Abstract:
Apparatus and rules for a game played with at least two teams of players are disclosed. A first team has a first objective and a second team has a second objective. In some embodiments, a first objective is to collect a predetermined set of items, and a second objective is to determine a piece of information, which may be based at least in part on the items the first team attempts to collect. The game may be played according to a predetermined theme, such as good vs. evil, “cops and robbers,” or the like, and may be based on characters, events, locations portrayed in a particular popular culture phenomenon, i.e. in a book, comic book, movie, TV show, or the like.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is based upon and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to the following U.S. provisional patent application, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes: Ser. No. 60/516,572, entitled “Board Game,” filed Oct. 30, 2003 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present disclosure relates generally to board games, and more particularly to rules and apparatus for a game wherein a first team of one or more players has a first objective or must satisfy a first condition in order to win, and a second team of one or more players has a second objective or must satisfy a second condition in order to win. In some embodiments, a first objective is to collect a predetermined set of items, and a second objective is to determine a piece of information, which may be based at least in part on the items the first team attempts to collect. The game may be played according to a predetermined theme, such as good vs. evil, “cops and robbers,” or the like.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Examples of board games wherein different players or player teams have different objectives or must satisfy different conditions in order to win the game include “Illuminati” (Steve Jackson games) and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Game” (Hasbro, Inc.). Examples of board games wherein players role-play various aspects of “cops and robbers” scenarios are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,053,154, 4,185,832 and 5,033,752. Examples of board games wherein a decoder is used to read encoded data on game items are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,527,059, 1,642,424, 1,988,273, 2,159,563, 3,411,221, 4,671,515, and 4,941,668. All of the aforementioned disclosures are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     The present disclosure is directed to a game suitable for play by at least two player teams, each team including one or more players. Each team may attempt to accomplish a unique objective in order to win the game. In some embodiments, a first team may attempt to collect a predetermined set of items, and a second team may attempt to determine a piece of information, which may be based at least in part on the items the first team attempts to collect.  
         [0005]     For example, the first team may select one of several possible missions, each of which may be associated with a unique set of items. The identity of the mission may be concealed from the second team. However, each item may include information related to the mission or missions with which the item is associated. Thus, as the first team collects items, the second team attempts to determine the identity of the mission the first team is attempting to complete.  
         [0006]     Game components, rules for play, and other game attributes thus may embody this concept in a variety of ways. For example, some embodiments may include a plurality of mission cards, each of which include a unique mission identifier and a corresponding set of unique item identifiers representing items needed in order to complete the mission. One mission card may be selected and displayed to a first team but concealed from a second team. Teams may then move moveable game pieces, or team movers, on a game board, such that the first team moves movers to designated location spaces on the game board to collect item cards representing the items on the selected mission card, and a second team moves movers to intercept or capture first team movers that have collected item cards, and use the information on captured item cards to determine the mission identifier on the selected mission card.  
         [0007]     Optionally, a game backstory or theme may provide a contextual framework or setting according to which the game is played, such as to aid player comprehension of the rules, to enhance entertainment value, and so forth. For example, some embodiments of the game may be played according to a good-vs.-evil or cops-and-robbers theme, in which a first team may represent the forces of evil, by stealing items needed in order to perpetrate a sinister plan, whereas a second team may represent the forces of good, by attempting to solve the thefts and thereby prevent the plan from coming to fruition. Such a theme may also be manifested in one or more game components or attributes. For example, the information on each item card collected by the first team may appear as encoded data, which may be decoded by the second team, such as with a decoder or other device, to reveal the information relating to the selected mission.  
         [0008]     Further, such a theme may be based wholly or in part on characters, events, locations portrayed in a particular popular culture phenomenon, i.e. in a book, comic book, movie, TV show, or the like. For example, an exemplary embodiment is based on the world created around the popular DC Comics character Batman. In this embodiment, a first team secretly chooses one of several missions to complete, each of which is associated with a different villain, such as The Joker or other enemies of Batman. Assuming the role of the villain&#39;s henchmen or evil minions, the first team attempts to collect items desired by the villain from various locations in and around Gotham City. Assuming the role of Batman and other superheroes, the second team attempts to capture minions carrying items, decodes encoded data on the items using a “Bat-computer,” and tries to identify the villain before the first team succeeds in colleting all of the desired items.  
         [0009]     Those skilled in the art will understand that the particular embodiments disclosed and illustrated herein are provided by way of example and thus should not be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure.  
