FR2638978A1 - Parlour game - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a parlour game played, in particular, on a table, and, particularly, of the military-strategy-game type. The parlour game includes a playing surface 1, illustrated with a decoration or the like, intended to support pawns, tokens, pieces, playing subjects or the like, in a manner which is ordered according to a specific game rule. It includes unitary elements 2 of geometrical shapes able to be juxtaposed in order to constitute the said playing surface 1. Each element has an upper surface 3 which is marked in order to define one or more modulable zones and consequently a pre-established or arbitrary configuration of the said playing surface 1.

Description

 The invention relates to a game of society, the tyoe of those vowing in particular on a table according to a set rule of play. It will find its application in the field of the manufacture of such Games.

 Currently, it is known game achievements whose rules are based essentially on the determined movement of pawns. game subjects or others, on a board defining the playing surface.

 These are Strategy Games and we know, for example, chess, checkers, miniature games. and also the Military Strategy Games very often referred to as "War Games".

 These games usually use a wooden tray. cardboard or other. defining the surface of the Game, on which are fixed markings, such as for example the black and white squares of a chessboard.

 In the field of Military Strategy Games. game trays made in a sheet of continuous material are known. on which is mounted or glued a fixed decor, schematically representing the topography of a battlefield.

 These Games are played with pieces such as figurines or similar according to a rule of the very precise but the senario of the battle is always prepared in advance and the positioning of the pieces at the start of the game is almost imposed.

 In front of the perfect mastery of the game techniques of certain Players, in some cases, the parts become interminable or always take place according to the same and pes. which makes the game lose interest.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a board game. playing especially on a table, presenting vr, surface of
Game intended to support pieces, tokens, pieces, game subjects or the like, in an orderly manner according to a given rule. which, in its military strategy game application, will allow the players a total creativity at the level of the senario of unfolding of the 3eu, this naturally respecting the rules of the pre-established Game.

 On this subject, it should be noted that the story is made and defeated at the rhythm of the clashes of men, and the battlefield is the scene. The relationships of history and geography are intimately mixed because a battle is a matter of men. leaders and troops, but it is also a matter of ground.

 Indeed, the configuration of the terrain can decide the victory and the use of these features reveal the excellence of a strategy.

 Thus, one of the aims of the present invention is to provide a board game whose playing surface is flexible to the liking of the creation of players. which makes it possible not to limit the part to a fixed pre-imposed senario.

 The structure of the board game of the present invention therefore allows the players, prior to a game. to reconstruct from unitary elements. a playing area representing either a known battleground, such as for example Austerlitz, valmy. etc ...., a purely imaginary ground.

 One of the aims of the present invention is to propose a game of soclete which thanks to its structure allows the players to exercise all their knowledge without diminishing the interest in the game.

 Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description which follows, which is however given for information only and which is not intended to limit it.

According to the present invention, the board game, playing in particular on a table. having a game surface for supporting pawns. Chips, pieces, play-pieces or the like, in an orderly manner according to a specific game rule, is characterized by the fact that it comprises unitary elements of geometrical shape, able to be arranged relatively to constitute said playing surface each element having a top surface located in order to define one or more adjustable zones and consequently a pre-established or arbitrary configuration of said surface of the game
The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description accompanied by the appended drawings which form an integral part thereof.

 Figure 1 schematically shows in perspective a view of the board of the present invention and in particular the surface of eu.

 FIG. 2 shows a view from above of a unitary element constituting the playing surface as represented in FIG. 1.

 Figure 3 schematically shows a top view of the surface of the game of the present invention forming a certain terrain geographical configuration.

 Figures 4a and ib illustrate the principle of moving the game elements on a unitary element forming the playing surface.

 Figures 5a to 5d illustrate the definition of the game subjects or figurines of the board game of the present invention.

 FIGS. 6a and 6b show the exemplary movements of the game elements represented in FIGS.

 Figures 7a to 7c show, in the case of the Military Strategy Board Game, the possibilities offered to the game elements for shooting, as an example.

 The present invention aims a game of society. especially dedicating himself to a table, especially the zeu type of military strategy.

 Although more specifically developed for such a type of strategy. the board game structure of the present invention could be used in other types of games requiring the same elements.

