INTERACTIVE REAL ESTATE BOARD GAME

Abstract

A board game that creates an entertaining playing and learning environment pertaining to investing and buying real estate. The board game comprises a playing board with spaces thereon corresponding to actions or cards with significance to the home buying or investment field, game pieces for each player to move around the board, dice to be rolled to advance game pieces along the board, currency, and various learning elements that cooperate to create an entertaining and learning environment for players and audiences.

Claims

1. A game for one or more players, the game comprising: a playing board with a top playing surface defined by a plurality of tracks, each track including a plurality of spaces numbered in a serpentine pattern; a plurality of game pieces; a random number generator configured to delineate where each game piece is to be moved along the spaces of a corresponding track; a plurality of cards, each card labeled as S, I, C, B or labeled with an action, and optionally including a fact about real estate investing; wherein each track includes a plurality of spaces depicting a house, a begin space where a player begins movement along the track, and end space where a player ends movement along the track, a plurality of spaces awarding money to a player, a plurality of spaces taking money from a player, a plurality of spaces labeled SELLER, a plurality of spaces labeled BUYER, a plurality of spaces labeled CONTRACT, and a plurality of spaces labeled INVESTOR; wherein a player is imposed to pay a game currency when the piece of the player is located on space taking money from the player; wherein a player is awarded a game currency when the piece of the player is located on a space awarding money to the player.

2. The game of claim 1, wherein the playing board is substantially rectangular or square shaped.

3. The game of claim 1, wherein the playing board is foldable.

4. The game of claim 1, wherein a house is accumulated when one player obtains an S, C, B card combination or obtains an S, C, INV card combination.

5. The game of claim 1, further comprising game currency.

6. The game of claim 1, wherein each player has an individual track.

7. The game of claim 1, wherein the playing board includes 4 tracks.

8. The game of claim 1, wherein each track includes 70 spaces.

9. The game of claim 1, wherein the playing board has a length and width of about 5-50 inches and a thickness of about 0.1-1 inch.

10. The game of claim 1, wherein about 5-20% of the spaces of each track comprise the word BUYER, about 5-20% of the spaces of each track comprise the word SELLER, about 5-20% of the spaces of each track comprise the word CONTRACT, about 5-20% of the spaces of each track comprise the word INVESTOR, about 5-20% of the spaces of each track comprise an image of real estate, and about 5-20% of the spaces of each track comprise an action direction.

11. The game of claim 1, wherein one of the action cards comprises a card that negates a card combination of S-C-B or S-C-I of a competitor player.

12. A method of playing the game of claim 1, the method comprising: assigning two game pieces to each player; assigning one track to each player; dealing six cards to each player; awarding money to each player; determining a playing order, wherein the first player rolls the dice to advance one of the assigned game pieces of that player a rolled number of spaces along the track; wherein when a player lands on a SELLER space, the player is on a free space, when a player lands on a CONTRACT space, that player plays a C card if the player holds a C card, when a player lands on an INVESTOR space, that player plays an INV card if that player holds an INV card, and when a player lands on a BUYER space, that player plays a B card if that player holds a B card, and wherein a player that successfully lands on a house image space can play an S card if the player holds an S card, wherein a player creates a first spread by playing a S-C-INV combination or S-C-B combination; wherein when a player lands on a space taking money from the player, that player must pay an amount of money noted on the space or that player loses the game; wherein a player lands on a space awarding money, that player is given an amount of money noted on the space; wherein each player draws one card when they roll the dice and discard one card after they move a playing piece along the track; wherein a player that achieves two spreads wins the game; wherein when a player receives a lost contract card, that player cancels one played S, C, INV, or B card of another player; repeating the rolling with successive players until one player wins.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein when one player rolls two dice with the same number, that player rolls one die again as a bonus roll.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein each game piece must exit the track at the end of the game.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein each game piece must exit the track by rolling the exact number of spaces left to exit the track.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The previous summary and the following detailed descriptions are to be read in view of the drawings, which illustrate some (but not all) embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a board game in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0034] FIG. 2a is a top plan view of a playing board used with a game in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0035] FIG. 2b is a top plan view of a game playing board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0036] FIG. 2c is a side plan view of a game playing board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0037] FIGS. 3a-3f are top plan view of game playing boards in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a foldable playing board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0039] FIG. 5a is a top plan view of a playing board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0040] FIG. 5b is a fragmentary top plan view of a game playing board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0041] FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate top plan views of game board track paths in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0042] FIGS. 7a-7d are top plan view of playing board spaces that include an indicator in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a top plan fragmentary view of a playing board track in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0044] FIGS. 9a-9i are top plan view of playing cards in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0045] FIGS. 10a and 10b are top plan views of a playing board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0046] FIG. 10c is a top plan view of game currency in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0047] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustrating game play in some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The presently disclosed subject matter is introduced with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. The descriptions expound upon and exemplify features of those embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0049] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are now described.