         [0010]     The game of the present disclosure will be understood more readily after a consideration of the drawings and the Detailed Description.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts exemplary game components suitable for use with one embodiment of a game according to the present disclosure, including a game board, team movers, several sets of cards including mission cards, item cards, and command cards, a decoder, and a die.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts a more detailed view of the game board shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  depicts a more detailed view of some of the movers shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIGS. 4 and 5  depict exemplary mission cards suitable for use with the game of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIGS. 6 and 7  depict exemplary item cards suitable for use with the game of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  depicts a more detailed view of the decoder shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIGS. 9 and 10  depict exemplary command cards suitable for use with the game of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     An exemplary embodiment of the game is described herein with reference to the components illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 . Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a game  10  includes a game board  12 , a plurality of movable game pieces  14  including a set of first team movers  16  and a set of second team movers  18 , a set of mission cards  20 , a set of item cards  22 , a decoder  24 , a die  26 , and a plurality of command cards  28  including a set of first team command cards  30  and a set of second team command cards  32 . As will become evident from the following description, different numbers, forms, configurations, and uses of the components described herein, and/or other components, may be included in games according to the present disclosure.  
         [0019]     Turning to  FIG. 2 , a more detailed version of game board  12  can be seen to include a plurality of location spaces  40 , interconnected by a plurality of movement spaces  42 . Location spaces  40  may be shaped, color-coded, and/or otherwise marked to be differentiable from each other. In some embodiments, location spaces  40  may represent buildings or structures, and movement spaces  42  may collectively resemble streets threading among the various buildings and locations. Thus, game board  12  may simulate an aerial view of a portion of an actual or fictional city, such as Gotham City, and the location spaces  40  may represent buildings and/or other geographical features consistent with such a city, such as museums, skyscrapers, airports, docks, refineries, and so forth. For purposes of clarity, each location space is represented in the drawings as having a different fill line style, to indicate that a different color is associated with each location space  40 .  
         [0020]     Some of movement spaces  42  may include indicia  44  to indicate that such movement spaces have one or more specific purposes, depending on the indicia each movement space includes. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, indicia  44   a , shown as a capital letter “S” within a circle, indicates that a movement space is a start space  42   a , upon which one or more movers may be placed at the beginning of game play. Indicia  44   b , shown as a triangle, indicates an entrance space  42   b , which may allow movement of a mover into and out of a location space. Indicia  44   c , shown as a circle, indicates a jump space  42   c , which may allow movement of a mover to another jump space. Indicia  44   d , shown as a movement space positioned adjacent an edge of the game board, indicates an exit space  42   d , which may allow movement of a mover off of the game board. Some movement spaces may include plural indicia, to indicate that such movement spaces have more than one specific purpose. For example, some jump spaces  42   c  may also be designated as start spaces for certain movers. Also, some location spaces  40  may have more than one entrance spaces  42   b , while other location spaces may have no entrance space.  
         [0021]     In  FIG. 3 , movable game pieces  14  are shown as three-dimensional figurines, formed of plastic or any other suitable material, and sized to be placed on location spaces  40  and the various movement spaces  42 . Movable game pieces  14  include a set of first team movers  16  and a set of second team movers  18 . First team movers  16  are distinguishable from second team movers  18 , to designate different team alignments. Movers  16 ,  18  may be distinguished by team alignment indicia such as different colors, shapes, configurations, or any indicia wherein a first team alignment indicia is distinguishable from a second team alignment indicia. In the exemplary embodiment, movers  16 ,  18  resemble various characters, consistent with the Batman theme, that take part in the game. More particularly, first team movers  16  represent henchmen or evil minions, and second team movers represent heroes. However, although shown as miniature character figurines, moveable game pieces  14  may take other suitable forms including tokens, coins, and the like.  
         [0022]     Further, each of movers  16 ,  18  may include secondary indicia so that movers including a given team alignment indicia are distinguishable from each other. For example, first team movers  16  are similar in shape, size, and color, but each includes a different numerical indicator  46 . Second team movers  18  are similar in that each represents a hero, but each is configured to represent a different superhero character consistent with the Batman theme, such as Batman, Nightwing, Robin, and Batgirl. As described in greater detail below, such secondary indicia may be used to determine movement order during rounds, to allow individual players on a team to play or move a particular mover or movers, to indicate which mover is in possession of a particular item, and so forth. However, although the secondary indicia is shown in the exemplary embodiment as numerical indicator  46  or as individual character representations, any suitable form of differentiable secondary indicia may be used.  
         [0023]     In addition to moveable game pieces  14 , game  10  also includes a plurality of mission cards  20 , examples of which are depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Each mission card  20  may have unique mission indicia marked thereon, such as a unique mission identifier  50  and a corresponding set of item identifiers  52 . As mentioned above, a first team may attempt to win the game by collecting a predetermined set of items, and a second team may attempt to win by correctly determining a piece of information about the first team based at least in part on the items collected. Thus, item identifiers  52  may represent the set of items the first team may attempt to collect, and mission identifier  50  may be the piece of information that the second team attempts to determine. As such, mission indicia may be marked on only one side of each mission card  20 , allowing the mission card to be held or placed to conceal the mission identifier from the team attempting to determine the mission identifier. Correspondingly, the opposite side of each mission card (not shown in the figures) may be left blank, or may contain a generic image or some other indicia not indicative of the mission indicia.  
