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[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/424,247, filed on Nov. 5, 2002.
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to crossword-type word forming games. More particularly, the present invention relates to a word-forming game that emphasizes the formation of words related to a specified subject text.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] There are a wide variety of word-forming games that challenge players' vocabulary and ingenuity in forming or finding words from a random array of letters in a competitive setting. One type of word-forming game is the crossword-type game, wherein players are required to form words from a random selection of letters, and connect them—in crossword puzzle fashion—to existing words previously formed. The game of Scrabble® is perhaps the best known of these types of games. Scrabble® involves a plurality of tiles, each tile displaying on one side a letter from the English alphabet, and a corresponding point value for that letter. The point value for each letter generally relates to the frequency of occurrence of that letter in the English language. Each player randomly selects a number of these tiles, and in sequence places them in crossword puzzle fashion on a game board having a grid pattern. Each word formed must connect to at least one previously formed word by using a common letter. Scoring for each word created is generally the sum of the point values of each letter in the word. However, the game board also includes some premium squares, which multiply the point value of whatever letter is played thereon, or multiply the point value of the word formed by the letter placed thereon.
[0006] Scrabble® and games like it have become very popular. They help increase one's vocabulary, mental acuity and creativity. However, these types of games present certain inherent limitations which may inhibit their versatility and enjoyment.
[0007] The invention advantageously provides a crossword-type, word-forming game, characterized by a plurality of players, each simultaneously arranging, in a personal play area visible to all other players, their own randomly selected group of tiles to form one or more words in crossword fashion. Each tile displays a letter and a face value, the face value being related to an approximate frequency of occurrence of that letter in a designated text. All players concurrently and randomly select an additional tile at designated points during play, and simultaneously form additional or different words, in crossword puzzle fashion in their personal play area, using the newly drawn tile in conjunction with previously drawn tiles, until completion of play. A score is calculated based upon the face value of the tiles used by each player to form words.
[0008] Additional value may be given to selected words, such as proper nouns, associated with the designated text. The game thus emphasizes words related to a given subject or text.
[0009] Advantageously, the game allows a player to revise or improve a previous play throughout the game.
[0010] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.
[0011]
[0012]
[0013] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
[0014] Scrabble® and games like it have become very popular. They help increase one's vocabulary, mental acuity and creativity. However, these types of games include some limitations on the one hand, and lack certain other limitations on the other. For example, many of these types of games prevent revision of one's previous play. In Scrabble®, once a tile is played, it cannot be removed or substituted. These games also frequently rely upon sequential play. Competitors must await their turn to take an action, which tends to reduce the premium on quick thinking. Additionally, many word-forming games allow the formation of any word, with no emphasis on words from a particular context, though they often disallow proper names. Such games test one's vocabulary generally, but do not also test one's knowledge of a particular field of knowledge. Still other crossword type games demand the formation of specific words, frequently from or related to a particular subject or text, based upon contrived clues or questions. These games are limiting in that they allow only one right answer to a given clue or question.
[0015] The present invention provides a crossword-type, word-forming game that is intended to test and increase players' vocabulary related to a particular designated text or subject area. The designated subject text may be any text. For example, it may be a book of scripture, such as the New Testament or Old Testament of the Bible, a textbook on some given subject, or any other text, such as Homer's Odyssey. Likewise, a designated subject area may be any subject area, such as current events, geography, U.S. history, etc. Unlike some other similar games, in one embodiment this game allows proper nouns to be used if they occur in the designated text, and provides bonus points for such use. Alternatively, the game may be configured to allow other particular parts of speech and/or grant bonuses when they are used.
[0016] Referring to
[0017] The game is designed for play by at least two players, and in one embodiment is intended to be played by up to 6 players. Depending on the number of players, some designated number of “wild card” tiles
[0018] To prepare to play the game, all tiles to be used from the set are first placed face-down in a “draw group”
[0019] One player is designated as the game leader. Play proceeds according to the flow chart shown in
[0020] After initiation of play, the game will periodically reach one of two repeat conditions, indicated at step
[0021] Alternatively, the repeat condition (step
[0022] Drawing of new tiles could be varied, for example, by specifying that the players draw more than one tile each time someone says “Go.” This alternative way of playing could both speed the game along, and also introduce an additional level of complexity by requiring the players to assimilate more new letters into their crossword puzzles at a given time.
