WO2008138073A1

WO2008138073A1 - Word game

Info

Publication number: WO2008138073A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000695
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Christian Rodenberg
Original assignee: Martin Christian Rodenberg
Priority date: 2007-05-16
Filing date: 2008-05-16
Publication date: 2008-11-20
Also published as: AU2007100395A4

Abstract

The method of playing a word forming game comprises a step of providing a pool (20) of tiles (10) having letters of the alphabet displayed on a face thereof. Each player randomly selects or is allocated a number of playing tiles (24) (step 30). Each player independently arranges his tiles (24) to form a word or a word cluster (25) comprising a word cluster (25) comprising a plurality of linked words (step 32). A predetermined number of additional tiles (10) (step 35) from the pool (20) are added to each player's tiles periodically during the game upon achievement of a predetermined playing condition (step 33). Each player then independently arranges or rearranges his expanded set of playing tiles (24) to form a word or a word cluster of linked words (step 32). Each player continues to peτforrn steps (32) and (35) until the pool (20) of tiles (10) has been exhausted and one player is first to form a word or a word cluster comprising a plurality of linked words that incorporates all of their selected playing tiles. The game can be implemented by a computer or dedicated game apparatus, either locally or via communications links.

Description

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Cross Reference to Related Application

This application is based on and claims priority from Australian Patent Application 2007100395 filed 16 May 2007 and the entire contents of that application and its associated specification (including drawings and abstract) are incorporated herein by cross reference.

Field of the Invention

The present application relates to games and, more particularly, to word forming games to be played by a number of players either in physical presence of each other using physical game pieces or using an electronic game apparatus, or played remotely through communication links.

Background of the Invention

Games, such as board games, card games and the like have entertained people of various ages over many years. Such games typically provide a platform that enables individuals to compete against one another in a comfortable and fun environment, whilst using a variety of skills and knowledge.

Many word games have been developed which require individuals to form words from randomly selected letters printed on movable game pieces, such as tiles. Such word games are both educational and informative as they challenge players to develop their vocabulary and their ability to think quickly and laterally as they are presented with various letter options. Perhaps the best known of these word games is Scrabble®, which requires players to form words using single-letter tiles selectively placed in spaces provided on a playing board. In Scrabble®, words are arranged in crossword style on the surface of the playing board and scoring is determined by point values assigned to the letter tiles as well as bonuses assigned to specific spaces on the playing board. Point values of letters are determined by the frequency of use of that letter in language and each word formed by the player generates a word score, which is a sum of the point values of the letters used, as well as any additional bonuses.

In Scrabbled, each player places his words on a common playing board in sequence. As such, players are reliant on the contribution of others to the overall game, which may limit their creative ability. Further, as players must wait their turn to contribute to the game, they have a potential to plan their next move and do not have to solely rely upon their ability to think quickly and precisely under time constraints. An object of the present invention is to provide a word forming game that provides players with challenge and entertainment, and which can provide a useful alternative to presently known or proposed word games.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of playing a word forming game by a plurality of players comprising:

(a) providing a poo) of playing pieces, each of at least the majority of the playing pieces having a letter of the alphabet displayed thereby;

(b) distributing to each player a predetermined number of playing pieces from the pool;

(c) each player arranging his own playing pieces and forming a word or a word duster comprising a plurality of words each being linked by a common shared letter to at least one other word in the cluster formed by that player's other letters;

(d) distributing to each player additional playing pieces from the pool during the game upon achievement of a predetermined playing condition;

(e) each player arranging or rearranging his own playing pieces and forming a word or a word cluster comprising a plurality of linked words so as to incorporate each of the additional playing pieces after they are distributed; and

(f) continuing to perform steps (d) and (e) until the pool of playing pieces has been exhausted or other predetermined ending condition exists, and

(g) ending the game when one player is first to form a word or a word cluster comprising a plurality of words each being linked by a common shared letter to at least one other word in the cluster formed by that player's other letters and that incorporates all of bis selected playing pieces.