         [0024]     In the illustrated embodiment, the unique set of item identifiers  52  on a mission card function as a device by which the mission identifier on the mission card may be identified. Thus, no two mission identifiers correspond to the same set of items, even though two or more mission identifiers may have a number of corresponding items in common. Each mission identifier is associated with a unique item set. Conversely, each item set corresponds to a unique mission identifier. However, although item identifiers  52  and mission identifier  50  are shown and described with reference to the exemplary embodiment, any suitable system of identifiable mission indicia may be used.  
         [0025]     Mission identifier  50  may be a numerical indicator, graphical information, text, any combination thereof, or any other indicia suitable to differentiate among several mission identifiers  50 . The exemplary mission cards  20  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  each include a mission identifier representing a graphical depiction of a villain character, continuing the Batman theme of the exemplary embodiment. More specifically,  FIGS. 4 and 5  depict mission cards featuring two of Batman&#39;s enemies: mission card  20   a  includes mission identifier  50   a  representing The Joker, and mission card  20   b  includes mission identifier  50   b  representing The Riddler.  
         [0026]     Item identifiers  52  represent the items that correspond to a mission identifier, and may similarly be presented in any suitable manner to indicate the items, such as graphical information, text, and so forth. The exemplary mission cards  20   a ,  20   b  each include an array of item identifiers  52  in the form of images, each of which depict an item to be collected. Also, as explained below, items may be associated with locations on the game board, such as location spaces  40 . Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, each item identifier may include a location identifier  54 , such as a color strip or other indicia, to indicate the location space  40  from which the item may be collected. As mentioned above and as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each location space  40  may be identified by or otherwise affiliated with a particular color, and these colors may be reflected in location identifier  54 , such as to serve as a visual aid for players attempting to collect the items on a particular mission card.  
         [0027]     As shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , item cards  22  may each represent one of the items indicated on the mission cards, thus each item card may each include a single item identifier  52 . Further, each item card  22  may include a location identifier  54  as described above, to indicate the location space  40  from which the item may be collected. Additionally, each item card may contain information in the form of encoded data  56 . As discussed in more detail below, encoded data  56  may be read or decoded by using decoder  24 . When thus decoded, encoded data  56  may relate information regarding the mission identifier or mission identifiers with which a particular item is associated.  
         [0028]      FIGS. 6 and 7  more clearly illustrate exemplary configurations of these features. The item card shown in  FIG. 6  includes a front side  60  and a back side  62 . Front side  60  includes item identifier  52  in the form of an image. Continuing with the Batman theme, the images represent items desired by a villain character. Front side  60  also includes encoded data  56 , depicted as a series of alternating light and dark regions. As explained more thoroughly below, in the exemplary embodiment, the data is encoded in terms of the position and size of the light regions. However, any suitable system of markings may be used to encode the information. Back side  62  of the item card includes location identifier  54 . In addition to a color strip  64 , the location identifier also includes a graphical image  66 , which indicates the location space from which the item card may be collected. Graphical image  66  is shown as a portion of a building, but may represent any feature associated with a given location space.  
         [0029]     In some embodiments, some game attributes may allow each team to thwart the other team&#39;s efforts to win. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, some item cards may include an item identifier indicating that the item card represents a “blank” or “red herring” item that is not indicated on any mission card. The encoded data on such a “red herring” item card may relate no information about a mission, or misleading information, when decoded. As explained more thoroughly below, the first team may use a mover to collect one or more “red herring” item cards and then allow the mover to be captured, surrendering the “red herring” item and thereby supplying the nonexistent or misleading information on the item card to the second team.  
         [0030]     Also, in some embodiments, more than one item card may be collected from, or is otherwise associated with, each location space. In the exemplary embodiment, each location space is associated with three item cards, one of which represents a “red herring” item. Thus, with reference to  FIG. 7 , exemplary item cards  22   a ,  22   b , and  22   c  may include front sides  60   a ,  60   b , and  60   c , respectively, and may each include back side  62   a . Item card  22   a  represents a “red herring” item, as indicated by an item identifier  52   a  containing the image of an empty box, and by encoded data  56   a  containing no light regions.  
         [0031]     The interrelation of item cards  22  and mission cards  20  as described in the exemplary embodiment may be modified, such as to increase or decrease the degree of complexity of game play, to adapt the game to a different theme than that manifested in the exemplary embodiment, and so forth. For example, the mission cards of the exemplary embodiment are shown to include a set of ten unique item identifiers, although a greater or lesser number of item identifiers may be used. Similarly, the item cards of the exemplary embodiment each include a single item identifier (or a “red herring” item identifier), but item cards in some embodiments may be configured to include more than one item identifier per item card, may include “wildcard” indicia to represent any desired item, and so forth. Moreover, although three item cards of the present embodiment are associated with each location space, different associations may be used, or the item cards may be randomly distributed among the various location spaces. All of these variations are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.  
