Abstract:
The invention relates to a role playing game having at least one identity card providing information relating to a hypothetical low income individual. The game also includes a plurality of expense cards (e.g., fixed monthly expenses), a plurality of chance cards (variable monthly expenses or income), and a supply of play money having a fictitious cash value. The game play centers around the administration of income and expenses associated with the hypothetical low income individual&#39;s life. The chance cards generally include at least instruction (e.g., relating to income or an expense). Game play generally includes drawing a chance card and responding to the instructions. The player also attempts to allocate at least a portion of the play money towards the expense value of the expense cards. The player continues drawing chance cards and attempting to pay expenses until the all of the expenses are paid or the supply of play money is depleted.

Description:
[0001]    The invention relates to the field of educational tools and games. In particular the invention is directed to a role playing game that provides education and awareness of homeless issues.  
           [0002]    Various factors have been identified as contributing to homelessness. For example, homelessness and poverty are inextricably linked. Poor people are often unable to pay for housing, food, child care, health care, and education. Difficult choices must be made when limited resources cover only some of these necessities. Typically, housing absorbs a high proportion of income.  
           [0003]    Recent surveys suggest that more than 14 million people have incomes that are less than the poverty level. Despite a relative wealth of infromation in the subject of homelessness, current trends also suggest that this situation is not improving. Other contributing factors include a lack of affordable housing, a lack of affordable health care, fewer employment opportunities for large segments of the workforce, and the declining value and availability of public assistance.  
           [0004]    The task of providing assistance and support for homeless individuals and families is greatly hampered by misperceptions among the general population with respect to the plight of the homeless. For example, many citizens mistakenly assume that homeless individuals do not work, or that they are lazy, or that they spent money irresponsibly. In light of such misperceptions, fundraising and support efforts are often difficult. Accordingly, there is a need for new and novel systems and methods that provide a mechanism for education and general awareness of homeless issues.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In general, the invention is directed to a role playing game in which a player assumes the role of a hypothetical low income (i.e., potentially homeless) individual. The game play centers around the administration of income and expenses associated with the hypothetical low income individual&#39;s life. The invention can be implemented in printed form or electronic form.  
           [0006]    In its basic form, the invention is directed to a role playing game having at least one identity card providing information relating to a hypothetical low income individual. The invention also includes a plurality of expense cards, a plurality of chance cards, and a supply of play money having a fictitious cash value.  
           [0007]    In one aspect of the invention, the identity card provides information related to at least one of the hypothetical low income individual&#39;s current employment status, marital status and family status.  
           [0008]    In another one aspect of the invention, the expense cards identify fixed expenses associated with a typical month in the life of the hypothetical low income individual. In yet another aspect of the invention, the expense cards identify fixed expenses that are at least one of housing expenses, utility expenses, transportation expenses, child care expenses, health care expenses, food expenses, telephone expenses and miscellaneous expenses. In another aspect of the invention, the expense cards identify fixed expenses that collectively have a value that exceeds the fictitious cash value of the supply of play money.  
           [0009]    In yet another aspect of the invention, the chance cards identify variable events associated with a typical month in the life of the hypothetical low income individual. In yet another aspect of the invention, a plurality of the chance cards identify variable expenses that are at least one of mandatory expenses, optional expenses, income and bad news. In yet another aspect of the invention, a plurality of the chance cards identify at least one of income or a discount correlated to fixed expense. In yet another aspect of the invention, a majority of the chance cards identify expenses.  
           [0010]    In yet another aspect of the invention, the fictitious cash value of the supply of play money correlates to a typical after tax salary of the hypothetical low income individual.  
           [0011]    The invention is also suitable for implementation on a computer system. In this embodiment, the invention includes a computer system operable to present to a user at least one identity card providing information relating to a hypothetical low income individual, a plurality of expense cards, a plurality of chance cards, and a supply of play money having a fictitious cash value. The invention can also be implemented on a data network. In this embodiment, the invention includes at least one server and at least one user network processing device.  
           [0012]    The invention also encompasses a method for playing a role playing game. The method includes a) providing at least one identity card providing information relating to a hypothetical low income individual; b) providing a plurality of expense cards each having an associated expense value, and a supply of play money having a fictitious cash value; c) drawing a chance card having at least one instruction and responding to the instruction; d) allocating at least a portion of the play money towards the expense value of at least one expense card; and repeating steps c and d until all of the expense cards have an associated play money allocation or the play money is depleted. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a set of game cards and/or tokens in accordance with the invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 shows an exemplary identity card in accordance with the invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a user PC and web browser and web server in accordance with the invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 shows a block diagram user screen for a computer implemented game in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 shows a set of game cards and/or tokens in accordance with the invention. In general, the invention is directed to a role playing game in which a player assumes the role of a hypothetical low income (i.e., potentially homeless) individual. The game play centers around the administration of income and expenses associated with the hypothetical low income individual&#39;s life.  
