Abstract:
An adventure game incorporates simulated combat and has at least one game piece. Each game piece comprises a game piece body including a figurine on a planar base, a record keeping device on the planar base which is obstructed in plan view by the figurine in the normal game play position, wherein the record keeping device displays at least one variable characteristic of the game piece and the information displayed on the record keeping device is changed through manual manipulation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/730,586 entitled “Miniature Toy Gaming Equipment” filed on Dec. 8, 2003 and published on Jun. 24, 2004 as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004-0119234. application Ser. No. 10/730,586 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/189,354 entitled “Castle Blocks Board Game” filed Jul. 3, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,463 entitled “Interconnecting Miniature Toy Figurine Bases” and which published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003-0085517. application Ser. No. 10/189,354 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/479,531 filed Jan. 7, 2000 entitled “Castle Blocks Board Game”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,633 entitled “Castle Blocks Board Game” which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/115,162, filed Jan. 8, 1999, entitled “Castle Blocks Board Game”. These patents and published patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in the entirety and are referred to below as the &#39;586 application, the &#39;354 application, the &#39;531 application and the &#39;162 application, respectively. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to games and, more particularly, to miniature toy gaming.  
         [0004]     2. Background Information  
         [0005]     Board games challenge the mind and teach players various skills and concepts, such as formulating strategies, sharing, socializing, competing, winning, and losing. Board games represent a class of activities that encourage cognitive mental development by challenging player&#39;s minds, as opposed to their bodies.  
         [0006]     A common drawback of most board games, however, is that the format of the game is so structured that a player&#39;s imagination is constrained. For example, many commercially produced board games must be played on pre-printed boards, with game pieces traveling on a never-changing pathway. Many board games also incorporate instruction cards that order a player to move their game piece, lose a turn, or execute some other command. As these games are played repeatedly, the game becomes more predictable, less challenging, and less appealing to play. Another disadvantage of many commercial board games is that the method of play is so random that original, independent thought does not help the player achieve the explicit goal of the game. Moreover, these games are essentially two-dimensional, with no requirement to estimate distances, evaluate how objects are constructed, or recognize objects.  
         [0007]     In addition to the board games described above, miniature war gaming has developed a significant following. In miniature war gaming, participants use a collection of toy miniatures to play a given scenario. The miniatures may be, for example, historical representations (e.g. Napoleonic era soldiers), fantasy figures (e.g. elves, wizards, dragons, etc.) or science fiction characters. The game play of these often elaborate representations is hindered through piece movement limitations and inability to recognize objects and attributes.  
         [0008]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the game play of miniature toy gaming and to provide equipment that allows for interactive, educational games that encourages input from the players and allows the players to make their own decisions, choose their own strategies, and directly affect the outcome of the game.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     Obviating at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art, one embodiment of the present invention is directed toward an adventure game incorporating simulated combat and having at least one game piece. Each game piece comprises a game piece body, indicia on the game piece body indicative of movement or range values for the game piece, and a movement measurement device coupled with the game piece body and configured to roll along the ground having movement measurement indicia selectively viewable through an aperture in the game piece body. The movement measurement device rolls along the ground to vary the movement measurement indicia viewed through the aperture to provide for a measurement of the move or range value of the game piece.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment of the invention each game piece includes a figurine and further includes a record keeping device on the game piece which is obstructed in plan view by the figurine in the normal game play position, wherein the record keeping device displays at least one variable characteristic of the game piece. The figurine is representative of one of a royal character, a non-human humanoid fantasy character, fantasy beast character, and a warrior knight character. The adventure game is a fantasy game and each game piece is at least temporarily removed from the field of play upon losing a simulated combat and the figurine includes a representation of a melee weapon (e.g. a sword), a ranged weapon (e.g. a bow), or a mythical beast (e.g. a dragon) with physical attack (e.g. fire breath).  
         [0011]     In one embodiment of the invention the movement measurement indicia is directly on a rotating wheel. In one embodiment of the invention, the rotating wheel has the indicia directly thereon and is geared to a member rolling along the ground. One embodiment of the invention further includes simulated three dimensional building structures on the playing surface.  
         [0012]     Obviating at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art, one embodiment of the present invention is directed toward an adventure game incorporating simulated combat and having at least one game piece. Each game piece comprises a game piece body including a figurine on a planar base, a record keeping device on the planar base which is obstructed in plan view by the figurine in the normal game play position, wherein the record keeping device displays at least one variable characteristic of the game piece and the information displayed on the record keeping device is changed through manual manipulation.  