[0050] Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms a, an, and the refer to one or more when used in the subject specification, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to a device can include a plurality of such devices, and so forth.

[0051] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the instant specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0052] As used herein, the term about, when referring to a value or to an amount of mass, weight, time, volume, concentration, and/or percentage can encompass variations of, in some embodiments +/?0.1-20% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate in the disclosed packages and methods.

[0053] The presently disclosed subject matter can be implemented in several different forms. However, the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered an example of the principles and are not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. Like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar, or corresponding part in the several views of the drawings. The detailed description defines terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments for those skilled in the art to practice the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0054] The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to an interactive real-estate themed board game. As shown in FIG. 1, board game 5 includes playing board 10, one or more dice 15, cards 16, and one or more moveable game pieces 20. The term playing board broadly refers to any planar structure having graphical representations thereon that can be used to play a game. The term dice refers to any numerical indicating element. The term game pieces refers three dimensional structures of wood, plastic, metal, cardboard, or the like that represent a player or team during play of game 5. The term cards refers to any set of items bearing a marked indicator or indicators (such as one or more numbers, letters, words, pictures, and/or other symbols) that is intended to be used by a participant while playing game 5.

[0055] The goal of playing the disclosed game is for individual or team players to advance their game pieces 20 around the track of playing board 10, compete by progressively attempting to create spreads that indicate the sale of an item of real estate. The spreads are created by advancing along the playing board and by collecting cards 16 are combined to create the spreads.

[0056] As noted above, game 5 includes playing board 10 that provides a surface upon which to play the game. FIG. 2a illustrates one embodiment of playing board 10 comprising top playing surface 25 and opposed bottom surface 30. Players interact with the top playing surface, such as by moving game pieces 20 along a pathway as described in detail below. The bottom surface of the playing board rests upon and directly contacts a support surface, such as a table, the floor, etc. The playing board also can include a pair of side edges 35 and opposed top and bottom edges 40, 41.

[0057] Playing board 10 can be constructed from any suitable materials, such as (but not limited to) cardboard, plastic, metal, wood, or combinations thereof. Top playing surface 25 can be printed or otherwise include graphical representations, such as numbers, images, words, and the like. The top playing surface can be printed on the playing board by a printing process or may be formed as a part of the playing board itself.

[0058] The playing board is not limited and can be configured in any desired size. For example, the playing board can be configured with length 45, width 50, and thickness 55, as shown in FIGS. 2b and 2c. The term length refers to the longest straight-line horizontal distance of the game board (e.g., between opposed side edges 35 in some embodiments). The term width refers to the longest straight-line vertical distance of the game board (e.g., between the upper and lower edges 40, 41 in some embodiments).

[0059] For example, the game board can include length 45 and/or width 50 of about 5-50 inches (e.g., at least/no more than about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 inches). For example, the game board can have a length and width of about 22 inches?22 inches in some embodiments. It should be appreciated that the dimensions of the playing board are not limited and can be configured larger or smaller than the length and width ranges given above.

