SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A DYNAMIC BOARD GAME

Abstract

A board game with hexagonal-shaped blocks that are configured to be positioned adjacent to each other, wherein the blocks pieces may include embedded magnets or notches that are configured to receive adjacent blocks.

Claims

1. A method of playing a board game by a plurality of players, the method comprising: forming a first spiral configured to receive first action figures; forming a second spiral within the first spiral, wherein during gameplay second action figures are configured to move along the second spiral; and forming a gap within the first spiral based on the gameplay to expose a first loop of the second spiral to a second loop of the second spiral, wherein the gap dynamically changes a path for the second action figures.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a number of spaces from a first space of the second spiral to a center space along the second spiral changes when the gap is formed along the first spiral.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the gap is formed based on a roll of a dice and a criteria associated with the first action figures.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the board game includes tiles, the tiles including numerical values indicating how many first action figures are needed along the first spiral before starting the gameplay.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first spiral and the second spiral are formed utilizing blocks with hexagonal tiles.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the hexagonal tiles include a platform and sidewalls, the sidewalls being configured to encompass a base of the first action figures and a base of the second action figures.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first action figures and the second action figures are removable from the hexagonal tiles.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a length of the first spiral and a length of the second spiral may change before the gameplay and during the gameplay.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the length of the first spiral and the length of the second spiral is determined based on a number of the plurality of players.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein a first player controls the first action figures to close the gap.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein a second player moves the second action figures through the gap before the first player closes the gap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described concerning the following figures, wherein reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

[0013] FIG. 1 depicts a first block of a board game system, according to an embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a first block of a board game system, according to an embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 3 depicts a first block of a board game system with embedded magnets, according to an embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 4 depicts a board game system, according to an embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 5 depicts a board game system, according to an embodiment.

[0018] FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a board game system, according to an embodiment.

[0019] FIGS. 8-10 depicts blocks of board game system, according to an embodiment.

[0020] FIGS. 11-14 depicts an embodiment of a block of a gameplay system.

[0021] FIGS. 15-20 depicts an alternative embodiment of a block of a gameplay system.

[0022] FIGS. 21-24 depicts an alternative embodiment of a gameplay system that incorporates a board with a predetermined layout.

[0023] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In the following description, numerous specific details are outlined in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present embodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present embodiments.

[0025] Turning now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 depicts a first block 100 of a board game system, according to an embodiment. In embodiments, first block 100 may be configured to be positioned directly adjacent to other blocks to form a board game, wherein the size of the board game may dynamically change based on the number of players and/or desired gameplay length of time, complexity, etc. Each of the blocks 100 may include external walls 105, and a plurality of tiles 110, 120, 130.

[0026] Block 100 may be symmetrical, even with an odd number of tiles. Block 100 may include external sidewalls 105 positioned on an exterior of block 100. External sidewalls 105 of block 100 may be configured to be positioned directly adjacent to other blocks' sidewalls to form a game's dynamic board. In embodiments, the external sidewalls 105 may be planar surfaces, wherein adjacent sidewalls 105 do not extend in parallel to each other, and an internal angle of vertices of sidewalls 105 is greater than or equal to one hundred degrees.

[0027] A plurality of tiles 110, 120, 130 may be positioned on an upper surface of block 100. Tiles 110, 120, 130 may have a plurality of second sidewalls 144 which define a boundary for a platform 142. In embodiments, an action figure may have a base configured to be removably positioned on platform 142, wherein second sidewalls 144 may limit the movement of the base of the action figure when the action figure is positioned on platform 142. In embodiments, internal sidewalls 146 of tiles 110, 120 may form sidewalls corresponding to multiple tiles 110, 120 within the same block 100, and external sidewalls 148 of a tile may be positioned directly adjacent to other external sidewalls of different blocks. In embodiments, each of the sidewalls 144, 146, 148 of each of the tiles 110, 120, 130 may be planar surfaces, wherein adjacent sidewalls do not extend in parallel to each other. In embodiments, each of the interior angles of the vertices corresponding to the second sidewalls is greater than one hundred degrees. In embodiments, a central tile 130 may be configured to be encompassed by internal tiles 110, 120 on the same block, whereas external tiles 110, 120 may be positioned adjacent to tiles on different blocks.

[0028] FIG. 2 depicts a first block 100 of a board game system, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in FIG. 2 may be described above, and for the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements may be omitted.

