US20060012123A1

US20060012123A1 - Social game and method of playing the same

Info

Publication number: US20060012123A1
Application number: US10/892,205
Authority: US
Inventors: Katie Cavanaugh; Stefanie Cavanaugh; Sara Skellenger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-16
Filing date: 2004-07-16
Publication date: 2006-01-19

Abstract

The present invention is a social game and method of playing the same comprising a plurality of cards. Each card has at least one task for the cardholder to attempt to successfully complete, such as at least one question to answer, at least one act to perform, at least one instruction to follow, and/or at least one fact, quote or saying to read. When a cardholder successfully completes a task, the cardholder earns a predetermined amount of points. Additionally, where a task requires another player to guess what the cardholder is acting or doing, the player that correctly answers may also earn at least one point. The first player to earn a predetermined total number of points wins the game. The game and method of the invention may be played using alcoholic beverages throughout the course of the game, but only by players twenty-one (21) years of age and older.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is a social game and method of playing the same wherein players may attempt to complete tasks, such as answering questions, performing acts, following instructions, or reading facts, quotes, or sayings, in order to earn points upon successfully completing each task. More particularly, the present invention is a social game and method of playing the same comprising a plurality of cards. Each card has at least one task for a cardholder player to attempt to complete, such as at least one question for a cardholder player to answer, at least one act for a cardholder player to perform, at least one instruction for a cardholder player to follow, or at least one fact, quote or saying for a cardholder player to read. When a cardholder player successfully completes a task on a card, a cardholder player earns a predetermined amount of points. Additionally, where a task requires another player to guess what a cardholder player is acting, the player that correctly guesses/answers may also earn at least one point. The first player to earn a predetermined total number of points wins the game. The present invention may also be played using alcoholic beverages throughout the course of the game, but only by players twenty-one (21) years of age and older.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Various board games and card games testing the knowledge and/or skill of the players have been known for years and have become popular in recent years. These games generally involve a game board wherein a player moves along a predetermined playing path described over a portion of the board, with the playing path being common to all players. Players advance along the playing path according to each player's degree of success in correctly responding to randomly selected questions, usually contained in a deck of question and answer cards. The player having a greater knowledge in the given subject or field of the games almost always wins the games. However, many of the questions in the games are difficult or complex so that many average players cannot usually win the games or even correctly respond to the questions. As such, the games may last an exceptionally long time or players may become bored or discouraged, thereby leading them to quit playing the games before there is a winner.
As such, a need exists for a social game wherein the players do more than try to answer difficult and complex questions. Specifically, there is a need for a social game where the players may be asked to do more than just answer questions, such as perform specific acts or follow specific instructions, wherein any level of player may be successful and ultimately be a potential winner of the game.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a social game and method of playing the same wherein players of various skill levels may attempt to complete tasks, such as answering questions, performing acts, following instructions, or reading facts, quotes or sayings, in order to earn points upon successfully completing each task, and ultimately win the game. More particularly, the present invention is a social game and method of playing the same comprising a plurality of cards. Each card has at least one task for a cardholder player to attempt to complete, such as at least one question for a cardholder player to answer, at least one act for a cardholder player to perform, at least one instruction for a cardholder player to follow, or at least one fact, quote or saying for a cardholder player to read. When a cardholder player successfully completes a task, such as successfully answering a question, performing an act, following an instruction or reading a fact, quote or saying, a cardholder player may earn a predetermined amount of points. Additionally, where a task requires another player to guess what the cardholder is acting or doing, the player that correctly guesses/answers may also earn at least one point. The first player to earn a predetermined total number of points wins the game.
In the game of the present invention, the tasks listed on the plurality of cards may be divided into a plurality of categories. The tasks in each category may also be divided into various levels of difficulty. The greater the difficulty level of the task in the category, the more points that the task on the card is preferably assigned and the more points that a cardholder player may earn for successfully completing the task.
The game and method of the present invention may also be played using alcoholic beverages throughout the course of the game. This embodiment of the game may only be played by players twenty-one (21) years of age and older. In this embodiment, when a cardholder player successfully completes a task, the cardholder player may earn the predetermined amount of points that the task is assigned and may also distribute a corresponding amount/number of drinks, i.e., sips, of an alcoholic beverage to at least one other player.
Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a social game and method of playing the same wherein a player of any skill level may win the game by being the first player to earn a predetermined total number of points by successfully completing tasks, such as answering questions, performing acts, and/or following instructions, and thereby earning the predetermined amount of points that the tasks are assigned.
Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a social game and method of performing the same for players twenty-one (21) years of age and older, wherein a player may win the game by being the first player to earn a predetermined total number of points by successfully completing tasks, and earning the predetermined amount of points that the tasks are assigned, and upon earning those points, distributing a corresponding amount/number of drinks, i.e., sips, of an alcoholic beverage to at least one other player.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a social game that is fun, easy to understand and play, easy to transport and inexpensive, wherein a player wins the game by earning points by successfully completing a series of tasks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a card of the game of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a back view of an embodiment of the card of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of a card of the game of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention is a social game and method of playing the same wherein players of various skill levels may attempt to complete tasks, such as answering questions, performing acts, following instructions, or reading facts, quotes, or sayings, in order to earn points upon successfully completing each task, and ultimately win the game. More particularly, the present invention is a social game and method of playing the same comprising a plurality of cards 10. Each card 10 has at least one task 12 for a cardholder player to attempt to complete, such as at least one question for a cardholder player to answer (and the correct answer), at least one act for a cardholder player to perform, at least one instruction for a cardholder player to follow, and/or at least one fact, quote or saying for a cardholder player to read. When a cardholder player successfully completes a task 12, such as successfully answering a question, performing an act, following an instruction, and/or reading a fact, quote or saying, the cardholder player may earn a predetermined amount of points 14. Additionally, where a task requires another player to guess/answer what the cardholder player is acting or doing, the player that correctly guesses/answers may also receive at least one point, such as optionally in the form of a chip or token, which serves as an incentive for the other players to try to guess the correct answer to the cardholder player's task 12. The first player to earn a predetermined total number of points wins the game.
The game of the present invention may also be played using alcoholic beverages throughout the course of the game. This embodiment of the game of the present invention may only be played by players twenty-one (21) years of age and older. In this embodiment, when a cardholder player successfully completes a task 12, as described above, the cardholder player may earn the predetermined amount of points 14 that the task 12 is assigned and may also distribute a corresponding amount/number of drinks, i.e., sips, of an alcoholic beverage to at least one other player, as described hereinafter.
In the game of the present invention, the tasks 12 listed on the plurality of cards 10 may be divided into a plurality of categories. The tasks 12 in each category may also be divided into various levels of difficulty. The greater the level of difficulty of the task 12 in the category, the more predetermined amount of points 14 that the card 10 is preferably assigned and the more points that a cardholder player may earn for successfully completing the task 12.
The level of difficulty of the task 12 of each card 10 may be listed on the front 18 of the card 10, as shown in FIG. 3, or on the back 20 of the card 10, as shown in FIG. 2, by a difficulty indicator 16. In a preferred embodiment, the difficulty indicator 16 is a diamond of a specified color which illustrates the difficulty level of the task 12 on the specific card 10. For example, a green diamond may represent an easy level task, a red diamond may represent an intermediate level task, and a black diamond may represent a challenging level task. While a preferred difficulty indicator 16 is a diamond of a specified color, any suitable indicator may be used to designate the level of difficulty of the task 12 on each card 10 including, but not limited to, any symbol having any color pattern, any number or set of numbers, any predefined symbol pattern, and any predefined marking or series of markings.
In a preferred embodiment of the game of the present invention, the predetermined amount of points 14 that the task 12 of each card 10 is worth may also be listed on the front 18 of the card 10, as shown in FIG. 3, or on the back 20 of the card 10, as shown in FIG. 2. The predetermined amount of points 14 is preferably listed on the card 10 near the difficulty indicator 16. Also in a preferred embodiment, the predetermined amount of points 14 assigned to each task 12 ranges in a point value from one point to eight points, wherein one point is preferably assigned to the easiest level task and eight points is preferably assigned to the most difficult or challenging level task. However, the predetermined amount of points 14 may be listed on the card 10 in any location and any suitable point range may be utilized in accordance with the game and method of the present invention.
In a preferred embodiment of the game, the plurality of cards 10 may include at least one rule reminder card. The rule reminder card is a quick reference card that describes the general rules and reminders for the game. Specifically, the rule reminder card may describe the meaning for, but not limited to, Hints, “Act Out”, “*GrOuP*”, “Shhhhhh! Later!”, “Shhhhhh! Do so silently!”, social cards, and guessing cards. An example of a preferred rule reminder card is as follows:

EXAMPLE

*Rule Reminder Card*

HINTS—person, place, thing, action, expression, celebrity, character from a movie, character from a television show, character from a book, and song title/lyric.
“Act Out”—means to act like the person, place, or thing that is written on the card. The player may use sounds and actions unless noted otherwise.
*GrOuP*—the participation of the whole group is required. The cardholder will start, and moving clockwise the next player will name another item in the listed category (e.g., type of flower). The first player who cannot think of a new item (e.g., type of flower) or repeats an answer that has already been given, thereby ends the round. This player may also optionally drink a sip of an alcoholic beverage.
“Shhhhhh! Later!”—means do not tell the other players what you are up to. Simply say the word “later”, which means you will do the task later. The object is to catch the other players off guard and do your task ‘discreetly’ later in the game.
“Shhhhhh! Do so silently!”—means that you may not make any sound during your performance of the task.
Social cards—are for the cardholder only. Do not pass drinks out during this round.
Guessing Cards—All cards that say Hum and/or Act Out. These cards are to be performed by the cardholder player and guessed by the other players. The cardholder is allowed to give a basic hint to the other players. (See HINTS).
The cardholder receives the points of all cards that suggest a partner.
1 drink=1 small sip.

As described above, the tasks 12 on the plurality of cards 10 may be divided into a plurality of various categories. In a preferred embodiment, the categories include, but are not limited to, Rock Stars, Usual Suspects, Theater, All That Word Jazz, Pranksters, Social Cards and any other suitable category. Specifically, the Rock Stars category preferably comprises the tasks of humming a particular song so that another player may guess the song, performing a music related act so that another player may guess the answer, and/or answering musical trivia questions. The answer to any trivia question is preferably located somewhere on that card 10, such as on the back 20 of the card 10. The Usual Suspects category preferably comprises the tasks of answering random trivia questions relating to popular culture, known facts, and general trivia. The answer to any trivia question is preferably located somewhere on that card 10, such as on the back 20 of the card 10. The Theater category preferably comprises the tasks of “acting out” various persons, places or things, such as in charades, so that another player may guess the act. The All That Word Jazz category preferably comprises the tasks of performing various acts relating to words, slang and sounds. The Pranksters category preferably comprises the tasks of performing a dare, an act, a prank or a stunt. The Social Cards category preferably comprises (1) tasks to perform relating to drinking an alcoholic beverage, which is used in conjunction with an alcoholic drinking embodiment of the game and/or (2) an interesting fact, quote or saying, which is used in conjunction with a non-alcohol embodiment of the game.

The following are examples of the types of tasks 12 in each of the preferred categories and the preferred corresponding predetermined amount of points 14 assigned to the task 12. While the examples of tasks 12 in each of these categories and the predetermined amount of points 14 are preferred, they are only illustrative and are not intended to limit the invention.