[0060] The term thickness refers to the distance between the board top and bottom surfaces 25, 30, as shown in FIG. 2c. Playing board 10 can have thickness 55 of about 0.1-1 inches in some embodiments. However, the presently disclosed subject matter Is not limited and the playing board thickness can be greater or less than the given range.

[0061] Although depicted as square or rectangular in shape in the Figures, the playing board can have any suitable shape, such as (but not limited to) oval, round, triangular, cross-shaped, pentagonal, octagonal, and the like, as shown in FIGS. 3a-3f, respectively. It should be noted that any shaped playing board can be used.

[0062] In some embodiments, the playing board can be foldable along crease 60 to be be easily stored and/or shipped, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Game board 10 can be folded in half, thirds, quarters, etc.

[0063] It is also envisioned that the playing board can be electronic, and the game played electronically as well.

[0064] Top playing surface 25 of the game board can be marked or printed in any desired way. For example, the top playing surface can include a series of tracks 65, each track assigned to a particular player or team. In some embodiments, the playing board can include 4 tracks 65, as shown in FIG. 5a. Each track includes a series of individual spaces 70 that a player must travel on to reach the end of the track. Each space is indicated by a number to designate the path of travel of individual playing pieces 20 as shown in FIG. 5b. The path therefore begins at space numbered 1 and advances in increasing order to the end of the track (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5 . . . 70).

[0065] In some embodiments, each player advances along spaces 70 of each track in an S or serpentine pattern, as illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b. Each player therefore begins at start space 71 (indicated by number 1) and winds their way along the track, advancing to finish space 72 (which can be indicated by number 70). Each successive space 70 along the path of the track is successively numbered (e.g., start space is numbered 1, the next successive space is numbered 2, the next successive space is numbered 3, and so forth until the end space is reached). Once the player exits the finish space 72, the game is over.

[0066] Each individual space 70 also includes a direction or image that has some significance in the real estate buying and investing field. As an example, a plurality of spaces in each track 65 can indicate the target words BUYER, CONTRACT, SELLER, or INVESTOR as illustrated in FIGS. 7a-7d. Each track can include multiple spaces 70 that include BUYER, SELLER, CONTRACT, and INVESTOR. For example, a track can include 5-10 individual BUYER spaces, 5-10 individual SELLER spaces, 5-10 CONTRACT spaces, and 5-10 individual INVESTOR spaces. Each space only includes one word (e.g., no spaces include both BUYER and SELLER indicators). In some embodiments, about 10-20 percent (e.g., at least/no more than about 5, 10, 15, or 20%) of the spaces include either BUYER, SELLER, INVESTOR, or CONTRACT.

[0067] Spaces that do not include the words SELLER, BUYER, CONTRACT, or INVESTOR can include images 75 of different types of houses or real estate. For example, the images can represent single-family houses, condominiums, townhouses, small houses, duplexes, mansions, beach houses, vacation homes, modern style houses, cabins, farmhouses, ranches, and the like. In some embodiments, about 10-20 percent (e.g., at least/no more than about 5, 10, 15, or 20%) of the spaces include images of real estate properties.

[0068] Each of the plurality of spaces may include different words corresponding to different rules or actions to be taken by at least one player.

[0069] Spaces that do not include images of houses or real estate and do not include the words BUYER, SELLER, CONTRACT, or INVESTOR include words corresponding to different rules or actions to be taken by at least one player. For example, the spaces can include a direction to pay or receive real-estate related funds (e.g., pay a fee for lawn care, pay a fee to record a contract, win $50, pay HOA fee, water bill payment, property tax payment, tree removal fee, repave driveway cost, new roof bill, property tax refund, pay accountant, cable bill, new fence, hail storm damage, repaint house, replace refrigerator, etc.). Thus, each track can include penalty or reward spaces that address examples of economic loss or gain suffered in different ways associated with real estate ownership.