         [0018]    The invention includes a one or more identity cards  10 , a plurality of expense cards  20 , a plurality of chance cards  30  and a supply of play money  40 . The identity cards  10  include all of the relevant information necessary to define a family profile associated with the hypothetical low income individual&#39;s life and family. For example, the identity cards can identify the hypothetical low income individual&#39;s current employment status, marital status, family status (e.g., number of children, names and/or photographs) and the like. In a typical example, the family profile includes a hypothetical low income individual who is a single parent with multiple children.  
         [0019]    An exemplary identity card is shown in FIG. 2. For purposes of this application, hypothetical children&#39;s names have been replaced with “***”. It is understood that hypothetical children&#39;s names can be utilized along with associated pictures and the like. This type of infromation is advantageous in that it provides the player with a realistic family profile thus allowing them to more completely identify with the role of the hypothetical low income individual.  
         [0020]    The expense cards  20  identify the fixed expenses associated with a typical month in the life of the hypothetical low income individual. The content for an exemplary set of expense cards is shown in Table 1 below:  
                                     TABLE 1                       Bill   Total Monthly Cost   Description                                Housing   $900   2 bedroom apartment       Utility Bill   $106   Electric - $38               Heating gas - $20               Cooking gas - $11               Water/Sewer - $25               Water Heating - $12               Total = $106       Transportation   $59   Bus pass       Child Care   $124   including child care subsidy       Health Care   $0   Health care is covered by               state run program for low               income families (e.g., NJ               Family Care)       Food   $167   Average cost for family               with three children is $437,               you get food stamps in the               amount of $270.       Telephone   $20   Local calls only       Miscellaneous   $355   e.g., clothing, shoes, paper               products, diapers, cleaning               products and household               items.                  
 
         [0021]    It is understood that fewer or additional expenses can be utilized in connection with the invention. It is also understood that the various expenses can be specifically tailored for a particular geographical area (e.g., having varied transportation expenses, food costs, climate and the like).  
         [0022]    The chance cards  30  identify variable or unexpected events associated with a typical month in the life of the hypothetical low income individual. The content for an exemplary set of chance cards is shown in Table 2 below:  
                                                 TABLE 2                                   Description   Amount   Type                                        Your daughter is growing   $30   Expense           so quickly! She has grown           out of all of the baby cloths           you have. Pay $30 for new           clothes           Congratulations! After   $360   Rent deduction           being on the waiting list for           6 years, you have received a           Section 8 voucher. You           now have to pay on $360           per month rent.           Work has been busy lately,   $200   Income           but you can&#39;t complain           because business id good!           Your boss decided that she           can give out bonuses this           year. Your bonus is $200.           You just enrolled you son   $50   Child care deduction           in the Head Start Program.           You don&#39;t need to pay for           his child care. Subtract $50           from the monthly bill.           Your son needs $7.50 for a   $7.50   Expense           class trip. Can he go? You           said no last time.           You son&#39;s class pictures   $18.95   Expense           arrived today and they look           great! The cheapest           package you can buy is           $18.95           You have been on the   $0   Bad news           Section 8 waiting list for 6           years. You have finally           received a voucher but you           cannot find a landlord who           will accept it. You receive           no rent deduction.           You still feel sick. Cough   $12.65   Expense           and cold tablets cost           $12.65.           It&#39;s summertime and you   $50   Expense           want to take your kids on a           day trip into Philly. Your           friend has offered to drive if           you pay for the gas. Put           aside $50 this month for           your whole trip.           You feel really sick today.       Question           Your boss doesn&#39;t provide           paid sick time. What do           you do?           Your son wants to play   $35   Expense           baseball this year. The           league provides the shirt but           you must buy his pants and           a glove. Together they cost           $35.           You are out of diapers   $14   Expense           because your daughter has           had diarrhea. Food stamps           don&#39;t cover diapers or           wipes. A package of           diapers is $11 and wipes are           $3           It&#39;s your son&#39;s birthday.       Question           You need to buy a present           and a cake. He didn&#39;t have           a party last year and you           told him he could have 3           friends over this year. How           will you pay for cake and           ice cream for 7 people.           Your mom died. She lives   $300   Expense           in Florida and you cannot           afford a ticket there or to           miss three days of work.           Your sister asked if you           could help out with the           funeral expenses. You send           $300.           It&#39;s back to school time.   $80   Expense           Both sons need school           supplies and new clothes.           You spend $40 on each           child. Add $80 to your           monthly expenses.                      
 
         [0023]    The invention also includes a supply of play money  40  having a fictitious cash value. Continuing with the example above, the player is given a supply of play money having a fictitious cash value that correlates to a typical after tax salary of the hypothetical low income individual (e.g., 160 hours per month at $8.00 per hour=$1280, or $1160 after taxes).  
         [0024]    Game play proceeds as follows. The player first reviews the identity cards  10  and becomes familiar with their role. The player then takes a supply of play money  40  (e.g., $1160) and all of the expense cards  20 . The chance cards  30  are shuffled and placed in a pile face down. The player then begins by sorting through the expense cards and selecting a bill to pay. Then the player selects a chance card and follows the instructions on the chance card. This process is repeated until all of the bills are paid or the player runs put of money.  
