GB2076297A

GB2076297A - Space board game

Info

Publication number: GB2076297A
Application number: GB8016908A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: KNOTT DOUGLAS GEORGE
Current assignee: KNOTT DOUGLAS GEORGE
Priority date: 1980-05-22
Filing date: 1980-05-22
Publication date: 1981-12-02
Also published as: GB2076297B

Abstract

The board 50 has a series of paths 56, 60, 65 marked out thereon, a part 52 of the board being movable 50 as to alter the relative positions of paths, and a plurality of playing pieces. Sets of galaxy, planet and space station code cards are provided together with two dice. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Board games This invention concerns board games.

Generally board games involve movement of playing pieces along a sectioned path or series of paths according to the number of sections indicated by, for example, throws of dice or playing cards. Thus, although the presentation of the games i.e. board layout, playing piece design, number indication means etc. may be different, they are in effect very similar games.

The object of this invention is to provide a board game involving not only movement of playing pieces but also movement of playing paths.

Accordingly this invention provides a board game comprising a board having a series of sectioned paths marked out thereon, a part or parts of the board being movable so as to alter the relative positions of paths or parts of paths, a plurality of playing pieces for movement along said paths and means for indicating extent of allowable movement of the pieces along the paths and movement of said movable board part or parts.

Preferably a central circular section of the board is rotatable so as to alter the relative positions of path exits from said central section to path entrances on the encircling outer section of the board.

Movement of playing pieces will usually be from a central position of said rotatable part onto one of a series of paths emanating from said central position say in the form of spirals.

These spirals may end at a path following the periphery of the rotatable part from which path the playing pieces may be moved onto a path on the outer section of the board.

The object of the game will usually be to move playing pieces from the central starting point to the edge of the rotatable section, thence onto the outer section of the board and back again. Rotation of the central section of the board makes this more difficult since playing pieces may only be moved from the inner to outer sections of the board when appropriate paths are aligned.

The number of path sections over which a playing piece may be moved and the extent of rotation of the central section may be determined by any suitable random number indicating means, such as dice, playing cards spinners and the like.

Various instruction cards may be included in the game for determining certain movements, such as choice of path or destination, and also for introducing hazards.

The board may also have some means of indicating extent of rotation of the central section. For example a spring may be mounted below the rotatable section which runs over a series of teeth as the section is rotated so that a click is heard for each movement corresponding to one path section.

Movement of playing pieces will usually and preferably be in the opposite direction to movement of the rotatable section of the board.

This invention will now be further described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a game board layout; and Figure 2 shows a corner of the board of Fig. 1 partly cut away.

Referring to the drawings, a board 50 has two areas, namely an inner circular area 52 hereinafter referred to as the "space disc" and an outer area 53 enclosing the inner area 52 and hereinafter referred to as "deep space". (The space disc 52 is moved in a clockwise direction during play).

The space disc 52 has a central starting circle 54, hereinafter referred to as "earth" and, extending in an anticlockwise sprial from earth 54, eight sectioned paths 56, hereinafter referred to as galaxies. Each galaxy 56 has fourteen adjoining sections or circles 58 hereinafter referred to as "space stations" of similar design and/or colour. Each space station 58 is lettered consecutively from A to N but alternatively, numbering may be used. At the periphery of the space disc 52, the outer space station J to N frorn each galaxy 56 form a circle 60, hereinafter referred to as the "outer orbit". The twenty four adjoining space stations coded C, D and E from each galaxy 56 a generally circular path 62, hereinnafter referred io as the "inner orbit".

Deep space 53 has eight "planets" 64 each surrounded by eight circles 65 also referred to as "space stations" and numbered from 1 to 8. The planet space station numbered 1 is in each case adjacent a space station on the outer orbit. Furthermore the planets 64 only adjoin their respective space station 5.

Boxes 66, 67 are provided for two sets of playing cards whose purpose will be described below.

