Amusement devices: games – Board games – pieces – or boards therefor – Piece moves over board having pattern
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-18
2001-04-03
Layno, Benjamin H. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Board games, pieces, or boards therefor
Piece moves over board having pattern
C273S265000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209873
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a war game playing apparatus and method; and more specifically to a method for combat resolution that eliminates the need to generate random numbers, and expands game play by giving players greater control over the actions of the pieces, characters or units that comprise the game. The invention works with most military strategy games by replacing the chance mechanism of the game.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 186,181 to Underwood discloses a game apparatus consisting of a board representing military engagement, and miniature soldiers having comparative value which determines the number of squares that the pieces can move on the board. Any piece has the power to “take” another one of the pieces coming within the range of its moves.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,048,404 to Tebbs discloses a game specifically directed to aeronautical strategy. The game consists of a game board and pieces not limited to direct or diagonal movements. That is to say, turning movements can be used so that the heading of the aircraft indica on a piece may be changed. Such movements are said to afford a degree or realism in both maneuvering and strategy which is unobtainable in other games. Playing pieces are octagonal in shape so that aircraft heading indica may be changed in intervals of 45° relative to the space occupied thereby.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,463 to Zumchak discloses a naval combat game consisting of a plurality of squares and tabs defining the open sea in the Eastern and Western hemispheres, coastal waters and respective seaports. There are also provided games pieces representing naval vessels and their particular characteristics, ocean seaports and naval air bases, all of which cooperate to provide a game of skill.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,389 to Read discloses a war game apparatus representing a battlefield. The apparatus consists of a plurality of interchangeable weapon pieces, each of which has an identification to represent a range of a particular weapon. The identification of the weapon corresponds to a particular board space in such a location as to be easily hidden from an opponent. This construction and arrangement of the board and pieces is said to represent more closely a true battlefield situation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,965 to Dozorsky discloses a strategic military type board game consisting of a method wherein there is provided a rectangular board game of 126 checkered squares, and a plurality of pieces for each one of the two players, the pieces arranged at opposed sides of the board in such a manner that a “Capital” piece does not move and must be captured by the opposing side in order for the game to be won.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,070 to Watt discloses a strategy board game for naval battles consisting of a game board playing surface. A plurality of playing pieces represent naval vessels having a post extending therefrom. First and second visually distinguishable cylindrical rings indicate vessel power and vessel damage. The rings are stacked on the posts to provide the visual characteristics of the vessel.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,837 to Hoffman discloses a game of military strategy that combines elements of skill and chance. A selector dial attached to each playing piece indicates status power of the piece. Games pieces of higher status power have the potential ability to kill, capture or wound a game piece of lesser status power. The selector dial is a movable circular disc divided into six segments corresponding to possible throws of dice. Status power of the playing piece is determined by the selector based on random number generation.
The conventional play for games currently available requires each player to take turns being the aggressor. When one player is taking aggressive action, the opposing player normally takes little or not action, as per scribed by the game rules. None of the conventional hobby war games permit both the attacking and defending players to perform turns substantially simultaneously. Nor do conventional hobby war games provide a procedures for combat resolution and expanding war game play without use of dice or other random number generators.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention virtually eliminates the need to generate random numbers. Game play is expanded by providing hobby war game players greater control over the actions of the pieces, characters or units that comprise the game. The game provides a means for players to substantially simultaneously memorialize actions appointed to be taken, and present the actions in a recorded format wherein tactical decisions, not random number generation, become the driving force. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided, a means for expanding the internal logic of hobby war and role playing games by giving the players of those games the ability to add previously unspecified tactics and actions. The invention changes the nature of a hobby war game in that the most important element affecting game outcome is a set of decisions made by a player at every engagement.
In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for defining a strategy, tactic or action of a game piece, character or unit. The strategy is defined by an arrangement of multiple graphical elements or markers. The graphical elements provide a player with options for creating strategies, tactics or actions to address a plurality of situations or scenarios.
In practice, the method of the invention is accomplished by simultaneously comparing the interactions of two players of a role and hobby war game. These interactions comprise elements of strategy, tactics or actions represented by an array. Each defined element of strategy, tactic or action is compared against all elements of an opponent's strategy, tactics or actions to produce a value that indicates how the combat resolution of the game is proceeding. Preferably, the interaction is modified by application of a special marker operative during a decision based combat resolution phase of the game in accordance with a defined set of rules.
Generally stated, the apparatus of the invention includes a game board comprising a geometric array. This geometric array is used to define the space around a game piece, character or unit in relation to the game piece, character or unit. Information about the formation, attitude of motion of the game piece is provided by the markers or graphic elements in accordance with a defined set of rules.
The present invention is advantageous for its lack of dependence upon the conventional use of dice or other random number generators in order to drive game play and force the players to make tactical decisions. This is advantageous because many important variables and scenarios occur during actual combat. Strategic and tactical decisions must be made in order to accommodate these situations and the inevitable outcome of decisions made and relied upon. In effect, there are a myriad of possibilities which the attacker or defender must prepare for. Each player, when assuming the position as either an attacker or defender, must react to the combat theater he or she finds himself thrust into. The player must also rely upon lessons learned from previous moves in order to determine the best course of action to attack or defend ones position. The combat resolution mechanism of the present invention accurately simulates mechanisms for addressing and resolving real combat scenarios. Game play is highly satisfying and much more proximate to actual combat resolution.
REFERENCES:
patent: 186181 (1877-01-01), Underwood
patent: 3048404 (1962-08-01), Tebbs
patent: 3353829 (1967-11-01), Board
patent: 3401936 (1968-09-01), Greenberg
patent: 3565436 (1971-02-01), Opmeer
patent: 3998463 (1976-12-01), Zumchak
patent: 4059275 (1977-11-01), Price
patent: 4221389 (1980-09-01), Read
patent: 4280704 (1981-07-01), Massimei
patent: 4765627 (1988-08-01), Ross
patent: 4982965 (1991-01-01), Dozorsky
patent: 5026070 (1991-06-01), Watt
patent: 5163688 (1992-11-01), Simms
patent: 5171018 (1992-12-01
Buff Ernest D.
Ernest D. Buff & Associates
Layno Benjamin H.
Mendiratta V K
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