In one possible embodiment, the predetermined playing condition of step (d) occurs when a first one of the players has successfully arranged his playing pieces in step (c) to incorporate all of his playing pieces to form a word or a word cluster that comprises a plurality of linked words. Sometimes the player or a play controller may decide that this condition is not achievable, or a predetermined time has elapsed making achievement of the condition unlikely, or even for the expedient of progressing the game within a reasonable time. Therefore preferably the predetermined playing condition of step (d) is also deemed to occur when no player is able to successfully arrange his playing pieces in step (c) to incorporate all his playing pieces to form a word or a word cluster comprising a plurality of linked words.

The initial predetermined number of pieces distributed in step (b) may be eight, and the predetermined number of additional playing pieces distributed from the pool in step (d) to each player is two.

Preferably each playing piece displays a letter of the alphabet and a point score. There may be provided in the pool at least one auxiliary playing piece that does not display a letter of the alphabet such that the auxiliary playing piece is useable by a player to whom it is distributed in forming words with the auxiliary playing piece being deemed by the player to represent any selected letter of the alphabet. The auxiliary playing piece may have no (zero) associated score, or may have a high score in a variant.

The pool of playing pieces comprises in the preferred embodiment multiple numbers of playing pieces which display the same letter of alphabet. The number of playing tiles within the pool may be dependent upon the number of players. Tn one form, the pool of playing tiles comprises 120 playing tiles. More commonly used letters may be more populous in the pool than rarely used letters.

In the preferred method according to the invention, one player who is first to incorporate all his playing pieces to form a valid word or valid word cluster is deemed the winner, and the method preferably includes the further step of awarding scores to each of the players. The players may then be awarded scores for the completed game, which can be cumulative over several games. For example the player deemed as the winner may be awarded a score of zero, and each of the other players may be awarded a score that is the sum of the point scores of that player's playing pieces that at the end of step (g) were not yet incorporated into his word or his word cluster comprising a plurality of linked words.

In playing the game in one embodiment in the personal presence of other players using physical apparatus (namely the playing pieces), the pool of playing pieces or tiles may be provided in step (a) such that each tile is arranged with the face displaying the letter of the alphabet located so it is not visible by the players. Each player may initially randomly select eight tiles from the pool of playing tiles. Alternatively, a game controller (who may be a player or non-player) may randomly select and allocate and distribute pieces to the players. Each tile may be then placed in the player's own play area such that the face displaying the letter of the alphabet is not visible by the player. Upon commencement of step (c), each player may then turn over his playing tiles to view the letters of the alphabet displayed thereon. Each player then independently arranges his allocated playing tiles in his own play area with the aim of forming a single word or word cluster consisting of linked words in a crossword manner, with periodic additional tiles being allocated at stages throughout the game until one player achieves the aim and becomes the game winner.

In another embodiment, the one player that is first to form a word or a plurality or linked words that incorporates all of their selected playing tiles in step (f) is deemed as the winner. Step (f) may further comprise awarding scores to each of the players. Tbe player deemed as the winner may be awarded a score of zero. Each of the other players may be awarded a score that is the sum of the point scores of the playing tiles that were not incorporated into a word or a plurality of linked words

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a game kit for the playing of a word forming game by a plurality of players, tlic game kit comprising a pool of playing pieces, each of at least the majority of playing pieces having a letter of the alphabet displayed thereby, and each of the playing pieces having a letter of the alphabet displayed thereby also having a point score displayed thereby, the point scores being allocated from a range of scores extending from relatively higher point scores to relatively lower point scores and the point scores associated with each individual letter of the alphabet being generally correlated to the relative frequency with which each respective letter of the alphabet occurs within words permitted to he formed in the game, the kit further including a set of rules for playing of the word forming game, the set of rules specifying rules for conduct of the game rules which, when followed, will result in performance of a method according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a computer implemented word forming game to be played by a plurality of players communicating by respective player interfaces with a game controller, the game controller comprising programmed means for accepting an input from each player's interface to indicate that player's intention to play the game and for recording commencement of participation by each of the players, the player interfaces being operative to enable game playing inputs by each respective individual player and the controller in use interfacing with all of the participating players generally to control the conduct of the word game and to communicate progress information concerning the game including performance of all of the plurality of participating players, the controller further comprising:

(a) means for allocating randomly and for communicating to each player a predetermined number of virtual playing pieces from a pool of virtual playing pieces, each of at least the majority of the virtual playing pieces representing a letter of the alphabet which is, after distribution to the player, displayed to that player,