 In particular. these board games will consist of at least one playing surface, illustrating a decor, intended to support pawns, tokens, coins, singles or similar. in an orderly manner according to a specific game rule.

 The present description will be more particularly directed towards a military strategy game that reconstructs the course of a battle by means of miniatures figurines representing the troops. In addition, by the rules of play that it implements. it makes it possible to study and modify the movement of the troops, to estimate the number of lost combatants, as well as the conditions and the tensions, as during a real war, taking into account the morale of the troops, their quality, and according to the configuration of the terrain which then constitute the battlefield.

 According to an important feature of the present invention, to allow the geographical modularity of the terrain. the board game, as illustrated in Figure 1, comprises a playing surface 1 whose role is to schematically represent the battlefield at a more or less reduced scale.

 More specifically, it comprises unitary elements 2 of geometrical shape, able to be arranged relatively to constitute said surface of Game 1. In addition, each element 2 has an upper surface 3 identified in order to define one or more adjustable zones and by following a pre-established or arbitrary configuration of said game surface 1.

 Advantageously, said unitary elements will be in the form of similar regular polygons whose peripheral shapes will allow the juxtaposition of the elements.

 To make the playing surface 1 easily modular, we will use unit elements 2 having for forms for example the triangle. the quadrilateral, the hexagon. the octagon. etc ....

 However. an interesting result is obtained by using unit elements 2 in the form of hexagons of identical surfaces as shown in the various figures.

 In a simple version of the game of the present invention, the unitary elements 2 will be flat and thin in thickness.

However, nothing is opposed in the principle of the invention to have unit elements with various profiles, in particular according to the geographical configuration to be represented.

 On this subject. the upper surface 3 of each unit element 2 will be marked and will carry graphic or other patterns so that their assembly forms the desired decoration of the playing surface 1.

 In the case of terrain simulation, such as a battlefield, the patterns represent geographic and natural features and / or geographic features of construction.

 With respect to the natural geographical features, the upper face 3 of the unit elements 2 represents and simulates a plain terrain. from the forest, vineyards. the course of a river, expanses of water, a terrain in the form of hills.

 With respect to the geographic features of construction, the upper surfaces of unitary elements 2 may simulate the presence of roads. crossings of roads, houses, farms, mills, fortifications, bridges or others.

 By way of example in FIGS. 1 and 3, schematically 4 elements of "plain" are shown in 5 elements of "drill". in 6 elements of "river", in 7 elements hill, in 8 elements "roads", in 9 elements "crossroads", in 10 elements of "farms or dwellings" and in 11 and 12 elements bridges.

It is well understood that, due to the structure of the present invention, it is naturally possible to place the various unitary elements 4 to 12 according to a well-defined battle plan such as, for example, the Battle of Austerlitz or the Battle of Valmy, but can also, by mutual agreement between the players. place the unitary elements 2 to make an imaginary ground. thus giving the game structure of the present invention a virtually inexhaustible number of terrain configurations,
Otherwise. According to the present invention, the company has means for arbitrarily defining meteorological conditions, natural elements complementary to the terrain topography.

 In a preferred mode of the present invention. these said means will advantageously be in the form of figurative playing cards drawn at random along the part whose role is defined in particular by the rules of the game.

 Figures 2 to 7 show an application of the board game of the present invention in an example of a military strategy game organized around the heroic battles of time going on.

 The description which follows makes it possible to better understand the present invention and constitute, as it were, an example of a rule of the game, a non-limiting example.

 This rule of play is inspired by military clashes and particularly the times of the Revolution and the First Empire. To implement such rules of board game. the present invention comprises a playing surface made from the unit elements 2 as described above and in particular represented in FIGS. 1 and 3.

 This surface of the Game is particularly intended to receive figurines representing the infantry, the cavalry. gunners, and their cannons.

This game makes it possible to confront two camps in presence and each will dispose for example of
- 36 infantry figures,
- 16 figures of cavalry,
- 4 artillery figures,
- 1 cannon figure.

 To give a rhythm to the game, the battle will last a given period of "x" periods during which a succession of actions takes place.

 Each period successively causes the "movement" and shooting of both sides throughout the game. These periods are determined by drawing lots of playing cards that will include such means to arbitrarily define the weather conditions.

 In addition, the draw of these cards will also define the camp that begins to play during each of these x "periods.

