GAME BASED ON TACTICAL PROGRAMMING

Abstract

The invention relates to educational board games having a game board in which players compete to place player pieces on three consecutive grid spaces in a line on the game board during gameplay by selecting a subset of function cards dealt to the players, where each function card specifies one or more grid spaces on which a player piece may be placed, and one or more conditions that must be satisfied in order to place the player piece on the one or more grid spaces, and methods for playing the board games. Each function card represents a program having functions that specify a grid space on which a player piece may be placed. If a function returns true (e.g., the conditions are satisfied), then the player may place a player piece on that grid space. Otherwise, the player may not place a player piece using the function card.

Claims

1. A board game system in which a first player and a second player compete to place player pieces on three consecutive grid spaces in a line by selecting and playing a subset of function cards dealt to the first and second players, wherein each function card specifies one or more grid spaces on which a player piece may be placed, and one or more conditions that must be satisfied in order to place the player piece on the one or more grid spaces, the board game system comprising: a game board comprising: a game grid having a plurality of grid spaces, a plurality of first function card receiving spaces that are arranged on the game board with respect to one another according to an order in which function cards placed on the plurality of first function card receiving spaces must be played, and a plurality of second function card receiving spaces that are arranged on the game board with respect to one another according to an order in which function cards placed on the plurality of second function card receiving spaces must be played; a plurality of first player pieces; a plurality of second player pieces; a first deck of function cards for the first player, the first deck comprising a plurality of first function cards each specifying one or more first grid spaces on which a first player piece may be placed, and one or more first conditions that must be satisfied in order to place the first player piece on the one or more first grid spaces; and a second deck of function cards for the second player, the second deck comprising a plurality of second function cards each specifying one or more second grid spaces on which a second player piece may be placed, and one or more second conditions that must be satisfied in order to place the second player piece on the one or more second grid spaces.

2. The board game system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first function cards includes the same cards as the plurality of second function cards, except that the plurality of first function cards is aesthetically different than the plurality of second function cards.

3. The board game system of claim 1, wherein the one or more first conditions specify that the one or more first grid spaces be available.

4. The game board system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of first function cards includes a block diagonal function card, and wherein the one or more first conditions of the block diagonal function card further require that the first player piece be placed on the one or more first grid spaces to block the second player from occupying three consecutive grid spaces in a diagonal line.

5. The game board system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of first function cards includes a block row function card, and wherein the one or more first conditions of the block row function card further require that the first player piece be placed on the one or more first grid spaces to block the second player from occupying three consecutive grid spaces in a row.

6. The game board system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of first function cards includes a claim center function card, and wherein the one or more first conditions of the claim center function card further require that the first player piece be placed on a center one of the plurality of grid spaces.

7. The game board system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of first function cards includes a claim corner function card, and wherein the one or more first conditions of the claim corner function card further require that the first player piece be placed on a corner space grid among the plurality of grid spaces.

8. The game board system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of first function cards includes a claim cross function card, and wherein the one or more first conditions of the claim cross function card further require that the first player piece be placed on a center grid space along a periphery of the plurality of grid spaces.

9. The game board system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of first function cards includes a complete diagonal function card, and wherein the one or more first conditions of the complete diagonal function card further require that the first player piece be placed on a grid space to complete three consecutive grid spaces along a diagonal line.

10. The game board system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of first function cards includes a complete row function card, and wherein the one or more first conditions of the complete row function card further require that the first player piece be placed on a grid space to complete three consecutive grid spaces along a row.

11. The game board system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of first function cards includes a mirror corner function card, and wherein the one or more first conditions of the mirror corner function card further require that the first player piece be placed on a grid space that is at a corner of the plurality of grid spaces that is opposite another corner on which the second player has placed a second player piece.

12. The game board system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of first function cards includes a mirror straight function card, and wherein the one or more first conditions of the mirror straight function card further require that the first player piece be placed on a grid space that is opposite another grid space along a line on which the second player has placed a second player piece.

13. The game board system of claim 12, further comprising: a set of gameplay rules that specify that the first player and the second player each be provided with a number of the first deck of function cards, that each player select a subset of the number of the first deck of function cards, that each player arrange the selected subset onto their respective plurality of function card receiving spaces, and that each player attempt to play each function card among the selected subset according to the order specified by the arrangement of the selected subset onto their respective plurality of function card receiving spaces.