         [0032]     As indicated above, decoder  24  may be configured to decode, decipher, or otherwise read the encoded data present on each item card  22 . A more detailed depiction of a decoder  24  suitable for use in the exemplary embodiment is shown in  FIG. 8 . Decoder  24  is shown to resemble a “Bat-computer,” consistent with the aforementioned Batman theme. More specifically, decoder  24  takes the form of an elongate box  70  having a top surface  72  and a front surface  74 . Top surface  72  includes a series of slots  76 , each slot sized to accommodate insertion of at least a portion an item card  22 . Front surface  74  includes an array of windows  78  arranged in a grid, through which the light and dark regions of encoded data  56  on an item card  24  may be viewed when the item card is inserted into one of slots  76 . Front surface  74  also includes mission identifiers  50  to one side of the grid, arranged such that each mission identifier  50  aligns with a single row of windows  78 .  
         [0033]     In the exemplary embodiment, the relative positioning and/or size of the light regions indicate the mission identifiers, or villains, with which the item is associated. Several villains may require a given item, so the item card that represents the item may contain several light regions. When placed in decoder  24 , the light regions may thus be visible in several rows of windows, each corresponding to a villain that requires the item. However, as more item cards are inserted into other slots, the number of villains that align with the light regions on every one of the item cards decreases until only one remains: the villain on the mission card selected by the first team.  
         [0034]     This feature of decoder  24  is illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in which four different item cards  22  are shown inserted into four slots  76  of the decoder. The encoded data that appear on each item card can be seen through windows  78 . Each row of windows corresponds to a single villain, indicated by the mission identifier  50  that aligns with each row. The mission identifiers in  FIG. 9  are labeled with the letters “A” through “J” for ease of reference, although the mission identifiers may indicated by words, names, pictures, icons, symbols, etc. As shown, most of the rows are made up of windows showing both light and dark regions. However, in the top row (indicating the mission identifier labeled “A”), only light regions are viewable. Thus, when this particular combination of item cards  22  is inserted into decoder  24 , the villain associated with all four items may be identified. This may allow the second team to correctly determine which villain, or mission identifier, is on the mission card selected by the first team.  
         [0035]     On the other hand, if a particular combination of cards collectively displayed light regions across more than one row, the second team would need additional item cards for a correct determination of the villain. For example, in the decoder of  FIG. 9 , the three right-most item cards (individually labeled  22   d ,  22   e ,  22   f ) in the decoder display light regions in three different rows, which respectively indicate the mission identifiers labeled “A,” “B,” and “I.” Upon insertion of the left-most item card (labeled  22   g ), the mission identifier labeled “A” may be identified as correct.  
         [0036]     Item cards  22  may be collected from location spaces  40  by team movers  16 ,  18  traversing game board  12 . In the exemplary embodiment, a six-sided die  26  may be rolled to indicate a number of movement spaces  42  a team mover may be moved. However, game  10  may include any suitable random number generator including, but not limited to, one or more dice having any number of sides, a spinner, a randomly-selected card that bears movement indicia, etc.  
         [0037]     Optionally, game  10  may include components that allow movers to be moved in a manner differently than, or instead of, that indicated by a random number generator. For example, the game of the exemplary embodiment also includes a plurality of command cards  28 , each of which indicate a special ability or move available for a mover if the card is played, additionally to or instead of a move indicated by die  26 . Moreover, the command cards of the exemplary embodiment are divided into a set of first team command cards  30  and a set of second team command cards  32 , which may enhance entertainment value of the game by providing each team with its own set of special abilities and/or moves.  
         [0038]     By way of illustration, exemplary first team command cards  30  are shown in  FIG. 9 , and indicate abilities or moves that are consistent with the first team&#39;s assumed role of minions attempting to steal items. For example, first team command cards may enable the first team to re-roll die  26  (indicated by a “dice” image on card  30   a ), move a first team mover twice the number of spaces indicated by a die roll (indicated by a “jetpack” image on card  30   b ), place a second team mover in a location space of the first team&#39;s choice (indicated by an “alarm” image on card  30   c ), refuse to give an item card being carried by a captured first mover to the second team (indicated by a “smoke bomb” image on card  30   d ), or place a second team mover in a predetermined location where it must remain until another second team mover moves to the same location (indicated by a “hostage” image on card  30   e ).  
         [0039]     Similarly, exemplary second team command cards  32  are shown in  FIG. 10 , and indicate powers or moves that are consistent with the second team&#39;s assumed role of heroes attempting to fight crime. For example, second team command cards may enable the second team to move a second team mover twice the number of spaces indicated by a die roll (indicated by a “rooftop jump” image on card  32   a ), re-roll die  26  (indicated by a “dice” image on card  32   b ), move or “fly” a second team mover to a desired location space (indicated by a “Batwing” image on card  32   c ), place a first team mover in a predetermined location space for one turn (indicated by a “police badge” image on card  32   d ), or allow a second mover to move unlimited movement spaces in a desired direction until a first team mover is intercepted (indicated by a “Batmobile” image on card  32   e ).  
