GB2214437A

GB2214437A - Board game

Info

Publication number: GB2214437A
Application number: GB8801234A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Whitehouse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-01-20
Filing date: 1988-01-20
Publication date: 1989-09-06
Also published as: GB8801234D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a game board and two types of playing pieces. Deposit areas around the board represent deposits of goal tokens. "Robber" pieces are moved around the board to try to steal goal tokens by entering deposit areas. Policemen pieces are moved to try to intercept robber pieces of other players. Deposit areas may represent commercial premises and include areas representing a safe containing articles of value, the value being indicated by the goal token. <IMAGE>

Description

Game Apparatus The present invention relates to apparatus for playing a game, in particular to apparatus for playing a board game.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game, comprising a game board and playing pieces, the board providing deposit areas representing deposits of goal tokens, starting areas defining starting positions for playing pieces, and pathways extending between areas and along which playing pieces may travel, and the playing pieces comprising first pieces which may collect goal tokens when entering deposit areas, and second pieces which may deprive the first pieces of collected goal tokens.

Preferably the deposit areas represent commercial premises. Each deposit area may contain an area representing a safe which may contain articles of value represented by a goal token. The goal token may indicate the total value of the articles. Preferably the total value indicated by at least one goal token is zero.

Preferably at least some areas along the pathways are designated to require special instructions governing further play to be taken by a player whose playing piece occupies that area. The apparatus preferably further comprises a set of cards bearing the special instructions.

Preferably the first pieces represent robbers. The second pieces may represent policemen. There are preferably sufficient playing pieces to provide each player with one first piece and one second piece. The board preferably provides a separate starting area for each playing piece. The first pieces may have starting areas at the periphery of the board. The second pieces may have starting areas at or near the centre of the board. Further starting areas associated with the starting areas for the second pieces may be provided, the further starting areas being for use by first pieces after they have been deprived of collected goal tok-ens.

Preferably a board bears markings which sub-divide the board into more than one playing region, there being deposit areas and pathways in each playing region. The said markings may represent a river which divides the board into two playing regions, there being pathways along which playing pieces may cross the river.

Preferably the appartus further comprises two dice of different colours for controlling movement of the first and second pieces respectively.

One embodiment of apparatus according to the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figs. 1A and 1B show the game board; and Fig. 2 shows the playing pieces for use with the game board.

The apparatus comprises a game board 10 and playing pieces 12,14. The board provides deposit areas 16 representing deposits of goal tokens. Starting areas 18,20 define starting positions for playing pieces.

Substantially the whole of the remainder of the board provides pathways 22 extending between the various areas and along which playing pieces may travel. The playing pieces comprise first pieces 12 which may collect goal tokens when entering deposit areas 16, and second pieces 14 which may deprive the first pieces 12 of collected goal tokens.

In more detail, the deposit areas 16 represent commercial premises such as shops. Each shop has an entrance 24, a space 26 representing a safe on the premises, and several spaces 28 providing a pathway from the entrance 24 to the safe 26. For the purposes of the game, the safes 26 are imagined to contain articles of value, including money, although some may be empty.

The pathways between the premises 16 are formed by a grid of square playing spaces along which the pieces 12,14 may be moved in accordance with dice throws. Some areas 30 represent grass or vegetation and cannot be used by playing pieces. Other spaces 32, known as risk squares, require special instructions to be taken by a player whose playing piece lands on the square 32. The special instructions govern future play for that piece.

Each corner of the board 10 represents the starting position 18 or "hideout" of one of the playing pieces 12.

Near the centre of the board are four starting points 20 providing the starting positions for the playing pieces 14. Between the positions 20 are four playing spaces designated as "cells". The playing pieces 12 can be moved to the cells during the course of the game, as will be described.

Various playing areas 40 of the board 10 denote a river running across the board and sub-dividing the board into two playing regions on the two banks of the river.

Bridges 42 are provided at various places to allow playing pieces to move between the two playing regions.

Three areas 44 are designated for storage of stacks of cards whose use and function will be explained below.