The space disc 52 is movable in a clockwise direction during play to ensure that after movement each planet space station numbered 1 is opposite a space station in the outer orbit 60 and that it is only moved the required number of stages. The space disc 52 has an outwardly directed spring 70 fixed to its underside which spring cooperates with teeth 72 beneath the space disc so that as the space disc is moved one space station along, the spring will click as it passes over a tooth.

The spring may be made of any suitable material such as spring steel or resilient plastics material. A knob 74 is provided on the space disc to aid movement thereof which will preferably be in a clockwise direction.

One possible hazard is indicated by shooting stars 75 at various positions around the board.

The object of the game is for each player to move his playing pieces from the starting point (earth) to a planet or planets and back via a series of space stations.

The game will comprise a board as described above a plurality of playing pieces, usually eight, a set of cards indicating planets, a set of cards indicating galaxies, a set of cards indicating space station codes and random number indicating means, usually a pair of dice.

Suitable rules and conditions for playing the game illustrated are as follows.

The space disc is set to "Countdown" or start position by bringing the compass points N, S, E and W on the rim of the disc and the inner edge of deep space into line.

The galaxy cards are shuffled and placed face down on the appropriate box marked on the board. The space station code cards are shuffled and placed in a similar manner. The planet cards are shuffled and dealt face down to players: 2, 3 or 4 players-4 cards each 5 players-3 cards each 6, 7 or 8 players-2 cards each.

Players should observe the face of their own cards only and any spare cards should be discarded face down out of play.

The object of the game is for competing space ships to "lift-off" from Earth, visit the planets depicted in deep space which correspond with the planet cards in the players possession and return to Earth. The first player to complete a "Mission" is the winner.

Each player throws two dice and the highest score, counting both dice, decides who will start first.

The first player selects and places a token space ship on Earth, ready for lift-off. On the players first turn only, a galaxy card is then taken from the top of the pack. The players space ship must move via space stations in the galaxy depicted on this card on his first throw of the dice.

The player now throws two dice and uses the individual die scores as follows: (a) To move his Space Shp the same number of Space Stations, commencing on Station coded 'A', as the score on either die (b) To move the Space Disc by pushing the knob slowly in the direction of the arrow, the same number of compass points as the score on the other die. An audible 'click' denotes each compass point moved.

The Galaxy card may now be returned to the bottom of the appropriate pack.

The next player(s), to the left of the 'first man into Space' selects a Space Ship, takes the next Galaxy card, throws both dice, moves his Space Ship and the Space Disc in a similar manner to the first player and then replaces the Galaxy card.

On succeeding turns throughout the game players continue to throw two dice and make corresponding moves for Space Ship and Disc. The Space Ships must journey through adjoining Space Stations between Earth and the Planets to be visited and return to Earth via adjoining Space Stations to complete a Mission.

The following rules concerns the movement of Space Ships and the space disc: (1) MOVING SPACE SHIPS Moves may be made via adjoining circles only, and Space Ships cannot change direction during any one move. Space Ships must move in an anficlockwise direction when flying from Earth towards a Planet, when circling a Planet and when travelling from one Planet to another. When returning towards Earth a clockwise route on the Space Disc must be taken.

(2) MOVING SPACE DISC The Space Disc must always be moved in a clockwise direction.

(3) MOVES GENERALLY Players may choose which to move first, the Space Ship or the Space Disc. Each adjoining Space Station/Planet, and each adjoining compass point moved represents one dot on the relevant dice score.

(4) LANDING ON PLANETS If a Space Ship is not in a position to move directly from Galaxy Space Stations to the relevant Planet Space Stations it must proceed via the Space Stations in the Outer Orbit until the move from the Disc to Deep Space is possible. The exact score must be thrown before a Space Ship may land on a Planet. If the dice score is too high the Ship must proceed via the Space Stations around the Planet, on the current and following turn(s), until the exact score permits a landing. After a successful landing the player places the relevant Planet Card face upwards in front of him.

NOTE: If a player has two Planet Cards for the same Planet, his Ship must return to the Space Disc after the first landing and revisit the Planet a second time on a later turn.

