Abstract:
A game board and game apparatus is provided with the game board including a network of paths that originate at a starting point and which lead to a performing stage. The overall theme of the game revolves around a touring band and the object of the band is to arrive on the performing stage with a certain number of band members and with band equipment. Forming a part of the game is a series of tokens that are moved along the network of paths. Further, there is provided a deck of “Consequence” cards, a deck of “Band Member” cards, and a set or deck of “Band Equipment” cards. During the course of the game, as the tokens are advanced along the network of paths, the individuals playing the game will deal with consequences expressed by the “Consequence” cards due to landing on certain increments of the network of paths and further the players will aim to collect a certain number of band cards that represent a single band and at the same time collect at least one “Band Equipment” card, all prior to reaching the performing stage.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to game boards and games, and more particularly to a game board and game that carries a theme of a touring band.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Game boards and games played on game boards have long provided much enjoyment and pleasure for people of all ages. These games boards and games that have been enjoyed in the past have been of various types and have carried many different themes and in the end have involved many objectives. It may be difficult to precisely identify what makes one game board and game more successful than another. However, we do understand and appreciate that game boards and games that have the ability to focus the attention of individuals over a significant time period, say for example, an hour or more, do generally enjoy significant commercial success. In their own way, these game boards and games sometimes border on addiction as individuals are able to have fun and enjoyment playing the games for hours at a time. In terms of what contributes to the attractiveness of a game board and a game played on the game board, this may vary from game to game, but in most cases it is probably a combination of a number of factors. Certainly game boards and games that require skill in order to be efficient in playing the game has appeal. But equally appealing is a game board and game that tends to intermix skill and luck in such a fashion that one player is not able to dominate the game based on skill alone and that various combinations of skill and luck combined can over the long run provide for exciting, challenging and competitive games.  
           [0003]    Another feature of game boards and games that is particularly important in appealing to individuals is that games and game boards often integrate a theme. These themes or the environment in which the game is played, can generate great interest and are often designed around nostalgia and bring to mind times of the past. People generally enjoy events that evoke nostalgia and in a certain way carry them back to a time that they enjoy remembering and even reminiscing about.  
           [0004]    Therefore, there is always a need for game boards and games that somehow present a game that rewards various combinations of skill and luck and at the same time evokes subjects of interest to a wide sector of our society.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention entails a game board and game that is played in the context of a theme of a touring band. A game board is provided that includes a performing stage and a starting point. Between the performing stage and the starting point there is provided a network of paths that leads from the starting point to the performing stage. Tokens are provided with the game and through the roll of dice the tokens are advanced incrementally along various paths that constitute the network of paths, with the object always being to ultimately advance the tokens to the performing stage. In the course of moving from the starting point to the performing stage, each player will encounter consequences along the way and these consequences are tied to various increments denoted on the various paths. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment of this invention, the object is for a player to arrive at or on the performing stage with a select group of band members and band equipment. Therefore, to achieve this in the context of the present game, there is provided a deck of “Band Member” cards and a deck or set of “Band Equipment” cards. As each player moves from the starting point along individual paths of the network, the player will have opportunities to receive “Band Member” cards from the band member card deck and exchange “Band Member” cards among the various players. In the end, it is the object of the game for a player to reach the performing stage with a certain number of “Band Member” cards wherein the “Band Member” cards are of a single group that represents a band. Further, along the way, as the individual players move towards the performance stage, they will be required to purchase a “Band Equipment” card that will be representative of the band equipment that will be used by the band upon arriving at the performance stage.  
           [0006]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the game board of the present invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIGS. 1A and 1B are key descriptions of various actions or consequences that are a result of a token landing on the various keyed increments of the paths found on the game board.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of various components that make up the game board apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]    With further reference to the drawings, the game board of the present invention is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral  100 . Game board  100  may conform to a number of shapes and sizes. However, in the case of the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the game board is generally rectangular and is of a flat board construction and may be foldable.  
