GB2383961A

GB2383961A - Spy based board game

Info

Publication number: GB2383961A
Application number: GB0200381A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Baron; Hannah Saunderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-09
Filing date: 2002-01-09
Publication date: 2003-07-16
Also published as: GB0200381D0

Abstract

A spy based board game comprising aboard 1, game pieces, money, cards (17, 18 Fig. 2) and combat dice (26 Fig. 4). The board has a path around which the players move collecting game pieces and information, which may be recorded on sheets provided, in an attempt to discover information about a plot. The information and pieces may be earned by completing tasks or trading with other players. The plot is determined by selecting cards randomly from a group of cards.

Description

SPY BASED BOARD GAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is a board game for recreational purpose. A game for using investigative skills and chance to uncover a plot.

Board games involving detective skills to calculate a plot have been known as have games where the player uncovers cards to discover information. There are also a variety of games where items are used for trading within the game.

An objective of this invention is to combine the above types of games into one, creating a spy based board game that offers a plurality of different ways for players to discover information.

DESCRIPTION SUMMARY The present invention provides a board game that is spy based for discovering information to uncover a plot comprising: a game board; a plurality of game pieces; a plurality of cards which effect the events of play; a plurality of dice for randomly determining the amount of advancement of a player around said game board; a die for randomly determining the outcome of combat between two players in said game ; sheets for tallying off pieces of said information in said game; a card for clearly indicating a yes or no answer to a question in said game; a plurality of items representing money for use as money in said game.

The said plurality of game pieces constitute: pieces to mark players advancements around the board which will be referred to as playing pieces henceforth ; and 7 pieces that are to be used to trade for information during said game, which will be referred to as key elements henceforth.

The playing pieces may be any design which is suitable for indicating a players position on the board and which can enable more than one piece to sit on the same space on the board. The preferred embodiment of the 7 key elements is of 7 small models of a diamond, a bar of gold, a jewel egg, a laser, a microchip, a satellite and a rocket, made from plastic, metal or other suitable material.

Players take turns to advance around the game board in an attempt to discover what the said plot is. This information is held on cards that are randomly selected at the start of the game so that the said plot is different every time the game is played. The remainder of

the group of cards that the said plot are extracted from are accessible from different spaces on the game board. By accessing all of these cards the said plot will become apparent through a process of elimination. This invention offers several ways of discovering information constituting completing small tasks, playing traditional card games, exchanging key elements, exchanging money, and by interrogating other players.

There are also cards that randomly affect the events of play through chance as the game progresses.

One possible embodiment of winning the game is the first player to discover the said plot and announce it correctly to the other players.

A second embodiment of winning the game is the first player to discover the said plot and also possess the key element mentioned within that plot before announcing the said plot correctly to the other players.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I illustrates an embodiment of a game board for use with the invention with the individual spaces around the path through which players progress identified.

Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of a game board for use with the invention and indicates where various cards used in the invention are to be placed.

Figure 3 illustrates cards for use with the invention that are to be placed on the said game board in order to play the game.

Figure 4 illustrates some apparatus for use with the invention that does not need to be placed on the said game board during play.

Figure 5 illustrates an example of an elimination sheet to be used with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION As can be seen in FIG 1, a games board (1) has a path (2) constituting a players progress around the board (1) along which a playing piece progresses as an indication of the stage to which each player has progressed around the board. This path (2) has 44 spaces constituting; 4 secret agent spaces (11), 1 advance to anywhere space (3), 7 key element spaces (4), 6 mastermind bases (5), 6 hotel spaces (6), 4 collaborator bases (7), 3 casinos (8) and 1 collaborator owned casino (8a), 6 plain spaces (9), 4 informer spaces (10), one interrogation space (12) and 1 tarot space (13).

Preferably the different spaces on the path (2) which players progress around should represent areas of the world. A preferred design for the centre of the board (1) would be a world map with this route marked on it.