(5) RETURNING TO THE SPACE DISC On the next turn after landing on a Planet the player takes a Galaxy Card and places it face upwards in front of him before throwing the dice. His Space Ship must return to the Disc via a Space Station in the Galaxy depicted on this card. If the Space Ship and the Disc are not in a position for this move to be made directly the Ship must, on the current and following turns proceed via the Space Stations around the Planet until the move to the Disc is possible. During the turn when the Space Ship moves back to the Disc it may proceed through Space Stations in the Outer Orbit only. At this stage the Galaxy Card can be returned to the pack. If as a result of any hazard the Ship is diverted to any Space Station coded 'A' to 'I' on the Disc it must, on succeeding moves, return to the Outer Orbit before proceeding to Earth or another Planet.

(6) RETURNING TO EARTH Before moving towards Earth from a Space Station in the Outer Orbit the player commences his turn by taking a Galaxy Card from the top of the pack. The card is placed face upwards in front of the player and his Ship must return to Earth via the Space Stations in the Galaxy depicted on this card, i.e. the 'Re Entry Galaxy'. If any Hazard is encountered on route the player must comply with the relevant rule. If as a result the Ship is diverted to another Galaxy it must on succeeding move(s), return to a Space Station in the Re Entry Galaxy before proceeding to land on Earth. The exact dice score must be thrown before a Space Ship can land on Earth to complete a Mission. If the relevant score is too high the Ship must not move until the correct score is thrown on a later turn.The disc is moved the number of compass points corresponding with the score on either of the dice thrown.

(7) HAZARDS (These-are optional) (a) BLACK HOLES When the score on the two dice thrown is double 1 or double 6, the player does not make the usual move for his Ship. Instead, he takes one Galaxy Card and one Space Station Code Card and moves his Ship to the corresponding Station on the Space Disc.

(b) MAGNETIC FIELD When a Space Ship lands on (not when flying over) any Space Station coded 'D', it must on its next turn(s) proceed via Space Stations in the Inner Orbit until a score of six, counting the dots on either one or both dice is thrown. The score on either dice can then be used to escape from the Magnetic Field. If a Black Hole is encountered before escaping, Rule No. 7 (a) takes priority.

(c) SHOOTING STARS When it is a players turn and his Space Ship is on a Space Station in the Outer Orbit which is adjacent to a Shooting Star in Deep Space, he does not throw the dice. Instead, he moves his Ship to the Station which is adjacent to the Shooting Star of the same colour on the opposite side of the Disc.

(d) NEAR MISSES Space Ships may fly over other Ships, but two or more Ships cannot occupy the same Station or Planet. When any move would result in a Ship landing on an occupied circle, the intruder must take one Galaxy Card and one Space Station Code Card and move his Ship to the corresponding Station on the Space Disc.

(8) GENERAL Galaxy Cards and Space Station Code Cards are taken from the top, and replaced at the bottom of the relevant pack.

When a Space Ship is diverted as a result of a Hazard it must proceed from the new position upon the players next turn.

It will be appreciated that, although the game of this invention has been described in relation to space travel, the principle of the game can be applied to any representation of movement of playing pieces.

CLAIMS "(FILED ON 11/5/81)" 1. A board game comprising a board having a series of sectioned paths marked out thereon, a part or parts of the board being movable so as to alter the relative positions of paths or parts of paths, a plurality of playing pieces for movement along said paths and means for indicating extent of allowable movement of the pieces along the paths and movement of said movable board part or parts.

2. A board game as claimed in claim 1 wherein the movable part is a central circular section of the board rotatable so as to alter the relative positions of path exits from said central section to path entrances on the encircling outer section of the board.

3. A board game as claimed in claim 2 wherein said central section has a plurality of paths emanating from a central starting position.

4. A board game as claimed in claim 3 wherein said paths are in the form of spirals.

5. A board game as claimed in claim 4 wherein said spiral paths end at a path following the periphery of the rotatable part, from which path the playing pieces may be moved onto a path on the encircling section of the board.