         [0025]    The invention is unique in that the player is faced with realistic income levels and expenses associated with a hypothetical low income individual. The player is also exposed to a series of difficult decisions that routinely face a low income individual. The content of the expense cars and chance cards are selected to emphasize the difficulty associated surviving on low income wages.  
         [0026]    In the example above, the individual amounts of the fixed monthly expenses seem quite reasonable. However, the player will soon notice that the total fixed monthly expenses exceed the hypothetical low income individual&#39;s take home pay (e.g., expenses=$1609, income=$1160, a deficit of $449). Thus, it is essentially impossible for the player to successfully pay all the bills. The player will also notice that rent comprises the largest hurdle. A review of the chance cards reveals that the only real possibility for survival comes on the form of a rent subsidy (e.g., Section 8 voucher) and some form of work related bonus. However, the majority of the chance cards identify expenses, as opposed to income. It is also noted that some of the chance cards can identify mandatory expenses as well as optional expenses. For example, the player can be queried as to whether they can incur the expense (e.g., take a sick day, pay for class pictures or a class trip or the like). Some of the chance cards can also identify bad news—as opposed to income or expense (e.g., a Section 8 voucher that cannot be used). It is though this process as the player reads the chance cards and thinks about the issues raised, that they are educated on the issues that face a typical low income individual on a routine basis.  
         [0027]    The invention is also suitable for implementation on a computer or computer network. For example, the identity cards, expense cards, chance cards and supply of play money can be implemented in electronic form on a personal computer. In the context of a data network or the Internet, the invention can be implemented with a web server and a user network processing device (instead of running the application directly on the user&#39;s computer).  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 shows a general block diagram of a user network processing device (user PC and Web Browser  50 ) and web server  60  in data communication via the Internet in accordance with the invention. In general, the web server  60  is operable to present electronic renditions of the various game elements (e.g., identity cards, expense cards, chance cards and play money) to a user via a web browser.  
         [0029]    The terms “present” or “presenting” as used herein are used in their ordinary sense and include displaying or playing audio and/or visual information to a user. The data network generally includes a plurality of nodes such as a user network processing device, content provider server an advertiser server all coupled in data communication. The term “coupled” as recited herein is used in its broadest sense and does not require a physical connection between devices. Two or more devices as disclosed herein are “coupled” so long as data communication between the devices is possible (e.g., hard wired data communication, wireless data communications and the like).  
         [0030]    The term “user network processing device” generally refers to any user operable device having access to the data network including but not limited to a personal computer (portable or desktop), personal digital assistant (PDA), Browser phone, 2-way pager or the like. In the context of the Internet, the user network processing device and web server communicate via TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol over Internet Protocol).  
         [0031]    The user network processing device  50  is operable to transmit a plurality of user requests for resources (e.g., various web pages) and present the resources served in response to the user. The web server  60  is operable to receive the user requests for resources, retrieve (e.g., from database  65 ) or otherwise generate the requested resource and transmit the requested resource to the user network processing device in response. The term “database” is used herein in its broadest sense (i.e., a collection of information) and is not limited to any particular structure or implementation.  
         [0032]    Communications between user PC and Web Browser  50  and web server  60  are generally shown by arrows  70 . It is understood that data communications via the Internet often traverse a series of intermediate network nodes prior to reaching the desired destination (e.g., the user or the first provider Web site). Arrows  70  do not suggest a direct physical connection between the user PC and Web Browser  60  and/or various servers and encompass typical Internet communications (a connectionless, best-efforts packet-based system). It is also understood that other data networks using various network protocols are suitable for use in accordance with the invention.  
         [0033]    The user PC and Web Browser  50  is operable to accesses the Internet World Wide Web (WWW or Web). The user PC preferably has an associated operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Linux and includes a typical Web Browser such as Netscape Communicator (for Windows or Linux) or Microsoft Internet Explorer, as well as numerous others. The Web Browser assists the user in requesting and displaying Web pages or sites containing desired information. The hardware and software configuration of a user network processing device for Internet access is routine and generally known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0034]    The web server  60  is preferably an HTML server hosting a Web site implementing a game in accordance with the invention in electronic form. There are many varieties of commercially or publicly available World Wide Web server software packages which are compatible with the invention all of which can be implemented with commonly available hardware from vendors that are well known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 3 shows the resources or content  80  provided by the web server  60  in implementing the invention. It is understood that a computer implementation of the invention can take a myriad of forms. FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a computer implementation in accordance with the invention. In this example, the expense cards  20 ′, the chance cards  30 ′ and supply of play money  40 ′ are depicted graphically on the screen. The paying of bills and/or reading chance cards can be accomplished by clicking the appropriate item or button depicted on the computer screen, dragging items on the screen or the like. The implementation of a computerized version of the invention based on the disclosure herein is well within the scope of those skilled in the art.  
         [0036]    While this invention has been described with an emphasis upon preferred embodiments, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations in the preferred devices and methods may be used and that it is intended that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.