AU2007100395A4

AU2007100395A4 - Word game

Info

Publication number: AU2007100395A4
Application number: AU2007100395A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Martin Rodenberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-16
Filing date: 2007-05-16
Publication date: 2007-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-16
Also published as: WO2008138073A1

Description

WORD GAME Field of the Invention The present application relates to a game and, more particularly, to a word forming game to be played by a number of players.

Background of the Invention Games, such as board games, card games and the like have entertained a large number of people of various ages over many years. Such games typically provide a platform that enables individuals to compete against one another in a comfortable and fun environment, whilst using a variety of skills and knowledge.

A variety of word games have been developed which require individuals to form words from randomly selected letters printed on movable game pieces, such as tiles.

Such word games are both educational and informative as they challenge players to develop their vocabulary and their ability to think quickly and laterally as they are presented with various letter options. Perhaps the best known of these word games is Scrabble®, which requires players to form words using single-letter tiles selectively placed in spaces provided on a playing board. In Scrabble®, words are arranged in crossword style on the surface of the playing board and scoring is determined by point values assigned to the letter tiles as well as bonuses assigned to specific spaces on the playing board. Point values of letters are determined by the frequency of use of that letter in language and each word formed by the player generates a word score, which is a sum of the point values of the letters used, as well as any additional bonuses.

Whilst Scrabble® has achieved significant popularity and commercial success, gameplay is based upon each player placing their words on a common playing board in sequence. As such, players are reliant on the contribution of others to the overall game, which may limit their creative ability. Further, as players must wait their turn to contribute to the game, they have a potential to plan their next move and do not have to solely rely upon their ability to think quickly and precisely under time constraints.

There is a need to provide a word forming game that provides players with an opportunity to perform individual word forming tasks and to compete on an individual basis with other players within the game format.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of playing a word forming game for a plurality of players comprising: providing a pool of playing tiles, at least one of the playing tiles having a letter of the alphabet displayed on a face thereof: each player randomly selecting a predetermined number of playing tiles from the pool of playing tiles; each player independently arranging the randomly selected playing tiles to form a word or a plurality of linked words; each player randomly selecting a predetermined number of additional playing tiles from the pool periodically during the game upon achievement of a predetermined playing condition; each player independently arranging or rearranging the playing tiles to form a word or a plurality of linked words incorporating the additional playing tiles as they are selected: and each player continuing to perform steps and until the pool of playing tiles has been exhausted and one player is first to form a word or a plurality of linked words that incorporates all of their selected playing tiles.

In one embodiment, the playing tiles display a letter of the alphabet and a point score for that letter. At least one of the playing tiles may have a blank face that does not display a letter of the alphabet but which displays a point score such that the playing tile may be used by the player to substitute for any letter of the alphabet.

The pool of playing tiles may comprise a plurality of playing tiles each displaying a different letter of the alphabet. The pool of playing tiles may comprise multiple playing tiles displaying the same letter of alphabet. The number of playing tiles within the pool may be dependent upon the number of players. In one form, the pool of playing tiles comprises 120 playing tiles.

In one embodiment, the pool of playing tiles is provided in step such that each tile is arranged such that the face displaying the letter of the alphabet is not visible by the players. Each player may initially randomly select eight tiles from the pool of playing tiles. Each tile may be placed in the player's own play area such that the face displaying the letter of the alphabet is not visible by the player. Upon commencement of step each player may turn over their playing tiles to view the letter of the alphabet displayed thereon.

Each player may independently arrange each of the randomly selected playing tiles in their own play area. The playing tiles may be arranged to form a single word or linked words in a crossword manner. Each player may arrange the playing tiles such that each of the playing tiles are incorporated to form the word/words.

The predetermined playing condition of step may be when a first one of the players has successfully arranged their playing tiles in step to form a word or a plurality of linked words that incorporates all of the player's playing tiles. In another embodiment, the predetermined playing condition of step may be when no player is able to successfully arrange their playing tiles in step to form a word or a plurality of linked words that incorporates all of their playing tiles. Each player may then randomly select two additional tiles from the pool of playing tiles.

Each player may incorporate the additional tiles by adding the tiles to the previously formed word or plurality of linked words, or by creating a new word or Io plurality of linked words with their playing tiles.