[0070] An important educational and sometimes amusing aspect of the game are the cards 16 that can include educational facts associated with real estate ownership. Representative examples are shown in FIGS. 9a-9i. As set forth below, players can draw a card during various times of the game. The cards can include a fact about real estate, allowing users to increase their knowledge of real estate transactions. The cards can include the letters S, B, C, or INV (indicating SELLER, BUYER, CONTRACT, or INVESTOR, respectively). In some embodiment, a card can include both a letter and a real estate fact.

[0071] The game is played with two or more players (or two or more teams of players) and the setup includes placing the cards 16 (face down) on playing board 10. In some embodiments, the playing board can include representative rectangle 80 configured to house cards 16, as shown in FIG. 10a. The rectangle can be positioned at any location and is not limited.

[0072] Each player or team then selects game pieces 20. The game pieces are not limited and can be configured in any desired shape. For example, the game pieces can be each a different color, size, and/or shape to distinguish the game piece of player 1 from the game piece of player 2. Each player can select two or more game pieces (e.g., about 2-10).

[0073] As noted above, game 5 includes playing board 10 that acts as a base. The playing board can be positioned such that the top surface 25 is visible and accessible by the players. The game pieces for each player (or team) are placed on start space 71 for that team's track 65 as shown in FIG. 10b. Each player is also distributed a starting amount of money 85 to start the game, as shown in FIG. 10c. For example, each player can receive an initial $100 to cover lawn care and recording fees. The money can be configured in any size, shape, color. Any desired amount of money can be chosen to be distributed to each player or team. One player is designated as the banker and holds all undistributed money and handles all financial transactions (e.g., when a player must pay a fee or is rewarded money).

[0074] Each player is also given a set number of cards 16 (e.g., 6 cards) before game play begins. Each card is labeled with an identifier selected from the letters S, C, B, or INV, as noted above (representing Seller, Contract, Buyer, and Investor, respectively). In some embodiments, a card can include a real estate fact alone or in combination with the letters S, C, B, or INV.

[0075] To begin the game, the playing order is selected. In some embodiments, each player rolls a set of two or more dice 15. The player with the highest total number from the rolled dice is the first player to move. If two players have the same number after the dice are rolled, those two players then re-roll until one player has a higher number rolled. If a player rolls the same number on both dice during selection of playing order (or at any time during game play), that player receives one extra roll. The player with the highest number on the rolled dice will initiate game play as Player 1.

[0076] Each player will roll the dice with the player having rolled the highest number starting first, and with the remaining players taking their turns in a clockwise rotation from the first player's left. If players combine to form teams in lieu of individual play, team members will alternate in their turn taking. Each player's roll of dice will indicate the number of spaces that a player may advance his or her game piece 20 along spaces of that player's track.

[0077] The first player will move their game piece 20 from the start space 71 along the pathway of track 70 the rolled number of spaces. For example, if Player 1 rolls a total of 5, game piece 20 will advance from space numbered 1 to space number 6 (5 spaces along the track). In some embodiments, if a player rolls the same number on all dice in a single turn (e.g., all ones), they receive one extra roll.

[0078] The player advances the number of squares equal to the number rolled on the dice to the corresponding spot on the board. Movement of the playing piece along the tracks between the goals is controlled by the number rolled on the one or more dice. Once that player has rolled, the next successive rolls the dice and so forth until all players have rolled and moved their playing pieces. The first player then rolls again and the process repeats.

[0079] If a player lands on a space labeled with an S, that space is deemed a free space. That player will draw a card 16 from the stack of cards. The player will also discard any card (e.g., an S, C, B, or INV card) as desired. For example, a player may decide to discard a C card if that player already holds 2 C cards.

[0080] If a player lands on a space labeled I, the player will draw a card from the stack of cards. That player can also play an INV card, with the goal to make a spread of S-C-B or S-C-INV along the track. Regardless of whether the player plays an INV card, that player will also discard a card into a discard pile. If the player does not hold an INV card to play, that player will simply discard a card.

