Abstract:
The present invention includes multiple opinion cards, each limiting play to a number of opinions, a board which is used to identify a unique human perspective in which each participant is to play, and a timer used to limit the time available to the players to write a statement about the opinion using the perspective randomly chosen.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a regular application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) claiming priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) (1), of provisional application Ser. No. 61/600,136, previously filed Feb. 17, 2012, under 35 U.S.C. §111(b). 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention deals with the field of competitive entertainment and, more specifically, the field of boxed games. The invention deals with a unique assembly of game components enabling the playing of a competitive table game by a plurality of participants. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention deals with the field of competitive games wherein objectives to which participants are subject are desired to be achieved. Various games of this type are known in the prior art and have been enjoyed for decades by proponents of the games. 
         [0004]    The field of such games is always expanding. While some of the games introduced in the recent past have turned out to be less than successful, other games have grasped the interest of game aficionados and have come to be in demand. Numerous copies of such games have been sold and are enjoyed by millions. 
         [0005]    The present invention is an assembly of component structures used in playing a newly-conceived, fast-paced game of this type and a method of playing the game. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is a method for enabling players to participate in a new game. The method elicits a plurality of players to play the game. A deck having a multiplicity of cards is provided, each card carrying indicia which portray a plurality of opinion choices of topics. Players are arranged in a particular sequence, and a first designated player (typically the Dealer) identifies an opinion choice of a topic on a card he or she has randomly selected. Such an opinion choice will be applicable to all players. 
         [0007]    The Dealer also randomly selects one of a plurality of defined zones on a board provided as part of the hardware of the game. Each zone represents a selection of a perceived, unique human perspective on issues. Each player then creates a short written statement in the randomly-selected perspective. The statement addresses the topic which has been chosen. 
         [0008]    The broad concept herein defined can be made more specific to allow for ease of play. Play can proceed as follows:
       Assemble on the table the deck of opinion cards, zone selection means (typically a circular board having pie-shaped zones, each zone identifying a human perspective in which the players are to write), and a timer. Each player typically needs a writing pad and a writing instrument for a purpose which will be seen hereinafter.   As previously stated, the Dealer will identify an opinion choice of a topic from a card selected.   The “Dealer” is rotated through the players in sequence. The dealer selects the topic and reads it aloud. At this point, the players become aware of opinion choices with regard to the particular topic on which they are expected to write a short statement regarding his or her choice. To ensure a reasonable basis for comparison, the dealer also randomly selects one of a plurality of zones typically defined on a board, each zone representative of a unique human perspective. Each player is then instructed to create a short written statement in the randomly selected perspective of the alternative chosen.   The board employed for selection of the perspective can take the form of a circular grid. The circle is, in turn, divided into substantially angularly equal pie-shaped zones. A spinner arrow is employed to actually implement selection of the particular perspective represented by the zone. One particular circular indicia illustrates eight substantially equi-angular zones. The perspectives employed when such a grid is used can be, for example, as follows:   Angry   Pick Two (pick two writing styles &amp; combine them)   Older person&#39;s perspective   10 words or less   Men&#39;s Perspective   Dealer&#39;s Choice (pick his or her choice of the alternatives available or make up his or her own)   Rhyming   Woman&#39;s Perspective
 
When zones so identified are used, if the spinner arrow lands on “Dealer&#39;s Choice”, the Dealer can pick any writing style among the various zones or make up a writing style of his or her own choice. If the spinner lands on “Pick Two”, the dealer identifies two writing styles which are to be meshed together.
       
 
         [0021]    Once the topic is chosen and the perspective or perspectives identified, all players write their statement regarding their choice. As a player completes his or her statement, the statement is passed to the Dealer. As the players start writing, a timer is actuated, and the time allotted is thereby limited. Any timer or similar structure can be employed for this purpose. It should be kept in mind that the amount of time allotted should be reasonable in view of the task the players are asked to perform, although the time should be uniform throughout the game. 
         [0022]    In the preferred embodiment, a step of scoring is performed after all the players have written their statements. The dealer reads all of the statements and, after an initial reading, voting begins. Each player votes for an answer he or she likes best. A player cannot vote for his or her own answer. Votes are then tallied. 
         [0023]    The Dealer responsibility rotates in sequence. Typically, the sequence runs in a clockwise direction. 
         [0024]    The players can agree upon the number of rounds that will be played to comprise a game. This decision will typically depend upon the number of players, the time available, etc. 
         [0025]    This description discusses specifics of what is envisioned as a commercial game. It will be understood that the scope of the invention will not be limited other than by the claims appended hereto. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1   a - 1   d  are plan views of representative opinion choice cards as used in the method in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a circular grid which portrays a plurality of representative zones, each zone being representative of a unique human perspective. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Referring now to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the several views,  FIG. 1   a  is a portrayal of an opinion card  10  having three opinion choices  12 . The choices represented are “Best Music Genre”, “Fate or Coincidence” and “Just Win! Or How You Play the Game”.  FIG. 1   b  portrays three other opinion options  12 . These are “I would Eat Frogs If . . . ”, “Looks or Smarts” and “Creationism v. Evolution”.  FIG. 1   c  portrays three further options for the opinion category. These include “Meat or Veggies”, “Electric or Gas” and “Boxers or Briefs”.  FIG. 1   d  lists the following options: “Quantity v Quality”, “Modern or Retro” and “Wild Card—Make up any Topic”. 
         [0029]    It will be understood that the number of opinion cards would, most likely, far exceed the number of cards illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d . These are merely examples of opinions that might be employed as alternatives in the game. In fact, the purchaser of the game may, if blank cards are provided, make up additional choices comprising two or more alternatives per card  10 . 
         [0030]    In any case, an initial deck of opinion cards  10  is provided, and each card  10  has a multiplicity of opinion options per card  10 . The game starts with one of the players (typically referred to as the Dealer) randomly picking one of the opinion cards  10 . The Dealer will identify which opinion option  12  available in accordance with the card  10  picked will be in play. The opinion choice  12  chosen will be applicable to all players. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates a plurality of unique human perspectives. The various perspective zones  14  on the perspective board  16  are portrayed in a manner such that one of the players (again, typically the Dealer) can randomly select one of the human perspectives portrayed on the board  16 . It will be understood that a typical way of constructing the board  16  is as a circular grid  18  with a spinner arrow  20  mounted for rotation about the center  22  of the circle  18 . The arrow  20  can be spun in a manner so that, when the arrow  20  stops, it is identifying a zone  14  representative of a human perspective on an issue. 
         [0032]    It will be noted that, in  FIG. 2 , there are eight zones  14  portrayed. These zones  14  are “Men&#39;s Perspective”, “10 words or less”, “Old person&#39;s Perspective”, “Pick two”, “Angry”, “Woman&#39;s Perspective”, “Rhyming” and “Dealer&#39;s choice”. It will be understood that other choices may be employed within the scope of the invention. Further, if instructed to do so, the person selecting the perspective by spinning the arrow  20  can, if instructed to do so by the text on a particular zone  14 , mesh two or more perspectives. For example, there may be a situation where the dealer is instructed to identify a perspective which is a combination of Women&#39;s Perspective and Angry. 
         [0033]    A timer (not shown) of any type known in the art can be used to limit the time players are able to write their response to the opinion choice  12  utilizing the perspective. 
         [0034]    It will be understood that this disclosure is only representative of elements of the present invention. The invention is, of course, intended to be interpreted within the context of the claims appended hereto.