[0029] As depicted in FIG. 2 a magnet 210 may be embedded within block 100, wherein the magnet 210 may be positioned directly below platform 140 of a tile 110. In embodiments, such as those depicted in FIG. 3, each of the tiles 110 within a block 100 may have an embedded magnet 210, 310. However, in other embodiments, central tile 130 which is encompassed on all sides by other tiles may not have an embedded magnet. One skilled in the art may appreciate that magnet 210 may not be embedded within block 110, but instead may form portions of sidewall 105 and/or form portions of platform 140. The magnets 210 may be configured to temporarily couple block 110 with adjacent blocks, such that the blocks are temporarily locked together.

[0030] FIG. 4 depicts a board game system 400, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in FIG. 4 may be described above, and for the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements may be omitted.

[0031] As depicted in FIG. 4, a plurality of blocks 100, 410, 420, and 430 may be positioned adjacent to each other via magnetic forces 405.

[0032] FIG. 5 depicts a board game system 500, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in FIG. 5 may be described above, and for the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements may be omitted.

[0033] As depicted in FIG. 5 board game system 500 may include thirty-seven blocks, wherein each block includes seven hexagonal tiles. However, one skilled in the art may understand that different board game layouts may include different numbers of blocks, wherein the blocks may include different numbers of tiles.

[0034] In embodiments, board game system 500 may have adjacent blocks having different coloring. The different coloring of adjacent blocks may assist in making a spiral layout on the upper surface of the platforms within the surface.

[0035] FIG. 6 depicts a board game system 500, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in FIG. 6 may be described above, and for the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements may be omitted.

[0036] As depicted in FIG. 6, blocks may include a first spiral 605 pattern of a first color, and a second spiral pattern 640 of a second color. The first spiral 605 pattern may indicate which platforms a player should put action figures on. A number on the first spiral 605 will indicate the number of action figures needed to complete a spiral up until that point. For example, a first tile 610 on the first spiral 605 may have a numeral 1, another tile 620 on the first spiral 605 may have a numeral 4, another tile 630 on the first spiral 605 may have a numeral 19, and final tile 635 on the first spiral 605 may have a numeral 116. Each of the numerals will indicate how many action figures are necessary to create a spiral of the given length.

[0037] A second spiral 640 may be created within the first spiral 605. During game play a first player may control the action figures positioned on the first spiral 605, and a second player may control action figures that are to move within second spiral 640.

[0038] During play gameplay, action figures may be removed from the first spiral 605, allowing for a more direct path to the center of the second spiral 640 for the second player.

[0039] To this end, the size of the board game system 500 may change based on the desired characteristics of the players, and the number of tiles a first player needs to traverse to win the game may dynamically change by removing action figures on the first spiral 605.

[0040] In a specific embodiment, the gameplay utilizing game system 500 may be based on the ancient war of Mahabharat in the geographical region of present India. One of the war-formations used in Mahabharat was the strategic spiral shaped positioning of the soldiers where they were orchestrated to move or attack based on the enemy's position. This war-formation is known as Chakravyuha, a circular trap. Board game system 500 may be utilized to replicate formations and strategies used in the war of Mahabharat.

[0041] In embodiments, a first player may be an orchestrator and utilize the action figures on first spiral 605. The other players may be infiltrators. In embodiments, the Infiltrators main object may be to penetrate the spirals to reach a center to attack the Orchestrator. The infiltrators may attempt to dynamically change the layout of the board game by forming holes in the spirals exposing inner loops. In embodiments, the orchestrator may control the positioning of the soldiers after each turn, and protect their health. If there are multiple infiltrators, the infiltrators may work together to defeat the Orchestrator. In short, the objective of the Orchestrator is to not allow the infiltrators to penetrate the center of the spiral by creating holes in the spiral to expose inner loops/new paths.

[0042] A length of the first spiral may be based on a number of infiltrators, wherein when there are more infiltrators the length of first spiral 605 may be longer. For example, if there are four infiltrators thirty seven blocks 100 may be used to accommodate seventy one soldiers.

[0043] The players may quickly join the blocks 100 together utilizing the embedded magnets 210. Once board game system 500 is formed, the first player may position a first action figure on the central tile, or first tile, along the first spiral 605. The first player may then position the second action figures on the remaining tiles along the first spiral 605.