         [0013]     In one embodiment of the present invention each game piece may further include indicia on the game piece body indicative of movement or range values for the game piece. In one embodiment of the present invention each game piece may further include indicia on the game piece indicative of the name or class of the character. In one embodiment of the present invention the figurine of each game piece is representative of one of a royal character, a non-human humanoid fantasy character, fantasy beast character, and a warrior knight character.  
         [0014]     Obviating at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art, one embodiment of the present invention is directed toward an adventure game having at least one game piece, wherein each game piece comprises a game piece body including a figurine on a planar base, an indicia indicative of at least one characteristic of the game piece on at least a portion of the planar base which is obstructed in plan view by the figurine in the normal game play position on the planar base; and a rotating element coupled to the planar base for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis with a plurality of rotating element indicia on the rotating element wherein only selected rotating element indicia is viewable at each position of the rotating element and the information displayed on the rotating element is changed through manual manipulation, and wherein the rotating indicia is associated with the movement of the game piece.  
         [0015]     These and other advantages of the present invention will be clarified in the Brief Description of the Preferred Embodiments taken together with the attached drawings in which like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a top schematic view of a game piece representing a character of the game according to the present invention being moved to various positions via linear and non-linear paths;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a top schematic view showing the range of a game piece according to the present invention which is capable of launching imaginary projectiles and game pieces within the range;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top schematic view showing a game piece of one group in a game according to the present invention (e.g. representing a Bloktroop character) in physical contact for simulated combat with a game piece of another group (e.g. representing a Badblok character);  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top schematic view showing a game piece representing an independent war apparatus (e.g. Blokapult the Catapult) within range of a structural unit;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a game piece in the form of a base and toy miniature according to the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6   a  is a plan view of a game piece miniature base according to the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view of a height adjustment system for the game piece having a base as shown in  FIG. 6   a  according to the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an assembly of game piece bases according to the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of a movable counter, such as a movement measurement device, according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the movable counter shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a moveable counter and integral game piece according to the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a moveable counter and integral game piece in the form of a figurine according to the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a top view of a movable counter according to another embodiment of the present invention having a rotating sphere and support shafts;  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a side view of a movable counter according to another embodiment of the present invention with two rotating spheres;  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a movable counter according to another embodiment of the present invention with two geared wheels;  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of an assembly of bases such as shown in  FIG. 7  with an associated moveable counter, which may be a movement measuring device, according to the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 16   a  is a side view of another embodiment of a movable counter according to the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 16   b  is a top view of the moveable counter shown in  FIG. 16   a;    
         [0034]      FIG. 17   a  is a side view of another embodiment of a movable counter according to the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 17   b  is a top view of the moveable counter shown in  FIG. 17   a;    
         [0036]      FIG. 17   c  is a side view of another embodiment of a movable counter according to the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of one possible castle structure constructed using structural units and structural unit guides according to the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of one possible tower structure constructed using structural units and structural unit guides according to the present invention;  
         [0039]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of one possible castle structure constructed using structural units and structural unit guides according to the present invention;  
         [0040]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the partially assembled castle structure of  FIG. 20  constructed using structural units and structural unit guides according to the present invention with a perspective view of an interlocking structural unit according to the present invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 22  is a top view of a structural unit guide according to the present invention that is partially filled or completed with associated structural units,  
