Game and method of playing a game

A game and a method of playing a game are disclosed. A card with an image of a celebrity printed thereon is drawn by a player on a team. The player also starts a timing device, indicating his time of play, and manipulates a random number generator to obtain a random number. Within the given time of play, the player must recite a number of facts about the celebrity, corresponding to the random number, with players on an opposing team attempting to hinder the player's rotation of facts by playing disadvantage cards, and teammates on the player's team attempting to assist the player by playing benefit cards and/or help cards. Points are assigned based on recitation of the assigned number of facts related to the respective celebrity, and after multiple rounds of play are concluded, the points are tallied for the teams and a winner is declared.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a game and a method of playing the game. More particularly, the invention relates to a game wherein players, under pressure of a time clock, draw cards containing images of celebrities, e.g., movie stars, and have to recite a certain number of facts related to the celebrity, e.g., titles of movies the star appeared in, the number of facts being dictated by a random number generated by a random number generator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trivia games requiring one or more players on opposing teams to recite facts about a celebrity are known. Known trivia games, however, typically require either a board, and pieces moving about the board, or else require players to act out trivial facts related to the celebrity. The known games, therefore, require space to play; are difficult to play in a confined space, where a board does not conveniently fit, such as a coffee table, a relatively small desk in an apartment or college dormitory room, a seat on an airplane, a seat on a train; and are difficult to play in a location where nearby non-players would be disturbed by players acting out facts about the celebrity. Alternately, if players want to spread the game out in a larger space, the confines of the board may prevent doing so. In addition, many existing trivia games take an excessively long time to play, causing many players lose interest and quit before the game concludes. Such games also tend to be entertaining only for players very knowledgeable of celebrity trivia, and much less entertaining for players less knowledgeable of celebrity trivia. Finally, such games typically are designed for only one class of celebrity, e.g., celebrity actors, athletes, artists, singers, musicians, politicians, historical figures or the like, but are not easily adaptable for many classes of celebrities.

The present invention solves the above issues with the known games by providing a game which is easily played by two teams of players, which can be played either in a relatively confined space, or in a larger space, according to the players' preference without acting out trivia; which incorporates multiple possible correct answers; which maintains interaction between all the players throughout the game; which balances a level of entertainment between more knowledgeable players and less knowledgeable players in order to enhance enjoyment of the game for all of the players; which takes an adaptable duration of time to play; which moves quickly; which is exciting; and which includes either different versions of the game for different classes of celebrities, or several classes of celebrities included in a single game.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an improved game and method of playing the game, that substantially obviates one or more of the problems resulting from the limitations and disadvantages of the related art, the game having the features described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a game includes at least one deck of celebrity cards, each card in the deck having on one side thereof an image of a celebrity, e.g., a movie star; a random number generator operable to generate a random number corresponding to a number of facts a player on a first team must recite about the celebrity whose card is drawn by the player, e.g., a number of names of movies in which the movie star depicted on the card appeared; a timing device operable to establish a time of a round of play, within which the player must recite the required number of facts; a plurality of disadvantage cards playable by members of a second opposing team during, or after, the round of play, reciting disadvantages to hinder the player from reciting the required number of facts; a plurality of benefit cards playable by members of the first team, to benefit the player in reciting the required number of facts, and to counter disadvantages associated with the disadvantage cards played by the opposing team; and help cards distributed one to each player, playable once by another player on the same team as the player to help the player recite the required number of facts.

The game further includes a scorecard for recording points associated with each fact recited by the first player, including points associated with the required facts, and points associated with disadvantages from the disadvantage cards. In addition, a coin is included, which is flipped based on a command from the random number generator, the outcome of the flip affecting the manner in which points are scored.

Classes of celebrities depicted on different decks of celebrity cards may include, but are not limited to, movie stars, athletes, fine artists, rock stars, politicians, and historical figures. Separate versions of the game may be packaged with separate decks of celebrity cards, plus separate corresponding disadvantage cards and benefit cards, or a single game may be packaged with multiple decks of different celebrity cards, plus disadvantage cards and benefit cards corresponding to each different celebrity card deck.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. An exemplary embodiment of a game in accordance with the invention is shown inFIGS. 1-10, and is designated generally by reference numeral20.