         [0011]    Viewing the game board in more detail, there is provided a performing stage  112  located generally in the central area of the game board. About the left hand corner of the game board viewed in FIG. 1, there is a parking lot or starting point indicated by the numeral  114 . Extending from the parking lot  114  and winding around the game board  100  is a network of paths. Each of the paths is incremented. As seen in FIG. 1, the respective paths that comprise the network are curved or irregularly shaped. Some segments of the paths extend generally straight while portions or segments curve and turn. Viewing the network of paths, it is seen that the network includes one outer loop or path  116  that extends from the parking  114  across the bottom of the game board and turns upwardly and extends to the right hand corner of the game board. Thereafter the outer loop  116  extends generally horizontally across the upper portion of the game board and turns downwardly and extends along the left hand edge of the game board, again as viewed in FIG. 1, to the area of the parking lot  114  at which time the outer path turns inwardly and joins an original segment of the outer path. Connected at various points to the outer path  116  is a series of intermediate paths  118 . These intermediate paths  118  again curve and turn along areas of the game board. A plurality of feeder paths  120  also form a part of the network of paths. Feeder paths  120  generally extend inwardly from the intermediate paths  118  and join a generally circular path  140  that extends at least partially around the performing stage  112 . Therefore, as will be appreciated from subsequent portions of this disclosure, tokens  130  that form a part of the game board apparatus are advanced along the various paths that make up the network of paths. As seen along the various paths, there is provided arrows that dictate the direction that the tokens are to be advanced and in numerous cases the arrows appear at points where there are options. That is, at these points the player can elect to go in one of two directions. In any event, in a general way, the players will advance their tokens  130  along the paths and as will be understood from subsequent portions of this disclosure, the object in part, at least, is to reach a performing stage  112 . Therefore, in the process of moving towards the performing stage  112 , the players will have to navigate at least a portion of the outer path  116 . At some point along the outer path  116  the player will turn into one or more of the intermediate paths  118  or one or more of the feeder paths  120 . If an intermediate path  118  is selected, then the player will eventually attempt to move from an intermediate path  118  to a feeder path  120 . However, once on a feeder path  120 , then the player will attempt to move to the circular path  140  in order that the player can move to the performing stage  112 .  
         [0012]    In addition to the game board that has just been generally described, the game apparatus of the present invention includes a number of card decks. In particular, there is provided a deck of “Band Member” cards  122 . This deck of cards is sometimes referred to as “On Tour” cards. Further, there is a deck of cards that is referred to as “Consequence” cards  124 . These “Consequence” cards  124  are sometimes referred to as “Twist of Fate” cards. Details of these cards will be discussed subsequently therein. However, at this point it should be noted that the game board  100  is adapted to receive the “Band Member” cards  122  and the “Consequence” cards  124 . As viewed in FIG. 1, about the upper right hand corner of game board  100  there is provided a space  124   a  for receiving the “Consequence” or “Twist of Fate” cards  124 . About the upper left hand corner of the game board as viewed in FIG. 1, there is provided a space  122   a  that is designed to receive the “Band Member” cards or “On Tour” cards  122 .  
         [0013]    Also, about the upper left hand corner, there is shown a pawn shop  126 . As will be explored in more detail, the pawn shop  126  plays a significant role in the respective players obtaining band equipment, represented by a series of “Band Equipment” cards that form a part of the game.  
         [0014]    Returning to the game board  100  it is noted that each path that forms a part of the network of paths is incremented or divided in two areas. These increments determine how far along a path a player advances after the roll of the dice  128 . That is if the roll of the dice reveals a “7” then the player will advance seven increments along a path. Many of the increments formed on the respective paths include some form of indicia thereon. The indicia is generally a directive to the player and usually involves some action or consequence. Because of the size limitation of the drawings, the indicia could not be placed on the respective increments along the paths. Therefore, a circled number has been placed on the respective increments that are intended to have indicia. These circled numbers also appear on FIGS. 1A and 1B and adjacent each circled number is the indicia that would appear on that particular increment on the game board. For example, the circled “3” appearing in the outer path  116  about the lower portion of the game board means that that particular increment will include the indicia or phrase “Twist of Fate”. A person landing on this increment would then be required to draw a card from the “Consequence” or Twist of Fate” deck  124 . Also, in the way of another example, note the circled “8” that appeared on the game board. This refers to “Band Splits Up—Discard Three Cards”. The cards being referred to here are the “Band Member” cards or “On Tour” cards  122 . In the way of another example, note the circled “ 47 .” As indicated on FIG. 1B, this denotes the indicia “Release New CD—Roll Collect X $2,000.00. This obviously means that the player rolls the dice and multiplies the number shown by the dice by $2,000.00 and the player collects that amount from the bank.  
         [0015]    Turning to FIG. 2, the components, other than the game board  100 , of the game are shown therein. These components include a pair of dice  128 , a series of tokens  130 , a money supply  132 , a stack of “Consequence” cards or “Twist of Fate” cards  124 , a deck of “Band Member” or “On Tour” cards  122 , and a set or deck of “Band Equipment” cards  138 . The denominations of the money supply  132  may vary. For example, the denominations of the money supply  132  may include $100s, $500s, $1,000s, $5,000s, $10,000s, and $50,000s. Also it should be appreciate that although the series of tokens  130  are in the form of miniature buses, the nature and design of these tokens  130  may also vary.  