         [0042]      FIG. 23  is a top view of a structural unit guide according to the present invention of the type shown in  FIG. 21 .  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0043]      FIG. 1  is a top schematic view of a game piece  10  representing a specific character, “Queen Buildablok”, of the game according to the present invention. The storyline of the game of the invention is disclosed in detail in the &#39;162 application which is incorporated herein by reference. The game pieces  10  may be comprised of common geometric shapes and may also form structural units  16  (e.g. building blocks) as will be described hereinafter. The game piece  10  can also have decorative indicia, such as a picture of the character, or other visual pictures or symbols attached thereto for aesthetic purposes. Game piece indicia  12  is attached to each game piece  10  indicating the maximum attack value, the maximum movement value, the maximum attack range, if applicable and the classification (i.e. character or object name and/or group affiliation) of each individual game piece  10 . Additionally the specific values include visible identifying indicia. For example, game pieces  10  having the game piece indicia  12  of “AT 4/MV 3/RA 10” have a maximum attack value of four with “AT” identifying the attack value, a maximum movement value of three with “MV” identifying the move value, and a maximum attack range of ten with “RA” identifying the range value. Game pieces  10  with an “A” classification may be identical in appearance to other game pieces  10  with an “A” classification. The following value chart illustrates the types of game pieces  10  as well as the corresponding maximum attack, maximum movement, maximum range, and classification values positioned on each respective game piece  10  according to a game of the present invention:  
                                                         Game Characteristics               (Attack/Move/Range (if available)/       Character   Classification (if applicable)                                King Buildablok   AT 10/MV 10   (C)       Queen Buildablok   AT 8/MV 8/RA 8   (C)       Bloknight   AT 5/MV 5   (A)       Blokarcher   AT 4/MV 3/RA 10   (B)       Dragon Blaze Crunchablok   AT 10/MV 6/RA 6*   (C)       Blokgoblin   AT 5/MV 5   (A)       Boogablok   AT 4/MV 3/RA 10   (B)       Blokapult the Catapult   AT 7/MV 3/RA 18*                 *(attacks by breathing imaginary fire)            Attacks structures formed by structural units 16               
         [0044]     Although geometrically shaped game pieces  10  have a manufacturing advantage since the game pieces  10  and structural units  16  can both be manufactured using the same mold or template, thereby reducing manufacturing costs, other more sophisticated game pieces  10  may also be used. For example, human figurines, physical objects, animal figures, or any other two or three-dimensional objects can be used in part or in whole for the game pieces  10 . The game pieces  10  can have movable body members on a figurine as well. Representations of humans, physical objects, animal figures and the like are collectively, interchangeably referred to as “figurines”, “miniatures”, and “miniature figurines” in the art.  
         [0045]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , each game piece  14  can be moved in any direction, up to the maximum movement value indicated on the game piece  10  through the indicia  12  indicating movement range. In  FIG. 1 , the maximum movement value for the game piece  10  representing the character Queen Buildablok is eight (8) spaces with both the character and the movement being represented on the game piece  10  by the indicia  12 . The maximum possible movement is illustrated as distance D in  FIG. 1 . Game pieces  10  cannot move through solid objects such as other game pieces  14 , or structural pieces formed by structural units  16 , such as those forming structures known as Sir Archway&#39;s Tower and Buildablok Castle in the game, so game pieces  10  must go around any obstructions. Intentional contact between game pieces  10  is used for the purpose of engaging in mathematical combat between the opposing contacting game pieces  10 . A game piece  10  can, however, move through holes in representative structures, such as created by other aspects of the game (i.e. use of a war apparatus such as the Blokapult the Catapult), or through pre-existing holes, or through natural entranceways such as bridges.  
         [0046]     Mathematical or simulated combat may occur through contacting game pieces  10  as shown in  FIG. 3  in which a game piece  10 , representing a Bloktroop character, is in physical contact for simulated combat with a game piece  10 , representing a Badblok character. Alternatively, when an opposing game piece  10  is within the range R of a game piece  10  capable of launching imaginary projectiles, the two game pieces  10  also engage in mathematical combat as generally represented in  FIG. 2 . Further, simulated or mathematical combat may be between an independent war apparatus (e.g. Blokapult the Catapult game piece  10 ) and a structure formed by structural units  16  as represented in  FIG. 4 . Other simulated or mathematical combat possibilities are possible, such as multiple characters opposing a single character, characters capturing a war apparatus, and the like, as generally known in the war gaming art. The mathematical combat resolution may be through the combined use of a randomizing element, such as dice, together with the specific characteristics of the engaged game pieces (e.g. the attack values), the operation of one such example of combat resolution is described in detail in the &#39;162 application and, in general, is of a type that is well known in the war gaming art. Another simplified combat resolution technique according to the present invention is to have classifications that beat other classifications (i.e. and “A” classification beats a “B” classification which beats a “C” classification which beats and “A” classification). The classifications may be assigned to the characters via the indicia  12  on the game pieces  10  as described above, or may be assigned through use of a moveable counter  20  which will be described below in detail. Again the details of the above types of combat resolution are described in the &#39;162 application as well as the &#39;354 application and the &#39;531 application which are incorporated herein by reference. It is the indicia  12  on the game piece  10  which assists the game players in the present invention in most of the combat resolution types described above.  
