GB2210801A - Board game - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a game apparatus comprising a board having a map illustration. A number of marked spaces (3) constitute roads which extend about the map between location marks (5) corresponding to towns and cities on the map. Playing pieces are moved along the roads in accordance with the throw of a dice to visit a number of the towns during the course of a game. Blocking markers are provided for use by a player to create road blocks to inhibit progress of opponent players around the board. <IMAGE>

Description

A BOARD GAME APPARATUS The present invention relates to a board game apparatus, and in particular to that for a game involving travel from place to place.

According to the invention there is provided a board game apparatus comprising a board representing a playing field having marked spaces constituting a number of paths extending about the board, said paths affording a track for the purpose of continuity of play, the board having a number of distinguishable location marks thereon, the paths extending about the board connecting each location mark to at least one other location mark, and a number of playing pieces each for movement by a player along the paths in accordance with a random number selection means.

In one embodiment of the invention blocking means is provided for use to inhibit or prevent movement of playing pieces along selected paths during the course of a game, tn another embodiment a number of blocking markers are provided, each blocking marker for placement on one of the marked spaces forming a path to inhibit or prevent movement of playing pieces by players along that selected path during the course of a game.

In another embodiment one or more sets of place cards are provided, each place card indicating one or more location marks on the board to be visited by a player during the course of a game.

In a further embodiment the board game apparatus includes one or more sets of chance cards effecting advantages or disadvantages for a player receiving any of such cards.

In another embodiment one or more sets of start/finish cards are provided, each startlfinish card defining start andlor finish location marks on the board to be visited by a player during the course of a game, Preferably one location mark is indicated on each start/finish card. Alternatively two location marks are indicated on each start/finish card, one to indicate a start location mark and the other indicating a finish location mark.

In a further embodiment a number of the marked spaces are distinguished by colour or indicia to constitute a first distinguishable group of marked spaces for receiving the blocking markers. Preferably the first group is distinguished by a first identifying colour.

In another embodiment a number of the marked spaces are distinguished by colour or indicia to constitute a second distinguishable group of marked spaces associated with selection of a chance card. Preferably tha second group is distinguished by a second identifying colour.

In another embodiment the random number selection means is a dice, the number resulting from a roll of the dice defining the number of marked spaces which may be covered in one movement by a playing piece.

Alternatively, the random number selection means is a set of move cards, each move card having indicia representing a number thereon, a move card being selected in turn by each player to define the number of marked spaces which may be covered in one movement of a playing piece.

In another embodiment the random number selection means is an electronic random number selecting device. In a further embodiment each location mark represents a site of interest and the paths represent roads and/or other travel means interconnecting the sites.

In another embodiment of the invention each playing piece comprises a miniature representation of a vehicle or a person.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a board forming portion of a board game apparatus according to the invention, Figs. 2 and 3 show one of a set of place cards forming part of the game apparatus, Figs. 4 and 5 show one of a set of chance cards forming part of the game apparatus, Figs. 6 and 7 show one of a set of entry/exit cards forming part of the game apparatus, and R Fig. 8 is a plan view of a board forming part of a board game apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 7 thereof, there is illustrated a board game apparatus according to the invention having a board indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. An upper face of the board 1 carries an illustration of a map of Ireland indicated generally by the reference numeral 2 . On the map 2 are a number of marked spaces 3, each of which in this case is a coloured rectangle, the marked spaces 3 constituting paths extending about the board 1 affording a track for the purpose of continuity of play. A number of location marks 5 in the form of dark-coloured numbered spaces are arranged about the board 1, each location mark 5 representing a site of interest in this case a town or city on the map 2.For example, the city of Dublin is indicated by the numeral 27 in a dark marked space, and the town of Killarney by the numeral 46. The paths of marked spaces 3 extend about the board 1 connecting each location mark 5 to at least one other location mark 5 and represent roads on the map of Ireland 2 interconnecting the cities and towns.

The board game apparatus further comprises a set of playing pieces, not shown, for movement by players along the paths during the course of a game, said playing pieces being in the form of miniature representations of cars. Also included in the board game apparatus is a set of blocking markers, not shown, in the form of small plastic discs. Random number selection means comprising a dice is also supplied to be thrown by each player in order to move his playing piece around the board 1.