         [0016]    Further, with respect to the “Consequence” or “Twist of Fate” cards  124 , the number of these cards and the consequence or indicia appearing on the cards can vary. The following is an exemplary list of the indicia or consequences that appears on a deck of “Consequence” or “Twist of Fate” cards.  
                                   CARD NUMBER   CONSEQUENCE OR INDICIA ON CARD                   Card Number 1   Wading in the Velvet Sea           Collect $1,000.00 then every player rolls           Lowest Score Wins           Every Player gives this player 2 cards       Card Number 2   Crosstown Traffic           Every player puts 2 cards face down at the same           time then trade one left and one right       Card Number 3   Heart Breaker           Discard 2 cards and lose next turn       Card Number 4   Miracle           Keep this card face up           This card counteracts any Twist of Fate card           Use once and discard       Card Number 5   Sunshine Daydream           Collect $1,000.00           Make player of your choice give you 2 cards then           roll again       Card Number 6   Surprise Valley           Collect 1,000.00 and draw 3 cards       Card Number 7   Feeling Alright           Collect $500.00 and draw 1 card       Card Number 8   Black Peter           You die           Game Over           Remove bus and discard all cards       Card Number 9   Walkin′           Roll 1 die and move forward       Card Number 10   Cosmik Debris           The player to your right blind draws 3 cards from your           hand then you draw 4 cards       Card Number 11   Wish You Were Here           Every player moves to the same space you are on           No one draws a twist of fate card and you roll again       Card Number 12   Get Back           Move backwards 10 spaces       Card Number 13   The Magic Bus           Move to any space within 10 spaces forward or           backwards       Card Number 14   With A Little Help From My Friends           Every player pays you $500.00       Card Number 15   Shakedown Street           Trade 2 cards with player of your choice       Card Number 16   Truckin′           Draw 1 card and move 15 spaces       Card Number 17   Bears Gone Fishin′           Blind draw 1 card from every players hand       Card Number 18   Sabotage           Make player of your choice discard 3 cards       Card Number 19   CrossRoads           Move to first fork in road           Roll again move either way       Card Number 20   Paint It black           Every player discards 2 cards even you       Card Number 21   Instant Karma           Every player blind draws 1 card from your           hand one at a time [clockwise]       Card Number 22   Soul SacraFice           Discard all your cards       Card Number 23   Helter Skelter           Collect $5,00.00           Discard 3 cards then draw 3 cards then player to your           right blind draws 2 cards from your hand       Card Number 24   Piece of My Heart           Give 1 card to every player [clockwise]       Card Number 25   Mr. Fantasy           Move to any space within 12 spaces forward or           backward       Card Number 26   Ramble on Rose           Draw 1 card and roll again       Card Number 27   Weight of the World           Pay $500.00 and discard all cards       Card Number 28   Dazed and Confused           Pay $500.00           Discard 3 cards and lose next turn       Card Number 29   Comfortably Numb           Every player pays you $500.00 and lose your next turn       Card Number 30   Don&#39;t Stop           Roll again       Card Number 31   Dolly Dagger           Discard 2 cards and lose next turn       Card Number 32   Not Fade Away           Keep this card face up           This card counteracts the “Black Peter” card only           Use once and discard       Card Number 33   U.S. Blues           Pay $500.00           Lose next turn       Card Number 34   Fishwater           Every player gives you 2 cards at the same time       Card Number 35   Bounce Around the Room           Move to any space within 10 space forwards or           backwards       Card Number 36   Simpathy for the Devil           Blind draw 2 cards from player of your choice and           roll again       Card Number 37   Across the Universe           Move to any space on the board even the stage       Card Number 38   Cry Baby Cry           Pay $500.00 and discard 3 cards       Card Number 39   Goodtimes Badtimes           Draw 3 cards and lose next turn       Card Number 40   Money Honey           Collect $5,000.00       Card Number 41   Day Tripper           Roll Again           Move forward or backward       Card Number 42   Hell in a Bucket           Pay $500.00           Discard 2 cards           Roll again and move backwards       Card Number 43   Casey Jones           Pay 500.00 and roll again       Card Number 44   Makes Sense to Me           Collect $500.00 and every player gives you 2 cards       Card Number 45   Each and Every Direction           Every player trades 1 card with you one at a time       Card Number 46   You Can&#39;t Always Get What You Want           Pay $1,000.00 and draw 3 cards       Card Number 47   Bargain           Pay $1,000.00 and draw 3 cards       Card Number 48   If Six was Nine           Roll again           Sixes count as nines                  
 
         [0017]    It should be appreciated that the consequences described on the “Consequence” or “Twist of Fate” cards reflect song titles from popular rock songs that are recognizable by a substantial portion of our society. These song titles are so familiar that many people will identify with them and may even relate the song titles to personal experiences. Also, as indicated above, the song titles reflect the consequences of the “Twist of Fate” cards.  