         [0047]     The game piece  10  formed of a miniature character figurine  22  mounted on a sub-base, or base  24 , through a base cover or pedestal  26  of the base  24  is shown in  FIG. 5 . The structure of the game piece  10  of  FIG. 5  represents a significant improvement for miniature game play. The base  24  is adapted to receive a figurine  22  such as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The base  24  includes holes  28  for receipt of corresponding posts  32  in the figurine base  30  of the associated figurine  22  (without pedestal  26 ). Additionally the base  24  accommodates one or more height adjusting pedestals  26  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6   b . The selectively stackable pedestals  26  will allow for figurines  22  to be mounted at varying heights relative to a play surface and, therefore, could be used for flying characters such as dragons, planes, blimps, spacecraft, etc. One advantage of the pedestals  26  over existing figurine bases  30  is that the pedestals  26  may be added or removed to quickly accommodate altitude changes. It is expected that in the game rules for any particular game, the pedestals  26  would be associated with a movement unit for the game piece  10  such that adding or removing a pedestal  26  will “use up” a portion of the game pieces movement value, that may be displayed on the game piece  10  through indicia  12  as noted above.  
         [0048]     An additional attachment mechanism, other than holes  28 , is incorporated into the base  24 . A raised edge  36  may be sized to engage selected figurine bases  30  for given figurines  22 . The base  24  is designed to fit figurines  22  from a variety of manufacturers to make the base  24  more universal.  
         [0049]     In addition to the height varying characteristics for a figurine  22 , the game piece  10  having a base  24  provides for a record tracking system for the associated miniature figurine  22 . The base  24  include three slides  40  with associated indicia  42  that allow the base  24  to track relevant, possibly variable, characteristics of the associated game piece  10 . For example, a game piece  10  may have a limited amount of health, ammo, or other changing parameters, which the base  10  can track. During game-play the slides  40  can be adjusted and referred to as needed to assist in game play. The uses of the slides  40  is limitless and based upon the given play scenario and game playing rules. The object is to allow the association of these characteristics represented by the slide  40  of the miniature  22  to be associated with the game piece  10 .  
         [0050]     A further aspect of the base  24  is the provision of mating structure  44  in the form of an alternating dovetail connection on the edge to allow for the interconnection of adjacent bases  24  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 15 . This interconnection allows for associations of game pieces  10 , e.g. troop formations such as skirmish lines, squads and the like, to be grouped as a unit. This interconnection will greatly facilitate game-play by allowing the grouped unit of game pieces  10 , e.g. a squad of soldiers, to be moved as a single unit. Additionally it is helpful that the mating structure  44  be attachable and removable in a vertical movement of the associated bases  24 . Further the alternating dovetail design on each edge of the mating structure  44  allows the bases  24  to be reversible to attach at ½ base increments (i.e. staggered). In addition to allowing for the formation of interconnected groups of characters or miniatures  22 , the bases  24  can be combined to receive a larger figurine. For example, in certain figurine sets, two bases  24  may be connected to accommodate a larger figurine such as a horse riding character, or catapult or the like.  
         [0051]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are perspective views of a movable counter  20 , such as a movement measurement device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The movable counter  20  is a distance counter and includes a counter body  50  and a rotating counter wheel  52 . The movable counter  20  may be a separate piece, with respect to the game pieces  10 , but may also be incorporated into each game piece  10  as represented in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The counter body  50  and counter wheel  52  may be formed from wood or other suitable materials. The body  50  is shown as a generally rectangular shaped hollow box, with an open end and a window end positioned directly opposite the open end. The rotating counter wheel  52  includes a circumferential wheel face having wheel indicia  54  positioned thereon. The wheel indicia  54  may includes pictures, letters, numbers, instructions, or other symbols or text. The counter wheel  52  is positioned with the wheel indicia  54  visible through the window end of the counter body  50  and the open end of the counter body  50 . One rotation of the counter wheel  52  may be set to be the equivalent of one space. Other additions are contemplated, for example visual or sound effects may be added to the movable counter  20  associated with movement of the counter wheel  52  during or at the conclusion of movement, or any other combination.  