Example: Rock Stars Category

	1 point	Hum . . . “YMCA”
	2 points	Act Out: playing the trumpet
	2 points	Do the moonwalk
	3 points	Hum . . . “Hound Dog” by Elvis
	4 points	Hum . . . “Under the boardwalk”
	4 points	Q: What was the longest Shakespeare play?
		A: Hamlet
	5 points	With a prop, play an air instrument
	6 points	Imitate one of your friends dancing (one group
		player must successfully guess who you are
		imitating)
	6 points	Act Out: Elvis
	7 points	Sing like an Opera singer
	7 points	Q: How much does the biggest disco ball weigh?
		A: 304 lbs.
	8 points	Q: How large is the largest playable guitar in
		the world? A: 38 ft. tall, 16 ft. wide, weight
		1,865 lbs.



Example: Usual Suspects Category

	1 point	Q: How many feet are in one yard? A: 3
	2 points	Q: How many colors do M&Ms come in? A: six
	3 points	Q: Why does a desert get cold at night?
		A: There is no water to hold in the heat from the
		daytime.
	3 points	Q: How do you tell the age of a horse?
		A: the teeth
	3 points	Q: How fast can a cheetah run? A: 60 mph
	4 points	Attempt to name everyone's favorite color.
	4 points	Q: Where is the southern most point of the United
		States? A: Key West
	5 points	Q: Where is Mt. Rushmore? A: South Dakota
	5 points	Q: Which kind of jelly fish is the most harmful?
		A: man-of-war
	6 points	Q: Name the nearest star. A: the sun
	6 points	Q: What animal is the largest, most powerful, and
		most gentle? A: African elephant
	7 points	Q: Where is the largest waterfall in the world
		located? A: Venezuela
	8 points	Q: How many seconds are there in one hour?
		A: 3,600
	8 points	Q: How far away is the sun? A: 93 million miles



Example: Theater Category

	1 point	Act Out: golfing
	2 points	Act Out: surfing
	2 points	Act Out: a cowboy
	3 points	Act Out: an umpire
	3 points	Act Out: galloping on a horse (Shhhhhh! Do so
		silently!)
	5 points	Act Out: Spiderman
	6 points	Act Out: being chased by a bear
	7 points	Act Out: a shooting star
	8 points	Act Out: a clock (Shhhhhh! Do so silently!)



Example: All That Word Jazz Category

	1 point	Talk like a valley girl.
	3 points	GrOuP Name different types of flowers.
	3 points	GrOuP Name different brands of shoes.
	4 points	Name as many words as you can that begin with “A”.
	5 points	Spell Mississippi backwards, without looking at
		this card! One chance only.
	6 points	Make 3 words out of the following letters:
		G E L N A (angle, angel, glean)
	6 points	Gobble like a turkey.
	7 points	Make a noise like water dropping.
	8 points	Tell a real secret.



Example: Pranksters category

	1 point	High five everyone.
	2 points	Pretend you have the hiccups. (Shhhhhh! Later!)
	3 points	Without laughing, make someone else laugh.
	4 points	Pretend you slammed your hand in a door.
		(Shhhhhh! Later!)
	5 points	Have a staring contest with the person to your
		left.
	6 points	Do a magic trick.
	7 points	Act like you know everything. (Shhhhhh! Later!)
	8 points	Laugh annoyingly until someone notices. (Shhhhhh!
		Later!)



Example: Social Cards Category

2 points	Take a picture.
	LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO BE BITTER.
3 points	Change the song that is playing or put a song on.
	TASTE SWEET BERRIES LIKE RAINDROPS FALL INTO
	BITTERSWEET LOVE.
4 points	Dance break.
	THE SUN'S DIAMETER IS 860,000 MILES.
5 points	Do a handstand for as long as you can.
	THERE IS OVER 140 MILLION SQUARE MILES OF
	UNEXPLORED OCEAN FLOOR.
6 points	Take 2 shots of an alcoholic beverage.
	ONE QUARTER OF THE BONES IN
	YOUR BODY ARE LOCATED
	IN YOUR FEET.
7 points	Spin in a circle for 30 seconds, then drink two
	sips of an alcoholic beverage.
	PISTACHIOS COME FROM SMALL
	DECIDUOUS TREES WHICH
	ARE NATIVE TO THE MIDDLE EAST.