[0023] Using the newly drawn tile (or tiles) in conjunction with all tiles they have previously drawn, each player attempts to create additional or different words in crossword puzzle fashion in their personal play area
[0024] Play continues in this fashion until all tiles are drawn from the draw group (step
[0025] A player's base score is equal to the sum total of the point value
[0026] Each player's base score is also augmented by additional bonus points and/or penalties. The player finished first receives a bonus (e.g. 10 points), provided they are not successfully challenged (as explained below). The value of the letters in proper nouns from the designated text (as verified by reference to the reference list
[0027] All players view each others' puzzles
[0028] The sequence of events from initiation of play to tallying the score for each player is considered one “round” of play. The game may be played in a series of rounds, such as three to five rounds. Score is kept for each round, and the player with the highest score after all rounds is the winner.
[0029] It will be apparent that the game may be played in various alternative ways. For example, the game may be initiated by dealing out all tiles at once to the players, each player receiving an equal number, the players then competing to form their own puzzles from the large quantity of tiles in their initial set. Play stops when any one player uses all of his or her tiles and calls out “Stop,” and scoring is then tallied as described above. Additionally, one or more additional sets of tiles may be combined in the draw group
[0030] The invention advantageously provides a fast-paced, easy-to-learn game that can be played by young and old alike. It requires minimal equipment, and, unlike some other word-forming games, allows the use of proper nouns so long as they are associated with the designated text. Consequently, the game not only helps expand and sharpen players' vocabularies and mental acuity, but it also helps increase their knowledge and vocabulary related to a designated text or subject.
[0031] By way of example, the invention can be described as a crossword-type, word-forming game, characterized by a plurality of players, each concurrently arranging letter-bearing tiles to form words in crossword fashion, and drawing additional tiles periodically during the game until completion of play. Each player arranges or rearranges their words using the additional tiles as they are drawn.
[0032] As another example, the invention can be described as a crossword-type, word-forming game, characterized by a plurality of players, each concurrently arranging letter-bearing tiles to form words in crossword fashion, and allowed to rearrange their tiles at any time until completion of play.
[0033] As another example, the invention can be described as a crossword-type, word-forming game, characterized by a plurality of players, each simultaneously arranging, in a personal play area visible to all other players, their own randomly selected group of tiles to form one or more words in crossword fashion. Each tile displays a letter and a face value, the face value being inversely related to an approximate frequency of occurrence of the letter in a designated text. All players concurrently and randomly select one or more additional tiles at designated points during play, and simultaneously form additional or different words, in crossword puzzle fashion in their personal play area, using the newly drawn tile in conjunction with previously drawn tiles, until a game-end condition is reached. A score is calculated for each player after the game-end condition is reached, the score being based upon the face value of the tiles used by that player to form words, and additional value given to selected words, such as proper nouns, associated with the designated text.
[0034] As another example, the invention can be described as a method and apparatus for playing a crossword-type, word-forming game by at least two players. The game apparatus comprises a plurality of tiles, each tile having a face with indicia representing a letter of the alphabet and a point value, the point value corresponding to the approximate frequency of occurrence of that letter in a designated text. The method comprises the steps of (1) placing the plurality of tiles face-down in a draw group; (2) allocating a set of tiles from the draw group to each player; (3) upon initiation of play, each player simultaneously attempting to arrange their selected tiles, face-up in a personal play area visible to all players, to form one or more words in crossword puzzle fashion; (4) drawing at least one additional tile from the draw group and reforming existing words in the crossword puzzle to form new words in crossword fashion; (5) repeating step (4) until completion of play; and (6) calculating a score for each player based upon the point value of the tiles they have used.
[0035] It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and described above in connection with the exemplary embodiments(s) of the invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.