(b) means for permitting each player to input at his respective playing station and using that player's interface a player variable arrangement of his own virtual playing pieces so as to form a word or a word cluster comprising a plurality of words each being linked by a common shared letter to at least one of the other words formed by the letters of that player's other allocated virtual playing pieces;

(c) means for allocating randomly and communicating to each player additional virtual playing pieces from the pool of unallocated virtual playing pieces during the game upon achievement of a predetermined playing condition;

(d) means for permitting each player to input at his respective playing station and using that player's interface a modified arrangement of his own virtual playing pieces including the additional virtual playing pieces so as to form a word or a word cluster comprising a plurality of words each being linked by a common shared letter to at least one of the other words formed by the letters of that player's other allocated virtual playing pieces;

(e) means for continuing to operate the means (c) and means (d) to respectively allocate playing pieces and permit player operations until the pool of virtual playing pieces has been exhausted or other predetermined ending condition exists; and

(f) means for ending the word forming game when one player complete his aim by being first to form using all of his allocated virtual playing pieces a word or a word cluster comprising a plurality of words each being linked by a common shared letter to at least one other word in the cluster formed by that players' other letters, the means for ending the game being operative to discontinue accepting player inputs upon the completion of his aim by said one player, and to communicate game results to all the players.

In a preferred embodiment of this computer implemented game the controller is operative to compare words formed and input by the players with a database of permissible words accessed by the controller at least at the stage of the word forming game when said one player inputs a signal to the controller that he has completed his aim and incorporated all of his virtual playing pieces to form a word or a word cluster, the controller being further operative to disallow the claim of the player to have incorporated all of his virtual playing pieces if one or more of the words formed by that player are not permissible words in the database.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a game apparatus for enabling a plurality of players to play a word forming game, the game apparatus comprising multiple means each of which is operative to perform a respective one of the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

Throughout this specification including the claims the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of aoy other or additional element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Use of the masculine gender referring to the players is for convenience and clarity and imports the feminine.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Possible and preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a game in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention in progress;

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of game apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method and algorithm of play of a game according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a computer implemented game according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

One embodiment of the game of the present invention will be described in relation to FIGS. 1 - 3 below. It will be appreciated that whilst the game will be described as being played with three players, any number of multiple players could take part in the game.

Referring to FIG. 2, one embodiment of playing pieces 10 to be used for playing the game is shown. The playing pieces 10 are in the form of tiles but they could be blocks (like dice), tokens, printed tickets, etc. A set or pool of tiles 10 is required to play the game. In a preferred form, the pool comprises around 120 tiles. Preferably, the number of tiles 10 within the pool is set as a multiple of the number of players so that 2 to 6 players inclusive can each be distributed equal numbers of tiles.

Each tile 10 has a display face that displays a letter of the alphabet 12 and a point score or value 14. The number of tiles 10 within the poo) that display a particular letter 12 is approximately proportional to the frequency of usage of that letter 12 within language. In this regard, a larger number of commonly used letters such as vowels arc present in the pool, as opposed to more rarely used letters such as Z and X. One example of a suitable frequency of letters provided within a pool of 120 tiles is shown in the table below.

Similarly, the point value 14 assigned to each particular letter 12 is approximately proportional to the frequency of usage of that letter within language. In this regard, vowels are allocated a higher point value than more rarely used letters, as can be seen in FIG. 2. Blank tiles 15 are also provided within the pool. Blank tiles 15 may have no point value (as shown in Fig. 2) and can be used within the game as a substitute for any desired letter. Alternatively the blank tiles 15 can have a high point value say 5.

Each tile 10 has a rear face that is unmarked. The tiles 10 can then be placed on a surface with their display face down such that the display face of each tile 10 is not visible to the players. Alternatively the tiles 10 can be placed in an opaque bag or equivalent and drawn therefrom.

The manner in which the game is played is described in relation to FIG. 3.

To prepare to play the game, the tiles 10 are placed display face down on a flat surface so as to form a pool 20 of tiles 10, as shown in FIG. 1. Each player then randomly selects or is allocated randomly a number of tiles 10 from the pool 20 (step 30) ensuring that the display faces of the tiles 10 are not visible, and places the selected tiles 10 in their play area 22, display face down. As shown in FlG. 1, the play area 22 is typically an area immediately in front of each player. No demarcated playing board or other such apparatus need be supplied (although if desired that is possible) since the game can be played on any suitable surface. The selected tiles 10 then become the player's game tiles 24.