The playing pieces 12 are models of sacks of stolen goods, and represent the positions of robbers. The playing pieces 14 are models of policemen's helmets and represent the position of policemen. Each player controls one of each type of piece, distinctively coloured. Two dice of corresponding colours are provided to determine movement of the two pieces.

In general terms, the game is played in the following manner. Each player begins with a robber piece 12 in a hideout 18, and a policeman piece 14 in a starting point 20. At each throw of the dice, the player may move both pieces along the pathways 22 by a number of spaces corresponding to the numbers shown on the dice.

The player is attempting to move his robber piece 12 into business premises and onto the safe square 26, to rob the safe. When the safe is robbed a "value" card is taken from the appropriate pile. This will indicate the value of the goods stolen, or that the safe is empty. If goods have been stolen, the player receives the "business" card bearing the name of the premises which have been broken into. The robber 12 must then be moved back to the hideout (to hide the stolen goods) before moving off to raid other premises. The winner is the first player whose robber has successfully robbed six different premises, at least one of which is across the river 40 from the robber's hideout.

The policemen pieces 14 are used to hinder the robber pieces 12 of other players. Policemen pieces can chase robber pieces and if they succeed in catching the robber (by moving to the same space on a pathway), any goods which that robber is currently transporting back to his hideout are forfeit. Moreover, the robber piece is moved to the cells at the centre of the board and is not moved during the next turn of the player controlling the piece.

An exclusion zone 17 is provided around each hideout 18. The zone 17 comprises thirteen playing spaces adjacent the hideout 18, and is indicated by a coloured line 19 around its two sides that face in towards the rest of the board. A policeman piece 14 may not remain in an exclusion zone 17 after a move, but may only cross a zone 17 during the move.

Thus, each player is controlling two playing pieces in an attempt to evade capture of their robber pieces 12 by other players' policeman pieces 14, and to attempt to capture other players' robber pieces 12.

More detailed rules for playing the game may be as follows Rules for "COPS AND ROBBERS" EQUIPMENT : 4 Cop Tokens (Helmet) 4 Robber Tokens (Swag Bag) 2 Dice (1 Red, 1 Yellow) 32 Value Cards 20 Risk Cards 24 Business Cards 1 Board GAME OBJECTIVE: The robber must steal 6 valuable objects successfully. The cop must deter him from this villainous task.

PREPARATION : Place the board ready for play. Situate the pieces as shown in the diagram, although there are squares marked which you can follow if you do not understand the diagram.

Robber 1 Robber 2 Cop 3 Cop 4 Cop 2 Cop 1 Robber 4 Robber 3 OBJECTIVE : Each player controls a cop and a. robber.

With your robber you must steal valuable items and your copper must capture your opponents thief. When caught your robber is penalised.and sent to jail. While in jail the cop along with the robber must miss a roll of the dice. The two pieces under your instruction are moved simultaneously after rolling the dice.

PLAYING THE GAME Highest throw of the dice goes first then play goes clockwise around the board. Both the dice are rolled together the red and the yellow representing the cop and robber respectively. Move the amount shown on the dice, move your robber towards a "SAFE" and try to capture an opponents thief with your cop.

RULES FOR THE ROBBER He must steal 6 objects from around the board, at least one from across the river from his hideout. When a robber reaches a "SAFE" (marked with a blue circle) he may take a value card, this states what is in the safe, it may be empty, if so return the card to the bottom of the pack. Once carrying an object return to your hideout to store it away in an attempt to steal the most and win the game.

RULES FOR THE COPPER As a cop try to capture the robber in possession of the stolen object. To do this you must land on the same square as the robber.

If however the robber is not carrying a stolen object there is no evidence of his crime and he cannot be arrested and is free to continue the game.

Cops cannot enter a robbers hideout nor can they wait at the entrance of the hideout for the thiefs return. They may enter the business premises to arrest a thief, the robber must then go straight to the cells and miss a throw of the dice.

VALUE CARDS : When you land on a SAFE you must pick a value card, the details on the card state whether there are valuable goods contained or the SAFE may be empty. If the SAFE is empty or you are arrested carrying an object then return it to the bottom of the pack.