FIG 2 shows the game board (1) (as in FIG 1) indicating the spaces on the board for information cards to be placed (14), tarot cards to be placed (16), infiltration cards to placed (17) and secret agent cards to be placed (18). It is preferred that the design on the spaces 14,16, 17,18 matches the reverse side of the corresponding cards for clarity.

FIG 3 shows all of the cards for use with the invention. There are 22 information cards which are broken down into four categories :- mastermind (19), collaborator (20), key element (21), objectives (22).

Information cards (19,20, 21,22) contain the specific information that players need to discover in order to win the game.

The six mastermind information cards (19) represent the six masterminds who own the bases (5) on the game board (1), in FIG 1.

The 5 collaborator information cards (20) represent the 4 collaborator bases (7) and the collaborator owned casino (8a) on the game board (1) in FIG 1.

The 7 key element information cards (21) represent the 7 key elements spaces (4) on the game board (1) which represent the preferred embodiment of the small statues of the 7 key elements.

The 4 objective information cards (22) are preferably'detonate an atomic bomb','hold the world to ransom', 'sabotage the worlds food supply'and'start world war III'.

It is preferred that all the information cards (19,20, 21,22) have the same design on their reverse that also matches the design of the spaces (14) allocated for them on the game board (1).

There are a plurality of infiltration cards (23) for use within the invention. Infiltration cards each contain a task that the player must execute. These preferably test players memory, speed, luck or other such skills using the playing cards (29) and the combat dice (26). They may involve a challenge against another player.

The combat die (26) is a six sided die with 3 outcomes which are preferably a gun, a knife and a bullet proof vest as illustrated in Fig. 4. Each outcome constitutes two sides on the die. The combat die (26) provides a way of simulating a battle and providing an outcome as, the gun beats the knife, the knife beats the bullet proof vest, and the bullet proof vest beats the gun.

A plurality of secret agent cards (24) effect the events of play during the game. A secret agent card preferably contains directions for the players to carry out, such as moving somewhere on the board, or exchanging key elements or money. These cards can effect one or more players and can have a positive or negative outcome for the players through chance.

A plurality of tarot cards (25) also affect the events of play during the game. It is preferred that tarot cards mimic real life tarot cards (eg The World, The Magician, The Lovers etc. ). A tarot card preferably contains directions that change the course of play randomly by giving the players instructions that they must follow that can have a positive or negative outcome.

Before the game can commence each type of information card; mastermind (19), collaborator (20), key element (21), objective (22); should be shuffled independently and a card drawn from each pile. The four extracted cards should be then placed on the plot x space (15) on the game board (1) face down (to conceal their identity).

The 18 remaining information cards (19,20, 21,22) are shuffled together and placed face down randomly on the 18 spaces provided (14) on the game board (1).

The tarot cards (25) are shuffled and placed on the space provided (16) on the game board (1). The infiltration cards (23) are shuffled and placed on the space provided (17) on the game board (1). The secret agent cards (24) are shuffled and placed on the space provided (18) on the game board (1).

The preferred embodiment of 7 small models of the 7 key elements are to be placed on the corresponding key element spaces (4).

Each player chooses a playing piece, takes a sheet for tallying off pieces of said information, and starts with a designated sum of money (28).

From this point henceforth a sheet for tallying off pieces of said information will be referred to as an elimination sheet. An example of the embodiment for the elimination sheet (31) is shown in FIG 5.

The items listed under the headings mastermind, collaborator, key element and objectives list what is displayed on the information cards (19,20, 21,22). The places listed under the headings casinos, informer and villains bases, list where information may be discovered on the game board path (2).

The 7 key elements and 4 objectives are in their preferred form however the lists under all the other headings are preferred to list the actual characters and places used on the game path (2) and information cards (19,20) which will vary according to the design of the game.

One possible embodiment of an elimination sheet could be made from paper whereby several could be supplied with the invention in a pad. Pencils would need to be used to tally off information on it.

Another possibility of an embodiment of an elimination sheet could be made from card and plastic whereby the amount of players for the game equals the number of elimination sheets supplied with the invention. Here a plastic sliding mechanism could be used to cover or uncover information listed on the elimination sheet making them reusable.