[0044] Subsequently, each of the infiltrators may receive a third action figure that is configured to move along the second spiral 640. Each of the infiltrators may roll a dice, wherein the infiltrator with the highest roll enters the second spiral 640 last.

[0045] To play the game, the orchestrator may determine the spiral movement direction of the orchestrator, wherein the orchestrator may have two choices a first-clockwise direction and a second-counterclockwise direction. The orchestrator may make this determination without telling the infiltrators which spiral movement direction they have chosen. Each infiltrator may then roll a dice after the orchestrator's spiral movement direction. The numerical value for each dice roll may be recorded, and the infiltrators may have two options to move a number of spaces based on the dice roll or attack and inflict damage on the soldiers on the first spiral 605 based on the dice roll. However, in the first turn, the infiltrators may be required to move into the spiral location based on their dice roll. On subsequent turns, if an infiltrator decides to attach the infiltrator may have a hit point available equal to the number on the dice the infiltrator rolled, and the infiltrator can decide which action figures on the first spiral 605 to attack. For instance, if the first infiltrator on location A depicted in FIG. 7 rolls a number five and chooses to attack, the infiltrator may choose to damage either a single or all of the soldiers adjacent to the tile marked A i.e. tiles marked 34, 35, 68, or 69 along first spiral 605. The first infiltrator may inflict a maximum of five damage to the action figures on the adjacent tiles in any combination. The action figure on the given tile may maintain its inflicted damage total for all rounds. If the inflicted damage total becomes higher than a damage threshold, then the action figure may be removed from its path. For example, if an action figure on location 33 has a maximum action figure damage threshold of five, and the first infiltrator inflicts all of its infliction damage for the turn on the action figure on location 33 then the action figure on location 33 may be removed. This may create a gap in the first spiral 605, which the user may traverse to make a shorter first spiral 605.

[0046] However, if the first infiltrator on Location A depicted in FIG. 7 decides to move then they have to choose to move in the first direction or second direction. After the choice of direction, the orchestrator will reveal their spiral movement direction for the turn. If the directions are different, the first infiltrator may only move half the number of spaces of the rolled dice. For example, if the first infiltrator on Location A rolled a five and chose a counterclockwise direction and the orchestrator chose a clockwise direction the first infiltrator may move two spaces to Location B. However, if the first infiltrator on Location A rolled a five and chose a clockwise direction and the orchestrator chose a clockwise direction the first infiltrator may move five spaces to Location C. Furthermore, if there is no action figure on location 33, the first infiltrator may instead traverse the first spiral 605 in the gap caused by the absence of the removed action figure to position D.

[0047] Once the Infiltrator is done moving the player figure on the board, the Orchestrator will roll the dice. This dice roll will allow the Orchestrator to move soldiers along the spiral formation to fill in any gap in the spiral. For example, in FIG. 13, assume soldiers on 31 & 32 are killed and removed from the board, and the Orchestrator rolls dice 3. The Orchestrator can then move the soldier from position 33 by 2 spaces inwards to position 31 and the soldier from position 34 can move by 1 space to position 33, fully utilizing the rolled dice 3. Alternatively, the orchestrator may utilize a number of the total number of rolled dice to add action figures at the end 635 of the first spiral 605. After the orchestrator has utilized each number associated with their dice roll, the orchestrator may attack each infiltrator, wherein damage inflicted by the orchestrator on each infiltrator may be based on a number of adjacent action figures on first spiral 605. For example, if the Infiltrator is at position A after the Orchestrator movement is finished and all surrounding tiles, that is, 34,35,68, and 69, have action figures on them, then the Infiltrator may receive a total damage of 4, wherein 1 damage point from action figures on 34,35,68, and 69 each. The total damage of the infiltrator will carry with the infiltrator until the end of the game. If the total damage of the infiltrator is greater than an infiltrator damage threshold, then the orchestrator may win. However, if the infiltrator inflicts an orchestrator total damage threshold to the action figure positioned on the first location 610 of the first spiral 605 then the infiltrator may win. Table 1 depicted below shows one of the possible configurations for Orchestrator and Infiltrator health combinations.