         [0052]     The moveable counter  20  may be used as a movement measurement device, i.e. a distance measuring wheel, for the players to count or measure moves of game pieces  10 . The details of player movement of game pieces  10  in the game according to the invention is described in greater detain in the &#39;162 application. The movable counter  20  affords the players tremendous flexibility because any distances associated with game play can be measured in a generally linear direction, in a generally curved direction, or in any combination of directions. Consequently a key feature of the moveable counter  20 , when used as a movement measurement device, it easily allows for linear and non-linear measurements of the game pieces  10  as represented in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0053]     In another embodiment of the movable counter  20 , the movable counter  20  has a the counter wheel  52  with the wheel indicia  54  is coupled to a ground engaging wheel  56 , such as by a gear belt or meshing gears as shown in  FIG. 14 . In operation, the ground engaging wheel  56  contacts the table, ground, or other playing surface, and due to the gearing ratio, the rate of turn of the wheel indicia  54  positioned on the circumference of the counter wheel  52  can be adequately controlled for measurement, rather than counting complete revolutions of the counter wheel  52 .  
         [0054]     In another embodiment of the movable counter  20  as shown in  FIG. 12 , the movable counter  20  may also replace the counter wheel  52  with a counter sphere  62  having evenly spaced sphere indicia  64  visible on an outer surface of the counter sphere  62 . The counter sphere  62  is housed within the body  50  which may be integral with a game piece  10  as discussed above. The counter sphere  52  rides on shafts, or ball bearings, with the shafts having rotating sleeves. A removable bottom plate may be attached to the body  50  having an opening so that the sphere  52  can contact the playing surface and still be contained in the game piece  10  or body  50 . The sphere indicia  64  are visible to a player through an opening in the body  50  and may be formed with a clear window, preferably plastic, with a center indicator. Each sphere indicia  64  passing through the opening during operation may count as one space. In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the movable counter  20  can also include the counter sphere  62  driven by a ground engaging sphere  66 .  
         [0055]     Another embodiment of the moveable counter  20 , also called a movement measurement device, is shown in  FIG. 15  attached to bases  24  according to the present invention. The moveable counter  20  has the measuring counter wheel  52  with wheel indicia  54  in a similar manner to the moveable counters  20  discussed above, wherein the wheel indicia  54  may include movement indication on one side and other game related information on the other side, such as combat resolution information. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the moveable counter  20  includes mating structure  84  which allows for easy connection to a single base  24  or a group of inter-connected bases  24 . The moveable counter  20  may include a cover partially covering the counter wheel  52 , also called a drum, with the cover providing a further surface for mounting an associated figurine  22 , or other mounting. For example, the cover may provide an appropriate position for a field general or king figurine  22  as well as battle flags or other command structure associated with the overall game scenario.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 16   a  and  16   b  show a further modification of the moveable counter  20 , also called a movement measurement device, which measures range values R in three dimensions. This modification generally includes a base or counter body  50  further having at least one retractable measurement line  70  positioned adjacent an origin  72 , base or body indicia  74 , and a first semi-circular member  76  positioned adjacent the counter body  50 . The counter body  50  rotates 360° about a longitudinal axis L, the first semi-circular member  76  has member indicia  78  positioned thereon, and the retractable measurement line  70  is extendable and retractable with respect to the counter body  50 , as shown by the arrows. Each measurement line  70  may be retracted with a corresponding hand crank attached to a retractor pulley or other suitable mechanism.  
         [0057]     In operation, one or more retractable measurement lines  70  having measurement line indicia  80  are pulled from the counter body  50  and aligned with the body indicia  74  and/or the member indicia  78 . The direction and length of the retractable measurement line or lines  70 , measured from the origin  72  using the measurement line indicia  80  indicates range R.  
         [0058]      FIGS. 17   a  and  17   b  show a further modification of the moveable counter  20 , or movement measurement device, that can also measures range value R in three dimensions. This modification generally includes a counter body  50  having at least one retractable measurement line  70  positioned adjacent an origin  72  and a first semi-circular member  76  positioned adjacent the counter body  50 . It further includes a second semi-circular member  90  positioned adjacent the first semi-circular member  76 , wherein the first and second semi-circular members  76  and  90  are movable with respect to the counter body  50  and each other. The first semi-circular member  76  has member indicia  78  positioned thereon and the retractable measurement lines  70  are extendable and retractable with respect to the counter body  50 . Each semi-circular member  76  and  90  are movably attached to the counter body  50  by pins, with an arc of the first semi-circular member  76  circumscribed by an arc of the second semi-circular member  90 . This configuration allows the first and second semi-circular members  76  and  90  to move 180° in first and second directions with respect to the counter body  50 , as indicated by the arrows. The second semi-circular member  90  may have protrusions  92  and member indicia  94 . The second semi-circular member  90  may also have snub-nosed movement pointers  96  positioned thereon. The protrusions  92  help keep the two semi-circular members  76  and  90  together after being rotated about the pins.  