RISK CARDS (Red Cross) Take a RISK card each time you land on a square with a red cross marked upon it.

The news on the reverse side of the card will either be good or bad, after carrying out the instruction shown replace it to the bottom of the pack.

BUSINESS CARDS Once you steal a valuable object then take the business card representing that particular business. e.g. If you steal from the food superstore then take the card with Foodstore typed upon it.

PENALTIES : When the robber misses his throw then the copper also must wait until the next time around. If a robber is sent to jail the copper freezes in his position.

After missing a throw of the dice while in jail the robber may leave jail from any exit and continue to steal objects from any business premises.

ADDITIONAL RULES : a. No cutting corners diagonally.

b. Cops are not restricted to any particular robber they are free to arrest anyone of the opposing robbers.

c. If a SAFE is empty and the robber leaves the premises without being arrested he is free to continue.

d. Only one object can be stolen from each business. i.e. no-one else can steal from a business which has already been burgled.

e. Robbers cannot step over cops.

f. If a robber goes, to a premises and it is empty he must first enter another business before he can return to the initial one.

g. When you steal a valuable object keep your value card as you need it to prove your exploits.

h. Cops may travel at will through the police station in an attempt to speed up their chase.

i. No playing piece can step on the garden marked by a green square.

j. Robbers cannot enter the police station unless arrested or told to do so by a RISK card.

WINNING THE GAME : Only robbers can win the game, but both pieces under your instruction must be strategically used. Stop your opponents from winning by catching their robbers and helping your thief to steal the six items needed to win.

KEY TO SUARES ON THE BOARD

SAFE RISK ENTRANCE TO PREMISES (END OF RULES) The "risk" cards, one of which is taken on each occasion that a robber piece lands on a square 32, bear slogans and an appropriate instructions governing further play. Some are beneficial to the player. Examples include the wordings "You do a job for a friend in need; move on two spaces", and "You find a diamond necklace and sell it; Move on two spaces". Others penalise the player and may bear wording such as "Move back to your last position" or "You gamble in a casino and lose 300.00; move back four spaces".

Variations and modifications to the apparatus described can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Many other board layouts and designs could be devised, including layouts which allow more than four players to play simultaneously.

The game could also be adapted for play with electronic equipment such as a video or computer screen, in which case the board and pieces would be provided by representations on the screen. "Risk", "value", and "business" cards could still be used, or appropriate information could be displayed on the screen.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. Apparatus for playing a game, comprising a game board and playing pieces, the board providing deposit areas representing deposits of goal tokens, starting areas defining starting positions for playing pieces, and pathways extending between areas and along which playing pieces may travel, and the playing pieces comprising first pieces which may collect goal tokens when entering deposit areas, and second pieces which may deprive the first pieces of collected goal tokens.

ccording to claim 1, wherein the deposit are @@ @@@@@@@@ commercial premises.

---------------------3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each deposit area contains an area representing a safe which may contain articles of value represented by a goal token.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising goal tokens which indicate the total value of articles represented by the tokens.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the total value indicated by at least one goal token is zero.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some areas along the pathways are designated to require special instructions governing further play to be taken by a player whose playing piece occupies that area.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the apparatus further comprises a set of cards bearing the special instructions.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first pieces represent robbers.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the second pieces represent policemen.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein there are sufficient playing pieces to provide each player with one first piece and one second piece.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the board provides a separate starting area for each playing piece.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first pieces have starting areas at the periphery of the board, 13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the second pieces have starting areas at or near the centre of the board.

14. Apparatus according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein further starting areas associated with the starting areas for the second pieces are provided, the further starting areas being for use by first pieces after they have been deprived of collected goal tokens.

15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the board bears markings which sub-divide the board into more than one playing region, there being deposit areas and pathways in each playing region.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the said sub-dividing markings represent a river which divides the board into two playing regions, there being pathways along which playing pieces may cross the river.

17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises two dice of different colours for controlling movement of the first and second pieces respectively.

18. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising display apparatus having a screen operable to provide a representation of the board and pieces.

19. Apparatus for playing a game, the apparatus being substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.