Referring now to Figs. 2 to 7 there is illustrated three cards forming part of the board game apparatus, each card representing one particular distinguishable set of cards. Referring specifically to Figs, 2 and 3 there is illustrated a front face and rear face respectively of a place card in this case a town card 10. Each town card 10 represents a particular city or town on the map 2, A brief description of the town is given on the rear face of the card together with a number corresponding to the location mark 5 representing the town on the map 2. Referring now specifically to Figs. 4 and 5 there is illustrated one of a set of chance cards 11.Each chance card 11 contains instructions effecting advantages or disadvantages which must be followed by a player Who receives the chance card 11, For example the chance card 11 shown in Fig. 5 advantageously tells a player to go forward three places". A disadvantageous chance card il might for example tell a player to "miss one turn". Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 there is illustrated one of a set of start/finish cards in this case entry/exit cards 12. Each entry/exit card 12 represents a city or town on the map 2 which has either an airport or a port which may be used for entry or exit to or from the country, in this case Ireland.A brief description of the city or town is given on a rear face of the entry/exit card 12 together with a number corresponding to the number of the location mark 5 representing the city or town on the map 2, Xn use, the objective for each player is to enter the country at a particular entry/exit town, to move his playing piece along the paths extending about the map 2 to visit one or more towns and then to visit another entry/exit town, The first player to do this wins the game.

To start the game, all the sets of cards are shuffled and one player nominated as dealer distributes a number of town cards 10 to each player. During the course of the game each player must visit all the towns represented on his town cards 10, The dealer further distributes two entry/exit cards 12 to each player who then may choose the town on one of the entry/exit cards 12 to be his entry town (start location mark) and the town on the other entry/exit card 12 to be his exit town (finish location mark). Each player is also given a playing piece and a number of blocking markers. In this case, the number of blocking markers distributed depends on the number of players, for example with six players, each receives two blocking markers whereas with only two players, each receives four blocking markers.

Before describing further how the game is played, it will be noted that each of the marked spaces 3 is one of three colours. One of these colours is white and any marked space 3 of this colour represents a "clear road", The other two colours are blue and red, which are not clearly distinguishable on the map 2 illustrated however, this is not essential as the colours are randomly chosen. If a player's playing piece lands on a blue marked space 3, the player must choose a chance card II and follow the instructions on the chance card 11. Road blocking markers may only be placed on the red marked spaces 3, however if no road block marker is placed on a red marked space 3 it represents a "clear road".

Before starting each player places his blocking markers on appropriate red marked spaces 3. Obviously in doing this he will not wish to obstruct any path along which he must travel during the course of the game, however he will wish to block other paths to cause the greatest inconvenience to other players. Having placed all the blocking markers each player then places his playing piece at his chosen entry town. These used entry/exit cards 12 are then returned to the pack. Each player keeps his remaining entry/exit card 12 face down until he has visited all the towns indicated on his town cards 10 and then the entry/exit card 12 is turned face up so that all other players can see the exit town the player has to reach to win the game.

Each player, in turn, throws the dice and may then move his playing piece, in one direction only, along the paths, the upturned number of the dice defining the number of marked spaces 3 to be covered when moving his playing piece. If the playing piece stops on a white marked space 3 no action is taken, if it stops on a blue marked space 3 a chance card 11 must be taken and the instruction on the chance card 11 followed. If a player picks up a chance card II saying "move any road block" this chance card 11 may be kept until needed.

Needless to say, the chance card 11 may be either advantageous or disadvantageous to the player. If, on counting out the marked spaces 3 to be moved in accordance with the dice a player arrives at one of the towns on his town cards 10 he can stop at the town however he must forfeit any remaining moves left on that throw and return the appropriate town card 10 to the pack. When a player encounters a blocking marker creating a road block, his playing piece may not be moved beyond this marked space 3 unless he throws a six with the dice or alternatively he can play a chance card II which permits him to pass a blocking marker.