As embodied herein, and referring toFIGS. 1A and 1B, the game20includes a deck of celebrity cards22, each card24in the deck22being printed, on at least one face thereof, with an image of a well-known celebrity26. The game20is not limited to any single class of celebrities. For example, the game20can come in different versions, e.g. a “RED CARPET™ version, wherein the celebrity images26are e.g., images of movie stars, television stars, and stage stars, or the like; a “Sport Heroes” version wherein the celebrity images26are, e.g., World Cup athletes, Olympic medalists, Tour de France bicyclists, NBA® basketball stars, MLB® baseball stars, American NFL® football stars, NHL® ice hockey stars, world champion boxers and other martial art practitioners, and the like; a “Fine Arts” version, wherein the celebrity images26are images of famous opera tenors and sopranos, painters, composers, novelists, and the like; a “Popular Music Stars” version, wherein the celebrity images26are images of famous singers, rock and roll guitar players, and the like; a “Politicians” version, wherein the celebrity images26are images of U.S. Presidents, European royalty, Middle Eastern leaders, and the like; a “Historical Figures” version wherein the celebrities26are well-known historical explorers, conquerors, world-leaders, military commanders, scientists, and the like; or an all-encompassing version of the game20, containing celebrity card decks22of each of the above versions. It also is within the scope of the game20that certain cross-over celebrities26A may have their images in different decks of celebrity cards22used in more than one version of the game. For example, images of Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Benito Mussolini, Josef Stalin, or Eva Peron may appear on celebrity cards24A in both the “Politicians” version and the “Historical Figures” version; whereas images of, e.g., Frank Sinatra, Beyonce Knowles and Madonna may appear on celebrity cards24A in both the “Popular Music Stars” and the RED CARPET™ versions of the game.

In accordance with the invention, the game20further includes a random number generator30operable to generate a random number.

As broadly embodied inFIG. 2A, random number generator30comprises a pivotal wheel32. The wheel32includes a fixed pointer34and a disc36, which is pivotally mounted on a spindle38. The disc36is divided into multiple discrete slots39, each slot including a pair of stops37to stop the disc with the pointer34pointing into a slot39when rotation of the disc36slows sufficiently to be stopped. The slots39are annotated with numerals, e.g.,1-11, except for a slot39which is annotated with the expression “coin,” or “flip coin.” In this embodiment, the “coin” or “flip coin” slot also may correspond with the numeral12. In an alternate embodiment, broadly depicted inFIG. 2B, all of the slots39are annotated with numerals1-12, and periodic slots39also have the annotation “coin” or “flip coin.”

The invention is not limited to use of a pivotal wheel32with a pivotal disc36, as the random number generator30. A random number generator with a fixed disc (not shown) also could be provided, with numerals printed about the periphery, and a pointer34which can be spun about a spindle38, and which stops spinning pointing at a random number. Referring toFIG. 2C, random number generator30can comprise a pair of dice41and42. When dice are used as a random number generator30, either one die41, or both dice41,42may be used. Moreover, when a pair of dice41,42are used as the random number generator30, one number combination, e.g., 11, or 7 can be designated as the command “coin” or “flip coin.” Other possible random number generators will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a card could be drawn from a shuffled deck of standard playing cards, with the number on the drawn card acting as the unforeseeable number. It is preferred, however that any random number generator selected be compact in order to fulfill the invention's goal of not taking up excessive space.

In accordance with the invention, the random number generated by the random number generator30dictates a number of facts a player must recite concerning the celebrity26depicted on the celebrity card24. For example, in the RED CARPET™ version of the game, once a player draws a celebrity card24with a celebrity image26of a movie star, and receives a random number from the random number generator30, he or she must recite, within a specified amount of time, names of a number of movies in which the star appeared, corresponding to the number generated by the random number generator.

The game further includes a coin43, as broadly depicted inFIGS. 3A and 3B. During the game, coin43is flipped when so commanded by the “coin” or “flip coin” command on the random number generator30. Different faces44of the coin43which land face-side-up will impact scoring in the game. For example if face44, designated “X2” as shown inFIG. 3Alands face-side-up, all points scored are doubled, whereas if the face44designated “-” as shown inFIG. 3Blands face-side-up, and the player fails to recite the number of facts required by the random number generator, all points are negative.