         [0059]     In operation, the first and second semi-circular members  76  and  90  are pivoted about the counter body  50 , or otherwise moved with respect to one another. A retractable measurement line  70  is pulled from the counter body  50  and aligned directly adjacent the intersection of the first and second semi-circular members  76  and  90 , optionally guided by a movement pointer  96 . The direction and length of the retractable measurement line  70 , measured from the origin  72  indicates the range value R.  
         [0060]      FIG. 17   c  shows a further modification of the moveable counter  20 , or movement measurement device, which includes a body  50  and a counter wheel  52 . The movable counter  20  may also be incorporated into each game piece  14 . In the embodiment of the movable counter  20 , shown generally in  FIG. 17   c , the movable counter  20  has the body  50  and the wheel  52  geared to a rolling wheel  57  through a gear belt  59  as shown. Wheel indicia  54 , as discussed above, are positioned on the wheel face of wheel  52 . In operation, the rolling wheel  57  contacts the table, ground, or other playing surface. As the rolling wheel  57  rotates, the gear belt  59  rotates to make the wheel  52  to rotate in turn. The gearing ratio allows, therefore, the wheel indicia  54  positioned on the wheel  52  to be counted in order of appearance through the window end of the body  50 , rather than counting complete revolutions of the rolling wheel  57 .  
         [0061]     The moveable counter  20  permits range value measurements on the playing surface and in three dimensions, such as measuring between a game piece  10  on a first level of a structure and a game piece  10  positioned adjacent a higher level of the structure. The moveable counter  20  can also be used for measuring between ground level and flying objects in a game, such as blimps, airplanes, or rockets. Moreover, although any of the moveable counters  20  discussed above may be separate pieces, any of these may also be incorporated into one or more game pieces  10  as discussed above. The combining of the moveable counter  20  directly with a game piece  10  having a figurine  22  may have particular advantage in games for younger children who will not have to separately measure game piece movement (e.g. the movement of the integrated game piece  10  and moveable counter  20  will occur simultaneously with measurement of the move through the integral moveable counter  20 ).  
         [0062]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of one possible castle structure constructed using structural units  16  and structural unit guides  100  according to the present invention;  FIG. 19  is a perspective view of one possible tower structure constructed using structural units  16  and structural unit guides  100  according to the present invention; and  FIG. 20  is a perspective view of another possible castle structure constructed using structural units  16  and structural unit guides  100  according to the present invention.  
         [0063]     The structural units  16  may be made from wood or other suitable materials can be used. Moreover, the structured units  16  can also have decorative indicia, such as brick facade or another pattern, attached thereto for aesthetic purposes. The structural units  16  each generally take the shape of a basic geometric objects with rectangular sides, triangular sides, arcs, arches, wedged shaped units, cubes, equilateral triangles, or trapezoids in plan view, as generally known in the art of wooden toy building blocks. Attached to each structural unit  16  of similar type is structural unit indicia  98 .  
         [0064]     The game according to the present invention uses the structural units  16  to build a variety of structures using the structural unit guides  100 . The storyline associated with the specifics of the game and the rules of the play of the game are discussed in detail in the &#39;162 application which is incorporated. The same structural units  16  are used to build each of the structures shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The building of each structure is an important portion of the game and each structure is incorporated into the scenario played out. Partially tearing down of the structures during play of each scenario is also part of the game play. Again the details of the game play are set forth in the &#39;162 application incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0065]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the partially assembled castle structure of  FIG. 20  constructed using structural units  16  and structural unit guides  100  according to the present invention with a perspective view of an interlocking structural unit  16  according to the present invention. The interlocking structural unit  16  is a specialized grooved structural unit  16 , also called an interlocking block. The interlocking block includes a groove formed in opposed sides of the block. The groove serves to receive the template or structural unit guide  100  for the subsequent layer therein, which will essentially hide or at least minimize the appearance of the guide  100  in the finished structure. Further the groove in the interlocking block will receive structural units  16  of adjacent layers therein to interlock the layers to provide a more secure structure. The grooved interlocking block may take a straight H or I beam shape, or include comers as shown in the attached figures. Curved shapes for the interlocking blocks are also possible. Further it is envisioned that an interlocking block may have a pivot between two ends along a 45 degree bevel such that the block can be pivoted to a straight or a degree corner block.  