In another embodiment, the one player that is first to tbrm a word or a plurality of linked words that incorporates all of their selected playing tiles in step is deemed as the winner. Step may further comprise awarding scores to each of the players. The player deemed as the winner may be awarded a score of zero. Each of the other players may be awarded a score that is the sum of the point scores of the playing tiles that were not incorporated into a word or a plurality of linked words.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise". or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Brief Description of the Drawings By way of example only. the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a game being played in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a game apparatus of the present invention; and FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method of play of a gamrne according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of an Exemplary Embodiment of the Invention One embodiment of the game of the present invention will be described in relation to FIGS. 1 3 below. It will be appreciated that whilst the game will be described as being played with three players, any number of" multiple players could take part in the game.

Referring to FIG. 2, one embodiment of playing pieces to be used for playing the game is shown. The playing pieces are in the form of tiles 10. A set or pool of tiles are required to play the game. In a preferred form, the pool comprises around 120 tiles.

Preferably, the number of tiles 10 within the pool is set as a multiple of the number of players.

Each tile 10 has a display face that displays a letter of" the alphabet 12 and a point value 14. The number of tiles 10 within the pool that display a particular letter 12 is approximately proportional to the frequency of usage of that letter 12 within language.

In this regard, a larger number of commonly used letters such as vowels are present in the pool, as opposed to more rarely used letters such as Z and X. One embodiment of the frequency of letters provided within a pool of 120 tiles is shown in the table below.

eleter Frequency Letter Frequency Letter Fre uiency Letter Fitequency A 10 H 4 0 9 V 2 B 2 I 9 P 3 W 3 C 3 J 1 Q I X 1 D 5 K I R 7 Y 2 E 14 L 5 S 5 Z 1 F 3 M 3 T 7 Blank 3 G 3 N 8 U 5 Total 120 Similarly. the point value 14 assigned to each particular letter 12 is proportional to the usage of that letter within language. In this regard, vowels are allocated a higher point value than more rarely used letters, as can be seen in FIG. 2. Blank tiles 15 are also provided within the pool. Blank tiles 15 have a high point value and can be used within the game as a substitute for any desired letter.

Each tile 10 has a rear face that is unmarked. The tiles 10 can then be placed on a surface with their display face down such that the display face of each tile 10 is not visible to the players.

The manner in which the game is played is described in relation to FIG. 3.

To prepare to play the game, the tiles 10 are placed display face down on a flat surface so as to form a pool 20 of tiles 10, as shown in FIG. 1. Each player then randomly selects a number of tiles 10 from the pool 20 (step 30) ensuring that the display faces of the tiles 10 are not visible, and places the selected tiles 10 in their play area 22, display face down. As shown in FIG. 1, the play area 22 is typically an area immediately in front of each player. The selected tiles 10 then become the player's game tiles 24.

The number of tiles 10 initially selected by each player to become the game tiles 24 can vary. In a preferred embodiment each player initially selects eight tiles 10 from the pool 20. Such a number provides a significant challenge to each player, to form a word or words which use each of the game tiles 24.

Following each player selecting their game tiles 24, the game, or a round of the game, commences by a game leader calling 'START' and each player turning their game tiles 24 over to reveal the letter provided on the display face (step 31). The game leader may be one of the game players or a nominated observer. Each player then works independently within their own play area 22 to arrange their game tiles 24 to form a word or a plurality of linked words, that use each of the game tiles 24 (step 32).

As shown in FIG. 1, the game tiles 24 can he arranged in a variety of ways to form a word/words. Referring to 'Player 13', each of the game tiles 24 can be arranged to form a single word. Alternatively, the tiles may be arranged to form a plurality of words 0io in a linked or crossword manner, as is the case with 'Player A' and 'Player B' of FIG. 1.

Once a player has formed a word or linked words that use all of their game tiles 24 (step 33), that player calls 'Take Two' (step 34). Each player of the game is then required to randomly select two additional tiles 10 from the pool 20 (step irrespective of whether they have used all of their game tiles 24. It will be appreciated that the specific number of additional tiles 10 to be selected by each player, and the corresponding call made by the appropriate player, can vary between games and/or rounds.

Referring to the specific example shown in FIG. 1, 'Player B' has used all of their game tiles 24, whilst 'Player A' and 'Player C' still have unused game tiles 24. In this instance, 'Player B' would call 'Take Two' which would result in all three players selecting two more tiles 10 from the pool 20 to add to their game tiles 24.

