Game Apparatus With An Encapsulated Figure

Abstract

A game piece in the nature of a hand manipulated capsule containing a visible and recognizable figure with assigned characteristics, a game field, and a method of using the game piece in the playing of games.

1 . A method of playing a game comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a plurality of striking spheres, with each player receiving at least one sphere having a visible figure associated with it;   b) providing an indicia on a substrate, the indicia describing a value of its corresponding visible figure;   c) providing a random number generator that comprises at least one die;   d) a player placing a first sphere inside a defined playing field;   e) a player physically striking the first sphere inside the playing field with a second sphere, wherein one of the two contacting spheres is the opponent's sphere with an associated visible figure;   f) using the random number generator to generate a number;   g) using the number together with the indicia to modify the value of the corresponding visible figure of the opponent's sphere; and   h) determining an outcome of the strike from the difference between the modified value of the visible figure of the opponent's sphere and a value of a figure associated with a player's sphere.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the playing field is defined using a plurality of markers. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the playing field is defined using a game surface. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the position of the first sphere in relation to the playing field after the second sphere strikes the first sphere is a factor in determining the outcome. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of removing the first sphere from the playing field after being struck by the second sphere. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of repositioning the first sphere in the playing field after being struck by the second sphere. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia are provided on at least one card. 
   
   
       8 . A method of playing a game comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a plurality of spheres, with at least one sphere having a visible figure associated with it,   b) providing indicia on a substrate, the indicia associated with the visible figures of the respective ones of the plurality of spheres;   c) providing a random number generator;   d) placing a first one of the plurality of spheres inside a defined playing field;   e) launching the second sphere to physically strike the first sphere;   f) using the random number generator to generate a number; and then   g) using the number together with the indicia associated with the visible figure of at least one of the first and second spheres to determine an outcome.   
   
   
       9 . A method of playing a game comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a plurality of striking spheres, with each player receiving at least one sphere having a visible figure associated with it;   b) providing an indicia on a substrate, the indicia describing a value of its corresponding visible figure;   c) providing a random number generator for generating random numbers;   d) a player placing a first sphere inside a defined playing field;   e) a player physically striking the first sphere inside the playing field with a second sphere, wherein at least one of the two contacting spheres has an associated visible figure;   f) using the random number generator to generate a random number;   g) using the random number together with the indicia to modify the value of the corresponding visible figure of the at least one of two contacting spheres; and   h) determining an outcome of the strike based on the modified value of the visible figure of the at least one of two contacting spheres and a value of a figure associated with an opponent's sphere.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the random number generator comprises a die. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the random number generator comprises an electronic display. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the random number generator comprises an electronic chip. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the random number generator comprises a spinner. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the spheres with associated visible figures further comprise circuitry for producing an audible signal. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the spheres with associated visible figures further comprise circuitry for producing a visible signal. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the spheres with associated visible figures further comprise circuitry for enabling determination of sphere location. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the spheres with associated visible figures further comprise circuitry for enabling wireless communication. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the spheres with associated visible figures further comprising a material that is influenced by a magnetic field. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the spheres with associated visible figures further comprise a specific identification symbol.