         [0066]      FIG. 22  is a top view of a structural unit guide  100  according to the present invention that is partially filled or completed with associated structural units  16 .  FIG. 23  is a top view of a structural unit guide  100  according to the present invention of the type shown in  FIG. 21 . The structural unit guides  100  of the present invention are generally flat sheets of cardboard or other suitable material, with each structural unit guide  100  having structural unit guide indicia  102  on either side thereof. The structural unit guide indicia  102  includes alphabetical letters, dots, or shadow outlines of various structural units  16 , with the shadow outlines forming available spaces. The purpose of the structural unit guides  100  and the structural unit guide indicia  102  is to provide a visual blueprint to players, that when used in conjunction with corresponding structural unit indicia  98  positioned on the structural units  16 , aids in the construction of the structures known as Sir Archway&#39;s Tower and Buildablok Castle shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . Other structural unit indicia  98  or structural unit guide indicia  102  may be used to accomplish this purpose. Further, certain areas of the guide  100  can be printed with indicia or background to help it blend into the finished structure (e.g. a cobble stone printing).  
         [0067]     As discussed above a structure, such as Sir Archway&#39;s Tower has multiple layers, e.g. thirteen layers, of structural units  16 , with each layer stacked upon a portion of the preceding layers. To aid in construction of the structure the structural unit guides  100  can be used. However, any freestanding or other structure may be built with or without the use of structural unit guides  100 . A structural unit guide  100  corresponds to each level of a structure, such as Sir Archway&#39;s Tower. The structural unit guide indicia  102  positioned on the structural unit guide  18  define the location of specific types of structural units  16 . For example, a structural unit  16  having a structural unit indicia  98  “A” positioned adjacent thereto is positioned over a corresponding available space  110  on the structural unit guide  100  also having the structural unit guide indicia  102  “A”. In cases where the structural units  16  are preferred to have a given orientation, a dot or other structural unit indicia  98  is positioned on the structural unit  16  and a corresponding dot or other structural unit guide indicia  102  is positioned on the structural unit guide  100 . The dots are then positioned directly opposite each other during construction. This process is repeated until the available spaces on the structural unit guide  100  are filled, forming a given layer of structural units  16 . A structural unit guide  100  corresponding to the next level of the structure is then placed over the previous layer of structural units  16 , and the process is repeated until the structure is completed. While use of the structural unit guides  100  is suggested, the structural unit guides  100  can be supplanted by the creativity and imagination of the players, and any other structures can be built without using the structural unit guides.  
         [0068]     The basic, storyline, structure, game characters, and battle resolution rules can be easily modified with the elements of the present invention. The above described building block and miniature toy gaming equipment can be utilized in a wide variety of games, including the detailed game as described in the related applications. A further example of the application of the equipment of the present invention is a cave-man role playing game developed by the inventor. The game utilizes at least one male and female figurine  22  representing a single clan for each player. The object of the game is for each player to have his clan collect the appropriate material needed to produce fire and/or a wheel. Each figurine  22  includes a moveable counter  20 , also called a movement measurement device, integral with the figurine  22 . Additionally, the counter wheel  52  has one side of the wheel with indicia alternating between “rock”, “paper”, and “scissors”. When two opposing figurines  22  approach the same element (e.g. a part of a wheel axle) in the same turn the players engage in a combat whose outcome is based upon the display of the two paper-rock-scissors on each figurines moveable counter  20  (for sake of completeness: paper defeats rock, rock defeats scissors and scissors defeats paper). The winner is awarded the element and the loser is frozen until touched by a female figurine  22  of the clan. Further specifics of the game are not relevant here. The game is not limited to a pre-printed board layout but allows easy calculation of the piece movement during game play. Further the rules combine the well known concepts of freeze tag and paper-rock-scissors in the game play. This is only one representation of the many games possible with the equipment of the present invention. The template (e.g. the guides  100 ) used in building the illustrated structures can also be modified so that the players can build any desired structure (e.g. templates can be designed to replicate the Eiffel tower, The White House, etc). The templates can be utilized with essentially any block building set such as those sold under the trademark LEGO®. The easily connected and disconnected bases  24  are universal as described. Consequently the present invention is believed to open up the area of game design and improve game play in specific areas.  
         [0069]     The invention has therefore been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.