As broadly embodied herein, the game20further comprises a timing device46, the timing device indicating a time for a round of play for each player. As broadly embodied inFIG. 4A, timing device46comprises a sandglass48, including two end portions47and49of substantially equal volume, entrapped sand50, and a funnel52between the end portions47,49. An amount of glass50entrapped in the sandglass48, and the dimensions of the funnel52will determine the length of time for each round of play when the sandglass48is flipped, e.g., two minutes, three minutes, and the like.

Timing device46, however, is not limited to a sandglass48. As broadly embodied inFIG. 4B, timing device46comprises a timing clock53, similar to commercially available clocks used in chess tournaments with rotating hands54, and a push-button clock starter56. In addition, a stopwatch (not shown), a wristwatch (not shown), or a digital timing device (not shown) can be used as a timing device46to indicate a time of play for each round of play. Once again, whatever timing device is selected should fulfill the goal of not taking excessive space.

In accordance with the invention, and as broadly embodied inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the game20further includes a deck50of disadvantage cards52. Each of the disadvantage cards52is printed on at least one side thereof with a disadvantage command54, playable by players on a team opposing a player playing a round, for hindering the player playing the round.

Possible disadvantage commands54, used with respect to the RED CARPET™ version of the game, wherein the celebrity images26are images of movie stars include, but are not limited to, e.g., “Name “X” additional movies in which the star appeared,” “recite the name of the star's character in each movie recited,” “name movies for which the star won an award, e.g. an Academy Award,” “recite the name of another actor or actress playing a secondary role in each movie recited,” ‘list movies in chronological order,” “recite a television series in which the star appeared,” “write the star's name,” and so forth. Other disadvantage cards52are possible, in the RED CARPET™ version of the game. Likewise, other versions of the game include decks50of disadvantage cards52with disadvantage commands54corresponding to the class of celebrities26in the respective versions of the game. For example, in the “Popular Music Stars” version of the game, disadvantage commands may include “name songs performed by the celebrity which won an award, e.g. a Grammy Award,” “name the instrument played by the celebrity,” “list all bands in which the celebrity performed,” and the like.

In accordance with the invention, and as broadly embodied inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the game20further includes a deck56of benefit cards58. Each of the benefit cards58is printed on at least one side thereof with a benefit command59. The benefit cards58are playable by members of the player's team to assist the player during his or her round of play to recite the required number of facts, or to counter disadvantage cards played by the opposing team.

Possible benefit commands59include, but are not limited to, e.g., “pick another celebrity card,” “operate the random number generator again to obtain a different number,” “reduce the number of facts to be recited,” “ask a team member for assistance,” “steal points from the opposing team,” and “cancel any disadvantage card or cards played by the opposing team.” Other benefit cards58are possible in all of the different game versions. In addition, as was the case with the disadvantage cards, different versions of the game have different decks56of benefit cards58with different benefit commands59corresponding to the class of celebrities26in the respective versions of the game.

In accordance with the invention, and as broadly embodied inFIGS. 7A and 7B, a help card60is provided, having two opposing faces, a “help” face62, and an “already played” face64. The help card60is playable at selected times by a teammate of the player, to assist the player in reciting the required number of facts concerning the celebrity26. The faces64of the help card60have different indicators on each respective face, preferably different colors, i.e. a green “help” face62, and a red “already played” face64, respectively. For example, when a teammate holding a help card60decides to help a player on his team playing a round, he can help the player if he has a help card60with the “help” face62face up. After the help is given, help card60is flipped to the “already played” face64to indicate that it cannot be used again during the pending round of play.

In accordance with the invention, and as broadly depicted inFIG. 8, a scorecard70is provided. Preferably, with reference toFIG. 8, scorecard70includes horizontal and vertical columns72,74,76,80,81and82for lists of teams, names of individual players, individual player point subtotals, Special Round point subtotals, and each team's final score.

A method of playing the game20in accordance with the invention will be described in detail below, with respect to a sample game layout depicted inFIG. 9and with respect to a flowchart depicted inFIG. 10.