14. The game board system of claim 13, wherein the gameplay rules further specify that if a given player cannot place a player piece onto the game grid using a function card, the given player's turn is passed to the opposing player, and that if both players cannot place a player piece onto the game grid using a function card, then the first passing player is to place a player piece onto the game grid at any available position.

15. The game board system of claim 2, wherein the one or more conditions is printed on each of the plurality of first function cards.

16. The game board system of claim 2, wherein the game grid is printed on the game board at a center of the game board and is used by the first player and the second player to place their respective player pieces, and wherein the plurality of first function card receiving spaces is printed on the game board in an inverse orientation relative to the plurality of second function card receiving spaces such that the first player and second player are intended to face each other during gameplay.

17. A method of playing an educational game using a game board system in which a first player and a second player compete to place player pieces on three consecutive grid spaces in a line by selecting and playing a subset of function cards dealt to the first and second players, wherein each function card specifies one or more grid spaces on which a player piece may be placed, and one or more conditions that must be satisfied in order to place the player piece on the one or more grid spaces, the method comprising: obtaining, by the first player, a first set of first function cards from a first deck of function cards for the first player, the first deck comprising a plurality of first function cards each specifying one or more first grid spaces on which a first player piece may be placed, and one or more first conditions that must be satisfied in order to place the first player piece on the one or more first grid spaces; selecting, by the first player, a first subset of the first set of first function cards to be potentially played; positioning, by the first player, each of the first subset of the first set of first function cards on one of a plurality of first function card receiving spaces that are arranged on the game board with respect to one another according to an order in which function cards placed on the plurality of first function card receiving spaces must be played; obtaining, by the second player, a second set of second function cards from a second deck of function cards for the second player, the second deck comprising a plurality of second function cards each specifying one or more second grid spaces on which a second player piece may be placed, and one or more second conditions that must be satisfied in order to place the second player piece on the one or more second grid spaces; selecting, by the second player, a second subset of the second set of second function cards to be potentially played; positioning, by the second player, each of the second subset of the second set of second function cards on one of a plurality of second function card receiving spaces that are arranged on the game board with respect to one another according to an order in which function cards placed on the plurality of second function card receiving spaces must be played; playing, by the first player, one or more of the first subset of the first set of first function cards by evaluating the one or more first conditions; determining whether the first player piece should be placed on the game grid to occupy a grid space based on the evaluating; playing, by the second player, one or more of the second subset of the second set of second function cards by evaluating the one or more second conditions; and determining whether the second player piece should be placed on the game grid to occupy a grid space based on the evaluating the one or more second conditions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an educational board game system based on tactical programming, according to an implementation of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a game board for gameplay based on tactical programming, according to an implementation of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary function card that programmatically specifies blocking an opponent's three consecutive diagonal player pieces in a diagonal line, according to an implementation of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary function card that programmatically specifies blocking an opponent's three consecutive player pieces in a row, according to an implementation of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary function card that programmatically specifies claiming a center grid space, according to an implementation of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary function card that programmatically specifies claiming a corner grid space, according to an implementation of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary function card that programmatically specifies claiming a cross grid space, according to an implementation of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary function card that programmatically specifies completing a diagonal line, according to an implementation of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary function card that programmatically specifies completing a row, according to an implementation of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary function card that programmatically specifies mirroring a corner, according to an implementation of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary function card that programmatically specifies straight mirroring (e.g., a row), according to an implementation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The invention relates to educational board games having a game board in which players compete to place player pieces on three consecutive grid spaces in a line on the game board (e.g., a tic tac toe) or other game objective during gameplay by selecting a subset of function cards dealt to the players, where each function card specifies one or more grid spaces on which a player piece may be placed, and one or more conditions that must be satisfied in order to place the player piece on the one or more grid spaces, and methods for playing the board games. A given function card may be offensive in nature (e.g., place a player piece at one or more specified grid spaces irrespective of a block and/or to complete a row to win), or defensive in nature (e.g., place a player piece at one or more specified grid spaces only to block another player).