If a player has been halted at a blocking marker for two turns and has failed to throw a six, on the third throw the blocking marker may be passed. Where a player throws a six and his playing piece passes over one or more road blocking markers during that move, the blocking markers may be picked up and replaced on any other red marked space 3 on the map 2, This allows the player to actively obstruct and inhibit the progress of opponents during the course of the game. When a player has reached all of the towns indicated on his chosen town cards 10, he moves his playing piece to his exit town. The first player to reach his exit town wins the game.

Referring now to Fig. 8 there is illustrated portion of a board game apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention having a board 20. This board game apparatus is largely similar to the board game apparatus described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7. Tn this case however the board 20 has an upper face carrying an illustration showing a map of the city of London indicated generally by the reference numeral 21.

Coloured rectangular marked spaces 23 extend around the map 21 which also has dark coloured numbered location marks 25. In this case the location marks 25 represent sites of interest around the map 21 and the marked spaces 23 constitute paths representing roads extending therebetween. Similarly to the board game apparatus previously described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7, although not shown, a set of place cards is also provided corresponding to the location marks 25 and sets of chance cards and entry/exit cards are also provided together with blocking markers, playing pieces and a dice for movement of the playing pieces about the board 20. A game is played with this board game apparatus in similar fashion to the game played with the board game apparatus described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated, for example, a map of any other country, city or town or portion thereof may be used or alternatively a map of a number of countries may be used. Further, the paths extending about the map may represent airlines, shipping lines or rail lines.

It will also be appreciated that various different arrangements may be used for detcrmining when a player should pick up a chance card or for determining which location marks a player must visit. Also the entry/exit towns or sites need not necessarily be randomly selected.

The means for moving the playing pieces about the board preferably is 4 dice however any other random number selection means may be used.

The board game apparatus may be of any suitable materials of construction.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims (19)

1. , A board game apparatus comprising a board

representing a playing field having marked spaces constituting a number of paths extending about the board, said paths affording a track for the purpose of continuity of play, the board having a number of distinguishable location marks thereon, the paths extending about the board connecting each location mark to at least one other location mark, and a number of playing pieces each for movement by a player along the paths in accordance with a random number selection means.

2, A board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein blocking means is provided for use to inhibit or prevent movement of playing pieces along selected paths during the course of a game,

3. A board game apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein a number of blocking markers are provided, each blocking marker for placement on one of the marked spaces forming a path to inhibit or prevent movement of playing pieces by players along ttat selected path during the course of a game.

4. A board game apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein one or more sets of place cards are provided, each place card indicating one or more location marks on the board to be visited by a player during the course of a game.

5. A board game apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the apparatus includes one or more sets of chance cards effecting advantages or disadvantages for a player receiving any of such cards.

6. A board game apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more sets of start/finish cards are provided, each start/finish card defining start and/or finish location marks on the board to be visited by a player during the course of a game.

7. A board game apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein one location mark is indicated on each start/finish card.

8. A board game apparatus as claimed in claim 6 where in two location marks are indicated on each startlfinish card, one to indicate a start location mark and the other indicating a finish location mark.

9. A board game apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 8 wherein a number of the marked spaces are distinguished by colour or indicia to constitute a first distinguishable group of marked spaces for receiving the blocking markers.

10. A board game apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the first group is distinguished by a first identifying colour.

11. A board game apparatus as claimed in any of claims 5 to 10 wherein a number of the marked spaces are distinguished by colour or indicia to constitute a second d$atinguishable group of marked spaces associated with selection of a chance card.

12. A board game apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the second group is distinguished by a second identifying colour.

13. A board game apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the random number selection means is a dice, the number resulting from a roll of the dice defining the number of marked spaces which may be covered in one movement of a playing piece.

14. A board game apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 wherein the random number selection means is a set of move cards, each move card having indicia representing a number thereon, a move card being selected in turn by each player to define the number of marked spaces which may be covered in one movement of a playing piece.

15. A board game apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 wherein the random number selection means is an electronic random number selecting device,

16. A board game apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each location mark represents sites of interest and the paths represent roads andlor other travel means interconnecting the sites.

17, A board game apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each playing piece is a miniature representation of a person or a vehicle.

18, A board game apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawings.

19. A board game apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 8 of the drawings.