WO1980001356A1

WO1980001356A1 - Apparatus for playing a competitive business game of mathematical/(simulated)entrepreneurial skill

Info

Publication number: WO1980001356A1
Application number: PCT/GB1979/000219
Authority: WO
Inventors: M Rodrigues
Original assignee: M Rodrigues
Priority date: 1978-12-30
Filing date: 1979-12-24
Publication date: 1980-07-10
Also published as: EP0020697A1; GB2038190A

Abstract

This invention (which is not a board game nor game of chance) relates to apparatus for playing a competitive business game of (simulated) entrepreneurial/mathematical skill, and comprizes of imitation money notes in several denominations, a plurality of different coloured p.v.c. money wallets, a matching number of matching coloured smaller p.v.c. envelopes, and a pack of (preferably 48) cards. Printed on one half face of each card is a different illustration (or picture) depicting either business personnel, or materials, or plant, or property. Printed in the middle of the other half of the face of each card is a plural multiplying factor (i.e. 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6), representing the productive value of each card, and also printed on one, two, three, or four sides of the multiplying factor is either a green dot or a blue dot, or a red dot.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A COMPETITIVE BUSINESS GAME OF MATHEMATICAL (SIMULATED ) ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILL.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to game apparatus for playing a competitive business game of mathematical/(simulated) entrepreneurial skill. It is unique as a business game, as there is no board, no dice, and no disproportionate amount of luck between one player and another.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of imitation (preferably paper) money notes in a plurality of denominations, sheets 5 and 6, a plurality of different coloured (preferably p.v.c.) money wallets, a matching number of matching coloured smaller (preferably p.v.c.) envelopes, and a pack of (preferably 48) cards. Printed on one half face of each card 1., see drawing sheets 1. and 2., is a different illustration 2., (or picture or illustration depicting either business personnel, or materials, or plant, or business property, or even abstract money spinners 12., sheet 3, such as advertising media, and patents, all the pictures preferably having an association with commercial offices, or factories, or the building trade). Printed in the middle of the other half of the face of each card is a plural number 3., preferably "2", or "3", or "4", or "5", or "6" (which represents the productive value, or multiplying factor, or each card), and also printed on one, two, three, or four sides of this plural number 3., is a coloured dot 4., which is either a green dot, or a blue dot, or a red dot, corresponding to whether the illustration is directly associated with an office, a factory, or the building trade respectively.

In a further improved embodiment of the present invention, each card is provided with a matching coloured multiplication symbol 5., in addition to the coloured dot provided on the card. In a further improved embodiment of the invention, and for the benefit of people who are colour blind, the multiplication symbol referred to above, on each card is surrounded by a circle, 6., for factory connections, a square, 7., for office connections, and a triangle, 8., for building trade connections.

In a further improved embodiment of the present invention, each card bearing an illustration representing a business capital asset (such as property, plant, machinery, etc.) also has printed the letter "R", 9., to denote the word "retainable", and in addition those cards bearing an illustration of a business property, the letter "M", 10., is printed on the card to denote the word "mortgageable".

A further improved embodiment of the invention is provided with a set of preferably eight clear polythene sleeves, 11., sheet 4, which snugly fit over each of the cards described above, on which" is printed the word "mortgaged", 13., sheet 4, and also the words "LOAN £ ", and "Interest at 20% £ per round", on the same sleeve, 11.

In a further improved embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an open cardboard box, provided with a vacuum formed, compartmentalized plastic tray for easy access during play as well as storage of all the apparatus of the game, and also a lid on the inside face of which is provided a printed set of rules and instructions on how to play the game, and the outside is adorned with printed illustrations showing different money spinner cards that are supplied with the game, preferably in typical combinations that would be used in a game. To facilitate the understanding of the apparatus supplied with this game, a brief description of the "principle of the game" and the object of the game" is stated below.

MONEY SPINNER PRINCIPLE: To make a fortune in business, one has to 'make a product' by buying up (at bargain prices) business elements (or money spinners) that combine together.

Some money spinners, such as a factory building, machine tools, and skilled machinists can combine or connect together; other, such as a manual labourer and an office cannot connect. The connecting side of a money spinner card has a green dot for an office connection, a blue dot for a factory connection, and a red dot for a building trade connection. Some cards have as many as four connector dot sides, and as many as three different colour connections which enhance their money spinning value (i.e. the card number).

OBJECT OF GAME: Starting with £200 each (in change) in a wallet and a smaller 'concealed bidding envelope', six money spinner cards are laid (faces up) in the centre (every round) and auctioned one after the other. The highest concealed bid (first down) on the table buys and takes the card. Card buyers are then given a cash payout (as business income) by the bank for the card number (if only one card), or for their 'products'. A 'product' is a multiplication of two or more numbers (connected in a column with matching coloured dots in between the numbers). After payout, players retain the property/plant cards marked "R", the rest are reshuffled, and another six cards auctioned. Too high a bid that leaves a player short of money for buying more cards can be fatal, because, the object of the game is (to have or) to make enough money to outbid all opponents on all cards auctioned.

Claims

1. Apparatus for playing a competitive business game of (simulated) entrepreneurial/mathematical skill, comprising a plurality of imitation money notes in a plurality of denominations, a plurality of different coloured (preferably p.v.c.) money wallets, a matching number of matching coloured smaller (preferably p.v.c.) envelopes, and a pack of (preferably 48) cards. Printed on one half face of each card is a different illustration (or picture) of a "wealth producing business element", or "MONEY SPINNER" (i.e. a picture depicting either business personnel, or materials, or plant, or property, etc., associated with commercial offices, factories, or the building trade), printed in the middle of the other half of the face of each card is a plural number (or multiplying factor representing the productive value of each card), and also printed on one, two, three, or four sides of the multiplying factor, is a coloured dot which is either, a green dot, or a blue dot, or a red dot, corresponding to whether the illustration is directly associated to an office, a factory, or building trade respectively.

2. Apparatus as described in 1., but instead of, or in addition to the use of dots on the cards, a coloured multiplication symbol x is provided on the face of each card.

3. Apparatus as described in claims 1. and 2., but instead of, or in addition to coloured dots, and/or multiplication symbols, an additional symbol (for the benefit of people who are colour blind) is provided, comprising of a circle for factory connections, a square for office connections, and a triangle for building trade connections, the said symbol being printed around the multiplication sign, or beside it.

4. Apparatus as described in claims 1., 2., and 3., but on all the cards bearing an illustration of a business capital asset (such as business property, plant, vehicles etc.) the letter "R" is printed to denote the work "RETAINABLE".

5. Apparatus as described in claims 1., 2., 3., and 4., but cards illustrating either land or property, i.e. factory buildings, office buildings, etc., the letter "M" to denote the work "MORTGAGEABLE" is printed on the card.

6. Apparatus as described in claims 1. to 5., but in addition there is provided a plurality of clear polythene sleeves that slip snugly over a card (described in claim 1.), on which is printed the work "MORTGAGED".

7. Apparatus as described in all the above claims, but in addition, there is provided a cardboard box provided with a 'vacuum formed' plastic compartmentalized tray for wasy access during play as well as storage of all the apparatus that make up the game, and also a lid, the inside face of which is provided with the printed rules and instructions on how to play the game, and the outside adorned with printed illustrations showing different cards that are supplied with the game, preferably in typical combinations that are used during a game.

8.. Apparatus as described in all the above claims, except that instead of paper imitation money notes, there is provided plastic erasable slates to record in writing the amount of money at any time in the possession of each of the players.

9. Apparatus as described in claims 1., 2., and 6., except that instead of imitation paper money, plastic tokens or poker chips in various denominations are provided.