         [0040]     An exemplary method of game play utilizing the concepts and components discussed above is outlined in the paragraphs below. The game may be played by multiple players divided into two teams. For consistency and convenience, the team representing the minions is referred to as “the first team,” and the team representing the heroes is referred to as “the second team.” 
         [0041]     According to the exemplary method of play, all of the first team movers (minions) are controlled by a single player, whereas the second team movers (heroes) may be controlled by one or more players. For example, the game according to the exemplary embodiment includes five minion movers and four hero movers. Thus, if two players are playing the game, one player may control all of the hero movers while the other player controls all of the minion movers; if three players are playing, two players may each control two hero movers while the third player may control all of the minion movers; etc. Of course, other modes of assigning players to movers are possible.  
         [0042]     Before initiating play, the first team (controlling the minion movers) selects one of mission cards  18 , which, as described above, includes mission indicia indicating a mission identifier and a corresponding set of unique items that must be collected by the first team in order to win. The location identifiers on the mission card indicate the location spaces  40  from which each the item card for each item may be collected. The mission indicia is not revealed to the second team.  
         [0043]     After placing the various movers on designated spaces such as starting spaces  42   a , teams take turns moving their movers around the board by rolling die  26  and moving up to that number of movement spaces  42 . In particular, the first team attempts to collect each item on the selected mission card by moving minion movers to the various location spaces, selecting an item card from a location space that corresponds to an item identifier on the selected mission card, and moving minion movers “bearing” item cards off of the game board. A mover may be moved into a location space  40  from an entrance space  42   b , at which point the first team may select one of the item cards associated with the location space. Once an item card is selected, the item represented thereon is considered to have been “stolen” by the minion mover. The item card depicting the stolen item is placed such that it can be correlated with the particular minion mover bearing the item. For example, the mover may include a slot or space adapted to hold the item card. Alternatively, the item may be placed in or on a holder with indicia matching the indicia  46  on the minion mover. The holder may be an area on game board  12  or may be a separate, individual component of game  10 . The first team then attempts to move the minion mover bearing the stolen item off of the game board, via an exit space  42   d.    
         [0044]     At the same time, the second team attempts to intercept or capture minion movers bearing stolen items, taking item cards from intercepted minions, decoding the encoded data on such item cards, and using the decoded information to determine the mission identifier on the mission card selected by the first team. The second team may capture a minion mover by moving a hero mover to occupy the same movement space  42  as a minion mover. If the minion mover is captured while bearing a stolen item, the corresponding item card is transferred to the second team and may be placed inside decoder  22 . As explained above, when an item card is placed inside the decoder, encoded data  56  is visible through windows  78  that correspond to one or more mission identifiers. The second team wins when the mission identifier on the mission card selected by the first team is correctly guessed. However, some items are associated with more than one mission identifier, and it therefore may be necessary for the second team to obtain multiple stolen items in order to make an accurate guess. If a minion mover bearing a stolen item is moved off of the game board before being captured, the second team no longer has the opportunity to read the encoded data on the corresponding item card.  
         [0045]     During play, each team may employ some of the described features of the game to interfere with the opposite team&#39;s attempts to win the game. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, there are more items cards available for collection than those indicated on any individual mission card. Thus, not all available items need be collected by the first team. As such, if a first team mover is moved to a location space that contains items the first team does not need to collect, or if the required items from that location space have been collected, a “red herring” item card may be selected. As described above, the encoded data on a “red herring” item card does not convey any information regarding the mission being completed. The second team thus may be misled by attempting to capture minion movers bearing “red herring” item cards.  
         [0046]     Also, as described above, each team may use command cards  30 ,  32  to move the other team&#39;s movers, or otherwise hinder the other team&#39;s progress. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the jump spaces  42   c  represent manhole covers, enabling the minion movers to enter and exit from Gotham City&#39;s “sewer system.” In other embodiments, one or both teams may use the jump spaces to move a mover from one jump space directly to another jump space without traversing each movement space therebetween.  
         [0047]     Several aspects of the exemplary method of game play may be reflected in a set of rules to accompany the game. Such rules may thus be adapted to provide a game with a desired degree of complexity or difficulty, provide additional context to further a theme, include additional methods of game play consistent with the components and concepts of the game as described above, and so forth. The following is an example of printed rules that might accompany the game components and method of play of the exemplary embodiment.  
         [0000]     Object of the Game  
         [0048]     For the Villain: Collect the ten items you need to carry out your plan against Gotham City and escape the city before Batman discovers who you are.  
         [0049]     For the Heroes: Discover the identity of the Villain behind the thefts in Gotham City before they escape.  
         [0000]     Setup:  
         [0000]    
       