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an educational board game system 1 based on tactical programming, according to an implementation of the invention. The game board system 1 may include a game board 2, a plurality of first player pieces for the first player and a plurality of second player pieces for the second player (collectively illustrated as player pieces 4), and a plurality of first function cards for the first player (e.g. a first deck of function cards) and a plurality of second function cards for the second player (e.g. a second deck of function cards) (collectively illustrated as function cards 6). The first deck of function cards may be identical to the second deck of function cards, other than ornamentation (e.g., coloring, design, etc.) to distinguish a first player's deck of cards from the second player's deck of cards. In some instances, 18 function cards (9 per each player deck) and 14 player pieces (7 per player) are included, although other numbers may be provided as well.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, which illustrates an example of a game board 2 for gameplay based on tactical programming, the game board 2 may include a game grid having a plurality of grid spaces 10A-I (also referred to as grid spaces 10), a plurality of first function card receiving spaces 20A-C (also referred to as first function card receiving spaces 20), and a plurality of second function card receiving spaces 22A-C (also referred to as second function card receiving spaces 22). The game grid, the plurality of first function card receiving spaces 20A-C and the plurality of second function card receiving spaces 22A-C may be printed on the game board. The first and second players share the game grid, but each has their own respective function card receiving spaces 20 or 22 on which they place their selected function cards.

[0030] In some implementations, the plurality of first function card receiving spaces 10 may be printed on the game board with respect to one another according to an order in which function cards placed on the plurality of first function card receiving spaces must be played. For example, and without limitation, the plurality of first function card receiving spaces may include three (e.g., 20A top, 20B mid, and 20C low) function card receiving spaces that are arranged with respect to one another. Other numbers and labels of function card receiving spaces may be used as well. Likewise, the plurality of second function card receiving spaces may include three (e.g., 22A top, 22B mid, and 22C low) function card receiving spaces that are arranged with respect to one another.

[0031] During gameplay, the first player places each of his selected function cards onto one of the 20A high, 20B mid, and 20C low function card receiving spaces. The second player likewise places each of her selected function cards onto one of the 22A high, 22B mid, and 22C low function card receiving spaces.

[0032] In some implementations, the game grid has exactly nine (33) grid spaces 10 using which players compete to place three of their game pieces consecutively in a row, in a manner similar to tic tac toe. However, instead of players taking turns to select any available grid space to ultimately get three in a row as in a conventional tic tac toe game, players take turns playing one or more of their function cards, and may place a game piece only according to one or more grid spaces 10 and/or conditions specified by the played function card. In this manner, a given function card programs or limits the possible moves that a player may make (in addition to being prevented from placing a player piece on a grid space 10 that is already occupied).

[0033] In some implementations, and as illustrated, the game board 2 is printed in a player-versus-player configuration. For instance, the game board 2 is printed so that the first player and the second player face each other during gameplay. As such, the first function card receiving spaces 20 are printed on the game board 2 so that the first player (as illustrated, the BLUE player) can read them. Likewise, the second function card receiving spaces 22 are printed on the game board 2 so that the second player (as illustrated, the RED player) can read them and are inverted with respect to the first function card receiving spaces 20.

[0034] Function Cards

[0035] FIGS. 3-11 collectively illustrate a deck of exemplary function cards for a given player. Not illustrated is a functionally identical but aesthetically different deck of function cards for other players. In each of FIGS. 3-11, like reference numerals represent similar components. For example, function 30 indicates a grid space on which a player piece may be placed subject to a condition that the grid space is available. Function 32 indicates that an opposing player piece must be placed on the indicated grid space (e.g., function 32 includes a condition that placement of a player piece block an opponent's three-in-a-row). Function 34 indicates that a player's own piece must be placed on the indicated grid space (e.g., function 34 includes a condition that other ones of the player's player pieces be placed in the indicated grid space). Each function card may additionally include a description of the purpose of the function card (e.g., block, claim, complete, or mirror).

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary function card 6A that programmatically specifies blocking an opponent's three consecutive player pieces in a diagonal line, according to an implementation of the invention. As such, function card 6A includes a function 30 that indicates a grid space on which a player may place a player piece 4 to block an opposing three consecutive player pieces in a diagonal line and a condition that the indicated grid space is available. Function card 6A also includes a function 34 includes a condition that indicates grid spaces on which an opposing player's player piece must be placed. As illustrated function card 6A shows two possible diagonal blocks although other types of diagonal blocks may be indicated as well or in the alternative (additionally, opponent's occupied grid spaces need not be next to one another such that a block can appear between the opponent's occupied grid spaces).

