record points on score sheet and continue playing.
Question Cards
These cards have the possibility of receiving higher plus or minus points.
The Word of God Cards
These cards have three (3) types of Bible verses. Quote a verse, finish a verse, and fill in the blanks of a verse.
Points vary according to the difficulty of the verse.
Biblical History Cards
These cards have two (2) types of answers for Bible history. Simple question/answer and multiple-choice questions.
Kingdom Living Principles Cards
These cards ask questions in five (5) areas of the Believer's Life in Christ plus Life Issues: Worship, Discipleship, Fellowship, Ministry, Evangelism, and Life Issues.
Additional Information
When a player/team gets a Prayer Card, as whole group with sincerity, pray for the person or need that is mentioned. This is an opportunity to invite the Holy Spirit and to partner with the Lord. Knowing and trusting the Lord that He will work in that situation. Our God is King of the Universe.
Additional Information
(Optional) When landing on a Choose A Card, if answered correctly, either accurately or paraphrased, player/team may keep the card to review and memorize until needed for reshuffling.
When quoting scripture, it is best to quote word for word. For smaller children, paraphrasing is acceptable until accuracy is achieved.
No Points Game
1. The rules for the No Points Version is similar as regular play, except that no points are awarded. How many cards the player/team answers determine the winner of the game.
2. All Choose A Card rectangles/squares remain the same, except no points are awarded. If answered correctly, player/team keeps the card. If answered incorrectly, place the card back into the deck of cards. All Warning cards are “go back one space” and all Redemption cards are “move forward one space.” All Prayer and Praise cards are the same, do what the card asks for in order to keep it.
3. All WARNING rectangles/squares become “lose a turn” spots. All REDEEMED rectangles/squares become “go again” spots.
4. The Bottomless Pit is also a lose a turn square and the Return to the Holy Bible is the same, except no points are awarded.
5. All Bible sections, Holy Bible, Take A Break, and Degrees are locations on the board with no points or movements.
It is apparent from the above that the present invention accomplishes all of the objectives set forth by providing a new and improved Bible board game which permits the instruction of Biblical principles in a fun, serious, and interactive manner, which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed, and is of durable and reliable construction.
With respect to the above description, it should be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the pads of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and therefore, all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed only by the scope of appended claims.
While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalents.

Claims

1. A board game apparatus comprising:

(A) a first set of cards containing a plurality of cards, wherein each card has Biblical History printed on one side and questions and answers based upon Bible History printed on the card's reverse side;

(B) a second set of cards containing a plurality of cards, wherein each card has The Word Of God printed on one side and questions and answers based upon Bible verses printed on the card's reverse side;

(C) a third set of cards containing a plurality of cards, wherein each card has Kingdom Living Principles printed on one side and questions and answers based upon the areas of worship, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, evangelism, or life issues printed on the card's reverse side;

(D) a game board, said game board containing a playing surface in the shape of a cross, a first rectangle separate from the playing surface with Biblical History printed thereon corresponding to the first set of cards, a second rectangle separate from the playing surface with The Word Of God printed thereon corresponding to the second set of cards, and a third rectangle separate from the playing surface with Kingdom Living Principles printed thereon corresponding to the third set of cards;

(E) a continuous path of adjacent rectangles and squares on the periphery of said playing surface, said path enabling a player or team to sequentially move around the periphery of said playing surface on the cross, wherein said path includes:

(a) a plurality of rectangles and squares with Biblical History printed thereon, wherein said plurality of rectangles and squares corresponds to the first set of cards;

(b) a plurality of rectangles and squares with The Word Of God printed thereon, wherein said plurality of rectangles and squares corresponds to the second set of cards;

(c) a plurality of rectangles and squares with Kingdom Living Principles printed thereon, wherein said plurality of rectangles and squares corresponds to the third set of cards;

(d) a plurality of rectangles and squares with Warnings printed thereon;

(e) a plurality of rectangles and squares with Redeemed printed thereon;

(f) a plurality of rectangles and squares with distinguishable sections of the Bible printed thereon;

(g) a plurality of rectangles and squares with the names of college degrees in ministry printed thereon;

(h) a single square with Bottomless Pit printed thereon;

(i) a single square with Return to the Holy Bible printed thereon;

(j) a single square with Holy Bible printed thereon;

(k) a single square with Take a Break printed thereon;

(l) a single square with Begin Life Journey printed thereon;

(F) a plurality of distinctive, moveable pieces wherein one piece is provided to each player or team to serve as a marker on said playing surface indicative of the progress of each player or team on said playing surface; and

(G) a random number generating device, said random number generating device to determine the number of said rectangles and squares on the playing surface each player or team will move per turn.

2. A board game apparatus comprising:

(A) a first set of cards containing a plurality of cards, wherein each card has a first indicia printed on one side and questions and answers based upon Bible History printed on the card's reverse side;

(B) a second set of cards containing a plurality of cards, wherein each card has a second indicia printed on one side and questions and answers based upon Bible verses printed on the card's reverse side;

(C) a third set of cards containing a plurality of cards, wherein each card has a third indicia printed on one side and questions and answers based upon the areas of worship, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, evangelism, or life issues printed on the card's reverse side;

(D) a game board, said game board containing a playing surface in the shape of a cross, a first rectangle separate from the playing surface with the first indicia printed thereon corresponding to the first set of cards, a second rectangle separate from the playing surface with the second indicia printed thereon corresponding to the second set of cards, and a third rectangle separate from the playing surface with the third indicia printed thereon corresponding to the third set of cards;

(E) a continuous path of adjacent rectangles and squares on the periphery of said playing surface, wherein said path includes:

(a) a plurality of rectangles and squares with the first indicia printed thereon, wherein said plurality of rectangles and squares corresponds to the first set of cards;

(b) a plurality of rectangles and squares with the second indicia printed thereon, wherein said plurality of rectangles and squares corresponds to the second set of cards;

(c) a plurality of rectangles and squares with the third indicia printed thereon, wherein said plurality of rectangles and squares corresponds to the third set of cards;

(d) a plurality of rectangles and squares with a fourth indicia printed thereon;

(e) a plurality of rectangles and squares with a fifth indicia printed thereon;

(h) a single square with a sixth indicia printed thereon;

(i) a single square with a seventh indicia printed thereon;

(j) a single square with an eighth indicia printed thereon;

(k) a single square with a ninth indicia printed thereon;

(l) a single square with a tenth indicia printed thereon;

said path enabling a player or team to sequentially move around the periphery of said playing surface on the cross;

3. A board game apparatus comprising:

(d) a plurality of rectangles and squares with distinctive indicia distinguishable from the first indicia, the second indicia and the third indicia printed thereon;

(e) a plurality of rectangles and squares with distinguishable sections of the Bible printed thereon;

4. The board game of claim 3 wherein said random number generating device is one or more multiple sided die.

5. The board game of claim 3 wherein said pieces are shapes selected from the group consisting of a cross, a star of Bethlehem, star of David, a Bible, menorah, a dove, a shepherd's crook, a scroll, a shofar, a chalice, a fish and bread loaf, and Noah's ark.

6. The board game of claim 3 wherein the questions on each card in the first set of cards may be simple questions, multiple choice questions or fill in the blank questions.

7. The board game of claim 3 wherein the questions on each card in the second set of cards may be simple questions, multiple choice questions or fill in the blank questions.

8. The board game of claim 3 wherein the questions on each card in the third set of cards may be simple questions, multiple choice questions or fill in the blank questions.

9. The board game of claim 3 including a timing device.