 About the weather conditions, to facilitate the rules of the game, three types of weather are expected such as fog, good weather or rain. Nevertheless, other climatic conditions could be considered.

 In addition, the board game of the present invention also includes a die for determining a number of points for each side, points that are used for shooting as will be apparent from the following description.

 For exemple. one can use a six or preferably eight-sided die. Nevertheless, any means of arbitrary determination of a number could be used.

 Finally, one could also provide other complementary elements to increase the difficulty of the game, this does not change the basic structure as described above.

 That being the case, we will describe below the course of a game.

ATTRTBUTION OF CAMPS
After setting up the terrain by juxtaposing the hexagonal unit elements 4 to 12 to define a pre-established or arbitrary topographic configuration. the camps are defined and awarded by lottery for each player.

 The installation of each camp can be carried out, either in the direction of the length, or in the direction of the width, however, each of the camps A. and 8 having to have a same number of hexagons in depth. In addition, each camp will have an entry hex A and B respectively marked 13 and 1, by which will be introduced the armies of each side.

 FIGS. 3 show an exemplary configuration, each camp having six hexes in depth, the materialization of the separation of the camps being fictitiously in FIG. 3 represented by a thick line marked 15.

GAME SEQUENCES
A game is played in a succession of "x" periods. for example twelve in number; at the beginning of each of these periods. we draw lots a card called "weather period" which gives two indications necessary for the course of the game namely: the name of the camp that plays first, and the weather during the period for example fog, good weather. rain.

DECOMPOSITION OF THE PERIOD
During each period, for each camp, two successive phases will take place, namely "movements" and "shots".

Depending on the camp designated by the "weather period" map, the game will run as follows
- movement of the camp designated by the period card for example of camp A,
- movement of the other side. to know camp B.

shooting of the first camp A with definition of the firing effects by the intervention of the die or the like,
- elimination of the figurines in the other camera B if necessary,
- shot of camp B with definition of shooting effects by a die roll,
- elimination of the destroyed figures of camp A.

 At the end of these phases. the period is said to be over and a new "weather period" card is drawn to redefine once again the weather conditions and the camp playing first; And so on.

POSITIONING FIGURES
By definition of the rule of the game, a unitary element 2, such as a hexagon can accommodate only one formation i to know at most eight horsemen or twelve infantrymen or four artillerymen and their cannon.

 Similarly, the figures of the same formation will necessarily be oriented to one side of the hexagon.

 For this, it is necessary to define different sides of the unitary element 2, as shown in Figure 2 to represent the front 16. the back 17, the left flank 18 and the right flank 19.

 Moreover, in the case of the hexagon, the sides of the left flank will respectively bear the names of left front 20 and left back 21 and likewise in the case of the right flank 19, these sides will be marked right front 22 and right back 23 .

 Figures 5a to 5d respectively show the positioning of infantrymen, marked by a point in the figure. the positioning of the riders, marked by a cross. The positioning of gunners and cannon is also schematically illustrated.

 On this subject. Figure 5c shows the positioning of the artillery for normal movement, in this case. the gun, in the eventual shooting position. precedes the gunners. On the other hand, Figure 5d shows the artillery in rapid movement in which the gunners preceded the gun, the latter then being inoperative.

 It should be noted that the figures of the same formation are necessarily oriented towards one side of the hexagon as defined above.

 In all cases. when a formation is positioned on a hexagon, this formation is fixed that is to say that the escape is not possible and a fight must take place if a formation and a half accesses to a neighboring hexagon.

In that case. two possibilities are to consider
- the case where the opposing formation is oriented on the right forehead or on the left forehead, the formation must necessarily oblique to engage the fight: it is a "movement" and not a displacement ". two notions will be described later.

 - the case where the opposing formation occupies the neighboring hexagon by the back; then the formation is fixed and undergoes the combat, it can not perform nor * oblique *, as in the preceding case. neither "rotation" nor "displacement".

 FIG. 6a illustrates the case where the riders of camp A attack the riders of camp B on his left forehead, the latter can then turn to face the attacker.

 By contrast, FIG. 6b illustrates the second situation in which the riders of camp A attack the riders of camp 8 on his left back 21. The latter can neither oblique nor rotate, so riders B will remain fixed in their orientation. .

