WO2002074401A1

WO2002074401A1 - Geographical board game

Info

Publication number: WO2002074401A1
Application number: PCT/AU2002/000292
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heather Van Wyk
Original assignee: Heather Van Wyk
Priority date: 2001-03-15
Filing date: 2002-03-15
Publication date: 2002-09-26

Abstract

A board game of the 'Trivial Pursuit'TM type, where, however, questions are categorised according to specific geographic regions, eg continents, countries, etc. The board may be a world map with colour-coded regions or regions may be represented by randomly assigning a set of colours to an array of circles (10) joined by hexagonally arranged lines. In the latter case players' tokens progress from starting points (11) on the edge of the board to the centre (12). In both versions players roll a colour-coded die to determine the colour-coded region on which questions will be asked. A player aims to be the first to accumulate a set tally of points, by correctly answering questions on a particular region. The player is then said to have 'conquered' that region, which is put out of play. The player 'conquering' the most regions is the winner of the game.

Description

GEOGRAPHICAL BOARD GAME

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to board games and in particular board games of an educational and recreational nature where players respond to questions about specific geographical regions and are scored accordingly.

BACKGROUND ART There are a number of known board games which are based on questions of a geographic or territorial nature where players compete for scores to decide a winner based on game rules and events determined by the rules. United States Patents Nos. 4,674,752, 5,009,430, and 4,988,108 describe such games, all of which have the combined objectives of providing amusement and education for the participants.

It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a board game where players "conquer" particular geographic territories through participation in accordance with the game rules and questions and answers in relation to geographic regions.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game in which players answer questions in relation to specific geographic regions indicated by a playing surface, the apparatus comprising;

(a) a playing surface subdivided into a plurality of areas which are colour coded, each area relating to a predetermined geographic region,

(b) a plurality of card sets, each card of the set having on one side questions relating to each specific region and on the other side answers to those questions,

(c) scoring means, (d) a plurality of playing pieces in different colours, (e) a dice having sides which are coloured to correspond with the colour coded areas of the playing surface, and

(f) a set of chance cards for enhancing or altering the scoring of participants in the game. The number of colour coded geographic regions of the playing surface may preferably be six, matched by six sets of colour coded question card sets, six colour coded scoring blocks, and six colour coded playing pieces.

The scoring means may comprise a pegboard and six colours of scoring pegs.

The playing surface can preferably be in booklet form and is rotatable on a presentation stand.

The invention may preferably further comprise a booklet containing at least one map of the world and at least one map of each of geographic region.

Each map in the booklet may preferably be devoid of any geographic indicators such as place names as these will preferably be the answers to the questions asked of players.

The booklet will preferably also indicate which colour relates to which geographical area.

The playing surface according to a first embodiment of the invention may preferably be a gameboard showing a plurality of colour coded areas, each area relating to a predetermined geographic region where the colour coded areas may preferably be circles or other shapes, arrayed on a board in a pattern.

The circles or other shapes may suitably be grouped according to colour or arrayed randomly about the playing surface.

The circles or other shapes will preferably be arrayed in a plurality of hexagonal shapes, having a coloured circle at each vertex and preferably a coloured circle in the centre of each hexagon as well. The vertices of adjacent hexagons may preferably share vertices.

The playing surface according to a second embodiment of the invention may preferably be a gameboard showing a map of the world, subdivided into a plurality of geographic areas or regions, each geographic area or region to be colour coded.

Each card set may preferably be colour coded to coincide with 5 the colour coded areas of the gameboard.

Each card set may suitably contain questions relating to only one colour coded area and therefore only one geographic area as well.

Alternatively, the preferred card design will be one in which each card has at least one question corresponding to each colour and therefore to 0 each geographic area.

The scoring means preferably comprises a system of counting the number of questions that each player correctly answers.

The scoring means may further comprise a system of counting the number of correctly answered questions relating to each colour coded 5 area.

The invention may further comprise a third set of cards for use in the game to enhance or alter a players scoring or moving opportunities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

Aspects of the present invention will now be described with o reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a plan view of a playing surface according to one embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 2 is a plan view of a scoring block according to another aspect of the present invention, and 5 Figure 3 is an example of a playing piece according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a playing surface according to the another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a plan view of another playing surface according to o the first embodiment of the invention. BEST MODE With respect to Figure 1 of the drawings the playing surface comprises a map of the world, approximately 80 x 50 cm, marked off in regions and colour coded in six colours.

Blue = Europe and Iceland, region 1

Orange = Middle East, Russia and former USSR Republics, region 2 Green = North America and Greenland, region 3 Purple = Central & South America and West Indies, region 4

Pink = S/E Asia, China, Mongolia, Japan and Pacific Ocean

States, region 5. Yellow = Africa, region 6

Additional equipment (not shown) comprise boxes of question cards, and a colour coded dice.

The boxes of question cards each have six colour coded questions, one from each region of the world with answers to the questions printed on the back face of each card. The dice has coloured sides, corresponding to the colours of the six world regions.

The aim of the game is to become "King of the World" by scoring maximum points and thus conquering each region.

