GAME AND GAME KIT

Abstract

A method of playing a game, including the steps of providing a game system, said same system including a rules booklet, a timer, a plurality of tokens, a judge's badge, a plurality of topic cards, a plurality of direction cards, and a plurality of discussion topic cards, selecting a player to be the judge, the judge selecting a topic card, the judge reading the topic card to the players to establish a premise to be argued, and the judge providing each player with a direction card to assign each respective player a direction to either agree or disagree with the premise. The game further includes starting the timer to initiate an argument round, arguing the premise with the judge moderating the argument round, the judge ending the argument round, the judge deciding who won the argument round, winners taking one token, passing the role of judge to the next player, and repeating steps the above until declaring the first player to reach a predetermined token sum the winner.

Claims

1. A game kit, comprising: a rules booklet; a timer; a plurality of tokens; a judge's badge; a plurality of topic cards; a plurality of action cards; a plurality of direction cards; and a plurality of discussion topic cards; wherein each respective direction card has a label selected from the group consisting of agree and disagree; wherein there is the same number of agree direction cards and disagree direction cards; wherein the discussion topic cards are selected from the group consisting of mild, medium, and hot discussion topics.

2. The game kit of claim 1 wherein the timer is a three-minute hourglass.

3. The game kit of claim 1 wherein the timer is electronic.

4. A method of playing a game comprising the steps of: a) providing a game system, said same system including a rules booklet, a timer, a plurality of tokens, a judge's badge, a plurality of topic cards, a plurality of action cards, a plurality of direction cards, and a plurality of discussion topic cards; b) selecting a player to be the judge; c) the judge selecting a topic card; d) the judge reading the topic card to the players to establish a premise to be argued; e) the judge providing each player with a direction card to assign each respective player a direction to either agree or disagree with the premise; f) starting the timer to initiate an argument round; g) arguing the premise; h) the judge moderating the argument round; i) the judge ending the argument round when the timer runs out; j) the judge deciding who won the argument round; k) winners taking one token; l) passing the role of judge to the next player; m) repeating steps c-l; and n) declaring the first player to reach a predetermined token sum the winner.

5. The method of playing a game of claim 4, and further comprising the steps of: o) before d), distributing one of each respective action cards to each player; and p) playing a respective action card.

6. The method of playing a game of claim 5, wherein the plurality of topic cards further comprises a respective plurality of fun topic cards, a respective plurality of risky topic cards, and a respective plurality of dangerous topic cards.

7. The method of playing a game of claim 5, wherein the plurality of action cards further comprises new topic cards, flip flop cards, and last word cards.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment game kit of the present novel technology.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a perspective view a timer included with the game kit of FIG. 1.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a perspective view a set of tokens included with the game kit of FIG. 1.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a perspective view a judge icon included with the game kit of FIG. 1.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a perspective view a topic card included with the game kit of FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 6 is a perspective view a mild topic card included with the game kit of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 7 is a perspective view a medium topic card included with the game kit of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 8 is a perspective view a hot topic card included with the game kit of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIGS. 9A-9C is are perspective views which side cards included with the game kit of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIGS. 10A-10D are perspective views of action cards included with the game kit of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 11 is a perspective view a game instruction card included with the game kit of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates.

[0015] FIGS. 1-11 illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention. A game kit 10 is shown including a rule booklet 13, a timer 15, a plurality of tokens (chips) 20, a judge icon (badge) 25, a plurality of topic cards 30, a plurality of direction cards 35, and a plurality of action cards 51. Along with rule booklet 13, a condensed rules cheat sheet card 17 may be included.

[0016] The judge icon 25 is passed from player to player. The holder of the judge icon 25 has the position of judge for one round of argument/play. The judge icon 25 typically includes a brief recap of the game rules and/or the responsibilities and powers of the judge.

[0017] Each respective topic card 30 displays an issue or topic for discussion. Each topic is presented as a pro or con, yes or no, agree or disagree proposition. Topic cards 30 are further subdivided into mild or fun topic cards 40, medium or risky topic cards 45, and hot or dangerous topic cards 50, where fun, risky, and dangerous describe the expected level of emotional response to be elicited by the subject matter of the respective topic card.

[0018] Direction or which side cards 35 are labelled either agree 37 or disagree 39, typically with an equal number of each provided.