The money (28) is imitation money and can be any design of money that has been or will be used for a game, preferably paper of different colour to indicate different values.

The excess money is to be minded by one player as designated by all the players. This player is known as the banker who looks after the bank (the excess money). This gives no added entitlement to this player during the playing of the game. This player is responsible for ensuring that the money is used according to the rules and acts on behalf of the bank during any transactions.

Players all start at the top secret agent space (11) marked start on the game board (1) and roll two standard 6 sided numbered die to progress around a set path (2). The players objective is to discover what the information cards placed on the plot X space (15) are.

This is done by discovering what information cards lie on the spaces (14) around the outside of the path (2) and by marking them off on the elimination sheet (31). After all the information on the spaces (14) have been uncovered by a player the remaining 4 items left on the elimination sheet should be plot X.

One possible embodiment of winning the game is the first player to discover plot X and announce it correctly to the other players.

A second possible embodiment of winning the game is the first player to discover plot X and also possess the key element mentioned within that plot before announcing the said plot correctly to the other players.

When a player announces plot X to win, they must view the information cards on the plot X space (15) in isolation. If they see that they are correct they win the game. However, if they see that they are incorrect they must place the cards back on the plot X space (15) and retire form the game. Any money or possessions that the player owns will be placed back to their corresponding origins and play will then continue as normal.

It is to be appreciated that their are several different ways of discovering what the information cards that lie on the spaces (14) around the outside of the path (2) on the board (1) are.

Landing on different spaces on the path (2) which the players progress will determine whether a player has a chance to discover information and how they go about discovering it.

Each different type of space on the board will now be explained as to how they affect the course of play; 4 secret agent spaces (11); A player landing on these must pick up a secret agent card (24) from the centre of the board (18), follow out its instructions and continue or end their go as required. Players receive a designated sum of money each time they pass the start secret agent space.

I advance to anywhere space (3); A player landing on this space may move their playing piece to any space and then continue or end their go as required.

7 key element spaces (4) ; A player landing on one of these spaces has the option of buying the key element for a designated sum of money. It is preferred that the 7 key elements are different in price and that the prices are displayed on the design of the spaces. If a player buys a key element, they remove the preferred embodiment of a small model from the board and place it with their money and elimination sheet to show that they own it in their possession. A player can own more than one key element.

6 mastermind bases (5); A player landing on one of these spaces will have a choice of whether or not to pick up an infiltration card (23) from the centre of the board (17). If they do pick one up they have the chance to view the connected information card on the space (14) on the outside of the path (2). They must successfully complete the task on the infiltration card in order to discover what is on the information card. If they fail or decide not to pick up an infiltration card they cannot view the information card.

6 hotel spaces (6) ; A player landing on a hotel space must pay a designated sum of money as rent. It is preferred that hotels have different rental prices and that they are displayed in the design of the spaces. The money is paid into the bank. A player landing on a hotel space also has the option of buying an allegiance with that hotel for a designated sum of money. It is preferred that this price is 2 or 3 times greater than the price of rent and is displayed on the design of the space. A hotel allegiance enables a player not to pay rent each time they land on that specific hotel, and also to interrogate other players when they may land on it.

Once a hotel allegiance is bought the player should take the hotel card (30) that corresponds to that particular hotel. A hotel card (30) is used to designate which player owns an allegiance with which hotel as only one player may have an allegiance with each hotel. However, a player may have more than one hotel allegiance.

To interrogate another player refers to being able to ask them a question with a yes or no answer about the information cards they have or have not eliminated on their elimination sheet (31). For example player 1 may ask player 2"have you eliminated the gold ?" to which player 2 must answer truthfully using the interrogation card (27) and positioning the marker to indicate either yes or no.

The interrogation card (27) provides a method of only showing the person who is asking the question the answer and not all of the other players. The preferred embodiment of the interrogation card would be made from card or plastic with a plastic marker that could be slid to either yes or no to indicate a clear answer.