According to one aspect of the invention, the game is played using the playing surface in the form of a map of the world subdivided into colour coded geographical regions. In this embodiment, six flat rectangular perforated scoring blocks as illustrated by Figure 2 are also provided.

Each block has six colour coded columns marked by coloured dots 7 with approximately seven holes per column, as shown in the attached drawings including coloured scoring pins, approximately 50 per colour.

Six king or crown pieces as illustrated by Figure 3 are provided, in the colours, gold, silver, black, white, red and royal blue. The number of points required to conquer each region is decided by the players beforehand, for example, four for a short game, seven for a long game.

Each player gets a perforated scoring block and kings or crowns as shown by Figure 3 of the same colour.

On the roll of the dice, the player gets asked a colour-coded question from the region corresponding to his dice colour.

If the player correctly answers the posed question, the player is awarded a coloured scoring pin for insertion in the scoring block. Challenge: A player may challenge another player provided they each have at least one point in that colour.

If a player wishes to challenge two opponents at the same time, The player has at least two points which the player might have to forfeit, one to each opponent. If the player answers correctly, the opponent gives him one of his pin-points for that region, (if the player challenged more than one player, and the challenge fails the player has to give each of the opponents one of his pin-points.)

When a player "conquers" a region by being the first to accumulate the maximum points decided on beforehand, the player places a king/crown piece on the regions coloured square and that region is out of play.

Any player subsequently throwing that colour is allowed one more throw of the dice to select another region. The "King of the World " is decided as the person having conquered the most regions when all regions have been conquered.

According to another aspect of the invention, the game is played using a playing surface in the form of a gameboard showing a plurality of colour coded areas, each area relating to a predetermined geographic region where the colour coded areas are circles 10, arrayed on a board in a pattern.

The circles 10 are arrayed randomly about the playing surface. The circles 10 are arrayed in a plurality of hexagonal shapes, having a coloured circle 10 at each vertex and a coloured circle 10 in the centre of each hexagon as well. The vertices of adjacent hexagons are shared vertices. The circles 10 in each hexagonal shape are all joined by lines. There are specified start circles 11 about the periphery of the board where each player starts the game.

In the centre of the playing surface is a central hexagon 12 subdivided into six colour coded sections.

In this embodiment, the coloured circles 10 are arranged so that the six circles 10 adjacent any given circle are all of different colours.

The players may only move to the adjacent circle 10 once the question posed has been correctly answered.

When a player reaches the edge of the central hexagon 12, the first question asked of the player is of the colour to which the adjoining line points. If the player answers incorrectly, the next question to be asked is of the colour to the left in the central hexagon 12.

Any time when it is a single player's turn, a player may challenge an opponent. The decision to challenge is made after the player hears the question but before he actually gives his answer. He places a challenge card on the table and names his "challenged" opponent. Each has to answer a question before the challenge is complete. A correct answer is rewarded and an incorrect question penalised.

The challenger answers the question already heard and the opponent answers a question on the next card of the colour of the circle which the opponent is presently occupied.

Failure by either player to produce a correct answer results in one or both players having to move back two circles 10.

Any player subsequently throwing that colour is allowed one more throw of the dice to select another region.

Further enhancements to the game may include the provision cards designed to enhance or alter a players scoring opportunities.

The bonus cards can be used when an opponent gives the incorrect answer and another player thinks he knows they know the correct answer to the opponent's question. To be entitled to use a bonus card and get a bonus move, the next desired move has to be to the same colour circle relating to an opponents failed question.

The opponent to the left of the player has the first option to use a bonus card. If they do not take the opportunity, the chance passes to the next player to the left. There is no penalty for an incorrect answer made when using a bonus card.

Other cards may be used after a player has heard the questions relating to specific regions and may provide double, triple points, provide a further selection or invite a player to take a risk.

The playing surface may be in the form of a board or a booklet rotatable on a presentation stand.

The booklet may provide a playing board and on other pages detailed information and/or enlargements of specific regions. Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of

Example only and modifications and additions thereto may be made without departing from the scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An apparatus for playing a game in which players answer questions in relation to specific geographic regions indicated by a playing surface, the apparatus comprising; (a) a playing surface subdivided into a plurality of areas which are colour coded, each area relating to a predetermined geographic region,

(b) a plurality of card sets, each card having on one side questions relating to each specific region and on the other side answers to those questions,

(c) scoring means,

(d) a plurality of playing pieces in different colours,

(e) a dice having sides which are coloured to correspond with the colour coded areas of the playing surface, and (f) a set of chance cards for enhancing or altering the scoring of participants in the game.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a booklet containing at least one map of the world and at least one map of each geographical area to be used in the play, each map to be devoid of geographic indicators such as place names, the booklet indicating which colour relates to which geographic area.

3. The apparatus according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the playing surface is a gameboard, showing a map of the world, subdivided into a plurality of geographic areas or regions, each of which is colour coded.

4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each card in the plurality of card sets has one question corresponding to each colour, said colour indicating a geographic area.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the scoring means takes the form of counting the number of questions correctly answered by each player corresponding to each colour.