A game utilizes a multi-surface play surface having a plurality of locations defined thereon. A plurality of topographical features are removably attachable to selected ones of the locations to further alter the game play surface. A surface base supports a plurality of light source nodes interconnected by pluralities of light transmitting elements. Light is directed upwardly through the light source nodes. Additionally, selected portions of the game play surface which overlay on top of a light source node define surface locations which include light transmissive elements constructed to avoid blocking the light therefrom. Selected surface features also include light transmissive elements to further avoid blocking light from the light source node and game play surface location. The surface base is formed in two segments and is supported upon a book-like housing which includes a mechanism for raising and lowering one of the surface base segments within the housing to facilitate complete closure thereof.

A three-dimensional chess set includes a three-dimensional chess gameboard having a multi-tiered playing surface, and a three-dimensional tray for storing chess playing pieces within the three-dimensional chess gameboard.

A board game system comprises a game board, having a surface adapted to receive a board game overlay, a detector array adapted to detect the respective positions of a plurality of game pieces placed on top of the board game overlay, and a transmitter adapted to transmit data indicating the respective positions to an entertainment device; and an entertainment device, having a receiver adapted to receive from the game board data indicating the respective positions of the plurality of game pieces, a game state analyser operable to update the state of a game in dependence upon the indicated respective positions of the plurality of game pieces, and an image generator operable to generate an image for output to a display, the content of the image being responsive to the detected state of the game.

A three-dimensional chess set includes a three-dimensional chess gameboard having a multi-tiered playing surface, and a three-dimensional tray for storing chess playing pieces within the three-dimensional chess gameboard.

A handheld projector for visually defining an event zone on a grid mat of a tabletop game to obviate the need to manually make proximity calculations during game play to determine whether players indicated on a game board are located in sufficient proximity to a virtual event to be effected.

A game board device is provided for carrying and identifying game pieces that are divided into different piece types. The game board device includes a board, a plurality of optically identifying modules, and a processing module electrically coupled to the optically identifying modules. The optically identifying modules respectively correspond in position to detection regions of the board. Each of the optically identifying modules includes a light emitter that can emit light toward the corresponding detection region and a light receiver that can receive light reflected by the corresponding detection region. When any one of the detection regions is in an unoccupied mode, the corresponding optically identifying module can emit an unoccupied signal. When any one of the detection regions is in an occupied mode, the corresponding optically identifying module enables an identification signal that corresponds to the piece type of the corresponding game piece to be emitted therefrom.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a game board being arranged to accommodate at least one game piece, said game board comprising at least one NFC device and a plurality of NFC antennas which are operatively coupled to said NFC device, wherein said NFC device is arranged to activate a function of said game piece by establishing NFC with the game piece through one of said antennas. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure a corresponding method for activating at least one game piece on a game board is provided. According to a third aspect of the present disclosure there a corresponding computer program product is provided.

A board game set includes a mat part, at least one first coil disposed in the mat part, and at least one game piece comprising a main body, a light-emitting unit, and an second coil, the light-emitting unit is disposed at the main body, the second coil is disposed in the main body and electrically coupled to the light-emitting unit, when the second coil approaches the at least one first coil, magnetic induction is generated and converted into electricity to be provided to activate the light-emitting unit.

A game board device is provided for carrying and identifying game pieces that are divided into different piece types. The game board device includes a board, a plurality of optically identifying modules, and a processing module electrically coupled to the optically identifying modules. The optically identifying modules respectively correspond in position to detection regions of the board. Each of the optically identifying modules includes a light emitter that can emit light toward the corresponding detection region and a light receiver that can receive light reflected by the corresponding detection region. When any one of the detection regions is in an unoccupied mode, the corresponding optically identifying module can emit an unoccupied signal. When any one of the detection regions is in an occupied mode, the corresponding optically identifying module enables an identification signal that corresponds to the piece type of the corresponding game piece to be emitted therefrom.

A novel method of game play and game components that, in one embodiment, is in the form of playing cards associated or representing phonetic sounds and a score wherein cards are arranged in sequences to form words and then a score is calculated. In alternative embodiments, the components used to play the game may take other forms, such as tiles, or the game may be played in different media, such as using electronic displays on a computer or electronic devices and on an interactive network. Further alternatives involve providing a game board that allows the player to advance a game piece along designated spaces to a finish line or goal.