Board game method and apparatus

Abstract

A multiplayer game is disclosed consisting of a board with multiple home regions which are assigned to different players. Multiple sets of markers are provided, one for each player. Each set of marker is assigned a home region in which it can survive indefinitely, however, they can survive for only a limited number of turns outside of their respective home regions. Players advance their markers out of their home regions and into enemy regions and bring them back within said limited number of turns to score points, the number of steps a marker moves being determined by a number generating device. If the marker does not return back to its home region within the specified number of turns it dies and is removed from the board. The first player to score a necessary number of points wins the game.

1 . A game comprising: 
 a game board having a two dimensional grid;    said game board containing first home region occupying a part of the game board and belonging to a first player;    a number generating device;    a first set of markers belonging to the first player, the said markers possessing a property whereby they can not survive outside of said first home region for more than a predetermined number of turns;    wherein the first player scores points by moving at least one of his markers out of the first home region to a position a requisite minimum distance away from the first home region, making a U-turn and returning said at least one of his markers to the first home region without exceeding the said predetermined number of turns, while using the number generating device to determine the number of grids the marker can move during each turn.    
   
   
       2 . The game according to  claim 1  wherein said number generating device is a set of dice.  
   
   
       3 . The game according to  claim 1  wherein the path traced on the game board by the movements of said at least one marker includes at least one right angle turn.  
   
   
       4 . The game according to  claim 1  wherein a starting line is included on the game board which when crossed on an outbound journey by said at least one marker begins the count of said limited number of turns outside of the first home region.  
   
   
       5 . The game according to  claim 1  wherein a finishing line is included on the game board which when crossed on the return journey by said at least one marker completes the count of said limited number of turns outside of said first home region.  
   
   
       6 . The game according to  claim 1  wherein said game board and said markers are displayed on a electronic display screen.  
   
   
       7 . The game according to  claim 1  wherein said first home region represents land and the first set of markers represent land animals.  
   
   
       8 . A board game comprising: 
 a game board having a two dimensional grid;    said game board containing a first home region occupying a part of the game board and belonging to a first player and a second home region occupying a part of the game board and belonging to a second player;    a number generating device;    a first set of markers belonging to the first player, the said markers possessing a property whereby they can not survive outside of said first home region for more than a predetermined number of turns and a second set of markers belonging to the second player, the said second set of markers possessing a property whereby they can not survive outside of said second home region for more than a predetermined number of turns;    wherein the two players take alternate turns to move their said markers on the game board using said number generating device to determine the number of grids a marker can move on its turn, scoring points by completing successful attacks outside of their respective home regions by moving one of the markers belonging to them a prerequisite minimum distance away from its home region, making a U-turn and returning said one of the markers back to its home region without exceeding said predetermined number of turns, capturing the opposing player's marker by landing their marker on top of the opponent's marker and winning the game by scoring a target number of points before the opponent.    
   
   
       9 . The game according to  claim 8  wherein said number generating device is a set of dice.  
   
   
       10 . The game according to  claim 8  wherein the path traced on the game board by the movements of said one of the markers includes at least one right angle turn.  
   
   
       11 . The board game according to  claim 8  wherein two starting lines are included on the game board including a first starting line which when crossed on an outbound journey by one of said first set of markers begins said launching of an attack by the first player and a second starting line which when crossed on an outbound journey by one of said second set of markers begins said attack by the second player.  
   
   
       12 . The board game according to  claim 8  wherein two finish lines are included on the game board including a first finish line which when crossed on a return journey by one of said first set of markers completes said launching of an attack by the first player and a second finish line which when crossed on a return journey by one of said second set of markers completes said attack by the second player.  
   
   
       13 . The board game according to  claim 8  wherein two point scoring guides are included on the board, one for each player which mark the furthest distance traveled by a marker from its home region during an attack and accordingly determine the number of points scored by the marker upon a successful completion of an attack.  
   
   
       14 . The board game according to  claim 8  wherein said first home region represents land, the second home region water, the first set of markers represent land animals and the second set of markers represent marine life.  
   
   
       15 . The board game according to  claim 8  wherein the board, the two home regions and the markers are displayed on a screen controlled by an electronic device.  
   
   
       16 . Method for play of a game for multiple players on a game board means comprising at least one distinct home region for each player, comprising the steps of: 
 placing by each player of a distinguishable set of plural markers each on said home region belonging to said player, said markers unable to live outside of their respective home regions for more than a specified number of turns;    each player playing in sequential repetitive turn by generating a number on a number generating device and moving a single one of his said set of markers by a number of steps equal to the said number generated by the number generating device, moving it from its prior disposition on the said game board to a new position on the said game board;    each player scoring points by using his turns to move one of his set of markers from his home region to a place on the said board outside of his home region and returning the said marker back to his home region within the said specified number of turns; and,    a player winning the game by being the first amongst the said players to score a specified number of points.    
   
   
       17 . The game playing method according to  claim 16  wherein said points scored by a player are increased in proportion to the distance away from its said home region that the said marker travels.  
   
   
       18 . The game playing method according to  claim 17  wherein a first player can capture a marker belonging to a second player by moving and landing a single one of his said set of markers on top of a marker belonging to the second player.  
   
   
       19 . Method for play of a game on a surface with a safe region and an inclement region, comprising the steps of: 
 placing markers in the said safe region;    moving a marker out of the safe region in to said inclement region and bringing it back to safe region within a given number of turns;    
   
   
       20 . A board game comprising: 
 a game board having two dimensional grid printed on it;    said game board containing first home region occupying a part of the game board and belonging to a first player;    a number generating device used prior to a turn to determine the number of grids on the game board a marker will move during that turn;    a first set of markers belonging to the first player, the said markers possessing a property whereby they can not survive outside of said first home region for more than a predetermined number of turns.