If a player does not have enough money to pay hotel rent they must sell any key elements or hotel allegiances to raise enough money to pay the rent. A player may sell key elements or hotel allegiances to the bank for half of their designated money value. If this is done the key element must be put back on its corresponding space (4) on the game board (1) or the hotel allegiance card put back in the pile of hotel cards (30) in return for the money. Alternatively a player can offer their key elements or hotel allegiances to the highest bidding player. If a bidding agreement is made then the key elements or hotel allegiance card (30) go into the buying players possession.

If after selling their possessions the player is still short of the money then, they must pay all that they can pay and then miss their next turn.

4 collaborator bases (7); If a player lands on one of these spaces they have the option of exchanging one of their key elements (if they have any) in order to view the connected information card, on the provided space (14) on the outside of the path (2). If the player decides to do so, their key element should be placed back on its corresponding space (4) on the board and they may view the information card.

3 casinos (8) and 1 collaborator owned casino (8a); All of the casino spaces effect the game in the same way and the collaborator owned casino (8a) has only been labelled separately to the other casinos for the purpose of clarifying that it is the only casino shown on an information card (20).

If a player lands on a casino space (8,8a) they have the option of whether to play a casino game. The casino games will use the standard playing cards (29) and would preferably be simple versions of traditional card games for example, pontoon, poker or other such games. To play a casino game a player must first put forward a stake of a designated amount of money which would preferably be indicated on the design of the space. If the player wins the casino game they may view the connected information card on the provided space (14) on the outside of the path (2). The player also receives twice as much money back that they put forward for their stake if they win. If the player loses they lose their stake which goes to the bank 6 plain spaces (9) ; If a player lands on a plain space there is no effect to the game play.

4 Informer spaces (10); If a player lands on an informer space they have the option of paying a designated sum of money to view the connected information card on the provided space (14) on the outside of the path (2). Preferably the designated sum of money will be written on these spaces as part of the design. The money is paid into the bank.

I interrogation space (12); If a player lands on this space they have the option of interrogating another player of their choice.

I Tarot space (13); if a player lands on this space they must take a tarot card (25) from the pile on the space provided (16) on the edge of the path (2) and carry out its instructions.

It should be appreciated that as players progress around the path (2) that they will land on the same spaces as each other from time to time. If this happens then the player that lands on the other player has the option of attacking that player for: information by means of interrogation; a limited sum of money; or a key element in their possession; before continuing with their go.

To attack another player refers to using the combat die (26) to challenge them. Each player rolls the combat die and the victor gets to choose whether to interrogate the loser, take a limited sum of money off them, or take a key element from their possession.

It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A board game that is spy based for discovering information to uncover a plot comprising : a game board; a plurality of game pieces; a plurality of cards which effect the events of play; a plurality of dice for randomly determining the amount of advancement of a player around said game board; a die for randomly determining the outcome of combat between two players in said game ; sheets for tallying off pieces of said information in said game; a card for clearly indicating a yes or no answer to a question in said game; a plurality of items representing money for use as money in said game.
2. a game according to claim 1 where the said plurality of game pieces constitute pieces to mark players advancements around the board, and pieces that are to be used to trade for information during said game.
3. A game according to claim I where the said plurality of cards that effect the events of play include a standard deck of 52 playing cards
4. A game according to claim I where the said plurality of cards that effect the events of play include cards that have tasks written thereon, that are to be executed by players using said playing cards in claim 3, and said die for randomly determining the outcome of combat between two players.
5. A game according to claim I where the said plurality of cards that effect the events of play include 2 sets of cards that can randomly have a positive or negative effect on a players progress in said game.
6. A game according to claim 1 where the said plurality of cards that effect the events of play include 6 cards that symbolise a hotel allegiance in said game.
7. A game according to claim 1 where the said plurality of cards that effect the events of play include a set of 22 cards divided into 4 groups of variables with said information displayed thereon.
8. A game according to claim I where said plot consists of four variables that are contained on said cards in claim 7.