The game20, as broadly embodied inFIG. 9, is designed to be laid out in a relatively compact arrangement, so that it can be played, if desired or if necessary, in a relatively compact area, e.g., on a coffee table, in a crowded apartment or dormitory room, on a relatively small desk, or even in certain circumstances on a fold-down table on an airplane or a train. The game, however, is not limited to being played in a small area. Should the players so desire, because the game is not limited to the confines of a game board, it also can be laid out in a larger space, e.g., a table, or a relatively large room. The layout of the game includes locations for the decks of celebrity cards22, disadvantage cards55, benefit cards56, the random number generator30(inFIG. 9the pivotal wheel), the timing device46(inFIG. 9the sandglass), the coin43, the help cards62and64, and the scorecard70. As depicted inFIG. 9, space can be allotted for two discard piles or “graveyards”84and86, one for each team; although only a single “graveyard” is required.

In accordance with the invention, and as broadly embodied and described herein, the game20is designed to be played by teams, preferably at least two teams, and preferably with two or more players per team. Notwithstanding the above statement, a team can have a single player. It is not required that the number of players on each team be equal. Prior to starting the game, with reference toFIG. 10, players are divided into at least a first team90and an opposing second team92, each of the first and second teams having at least one player.

In step94, disadvantage cards52, preferably two disadvantage cards, and benefit cards58, are dealt to each team90,92. In step96, help cards60are dealt, one to each player on each team90,92.

In step98, a first player100is selected from one of the opposing teams, e.g., the first team90inFIG. 10.

First player100starts timing device46in step102, thereby dictating a time of play for a first round of play.

First player100, in step104, manipulates the random number generator30, in order to obtain a random number.

First player100also, in step106, selects a celebrity card24with an image of a celebrity26thereon, and in step108begins reciting a number of facts related to the celebrity26, corresponding to the number generated by the random number generator30.

Alternatively, first player100could first manipulate the random number generator30, next draw a celebrity card24, and next start the timing device46. The game is not limited to any particular sequence of steps.

The particular facts relate to the type of celebrity, and the version of the game20being played. For example, in the RED CARPET™ version of the game, first player100preferably may be required to recite names of a number of movies in which the celebrity movie star26starred, but this version of the game20is not limited to names of movies as the facts required. Moreover, other versions of the game20require different facts to be recited. For example, the “Popular Music Stars” version may require recitation of titles of a number of hit songs; the “Artists” version may require recitation of names of a number of Italian operas, or Impressionist paintings; the “Athletes version may require recitation of a number of Olympic medals won, years of World Cups won, years of Super Bowls won, and the like.

First player100must recite the number of facts within the time of play established by the timing device46.

Points are assigned in step110, based on the number of facts recited, according to a selected point-scoring system, e.g. 10 points for 1 fact/movie, 15 points for 3 facts/movies, 20 points for 5 facts. In the RED CARPET™ version, for the purpose of point scoring, it is preferred that series of movies, such as the “LORD OF THE RINGS,” ®, “MATRIX,” ® and “MAD MAX” ® series movies, respectively, count as only one movie, not as separate movies. If the player100recites fewer facts than the number indicated on the random number generator30, 0 points are assigned. Also, if the player100recites more facts than the number indicated on the random number generator30, he or she earns no additional points.

In certain cases, the random number generator30will instruct player100to flip the coin43, depicted inFIG. 10as step112. As disclosed above, coin43has two faces44, preferably a face44marked “-” and a face44marked “X2.” The face44which lands face—up affects the scoring, step114. For example, if the “-” face44lands face-up, and the player100fails to recite the required number of facts/movies negative points will be assigned, using the point-scoring system described herein. Alternately, if the “X2” face44lands face-up, the point totals assigned for naming the required number of facts are doubled using the point-scoring system described herein.

The point scoring, however, is not limited to the system described above; other point-scoring systems can be used and are within the scope of the invention.

Either after player100completes reciting his number of facts related to celebrity26, or while the first player100is attempting to recite the required number of facts within the time of play of his or her round of play, players on the opposing team92can attempt to hinder him or her by playing disadvantage cards52, including disadvantage requirements54, e.g., “name additional facts for the celebrity,” “name awards won,’ “name co-stars,” and so on. It is preferred that only one or two disadvantage cards52be playable per round of play, but the game20is not so limited. The response of the first player100to the particular disadvantage requirement54may affect the points assigned. Because his or her ability to answer the disadvantage requirement54and affect point scoring is uncertain, it is depicted inFIG. 10with a dashed line118. For example, if first player100cannot answer the disadvantage requirement54correctly, he loses the points obtained by reciting the required number of facts. Alternately, if first player100correctly answers the disadvantage requirements54, he or she receives additional points, e.g., 5 additional points (or 10 additional points if the “X2” face44of coin43lies face up). Any disadvantage card52, after being played, preferably is returned to its deck.