          1. Open the game board in the center of the playing arena.  
          2. Place the four Heroes on the spaces with the starting symbols at the four corners of the board.  
          3. Place the five Minions on the purple manhole covers.  
          4. Separate the Hero and Villain command cards into two different piles. The Villain command cards are red and the Hero command cards are blue.  
          5. Separate the item cards by building and place them into the twelve slots in the game tray.  
          6. Choose who will play the Heroes and who will play the Villain. 
 
 Playing with Less than 5: 
 
       
     
         [0056]     While the optimum number of players is five you may still have a great game with four, three or two. Since one player always plays the Villain, a game with less than five players only affects the Hero side. 
    4 Players—One player plays two Heroes or the players may take turns moving the extra Hero.     3 Players—Two players control two Heroes.     2 Players—The Hero player rolls once for all four Heroes. 
 
 Villain Mission Cards 
   
 
         [0060]     Each Villain mission card pictures one of Batman&#39;s greatest foes. These cards also list ten items and their locations in Gotham City. These are the items each Villain needs to collect in order to destroy Gotham City.  
         [0000]     The Villains are:  
         [0000]    
       
         
           
              The Joker  
              Ra&#39;s Al Ghul  
              The Riddler  
              Mr. Freeze  
              Scarecrow  
              Penguin  
              Catwoman  
              Harley Quinn  
              Two-Face  
              Poison Ivy 
 
 Hero and Villain Command Cards 
 
           
         
       
     
         [0071]     These cards give the Heroes and Villains special tools and abilities to help them combat or perpetrate evil. Only one Hero or Minion may play a card per turn. After a card has been played, place it face up to start a discard pile. Cards can only be used once per game. You may draw one new Hero or Villain command card per turn.  
         [0000]     Hero Cards:  
         [0000]    
       
          Rooftop Jumping—This card allows one Hero to move twice his or her roll.  
          Re-roll—This card allows you to re-roll the die once. You must take the result of the roll even if it is lower than your first roll  
          Batwing—This card allows you to fly from where you are to any building in Gotham City. Only one Hero at a time may use this card.  
          Interrogation—This card allows one Minion, of your choice, without an item to be placed in the Police Station for one turn.  
          Batmobile—Allows one hero to move in a straight line along any street until the street ends or you&#39;ve captured a minion. 
 