It will be appreciated that should no player be able to form a word/linked words that use all of their game tiles 24 the game will become suspended. In such an instance, each of the players will agree to a "Take Two" call, thereby requiring each player to randomly draw two additional tiles 10 from the pool Following selection of the additional tiles 10 into the game tiles 24, each player must continue to arrange the game tiles 24 to incorporate the additional game tiles into additional or different words within their play area 22. This can be achieved by adding the additional game tiles 10 to previously formed words so as to extend the words, or by starting again and forming completely new words in order to use all the game tiles 24.

Once a player has used all the game tiles 24 to form a word or linked words, the player then calls "Take Two" which requires each of the players selecting two more tiles from the pool 20 and repeating the steps 32 35. Similarly, if no player is able to use all of their game tiles 24, each of the players may agree to "Take Two" and repeat steps 32 Play continues in this fashion until all tiles 10 within the pool 20 have been distributed amongst the players and a player has been able to use all of their game tiles 24 (step 36) to form one or more connected words. Once this condition has been reached, the first player to use all of their game tiles 24 calls "Finished" or "Stop" and all players immediately discontinue play and the scores are tallied (step 37). If a player calls "Finished" whilst another player is rearranging their words, that player must immediately stop, irrespective of how incomplete their word(s) may be, to enable their score to be tallied.

Each player is scored in relation to their ability to quickly use all of their game tiles 24 to form a word or linked words. In this regard, the first player to correctly use all of their game tiles 24 and call "Finished" is awarded a score of zero and declared as winner of that round. All of the other players tally the point values of each of the game tiles 24 that have not been used to form a word or connected words. This tally then becomes their game score. The game can be played over a number of rounds with each player's game score being accumulative. In this arrangement, at the end of the designated number of rounds a winner is declared as the player with the lowest accumulative game score.

Throughout the game, all players are able to view the play areas 22 of each other player and at the end of the round can challenge words created by other players. In this regard, any word listed in a standard English or other relevant language dictionary is acceptable. A player may use the same word more than once in a round and pluralised words may be permitted. In some instances, conditions may be made to limit the type of words acceptable, and these conditions may exclude words requiring hyphens, apostrophes, or spelt with abbreviations, suffixes or prefixes. The players may agree upon other game conditions, with any challenges or disputes to be ruled upon by an appointed score-keeper. In the event that a player completes a round using a word that is not accepted by the rules, the players gamrne score is penalised an amount, preferably points.

The game of the present invention provides a fun and educational challenge to players of all ages. As players compete in their own play area 22, independently of other players, the game provides a true test of player's ability to think quickly and concisely in a fast pace atmosphere. Also, as the game tiles 24 are constantly changing, each player must also quickly adapt to such changes in playing conditions, which may require complete revision of their previous play, which is typically not provided in existing word based games.

The game of the present invention is simple to play and can be played in a variety of locations as there is no dedicated game board or playing surface. Whilst the present invention has been described in relation to tiles 10, it will be appreciated that the letters could be arranged on cards, paper and other such surfaces to facilitate playing the game in a variety of situations.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each playing tile displays a letter of the alphabet and a point score.
3. A method according to claimrn 2, wherein at least one of the playing tiles does not display a letter of the alphabet but displays a point score such that the playing tile may be used by a player to substitute for any letter of the alphabet.
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the pool of playing tiles comprises a plurality of playing tiles each displaying a different letter of the alphabet.
5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the pool of playing tiles comprises multiple playing tiles displaying the same letter of alphabet.
6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of playing tiles selected from the pool in step is eight.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined playing condition of step is when a first one of the players has successfutlly arranged their playing tiles in step to form a word or a plurality of linked words that incorporates all of their playing tiles.
8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined playing condition of step is when no player is able to successfully arrange their playing tiles in step to form a word or a plurality of linked words that incorporates all of their playing tiles.
9. A method according to claim 7 or claim 8. wherein the predetermined number of additional playing tiles selected from the pool in step is two. A method according to claim 2, wherein the one player that is first to form a word or a plurality of linked words that incorporates all of their selected playing tiles in step (f) is deemed as the winner.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein step ifurther comprises awarding scores to each of the players.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the player deemed as the winner is awarded a score of zero.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein each of the other players is awarded a score that is the sum of the point scores of the playing tiles that were not incorporated into a word or a plurality of linked words.