Any card 10 may also have a suitable performance indicator 22 listed with a task 12, such as shown in the examples above. A performance indicator 22 directs the cardholder player in attempting the task 12. As such, a card 10 may have “*GrOuP*” listed with the task 12. This means that the entire group of players participates in this question. The cardholder player is awarded the points for this task 12 if someone other than the cardholder player cannot complete the task 12 during his turn. For example, a task may be “*GrOuP*: Name different types of flowers”. The cardholder player starts by naming a type of flower and then each player must do the same. The round for this task 12 is finished when a player cannot name a flower or repeats an answer already given by a previous player. The cardholder player earns the predetermined amount of points 14 for the task 12 unless he is the reason that the round finished.
Any task 12 may be required to be discreetly performed later in the game and indicated with a performance indicator 22. In a preferred embodiment, the later performance of a task 12 is preferably indicated by the expression “Shhhhhh! Later!” listed with the task 12 on the card 10. However, any suitable delay indicator may be used. Any card 10 may also have a performance indicator 22 such as “Shhhhhh! Do so silently!” listed with the task 12. In a preferred embodiment of the game, the cardholder player must perform this task 12 without making any sounds. While the above performance indicators 22 are preferred, any other suitable performance indicators may also be used.
Any of the tasks 12 on the cards 10 may be timed. As such, the cardholder player may only have a predetermined amount of time to successfully complete the task 12 to earn the predetermined amount of points 14 assigned to the task 12. Accordingly, a timer may be included as part of the game of the present invention.
The game of the present invention may be stored in any suitable case. In a preferred embodiment, the case is a circular leather case with a metal zipper and a handle for easy transporting. The inside of the case may have at least one compartment for holding the plurality of cards 10. Preferably, the case has four circular compartments for holding the cards 10, timer and tokens. Separate containers may also be provided for storing the timer and any chips or tokens inside of the case.
In a preferred embodiment, the method of playing the game of the present invention commences by a first player choosing any one card 10. The cardholder player attempts to complete the task 12 listed on the chosen card 10. If the cardholder player successfully completes the task 12, the cardholder player earns the predetermined amount of points 14 listed on the card 10 and may optionally retain the card 10 in order to keep a tally of the points that player has earned. In the embodiment of the game played in conjunction with alcoholic beverages, when the cardholder player earns the predetermined amount of points 14 assigned to the task 12 on the card 10, the cardholder player may also distribute a corresponding amount/number of drinks, i.e., sips, of an alcoholic beverage to at least one other player. If the cardholder player does not successfully complete the task 12, the cardholder player does not earn the predetermined amount of points 14, does not distribute a number of drinks to at least one other player and may discard the card 10 into a separate pile. When the cardholder player successfully completes the task 12, he may continue to choose additional cards and attempt to complete the tasks 12 thereon until he is unsuccessful, or each cardholder player may be limited to attempting to complete only one task 12 during each turn.
The method of playing the game then continues by the next player choosing a card 10 and proceeding as detailed above. The game continues until a player earns a predetermined total number of points. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined total number of points is 250 points. However, any suitable total number of points may be used, such as, but not limited to, 100 points for a shorter game or 350 points for a longer lasting game.
Throughout the game, as a cardholder player attempts to successfully complete a listed task 12, he may use at least one predetermined hint. The at least one predetermined hint is preferably used with tasks 12 that require another player to correctly guess/answer what the cardholder player is acting or doing, wherein the hint assists the other players in guessing the correct answer to the task 12. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one predetermined hint may include, but is not limited to, person, place, thing, action, expression, celebrity, character from a movie, character from a television show, character from a book, song title/lyric, and any other suitable hint. For example, if a card 10 has the task 12 of: “Act Out: Bob Barker from The Price Is Right”, the cardholder player may hint to the other players that the answer is a celebrity. Any of the hints may be used for any task 12 in any category whenever desired.
The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, various modifications can be made within the scope of the aforesaid description. Such modifications being within the ability of one skilled in the art form a part of the present invention and are embraced by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for playing a social game wherein a player wins the game by earning a predetermined total number of points by successfully completing tasks comprising:

a plurality of cards, wherein each card of said plurality of cards has at least one task to be completed by a cardholder player, wherein said at least one task includes at least one of (1) answering a question, (2) performing an act, (3) following an instruction and/or (4) reading a fact, quote or saving, wherein each said at least one task on each card of said plurality of cards is assigned a predetermined amount of points, whereupon said cardholder player earns said predetermined amount of points by successfully completing said at least one task.

2. The device for playing a social game according to claim 1, further comprising:

a timing device for timing said at least one task on said each card.

3. The device for slaving a social game according to claim 1, wherein said at least one task on said each card corresponds to at least one category.

4. The device for playing a social game according to claim 3, wherein said at least one category includes at least one of Rock Stars category, Usual Suspects category, Theater category, All That Word Jazz category, Pranksters category, Social Cards category and any combination thereof.

5. (canceled)

6. The device for playing a social game according to claim 3, wherein said at least one task in said at least one category ranges in degrees of difficulty from easy or simple to difficult or challenging.

7. The device for playing a social game according to claim 1, wherein said at least one task ranges in degrees of difficulty from easy or simple to difficult or challenging.

8. The device for playing a social game according to claim 1, wherein at least one card of said plurality of cards has a difficulty indicator which indicates a level of difficulty of said at least one task on said at least one card of said plurality of cards.

9. The device for playing a social game according to claim 1, wherein said at least one task requires said cardholder player to perform an act so that said plurality of players attempt to correctly answer what said cardholder player is acting or doing,

wherein a player from a plurality of players that correctly answers what said cardholder player is acting or doing earns at least one point.

10. The device for playing a social game according to claim 1, wherein each card of said plurality of cards has a predetermined amount of points which is assigned to said at least one task on said each card.

11. The device for playing a social game according to claim 1, wherein said at least one task has a performance indicator which aids said cardholder player in completing said at least one task.

12. A method of playing a social game wherein a player wins the game by earning a predetermined total number of points by successfully completing tasks comprising:

(a) selecting a player to commence said game from a plurality of players;

(b) randomly selecting a card from a plurality of cards by a cardholder player;

(c) attempting to successfully complete at least one task listed on said card by said cardholder player, wherein said at least one task includes at least one of (1) answering a question, (2) performing an act, (3) following an instruction and/or (4) reading a fact, quote or saving, wherein said cardholder player earns a predetermined amount of points assigned to said at least one task if said cardholder player successfully completes said at least one task and wherein said cardholder player does not earn said predetermined amount of points if said cardholder player does not successfully complete said at least one task on said card; and

(d) repeating (b) and (c) by said cardholder player or by a next player until one of said plurality of players earns a predetermined total number of points, thereby winning said game.

13. The method of playing a social game according to claim 12, wherein said at least one task is selected from at least one category.

14. The method of playing a social game according to claim 13, wherein said at least one category includes at least one of Rock Stars category, Usual Suspects category, Theater category, All That Word Jazz category, Pranksters category and Social Cards category.

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. The method of playing a social game according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined amount of points is selected from a value ranging from one point to eight points.

18. The method of playing a social game according to claim 12, wherein said at least one task requires said cardholder player to perform an act so that said plurality of players attempt to correctly answer what said cardholder player is acting or doing,

wherein a player from said plurality of players that correctly answers what said cardholder player is acting or doing earns at least one point.

19. The method of playing a social game according to claim 12, further comprising:

distributing a number of drinks of an alcoholic beverage by said cardholder player to at least one of said plurality of players, wherein said number of drinks corresponds to said predetermined amount of points earned by said cardholder player for successfully completing said at least one task.