         [0018]    The object of the game is to reach the performing stage  112  with a predetermined number of “Band Member” cards  122  of the same type. That is, as noted above, the “Band Member” cards can be color-coded into groups with each colored group representing a band. The object of the game is to arrive at the performing stage  112  with a predetermined number of “Band Member” cards of the same color. In the case of the rules for one game, the object is to arrive at the performing stage with five “Band Member” or “On Tour” cards of the same color. Further, the object is to arrive at the performance stage with one “Band Equipment” card  138 . Therefore, in the course of the game, each player will move his or her token  130  around the game board, and in the process will attempt to pull together a band and finally reach the performing stage with band equipment and a sufficient number of band members. It is important to appreciate that in order to be declared a winner, a player does not have to land directly on the stage, just reach the space between the stage and the “Exit”.  
         [0019]    To begin play, each player chooses a token or bus  130  and places the token or bus in the parking lot or starting point  114 . The “Band Equipment” cards  138  are placed adjacent the game board  100  and particularly adjacent the pawn shop  126 . Each player receives $5,000.00 from the bank and five “Band Member” cards  122 . Each player then rolls the dice  128 . The lowest score begins play and play proceeds in a clockwise rotation. A player must always move forward unless a “Consequence” or “Twist of Fate” card  124  directs otherwise. A player only draws a “Consequence” card  124  when the player lands on a space designated “Consequence” card or “Twist of Fate” card. In this particular game, doubles do not roll again.  
         [0020]    It is important to appreciate that each player must do precisely as directed by the “Consequence” or “Twist of Fate” cards  124 . As a part of the game, there are provided “Miracle” or “Not Fade Away” cards. If a player draws one of these cards, these cards can be used to negate or cancel a directive issued by the “Consequence” or “Twist of Fate” card  124 . The only cards that are drawn, discarded or traded are the “Band Member” or “On Tour” cards  122 . If a player does not have any “Band Member” cards and is directed to trade or discard “Band Member” cards, then the player must pay the bank $500.00 per card. If the player has no money and owes money to another player, the player must borrow the money from the bank. When a player borrows money from the bank, it must be properly accounted for. These loans must be paid back to the bank. If a player owes money to the bank and possesses a “Band Equipment” card, the player must sell the “Band Equipment” card for $10,000.00. This entails discarding or giving up the “Band Equipment” card and placing it in the “Band Equipment” card deck adjacent to the pawn shop  126  and receiving $10,000.00 from the bank.  
         [0021]    Between turns, each player must discard “Band Member” or “On Tour” cards  122  to where that player only holds no more than 7 cards. This discard procedure should take place between each turn and before drawing, trading or rolling the dice  128 . If a player rolls the dice  128  while holding more than 7 “Band Member” cards or “On Tour” cards  122 , then as a penalty, that player must discard all such “Band Member” cards.  
         [0022]    To “trade” cards means that the respective players must place their cards face down and then trade them at the same time. To “blind draw” means one player is required to spread cards out and let another player draw from that player&#39;s cards.  
         [0023]    It is important to note that a player can only purchase a “Band Equipment” card when he or she passes by or lands on the pawn shop  126 . If the player passes by the pawn shop  126 , then the player must pay $20,000.00 to purchase a “Band Equipment” card. If, on the other hand, the player lands on the pawn shop, then the player only has to pay $10,000.00 for the “Band Equipment” card. If, during the course of the game, a player is required to sell the “Band Equipment” card, the player must sell it for $10,000.00 irrespective of the purchase price.  
         [0024]    In the course of the game, a player may land on a space denoted “Rave”. Note for example, the space or increment denoted by the circled “14” appearing in the upper right hand corner of the game board  100 . If a player lands on the “Rave” space, then the player rolls one die. If the die turns up an even number, the player draws “Band Member” cards  122 . If the die turns up an odd number, then the player discard “Band Member” cards  122 . Then the player rolls a second die. The number turned up on the second die is the number of cards that the player draws or discards.  
         [0025]    Finally, in order to increase the difficulty of this game, a player can be required to discard down to 6 or 5 “Band Member” cards  122  between each turn. This will increase the length of the game. From the foregoing specification and discussion, it is seen that the game board and game of the present invention presents an exciting game that combines the requirements of luck and skill in a unique way to provide for an exciting and entertaining game that is suitable to be played by people of all ages.  
         [0026]    The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and the essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.