 Villain Cards: 
 
          Re-roll—This card allows you to re-roll the dice once. You must take the results of the roll even if it is lower than your first roll.  
          Jetpack—This card allows one Minion to move twice his roll.  
          Set Off Alarm—This card allows the Villain to send one Hero to the building of the Villain&#39;s choice.  
          Smoke Bomb—When this card is played, a captured Minion does not have to show the Hero the stolen item he is carrying.  
          Hostage—This card allows a Villain to place one Hero in Crime Alley. The captured Hero must remain in Crime Alley until another Hero rescues him by entering Crime Alley and remaining there for one turn. 
 
 Playing the Game: 
 
 The Basics: 
 
          1. One player plays the Villain—the remaining player(s) are the Heroes. The Villain moves first, followed by Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and Nightwing.  
          2. Before the game starts, Hero or Villain cards are drawn according to the number of players in the game. Example: If there are three players in the game, the Heroes each draw one card and the Villain draws two because there are two players against him. Once the game begins the Villain and Heroes draw one card at the beginning of every turn.  
          3. Roll the die and move up to that number of spaces. Although you do not have to move your full roll you must move at least one space. You do not have to roll the exact number to enter a building or capture a Minion.  
          4. Minions are captured when a Hero moves onto a Minion&#39;s space. When a Minion is in a building, a Hero must only enter the building to capture the Minion. Capturing a Minion ends the Hero&#39;s turn.  
          5. Enter the buildings at the spaces marked with arrows.  
          6. All Minions move on one die roll. Example: If the Villain rolls a six, all the Minions move up to six spaces.  
          7. Heroes move in this order Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and Nightwing.  
          8. A Minion may move through a Hero without being captured and a Hero may move through a Minion without capturing him.  
          9. Playing a Hero or Villain card does not count as your move. Example: If you play the Batwing card, you may fly to your chosen destination and still move the number of spaces that you rolled. 
 
 As the Villain: 
 
          1. Without letting the other players see, choose which foe of Batman you wish to play. You may choose one from the following Villain Mission cards: Joker; Ra&#39;s Al Ghul; Riddler; Mr. Freeze; Scarecrow; Penguin; Catwoman; Harley Quinn; Two-Face; or Poison Ivy. Place the remaining Villain Mission cards face down.  
          2. The Villain you have chosen needs to collect ten items to initiate the evil scheme. The items he needs to collect and their locations are shown on the Mission card. It&#39;s your Minions&#39; job to spread throughout Gotham City and return with these items. You may go into any building, but if the building does not contain items from your Villain Mission card, you may only take a red herring card. A Red Herring card is an empty box.  
          3. Once a Minion enters a building, it may take one item and place it in its backpack. Minions may only carry one item in their backpack at a time Note: The game tray has five “backpack” slots that correspond to the number of the Minion. When a Minion steals an item, the item is placed into that Minion&#39;s slot. If a Minion travels off the board without being captured, the Villain removes the item from the backpack slot. If the Minion is captured, the Hero removes the item from the backpack slot.  
          4. Move the Minions in the following order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.  
          5. If a Minion can exit the board with an item before it is caught, Batman will lose a valuable clue to your identity. If a Hero catches a Minion and take the Minion&#39;s item, the item is still considered “collected” and can be checked off your list.  
          6. A Minion may exit the board anywhere a road leaves the board. When a Minion exits the board however, its turn is over. Minions do not have to re-enter the board at the same place they exit.  
          7. Minions may not take items that are not on their Villain&#39;s list. They may however, take a red herring card from a building to throw the Heroes off. Note: The red herring cards show an empty box.  
          8. Minions may travel through the sewers by landing on a space with a manhole cover. They may exit the sewers on any other space that has a manhole cover. Simply standing on a manhole cover does not mean a Minion is in the sewer and thus protected from the Heroes. Note: Moving from one manhole cover to the next counts as one space. You may continue your move when you exit the sewer. 
 