TABLE-US-00001 Total orchestrator total Number damage threshold for infiltrator Recommended of each action figure on damage Length Players the first spiral threshold of Spiral 2 10 HP 90 HP 27 action figures on the spiral 3 10 HP 50 HP 36 action figures on the spiral 4 10 HP 40 HP 71 action figures on the spiral

[0048] The game may be further enhanced using health boost or attack boost cards. If a player rolls dice 6 then the player can pick up a top card from a shuffled deck of boost cards. These boost cards may increase the player's health, increase the number of attacks performed in one turn, increase a distance a player may travel, cause a player to lose a turn, allow a player to jump to an empty slot, add soldiers to a spiral, etc.

[0049] In further embodiments, soldiers may be positioned on a given number of tiles for a spiral, and the Orchestrator may get a predetermined number of power-up cards, and each Infiltrator team may get a predetermined number of power-up cards, and the infiltrators may place the infiltrator figurines outside the spiral.

[0050] The infiltrators may set their health to a predetermined number, and the Orchestrator may set their health to a second predetermined number. At the beginning of each turn, an infiltrator may determine if they want to use a power-up card, and then roll the dice. The infiltrator may then choose to move, attack, or both based on the dice roll. The infiltrator may attack an adjacent soldier or move in a given direction based on the amount of the dice roll. In embodiments, there may be a predetermined maximum amount an infiltrator may attack the Orchestrator. In specific embodiments, if an infiltrator moves into a new loop of the spiral, the infiltrator may not move along the new loop. Additionally, in specific embodiments, the infiltrator may not be able to move into a new loop of the spiral on the same turn that the infiltrator made the new gap in the spiral.

[0051] Furthermore, when moving soldiers to fill gaps in a formation, the Orchestrator may move any number of soldiers equal to or less than the dice roll for a corresponding turn along the loop. The orchestrator may also be able to move one or more infiltrators in a same loop in any direction based on the dice roll of the corresponding infiltrator. Once the Orchestrator is finished moving the soldiers and infiltrators, each infiltrator may receive a reducing in health equal to a number of soldiers adjacent to the corresponding soldier. Once the Orchestrators finishes the turn, the Infiltrators may adjust health counters associated with the hit points taken. The game may end when the infiltrators hit the orchestrator a number of times above the predetermined amount.

[0052] In additional embodiments, the infiltrators may need to exit the spiral, and a first winner may be determined by the first infiltrator who exits the spiral.

[0053] Table 2 depicted below shows another possible configurations for an Orchestrator and Infiltrator health combinations along with power-up cards and spiral length

TABLE-US-00002 orchestrator Total total damage Number threshold for each infiltrator Recommended of action figure on damage Length Power-up Players the first spiral threshold of Spiral cards 2 10 HP 90 HP 56 action figures 3 each on the spiral 3 10 HP 90 HP 56 action figures 3 for Infiltrators and 4 on the spiral for Orchestrator 4 10 HP 90 HP 56 action figures 3 for Infiltrators and 6 on the spiral for Orchestrator

[0054] FIGS. 8-10 depicts blocks 100 of board game system 500, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in FIGS. 8-10 may be described above, and for the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements may be omitted.

[0055] As depicted in FIGS. 8-10, an action FIG. 800 may include a base 810 that is configured to be positioned on platform 142 of a tile on block 100. The action FIG. 800 may be arranged to form the first spiral 605, and a second spiral may be embedded within the first spiral.

[0056] FIG. 11 depicts a front view of block 100, according to an embodiment.

[0057] FIG. 12 depicts a bottom view of block 100, according to an embodiment.

[0058] FIG. 13 depicts a top view of block 100, according to an embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 14 depicts a side view of block 100, according to an embodiment.

[0060] FIGS. 15-20 depicts an alternative embodiment of a block 1500. Elements depicted and described associated with block 1500 may be described above, and for the sake of brevity a further description of these elements may be omitted.

[0061] As shown in the FIGURES block 1500 may include a series of projections and indentations that are configured to manually lock adjacent blocks 1500 together. This may be advantageous to link multiple blocks 1500 together quickly.

[0062] FIGS. 21-24 depicts an alternative embodiment of a gameplay system that incorporates a board 2000 with a predetermined layout. Elements depicted and described associated with board 2000 may be described above, and for the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements may be omitted.

[0063] In embodiments, board 2000 may include a predetermined layout, which may be similar to that shown in FIG. 5. However, instead of having a series of adjacent tiles, a single board 2000 with the same layout may be used.

[0064] Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.

[0065] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, one example or an example means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment, in an embodiment, one example or an example in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.