 In this respect, it should be noted that it is agreed that the fixed formations can no longer leave their hex and that the movement of the formations will be possible only in the following period, that is to say when a new map '"weather period" has been pulled.

MOTION PHASE
Camp formations designated by the "weather period" map move according to topography and weather conditions and a pre-established number of hexes allowed for each formation from the starting hex 13, 14 .

 The displacement of the formations is always carried out in front, as illustrated in FIG. 4a, either directly according to the arrow marked 28, or by oblique as shown by the arrows 29. In addition, at each hexagon crossed, the axis of the displacement can remain the same or be modified.

 As far as movement is concerned, the hexagon is considered as the basic unit and the movement in plain is considered the standard movement from which all other displacements are considered easier or more difficult.

 On the other hand, any rotation on the spot is equivalent to the reduction of one hex of the displacement. Recall that rotation.

illustrated in Figure 4b, can direct a figurine previously directed to the forehead, left front or right forehead, back, left back or back straight.

As an example, we can imagine the following displacements on the plain

<tb><SEP> FIGURINES <SEP> BEAUTIFUL <SEP> TIME <SEP> RAIN
<tb><SEP> AND <SEP> FOG
<tb> Cavalry <SEP> S <SEP> hexagons <SEP> 3 <SEP> hexagons
<tb> Infantry <SEP> 2 <SEP> hexagons <SEP> 1 <SEP> hexagon
<tb> Artillery <SEP> gun <SEP> ready <SEP> at <SEP> shot <SEP> 1 <SEP> hex <SEP> 1 <SEP> rotation
<tb> Artillery <SEP> canon <SEP> returned <SEP> 2 <SEP> hexes <SEP> t <SEP> hexagon
<tb> Gunner <SEP> without <SEP> gun <SEP> 2 <SEP> hexes <SEP> 1 <SEP> hexagon
<Tb>
Otherwise. relative to the movement in the plain, given the above reference table, the capacity of the movement of the formations can be improved or reduced.

 For example. when formations move on the road. these will have the possibility to advance an additional hexagon.

 On the other hand. the progression will be slowed down when the topography imposes it is for example the case of crossings of forests, climbs of hills, crossings of houses, etc ....

In this case, we can penalize the displacement of a hexagon.

 Figure 3 gives an example of movement for Camp A and Camp B depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the terrain.

 Consider that the map defining the period designates camp A and good weather. so it's Team A that will start his move.

 If A decides to move a cavalry formation, it will have a potential of 5 hexes in the case of the figure to cross a forest hex (2 unitary movement hexes), then a plain hex (1 movement hex).

 It should be noted that the formation of Camp A can not advance on the hill because its potential is five unit hexes and to climb the hill, it would have needed an additional movement hex.

 After the displacement of the camp A, it is the camp B which for example moves also its formation of cavalry. The five unitary movement hexes are used to traverse a forest hex. a hill hex with climb. and another hill hex without climb.

 Thus, the two rider formations A and B meet face to face on two hexes side by side. B being at the top of the hill and A being at the bottom of the same hill.

PHASE OF TIRS
The objective of the shots is the destruction of the opposing forces which will be concretized by the elimination as the enemy models are shot down. This elimination is calculated by the ratio of the effects of shots and hit points of the models of the formations affected as will be specified later.

 In terms of shooting, different parameters are to be taken into account such as the angle of fire. the nature of the different formations, the accuracy of the shot, Other criteria may also affect the shooting it is for example shots specific to the hills or weather conditions limiting the shot.

 Regarding the angle of fire, each shot can be made on targets located on a set of hexes placed either in the axis of the shot. either in the series of hexes immediately parallel to this main axis. This is particularly illustrated in FIGS.

 With each shot corresponds the possibility of destroying the figurines located on a hexagon, but, as soon as a hexagon obstructs this shooting, it is not possible to aim and shoot the hexagon located just behind this obstacle which can to be constituted for example by a hill, a mill, the forest, a farm, or any other fortification as well as the enemy formations. Examples of protected targets are shown in FIGS. 7a and 7c in which the obstacle is marked at 31 and the target protected at 32.

 Depending on the formations. Shooting abilities are different from one to another. For example, only the first rank of deformation infantry and cavalry have the ability to shoot. In addition, the firing of the cannon only destroys the figures. It should be noted, however, that decimated figurines of the first rank are systematically replaced by those of the second rank.

 In terms of accuracy of the shot, it is zero if the angle of fire is not consistent. and it varies in points according to the distance and the nature of the training that pulls.

 Indeed, the closer the shooter gets to the target, the more accurate the shot is. For example, firing of the barrel gives in point of precision: to eight hexes of removal a single point. to seven hexes two points and so on to come to an eight-point hex.

 Similarly, for infantry if a single infantryman fires, the precision points will be for three hexes one point two hexes two points, one hex three points. If several infantrymen fire abreast, the points are multiplied by the number of infantrymen.

 With respect to the cavalry compared to the two aforementioned examples, if a single jumper fires a single point at two hexes, and a hexagon: two points.

 It should be noted that the examples described above modulate the range of shots according to the nature of the different formations. Figures 7a to 7c show the shots of infantrymen and cavalry shots respectively. and cannon fire.

 It should be noted that the meteorological parameter affects the range of the shot and we can for example consider limiting the shot to two hexes for all formations in case of fog.

 Once the shot is made, it is necessary to note the effect of shooting, this according to the points of life of which each type of figurines is affected.

 The number of hit points for each model depends on its nature. For example, a rider has 5 life points, an infantryman or a gunner has 3 life points.

 In addition, the location occupied by the model can bring additional health points: an additional health point can be attributed when the figurine is in the forest or at the top of a hill or even two extra points when the figures are in a fortified farm or the like.

As for the firing effect, it is calculated in points of accuracy of the shot increased by the result of a roll of dice or similar transformed into points,
For example, if the player in Camp A throwing the die rolls the number 5, and if he decides to shoot three of these infantrymen within two hexes of distance, the total number of Precision Points is 11 (3 infantry x 2 points by infantrymen to two hexes + 5 dice = 11 points).

 Thus, the player of camp A has points of effect of shooting and if the target of the player e is constituted by riders in a forest å two hexes of distance, the player A will be able to decimate a single horseman.

 Indeed, according to what was said previously. each rider has five health points plus one additional health point due to his presence in a forest giving six life per rider.

 To kill a rider then the player of camp A uses six points of the eleven points he had, the remaining five points not allowing to kill a second rider. For this, we always round to the lower unit.

 Naturally, the rule of the game just described is not limited to the use of the board game of the present invention. Indeed, the structure of the game described above could be used in a game that would implement a rule of the game pieces quite different from those just described.

 Furthermore, other implementations of the present invention within the reach of the skilled in the art, could have been considered without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims (10)

 1. A board game, playing on a table, having a playing surface, illustrated with a decor or the like, for supporting pieces, tokens, pieces, playing subjects or the like, in an orderly manner in accordance with a determined game rule, characterized in that it comprises unitary elements (2) of geometrical shapes, able to be relatively arranged to constitute said playing surface (1), each element having an upper surface (3) identified in order to defining one or more adjustable zones and consequently a pre-established or arbitrary configuration of said playing surface (1).  2. A board game according to claim 1, characterized in that said unitary elements (2) are in the form of juxtaposable similar regular polygons.  3. Board game according to claim 2, characterized in that said unitary elements (2) have the shape of the triangle, the quadrilateral, the hexagon, the octagon.  4. A board game according to claim 3, characterized in that said unitary elements (2> are in the form of hexagons of identical surfaces.  5. Set of companiesaccording to claim 1, characterized in that said upper surface (3) of each unit element (2) is graphically marked by patterns.  6. A board game according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the patterns represent natural geographical features and / or geographical features of construction so that the juxtaposition of the unit elements defines the topographic simulation of a terrain.  7. A board game according to claim 6, characterized in that the natural geographical features are in the form of plains (4), forests (5l, vineyards, rivers (6), bodies of water, hills (7) .  8. Parlor game according to claim 6, characterized in that the geographical elements of construction are in the form of roads (8), road crossings (9), dwellings (10), farms, mills, fortifications, bridges (11, 12).  9 board game according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises means for arbitrarily defining meteorological conditions.  10. A board game according to claim 9, characterized in that said means are in the form of figurative playing cards drawn at random.