6. A board game as claimed in claim 5 wherein the playing pieces are movable along paths from the central starting position to the edge of the rotatable section, thence onto the outer section of the board and back again.

7. A board game as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the number of path sections over which a playing piece may be moved and the extent of movement of the movable board part or parts is determined by a random number indicating means.

8. A board game as claimed in claim 7 wherein the random number indicating means is dice playing cards, spinners or the like.

9. A board game as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 further. comprising instruction cards for determining certain movements.

10. A board game as claimed in any one

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Orbit only. At this stage the Galaxy Card can be returned to the pack. If as a result of any hazard the Ship is diverted to any Space Station coded 'A' to 'I' on the Disc it must, on succeeding moves, return to the Outer Orbit before proceeding to Earth or another Planet. (6) RETURNING TO EARTH Before moving towards Earth from a Space Station in the Outer Orbit the player commences his turn by taking a Galaxy Card from the top of the pack. The card is placed face upwards in front of the player and his Ship must return to Earth via the Space Stations in the Galaxy depicted on this card, i.e. the 'Re Entry Galaxy'. If any Hazard is encountered on route the player must comply with the relevant rule. If as a result the Ship is diverted to another Galaxy it must on succeeding move(s), return to a Space Station in the Re Entry Galaxy before proceeding to land on Earth. The exact dice score must be thrown before a Space Ship can land on Earth to complete a Mission. If the relevant score is too high the Ship must not move until the correct score is thrown on a later turn.The disc is moved the number of compass points corresponding with the score on either of the dice thrown. (7) HAZARDS (These-are optional) (a) BLACK HOLES When the score on the two dice thrown is double 1 or double 6, the player does not make the usual move for his Ship. Instead, he takes one Galaxy Card and one Space Station Code Card and moves his Ship to the corresponding Station on the Space Disc. (b) MAGNETIC FIELD When a Space Ship lands on (not when flying over) any Space Station coded 'D', it must on its next turn(s) proceed via Space Stations in the Inner Orbit until a score of six, counting the dots on either one or both dice is thrown. The score on either dice can then be used to escape from the Magnetic Field. If a Black Hole is encountered before escaping, Rule No. 7 (a) takes priority. (c) SHOOTING STARS When it is a players turn and his Space Ship is on a Space Station in the Outer Orbit which is adjacent to a Shooting Star in Deep Space, he does not throw the dice. Instead, he moves his Ship to the Station which is adjacent to the Shooting Star of the same colour on the opposite side of the Disc. (d) NEAR MISSES Space Ships may fly over other Ships, but two or more Ships cannot occupy the same Station or Planet. When any move would result in a Ship landing on an occupied circle, the intruder must take one Galaxy Card and one Space Station Code Card and move his Ship to the corresponding Station on the Space Disc. (8) GENERAL Galaxy Cards and Space Station Code Cards are taken from the top, and replaced at the bottom of the relevant pack. When a Space Ship is diverted as a result of a Hazard it must proceed from the new position upon the players next turn. It will be appreciated that, although the game of this invention has been described in relation to space travel, the principle of the game can be applied to any representation of movement of playing pieces. CLAIMS "(FILED ON 11/5/81)"

1. A board game comprising a board having a series of sectioned paths marked out thereon, a part or parts of the board being movable so as to alter the relative positions of paths or parts of paths, a plurality of playing pieces for movement along said paths and means for indicating extent of allowable movement of the pieces along the paths and movement of said movable board part or parts.

10. A board game as claimed in any one

of claims 2 to 9 having means for indicating extent of rotation of the central section.

11. A board game as claimed in claim 10 wherein the means for indicating extent of rotation of the central section comprises a spring mounted below the rotatable section which springs runs over a series of teeth as the section is rotated so that a click is heard for each movement corresponding to one path section.

12. A board game as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 11 wherein movements of playing pieces will usually be in the generally opposite direction to movement of the rotatable central section.

1 3. A board game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.