The number of tiles 10 initially selected by each player to become the game tiles 24 can vary. In a preferred embodiment each player initially selects eight tiles 10 from the pool 20. Such a number provides a significant challenge to each player, to form a word or words which use each of the game tiles 24.

Following each player selecting their game tiles 24, the game, or a round of the game, commences by a game leader calling 'START' and each player turning their game tiles 24 over to reveal the letters provided on the display faces (step 31). The game leader may be one of the game players or a nominated observer. Each player then works independently within their own play area 22 to arrange their game tiles 24 with the desire of forming a word or a word cluster 25 comprising a plurality of linked words, that use all of that player's game tiles 24 (step 32). Words are "linked" in crossword fashion, i.e. by showing in common a letter, and by each group of two or more letters touching at their edges forming words

As shown in FIG. 1 , the game tiles 24 can be arranged in a variety of ways to form a word/words. Referring to 'Player B', all of the game tiles 24 are arranged to form a single word. Alternatively, the tiles may be arranged to form a word cluster 25 comprising a plurality of words linked in the manner of a crossword, as is the case with 'Player A' and 'Player C' of FlG. 1. 'Player C in Fig. 1 could have used the remaining letter "X" by placing it beneath one of the letters "O" in "FOOT" to form "OX", thereby forming a valid word cluster. Once a player, such as 'Player B' in Fig. 1 , has formed a word or word cluster of linked words that use all of his game tiles 24 (step 33), that player calls 'Take Two' (step 34). Each player of the game is then required to randomly select (or is randomly allocated) two additional tiles 10 from the pool 20 (step 35), irrespective of whether they have used all of their game tiles 24. It will be appreciated that the specific number of additional tiles 10 to be selected by each player, and the corresponding call made by the appropriate player, can vary between games and/or rounds.

Referring to the specific example shown in FIG. 1, 'Player B' has used all of his game tiles 24, whilst 'Player A' and 'Player C' still have unused game tiles 24. In this instance, 'Player B' would call 'Take Two' which would result in all three players selecting two more tiles 10 from the pool 20 to add to their game tiles 24.

It will be appreciated that should no player be able to form a word or word cluster of linked words that uses all of his game tiles 24 the game will become suspended or stalemated. In such an instance, all of the players may agree to a "Take Two" call, thereby requiring each player to randomly draw two additional tiles 10 from the pool 20 and resumption of the game.

Following allocation of the additional tiles 10 into the game tiles 24, each player must continue to arrange the game tiles 24 to incorporate the additional game tiles into additional or different words within their play area 22. This can be achieved by adding the additional game tiles 10 to previously formed words so as to extend the words, or by linking new words to the existing cluster, or by starting again and forming completely new words in order to use all the game tiles 24.

Once a player has used all his game tiles 24 to form a word or cluster of linked words, the player then calls "Take Two" which requires each of the players selecting two more tiles 10 from the pool 20 and repeating the steps 32 - 35. Similarly, if no player is able to use all of their game tiles 24, all of the players may agree to "Take Two" and repeat steps 32 - 35.

Play continues in this fashion until all tiles 10 within the pool 20 have been distributed amongst the players and a first player has been able to use all of his game tiles 24 (step 36) to form one or more connected words. If there are insufficient tiles in the pool to distribute an equal number to all players, then each player for the final round of word forming may add only one tile to his game tile set, leaving a small number unallocated for that particular game. Once tills condition has been reached, the first player to use all of his game tiles 24 calls "Finished" or "Stop" and all players immediately discontinue play and the scores are tallied (step 37). If a player calls "Finished" whilst another player is rearranging his letters or words, that player must immediately stop, irrespective of bow incomplete their word(s) may be, to enable their score to be tallied. Each player is scored in relation to his ability to quickly use all of their game tiles