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary function card 6B that programmatically specifies blocking an opponent's three consecutive player pieces in a row, according to an implementation of the invention. As such, function card 6B includes a function 30 that indicates a grid space on which a player may place a player piece 4 to block an opposing three consecutive player pieces in a row and a condition that the indicated grid space is available. Function card 6B also includes a function 34 includes a condition that indicates grid spaces on which an opposing player's player piece must be placed. As illustrated function card 6B shows two possible row blocks although other types of diagonal blocks may be indicated as well or in the alternative (additionally, opponent's occupied grid spaces need not be next to one another such that a block can appear between the opponent's occupied grid spaces).

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary function card 6C that programmatically specifies claiming a center grid space, according to an implementation of the invention. Function 30 may specify a center grid space on which a player may place a player piece, and includes a condition that the center grid space is available.

[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary function card 6D that programmatically specifies claiming a corner grid space, according to an implementation of the invention. Functions 30 may specify one of four corner grid spaces on which a player may place a player piece, and includes a condition that the grid space specified by the function 30 is available.

[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary function card 6E that programmatically specifies claiming a cross grid space, according to an implementation of the invention. Functions 30 may specify one of four cross spaces on which a player may place a player piece, and includes a condition that the grid space specified by the function 30 is available. A cross grid space is one that is on a peripheral side of the game grid and is at the center of the peripheral side.

[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary function card 6F that programmatically specifies completing a diagonal line, according to an implementation of the invention. As such, function card 6F includes a function 30 that indicates a grid space on which a player may place a player piece 4 to complete a diagonal line and a condition that the indicated grid space is available. Function card 6F also includes a function 34 that includes a condition that indicates grid spaces on which the player's player pieces must be placed. As illustrated function card 6F shows two possible diagonal completions although other types of diagonal completions may be indicated as well or in the alternative (additionally, the player's occupied grid spaces need not be next to one another such that a final player piece can appear between the player's occupied grid spaces).

[0042] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary function card 6G that programmatically specifies completing a row, according to an implementation of the invention. As such, function card 6G includes a function 30 that indicates a grid space on which a player may place a player piece 4 to complete a row and a condition that the indicated grid space is available. Function card 6G also includes a function 34 that includes a condition that indicates grid spaces on which the player's player pieces must be placed. As illustrated function card 6G shows two possible row completions although other types of diagonal completions may be indicated as well or in the alternative (additionally, the player's occupied grid spaces need not be next to one another such that a final player piece can appear between the player's occupied grid spaces).

[0043] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary function card 6H that programmatically specifies mirroring a corner, according to an implementation of the invention. A mirrored corner is a corner grid space in which an opposing player has placed a player piece diagonally from and at an opposite corner of the corner grid space. As such, function card 6H includes a function 30 that indicates a corner grid space on which a player may place a player piece 4 and a condition that the indicated grid space is available. Function card 6H also includes a function 32 that includes a condition that indicates a grid space on which an opposing player's player piece must be placed. As illustrated function card 6H shows two possible corner mirrors although other types of diagonal completions may be indicated as well or in the alternative.

[0044] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary function card 6I that programmatically specifies straight mirroring (e.g., a row), according to an implementation of the invention. A mirrored straight space is a grid space in which an opposing player has placed a player piece across from and at an opposite side of a row of grid spaces. As such, function card 6I includes a function 30 that indicates a grid space on which a player may place a player piece 4 and a condition that the indicated grid space is available. Function card 6I also includes a function 32 that includes a condition that indicates a grid space on which an opposing player's player piece must be placed. As illustrated function card 6I shows two possible straight mirrors although other types of diagonal completions may be indicated as well or in the alternative.

[0045] Alternate Gameplay Modes

[0046] The foregoing descriptions and examples described a standard game mode of operation. The following represent alternatives to the standard game mode, with differences from the standard game mode noted.

[0047] Reverse Tactoplayers play the worst Functions possible. The first player to place three consecutive player pieces in a line loses.

[0048] Constructed TactoInstead of drawing five cards at the beginning, players can select their Function cards from their entire deck.

[0049] Draft TactoPlayers draw five cards as in the standard mode, but then then take turns playing their function cards face up (e.g., player 1 plays his top function card, then player 2 plays her top function card, then player 1 plays his mid function card, and so on . . . ), performing them as they are played.

[0050] Wild TactoAt the end of a player's turn, the player draws a function card, then swaps one of the player's selected function cards with the newly drawn function card.

[0051] Timed TactoEach player has a limited amount of time to make their move. If they fail to do so, the other player may place a player piece anywhere on the game grid.

[0052] Other implementations, uses and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification should be considered exemplary only, and the scope of the invention is accordingly intended to be limited only by the following claims.