[0081] If a player lands on a space labeled B, that player will draw a card from the stack of cards. If the player holds a B card, that player can also play the B card (again with the goal to play a combination of S-C-B or S-C-INV to create a spread). The player will also discard a card into the discard pile. If the player does not hold a B card to play, that player will simply discard a card.

[0082] If a player lands on a space labeled C, that player will draw a card from the stack of cards. If the player holds a C card, the player can play the C card with the goal to create a S-C-B or S-C-INV combination to create a spread). The player will also discard a card into the discard pile. If the player does not hold a C card to play, that player will simply discard a card.

[0083] If a player lands on a space labeled with the image of a house or other property, that player will draw a card. If the player holds an S card, that player can play the S card with the goal of creating a spread (S-C-B or S-C-INV). If the player does not hold a S card to play, that player will simply discard a card.

[0084] As a player moves along the track, if a combination of S-C-INV or S-C-B cards are played, that constitutes a spread. The player will then turn the S-C-INV or S-C-B cards over to close the deal. The goal is to create two spreads before reaching the end of the track.

[0085] If the player gets to the top of the board without making two spreads the player has lost the game.

[0086] Thus, the object of the game is to find a house with a motivated Seller, land a Contract, find an Investor or a Buyer to buy. Along the way (as the player advances along the track) that player can win or lose money (e.g., $50 lawn care fees, recording fees, pay $50.00 when you win or pay money. If a player does not have enough money to pay a fee, that player automatically loses the game.

[0087] If a player draws a Lost Contract card any time during game play, that player can set an opponent back or stop them from closing by placing the Lost Contract card on another player's spread. Playing the Lost Contract card will result in the opponent's spread card to be lost. For example, if Player 1 draws a Lost Contract card and Player 2 has played an S, B or INV, C spread, Player one can play the Lost Contract card on a landed space to knock out the opponent's S, B/INV, or C card.

[0088] When a player reaches the end of the track and the dice roll is higher than the spots left on the board, that player must lose that turn and wait until their next turn. To finish the game both playing pieces of a player must to be on the board.

[0089] The object of the game is to find a house with a motivated seller (S card), land a contract (C card), and either (a) find an investor (INV card) or a buyer (B card) to buy. Thus, the goal is to create two spreads. A spread includes a combination of one S card, one C card, and one B card or one INV card.

[0090] While some embodiments, of the invention have been depicted in detail, it will be understood that modifications, adaptions, additions, or omissions may be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as delineated in the claims. For example, additional spaces, such as Insurance, balloon payment, short sale, appraisal fees, pre-approval letter, lease options, inspection, attorney fees, repairs can all be added to award or deduct money from a player that lands on that space. In addition, the shape and path of the tracks can also be modified to make the game more difficult.

[0091] Game 5 offers many advantages over prior art games. For example, the game teaches players the principles of selling real estate (e.g., finding a real estate seller, signing a contract, and either acquiring a buyer or an investor). The game therefore can teach players to distinguish between investors and buyers.

[0092] It is therefore an object of game 5 to provide a playing environment in which players learn about buying and investing in real estate.

[0093] Another object of the disclosed game is to provide a playing environment in which players learn about pitfalls and risks associated with real estate purchasing and investing, the steps involved in buying and investing in real estate, elements needed in a real estate contract, the parties involved in a real estate transaction, etc.

[0094] Still another object of the invention is to stimulate discussion about the real estate investing, including encourage and advice on how to begin the journey.

[0095] It is a further object of the game to provide enjoyment for the players.

[0096] A further object of game 5 is to teach the realities of chance, preparation, diligence, education, and mistakes educate players of the steps necessary to avoid problems in selling.

[0097] Game 5 can be played by any of a wide variety of players, such as seasoned real estate investors, adults, children, and the like.