24 to form a word or cluster of linked words. In this regard, the first player to correctly use all of his game tiles 24 to form a legitimate word or word cluster and to call "Finished" is awarded a score of zero and declared as winner of that round. All of the other players tally the point values of each of the game tiles 24 that have not been used to form a word or connected words. This tally then becomes their game score. The game can be played over a number of rounds with each player's game score being accumulative. In this arrangement, at the end of the designated number of rounds (or when a predetermined target score is first reached) a winner is declared as the player with the lowest accumulated game score. Throughout the game, all players are able to view the play areas 22 of each other player and at the end of the round can challenge words created by other players. In this regard, any word listed in a standard English or other relevant language dictionary is acceptable. A player may use the same word more than once in a round and pluralised words may be permitted. In some instances, conditions may be made to limit the type of words acceptable, and these conditions may exclude words requiring hyphens, apostrophes, or spelled with abbreviations, suffixes or prefixes. The players may agree upon other game conditions, with any challenges or disputes to be ruled upon by an appointed score-keeper. In the event that a player completes a round using a word that is not accepted by the rules, the player's game score is penalised an amount, e.g. 25 points. The game of the present invention provides a run aud educational challenge to players of all ages. As each player competes in his own play area 22, independently of other players, the game provides a test of a player's ability to think quickly and accurately in a competitive atmosphere. Also, as the game tiles 24 are constantly changing, each player must also quickly adapt to such changes in playing conditions, which may require complete revision of his previous play, which is typically not provided in existing word based games.

A game kit for the playing of a word forming game by a plurality of players, the game kit comprising a pool of playing pieces, each of at least the majority of playing pieces having a letter of the alphabet displayed thereby, and each of the playing pieces having a letter of the alphabet displayed thereby also having a point score displayed thereby, the point scores being allocated from a range of scores extending from relatively higher point scores to relatively lower point scores and the point scores associated with each individual letter of the alphabet being generally correlated to the relative frequency with which each respective letter of the alphabet occurs within words permitted to be formed in the game, the kit further including a set of rules for playing of the word forming game, the set of rules specifying rules for conduct of the game rules which, when followed, will result in performance of a method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

The game of the present invention is simple to play and can be played in a variety of locations as there is no dedicated game board or playing surface. Whilst the present invention has been described in relation to tiles 10, it will be appreciated that the letters could be arranged on cards, paper and other such surfaces to facilitate playing the game in a variety of situations.

Referring to Fig. 4 there is illustrated the game of the present invention implemented by a programmed computer system. In Fig. 4 the players A, B and C communicate with a game controller 40 by means of respective player interfaces 45a, 45b, 45c. The players input commands to their respective interfaces 45, e.g. using peripheral devices such as the illustrated terminals 46a, 46b. 46c which can have associated input devices such as a computer keyboard or mouse as illustrated, a joystick or other games control input device (not shown), or a touch screen of the respective terminal 46a, 46b, 46c. Also, although the players A. B, C are illustrated as having their respective associated terminals 46a, 46b, 46c, the controller 40 may comprise a computer and associated display 41 with all the players A, B, C being present and able to view the display 41 and each player having his own respective input device such as a computer mouse with the controller 40 recognising and responding to the multiple input devices and player commands. In this embodiment the interfaces 45a, 45b and 46c can be software modules receiving commands from the respective player's input devices and the controller 40 presents on the display 41 all the relevant game information which the players A, B, C view and use to decide their game playing strategy. The display 41 for example may present to the players a virtual game scene such as illustrated in Fig. 1 with each player having his own respective playing zone on the screen where the player can see his allocated virtual playing pieces and can move the virtual playing pieces, e.g. by "drag and drop" operations implemented by manipulating the player's computer mouse while monitoring the display.

In another possible implementation, also within the present invention and understandable from Fig. 4, the players A, B, C can be remote from the controller. For example the game can be conducted over a data network with players at diverse locations, e.g. over the "internet". In this case the players' interfaces 45a, 45b, 45c can be the players' own personal computers, game consoles, or the like, with each having its own respective display 49a. 49b. 49c which presents to each player substantially the same information, game play facilities, game progress information, scores, as well as presenting other player's actions with their respective allocated virtual playing basis. Thus the game can be played by players at one location or by multiple players at different locations or any combination thereof.