 Winning as the Villain: 
 
       
     
         [0099]     As the Villain you must collect all ten items that are on your card. If you can collect these items before the Heroes discover your identity, you win the game.  
         [0000]     As the Heroes:  
         [0000]    
       
          1. Each player draws a Hero Command card. These cards may be played on your turn to increase your chances of defeating the Villain&#39;s dastardly plan. The Heroes are: Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and Nightwing.  
          2. Each Hero rolls the die and moves the appropriate number of spaces.  
          3. If a Hero captures a Minion with an item before the Minion exits the board, the Hero may see the item that was stolen. Each item is a clue to the identity of the Villain.  
          4. An item captured from a Minion may be placed into the Bat-computer for analysis. If the item corresponds with a particular Villain it will show up yellow in that Villain&#39;s slot. If the item card shows black in a Villain slot, that Villain may be eliminated as a suspect. Note: Some of the items are associated with more than one Villain. Make sure you have eliminated all suspects before guessing the identity of the Villain.  
          5. The Heroes may guess the identity of the Villain at any time after catching a Minion but they only get one guess. Guess wrong and the good guys lose. Note: This is a collective guess—each hero does not get a guess. 
 
 Winning as the Heroes: 
 
       
     
         [0105]     If the Heroes can reveal the Villain&#39;s identity before the Villain&#39;s Minions collect the ten items and exit the board, the Heroes win. Note: A Hero must capture a Minion before they guess the identity of the Villain.  
         [0000]     Notes from the Batcave:  
         [0106]     The entry to each building is marked with an arrow.  
         [0107]     A Minion may move through a Hero without being captured. A Hero may move through a Minion without capturing it.  
         [0108]     While the present invention has been shown and described in the context of a particular example and based on a particular theme, such disclosure is intended to be exemplary and non-limiting. It should be understood that the game may or may not be based on any known or previously described world or theme and may include any number of themes, backstories, or characters. Further, some embodiments may include game components and methods for play as disclosed in, or different from, the exemplary embodiment.  
         [0109]     For example, in view of the concepts and components of the present disclosure, some embodiments of the game may include a plurality of game items (for example, mission cards  20 ), each game item further including a corresponding plurality of individually distinguishable indicia (for example, item identifiers  52 ), such that the plurality of indicia on a first game item is different from the plurality of indicia on a second game item, and which also includes a plurality of cards (for example, item cards  22 ), each card including at least one of the indicia included with one or more of the plurality of game items. Further, such embodiments may include a set of rules for playing the game, which provides a first objective for a first team and a second objective for a second team. The first objective may be to select one of the plurality of game items and to collect a quantity of the plurality of cards sufficient that all of the indicia on the selected game item is included with at least one of the collected quantity of the plurality of cards, and the second objective may be to retrieve a subset of the collected quantity of the plurality of cards sufficient to determine which of the plurality of game items is the selected game item.  
         [0110]     Further, some embodiments of the game may include a first plurality of cards (for example, mission cards  20 ), each including at least one of a first type of indicia (for example, mission identifiers  50 ) and at least one of a second type of indicia different from the first type of indicia (for example, item identifiers  52 ), and a second plurality of cards (for example, item cards  22 ), each including at least one of the second type of indicia included with one or more of the first plurality of cards, wherein each of the second plurality of cards includes none of the first type of indicia.  
         [0111]     Some embodiments of the game may include a plurality of game items (for example, item cards  22 ), at least two of which include a first common characteristic, and at least two of which include a second common characteristic different from the first common characteristic (for example, two item cards  22  may correspond to one mission identifier  50 , and two item cards  22 —which may the same as or different from the first two item cards  22 —may correspond to another mission identifier  50 ). Such embodiments may also include a set of rules for playing the game, which may provide that a first objective for a first team is to collect a predetermined quantity of the plurality of game items that include a common characteristic, and which also provides that a second objective is for a second team is to determine the common characteristic.  
         [0112]     Some methods of playing games according to the present disclosure may include providing a plurality of game items, at least two of the plurality of game items including a first common characteristic, and at least two of the plurality of game items including a second common characteristic different from the first common characteristic; assigning a first objective to a first team of at least one player of collecting a predetermined quantity of the plurality of game items that include a common characteristic; and assigning a second objective to a second team of at least one player of determining the common characteristic.  
         [0113]     It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.  
         [0114]     Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed in a related application. Such claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to any original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.