In step120, while the first player100is attempting to recite the required number of facts about the celebrity26, other players on his team90may play benefit cards58, with benefit requirements59. The benefit requirements59, e.g. “pick another celebrity card,” “manipulate random number generator again,” “reduce number of facts to be recited,” “ask teammate for help,” and “Cancel played disadvantage card” may affect the scoring, and hence are depicted inFIG. 10with a dashed line122. As was the case with the disadvantage cards, each benefit card58, once played, preferably is returned to its deck.

At selected times, preferably when the round of play for first player100is complete, another player on the same team90as the first player100with a help card60may elect in optional step124to play a help card60. Help card60is available for play only if its “help” face62is face up. It cannot be played if the “already played” face64is face up. The player playing the help card60can help first player100in any way deemed adequate, e.g., giving him or her answer, or prompting him or her with a hint related to an answer. The help given may or may not affect the scoring, and so is depicted inFIG. 10with a dashed line126.

After the first player100completes his or her round of play, his points are sub-totaled in step128on scorecard70in an appropriate column, e.g., column78, and his celebrity card24is discarded to the respective “graveyard”84,86. Subsequently, the played disadvantage cards52and benefit cards58can be shuffled and re-dealt, respective played help cards60are flipped back to the “help” side62, and, in step130, play is passed to a selected player on the opposing second team92to commence a second round of play. The steps of the second round of play are substantially identical to the first round of play. Subsequent rounds of play pass back and forth between players on each of the teams90,92, with points being subtotaled on scorecard70following each round of play.

After a selected number of rounds of play, preferably every three rounds, a Special Round is played in step132. In the Special Round, celebrity cards24are shuffled and set down in an abbreviated deck22A, help cards60are reset to the “help” side62, and all disadvantage cards52and benefit cards58are returned to their decks, reshuffled, and dealt, preferably two benefit cards58per player and two disadvantage cards52per team. Players from each team90,92pick several celebrity cards24from the abbreviated deck22A, and the timing device46is started, giving a time of play. The players on the two teams look at the celebrities26printed on the cards24and recite celebrities26associated with one another, and the specific type of association. For example, the players may name an actor and an actress, along with a name of a movie, television series, or play in which they appeared together. Alternately, in other game versions, the players may name professional athletes and a name of a team on which they played together; musicians and a name of a band in which they toured and produced recordings; politicians and a name of a political party to which they each belong, or historical figures and a country or era to which they each belong. All players play simultaneously in the Special Round. Points are assigned during the Special Round, e.g., 15 points for each correct celebrity association. It further is preferred that a different association be required to be recited in each subsequent Special Round if the same celebrities26are re-drawn, in order to score points in the subsequent Special Rounds.

After all of the rounds of play, and all of the Special Rounds, for all of the players on both teams have been completed, the total number of points is tallied, step136, on scorecard70, and a winner is declared. Preferably, when the teams have an unequal number of players, the team with the highest average score will be declared the winner. As will be well understood, the average score is obtained by dividing a team's total score by the number of players on the team.

The game20in accordance with the invention, requiring a player to recite an unforeseeable number of facts about a celebrity within the constraint of a timing device, while opposing players attempt to hinder him or her, and teammates may attempt to assist, is mentally challenging and exciting, holds the attention of the players through the game's conclusion, and if necessary can be played either in a relatively compact space, or in a spread-out space, with all players actively participating, both those knowledgeable of celebrity trivia and those less-knowledgeable of celebrity trivia, thereby obviating the shortcomings of existing games.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. For example, in order to keep the game compact and versatile, the preferred embodiment disclosed above does not include a game board. The game20is not so limited however. Persons of ordinary skill could arrange a game board on which to set the random number generator, the different decks of cards, the timing device, and the “graveyard,” without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Likewise, persons of ordinary skill could seek to digitize all of the components of the game disclosed above, and play the game of the invention on a desktop computer, an electronic notebook or pad, an electronic game device, a cell phone, or other electronic media. It is intended, therefore, that the specification and the disclosed preferred embodiment of the game and method of playing the game be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims, and their legal equivalents.