The controller 40 is operative to accept inputs from the players' interfaces 45a, 45b, 45c. initially to indicate each player's intention to play the game, e.g. in a "log on" operation, and records the commencement of participation by each of the players. The player interfaces 45 enable game playing inputs by each of the respective individual players. The controller 40 interfaces with all of the participating players generally to control the conduct of the word game and to communicate progress information concerning the game, including performance of all the plurality of participating players, to each and everyone of the participating players.

Generally, the controller can be a programmed computer in which an algorithm is implemented throughout the game. The principle functions of the algorithm can be generally understood by the algorithm implementing the flow chart operations illustrated in Fig. 3 and earlier described. The operations of the algorithm can be understood by considering Fig. 3 to be schematically illustrating the software implemented means provided by the controller 40 for conducting the game process. More particularly, the controller 40 comprises:

(a) means 30 for allocating randomly and for communicating to each player a predetermined number of virtual playing pieces 10 from a pool 20 of virtual playing pieces, each of at least the majority of the virtual playing pieces representing a letter 12 of the alphabet which is. after distribution to the player, displayed to that player. The allocation of pieces 10 can be by the controller using software implemented procedure to select pieces (letters) from the pool, or can entail players pointing (e.g. using each player's mouse 48) to the virtual tiles 10 in the pool displayed on the display 41 or 49a.

(b) means 32 for permitting each player to input at his respective playing station using that player's interface 45 a player variable arrangement of his own virtual playing pieces 10 so as to form a word or a word cluster comprising a plurality of words each being linked by a common shared letter to at least one of the other words formed by the letters of that player's other allocated virtual playing pieces.

(c) means 35 for allocating randomly and communicating to each player additional virtual playing pieces 10 from the pool of unallocated virtual playing pieces during the game upon achievement of a predetermined playing condition, such as a player utilising all bis presently held pieces (letters) to form a word or word cluster. (d) means 32 for permitting each player to input at his respective playing station using that player's interface 45 a modified arrangement of his own virtual playing pieces 10 including the additional virtual playing pieces so as to form a word or a word cluster comprising a plurality of words each being linked by a common shared letter to at least one of the other words formed by the letters of that player's other allocated virtual playing pieces.

(e) means 33, 36, 34 within the controller 40 for continuing to operate the means 35 and means 32 to respectively allocate virtual playing pieces 10 and permit player operations until the pool 20 of virtual playing pieces has been exhausted or other predetermined ending condition exists.

(f) means 36 for ending the word forming game when one player completes his aim by being first to form using all of his allocated virtual playing pieces a word or a word cluster comprising a plurality of words each being linked by a common shared letter to at least one other word in the cluster formed by that players' other letters, the means 36 tor ending the game being operative to discontinue accepting player inputs upon the completion of his aim by that one player, and to communicate game results to all the players A, B, C.

In the preferred controller in Fig. 4, there is an associated database 50 of permissible words. The database 50 may be for example a stored list of permissible words such as a dictionary, commonly utilised by word processing software. Not all permissible words may be necessarily individually stored by the database 50, but the database includes rules by which permissible variations of stored words may be considered legitimate or valid, e.g. plurals, past, adverbs formed from adjectives, etc.

The database 50 may an external database such as one accessible through a telecommunications network such as the internet, e.g. the "Gazetteer" if more challenging words are to be considered permissible under the rules of tbe game, or "Wikipedia" which is an on-line encyclopedia which even wider breadth of permissible words is to be legitimate under the rules of the game.

The controller 40 is operative to compare words formed and input by the players A, B, C with the database 50 of permissible words accessed by the controller at least at the stage of tbe word forming game when the one player inputs a signal to the controller 40 that he has completed his aim and incorporated all of his virtual playing pieces to form a word or a word cluster. The controller 40 is also operative to disallow the claim of the player to have incorporated all of his virtual playing pieces if one or more of the words formed by that player are not permissible words in the database 50. As discussed earlier in connection with the manual game, such a player can be penalised by a punitive score addition, and the game resumed from the point where the player falsely claimed he had completed his aim. It will be seen therefore that, in addition to the game according to the present invention being implemented as a parlour game with tangible playing pieces or tiles sold as kit with accompanying instructions, the game can also be implemented by programmed computer. The programmed computer version can be implemented by providing the game playing algorithm on a stored medium, such as CD, DVD, computer disk or downloadable from a remote storage location entirely as software with executable programs. The game can be played by players at a dedicated games apparatus, on a general purpose computer, or by linked game apparatus or computers whether proximate in location or at a distance such as over the internet. The present invention therefore encompasses a method of playing a game using the game rules as described and claimed herein, using a kit which has playing pieces and accompanying rules whether printed or in stored data file which users can extract and consult, a method of playing the game when computer operated and implemented, and a game in computer implementable form, e.g. as a computer program operative to execute an algorithm to implement the game rules.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method of playing a word forming game by a plurality of players comprising:

(a) providing a pool of playing pieces, each of at least the majority of the playing pieces having a letter of the alphabet displayed thereby;

(c) each player arranging his own playing pieces and forming a word or a word cluster comprising a plurality of words each being linked by a common shared letter to at least one other word in the cluster formed by that player's other letters;

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined playing condition of step (d) occurs when a first one of the players has successfully arranged his playing pieces in step (c) to incorporate all of his playing pieces to form a word or a word cluster that comprises a plurality of linked words.

3. A method according to claim I , wherein the predetermined playing condition of step (d) occurs when no player is able to successfully arrange his playing pieces in step (c) to incorporate all his playing pieces to form a word or a word cluster comprising a plurality of linked words.

4. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the predetermined number of additional playing pieces distributed from the pool in step (d) to each player is two.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each playing piece displays a letter of the alphabet and a point score.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein there is provided in the pool at least one auxiliary playing piece that docs not display a letter of the alphabet such that the auxiliary playing piece is useable by a player to whom it is distributed in forming words with the auxiliary playing piece being deemed by the player to represent any selected letter of the al phabet.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the pool of playing pieces comprises multiple numbers of playing pieces which display the same letter of alphabet.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined number of playing pieces selected from the pool in step (b) is eight.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one player who is first to incorporate all his playing pieces to form a valid word or valid word cluster is deemed the winner, the method including the further step of awarding scores to each of the players.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the player deemed as the winner is awarded a score of zero, and wherein each of the other players is awarded a score that is the sum of the point scores of that player's playing pieces that at the end of step (g) were not yet incorporated into a word or a word cluster comprising a plurality of linked words.

11. A game kit for the playing of a word forming game by a plurality of players, the game kit comprising a pool of playing pieces, each of at least the majority of playing pieces having a letter of the alphabet displayed thereby, and each of the playing pieces having a letter of the alphabet displayed thereby also having a point score displayed thereby, the point scores being allocated from a range of scores extending from relatively higher point scores to relatively lower point scores and the point scores associated with each individual letter of the alphabet being generally correlated to the relative frequency with which each respective letter of the alphabet occurs within words permitted to be formed in the game, the kit further including a set of rules tor playing of the word forming game, the set of rules specifying rules for conduct of the game rules which, when followed, will result in performance of a method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

12. A computer implemented word forming game to be played by a plurality of players communicating by respective player interfaces with a game controller, the game controller comprising programmed means for accepting an input from each player's interface to indicate that player's intention to play the game and for recording commencement of participation by each of the players, the player interfaces being operative to enable game playing inputs by each respective individual player and the controller in use interlacing with all of the participating players generally to control the conduct of the word game and to communicate progress information concerning the game including performance of all of the plurality of participating players, the controller further comprising:

(a) means for allocating randomly and for communicating to each player a predetermined number of virtual playing pieces from a pool of virtual playing pieces, each of at least the majority of the virtual playing pieces representing a letter of the alphabet which is, after distribution to the player, displayed to that player;

13. A game as claimed in claim 12 wherein the controller is operative to compare words formed and input by the players with a database of permissible words accessed by the controller at least at the stage of the word forming game when said one player inputs a signal to the controller that he has completed his aim and incorporated all of his virtual playing pieces to form a word or a word cluster, the controller being further operative to disallow the claim of the player to have incorporated all of his virtual playing pieces if one or more of the words formed by that player are not permissible words in the database.

14. A game apparatus for enabling a plurality of players to play a word forming game, the game apparatus comprising multiple means each of which is operative to perform a respective one of the steps of the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.

15. A method according to claim 1 and substantially as herein before described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A game apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 14 and substantially as herein before described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.