[0019] Action cards 51 are typically labelled with player actions such as new topic 52, flip flop 53 and/or last word 54.

[0020] The timer 15 is typically a three-minute hourglass or egg timer but may be any convenient time keeping device.

Methods of Play

[0021] In the above-described embodiment, the game may be played by three or more players, typically from three to nine players. Before game play begins, a player is selected to be the judge and thus holds the judge icon 25. The judge is a floating position lasting for the duration of a round and is passed (designated by the judge icon 25) from player to player. The judge moderates game play and decides the winners of each round.

[0022] The direction cards 35 are sorted such that there are an equal number of agree and disagree' cards 37, 39, and there are either the same number of direction cards 35 as players (if there is an even number of players, not counting the judge) or one less direction card 35 than players (if there are an odd number of players, not counting the judge).

[0023] Action cards 51 (such as Last Word, Flip Flop, New Topic, and the like) are distributed to the players before game play. Typically, each player is given one of each respective action card 51 at the start of play to be used only once during the course of play. Each action card 51 may be used at any time during play, so long as the playing conditions governing the card 51 as set forth on the face of the respective card 51 are satisfied. Each action card 51 has its own order of play which must be observed. For example, the Last Word card 54 allows the player the opportunity to make his point to the judge and is playable after discussion but before the judge's ruling. The Flip Flop card 53 allows a player to swap positions with another player but must be played prior to the beginning of the discussion. The New Topic card 52 forces the judge to abandon the current topic and select a new one and must be played prior to both discussion beginning and the play of a Flip Flop card 53.

[0024] Game play is initiated when the judge draws a topic card 30 and reads it to the players. The judge then passes out direction cards 35, face down and one to each player, excluding the judge, who remains impartial. Any applicable action cards 51 may be played as they become eligible. The judge then activates the timer 15 to allow a predetermined time for argument, typically three minutes. Each player must then argue in support of his assigned position (from his direction card 35) to persuade the judge. The judge remains impartial and has total control over the argument round. For example, the judge may determine who talks, allowing free discussion or mandating that some players remain silent while others talk. The judge may ask his own questions. The judge may end the round early or extend it beyond the initial timer period. As the judge determines who wins the round, it is understood that all players must obey the judge and accept his rulings.

[0025] After the argument round is over, the judge decides who wins and provides a reason for his ruling. Typically, all players on the winning side of the argument get a token 20. The judge typically has discretion to award tokens for exemplary arguments made by players on either side of the argument. It should be noted that in some rules variants, not all players arguing the same side must win/lose and that winners may in fact have argued for opposing sides. Each winner takes a token 20. The first player to collect a predetermined number of tokens 20 (for example, five) wins the game. In the event of a tie, the tying players face off in an elimination round, with the next non-tying player in line to be judge being the next judge. If the number of tying players is even, the same number of direction cards 35 are used in the elimination round, with an equal balance of agree and disagree cards 37, 39; if the number if tying players is odd, then an even number of direction cards 35 equal to the number of tying players plus one is used, likewise with an equal balance of agree and disagree cards 37, 39. The elimination round is played like any other round, except the non-tying players participate only as observers. The judge still controls the discussion and decides the winner(s), but may consult the observers before handing down a ruling. If there are still two or more tying players left, additional elimination rounds are played until only one winner remains.

EXAMPLE

[0026] Some fun topic cards 40 might include: [0027] Telling kids there's a Santa Clause is cruel [0028] TV shows today are better than movies [0029] Earthquakes are more terrifying than tornadoes [0030] Music today is better than ever [0031] There are too many superhero movies [0032] Dieting is easier than working out [0033] Happy people are annoying

[0034] Some risky topic cards 45 might include: [0035] No one should be allowed to have more than $1 billion [0036] The voting age should be lowered to 16 [0037] Giving healthcare to everyone will make the healthcare system crumble [0038] Capitalism is better than socialism [0039] Three people should be allowed to have a legal marriage [0040] Social media is ruining society [0041] We can solve climate change

[0042] Some dangerous topic cards 50 might include: [0043] The death penalty is sometimes necessary. [0044] Deadly force is used too often by the police [0045] U.S. voters should be required to show I.D. [0046] Homeless encampments should be shut down [0047] The police force is not institutionally racist [0048] Hate speech should be protected by the first amendment [0049] Spanking your child is sometimes okay

[0050] While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected.