US20060284372A1

US20060284372A1 - Building games

Info

Publication number: US20060284372A1
Application number: US11/404,172
Authority: US
Inventors: Kimberly Matilla; Benjamin Blagg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Mattel Inc
Priority date: 2005-06-03
Filing date: 2006-04-13
Publication date: 2006-12-21
Also published as: WO2006132825A3; WO2006132825A2

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to building games and methods of playing building games. In some embodiments, the game includes a plurality of building pieces and a plurality of base assemblies. In some embodiments, the method includes selecting a playing piece having a first indicium; selecting a building piece having a second indicium; comparing the second indicium with the first indicium; and engaging the building piece with one or more of the other building pieces to form one or more buildings. In some embodiments, the method includes selecting a base assembly having a first indicium; selecting a building piece having a second indicium; comparing the second indicium with the first indicium; and engaging the building piece with at least one of the base assemblies and one or more of the other building pieces to form one or more buildings.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/687,242 entitled “Building Games,” filed Jun. 3, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/687,995 entitled “Building Games,” filed Jun. 6, 2005. The complete disclosures of both patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to building and/or construction games, including building games where play may be facilitated by indicia on building components, one or more dice, and/or one or more game boards.
Examples of building games are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,857,633; 6,761,354; 6,684,591; 6,086,067; 5,788,233; 5,749,579; 5,711,524; 5,685,545; 5,683,087; 5,560,611; 5,301,953; 5,281,185; 5,251,900; 4,950,912; 4,895,543; 4,790,759; 4,666,162; 4,484,748; 4,387,897; 4,133,538; 4,055,348; 3,899,169; 3,678,602; 3,657,838; 3,649,018; 3,427,028; 3,226,122; 2,506,184; 2,456,098; 2,175,939; 1,591,554; 1,472,536; and 1,143,636; U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2005/0049036 and 2004/0212149; European Patent Nos. 106770 and 92660; European Patent Application No. 92660; PCT Application Nos. 9967764 and 05023385; and United Kingdom Patent Application Nos. 2402348; 2307867; 2255510; 2231499; 1560989; 1471139; and 0436959, the complete disclosures of those patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Some embodiments provide a method of playing a game. The game including a plurality of building pieces and a plurality of playing pieces. The method comprising selecting a playing piece having a first indicium from the plurality of playing pieces; selecting a building piece having a second indicium from the plurality of building pieces; comparing the second indicium with the first indicium; and engaging the building piece with one or more of the other building pieces to form one or more buildings when the second indicium on the building piece corresponds with the first indicium on the playing piece.
Some embodiments provide a method of playing a game. The game including a plurality of building pieces and a plurality of base assemblies. The method comprising selecting a base assembly having a first indicium from the plurality of base assemblies; selecting a building piece having a second indicium from the plurality of building pieces; comparing the second indicium with the first indicium; and engaging the building piece with at least one of the base assembly and one or more of the other building pieces to form one or more buildings when the second indicium on the building piece corresponds with the first indicium on the base assembly.
Some embodiments provide a method of playing a game. The game including a plurality of building pieces, a plurality of playing pieces, a plurality of base assemblies, at least one die, and a game board having a plurality of playing piece receiving spaces, at least some of the playing piece receiving spaces include at least one building piece indicium that corresponds to the building pieces. The method comprising selecting a playing piece having a first indicium from the plurality of playing pieces; selecting a base assembly having a second indicium from the plurality of base assemblies, the second indicium corresponding with the first indicium; rolling the at least one die; moving the playing piece to a first playing piece receiving space having at least one building piece indicium based, at least in part, on the rolled die; selecting a building piece that corresponds to the at least one building piece indicium on the first playing piece receiving space from the plurality of building pieces, the building piece having a third indicium; comparing the third indicium with at least one of the first and second indicia; and engaging the building piece with at least one of the base assembly and one or more other building pieces to form one or more buildings when the third indicium on the building piece corresponds with at least one of the first and second indicia.
Some embodiments provide a game. The game comprising a plurality of building pieces, at least some of the building pieces are configured to engage one or more other building pieces when manually assembled to form one or more buildings, a first set of the building pieces each include a first indicium and a second set of the building pieces each include a second indicium; and a plurality of base assemblies configured to engage one or more of the building pieces and to provide foundations for the one or more buildings, the base assemblies include at least one of the first and second indicia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a building game.
FIG. 2 shows a plurality of building pieces of the game of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a plurality of base elements for a base assembly of the game of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 shows one of a plurality of reference boards for a base assembly of the game of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 shows a plurality of playing pieces of the game of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 shows a game board of the game of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 shows a die of the game of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a method for playing the game of FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of another method for playing the game of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring to FIG. 1, a game 20 is shown and may include a plurality of building pieces 22 and a plurality of base assemblies 24. Building pieces 22 may include any suitable structure configured to represent components of any suitable object(s), building(s), and/or structure(s). For example, the building pieces may depict and/or represent castle pieces configured to form one or more two- and/or three-dimensional castles, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. Although building pieces 22 are shown to depict and/or represent castle pieces, the building pieces may be any suitable pieces configured to form any suitable building(s) and/or structure(s).
Building pieces 22 also may be configured to engage and/or interlock one or more other building pieces, such as when manually assembled, to form one or more buildings 26. For example, the building pieces may include one or more interlocking structures 28 configured to allow two or more building pieces to be interconnected, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. The interlocking structures may include one or more receiving portions 30 (such as cutouts and/or notches) configured to receive one or more portions of other building pieces and/or the base assemblies. Although interlocking structures 28 are shown to include cutouts or notches, those structures may include any suitable structure configured to allow the player to interconnect two or more building pieces, and/or one or more building pieces with one or more base assemblies.
Additionally, building pieces 22 may include one or more building piece indicia 32. The building piece indicia may include any suitable type of indicia configured to correspond to and/or at least substantially match indicia on base assemblies 24, and/or to convey any suitable information to the players. The building piece indicia may be in any suitable form, such as numeric, text, alphanumeric, symbolic, color, and/or any suitable combination. For example, building piece indicia 32 may include graphic images and/or object representations, which may correspond to the graphic images and/or object representations on the base assemblies. “Correspond,” “corresponds,” and “corresponding,” as used herein, means that there are one or more characteristics in common between the indicia. Although building piece indicia 32 are shown to be in the form of graphic images and/or object representations, the indicia may be in any suitable form(s), including numeric, text, alphanumeric, symbolic, color, and/or any suitable combination.
Additionally, the building piece indicia may be on any suitable side(s) of the building pieces. For example, the building piece indicia may be only on one side, as shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, one or more of the building pieces may include multiple building piece indicia, which may correspond to multiple indicia on the base assemblies. For example, a first set of the building pieces may each include a first indicium and a second set of the building pieces may each include a second indicium. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the building pieces may be designated in any suitable way as “wild” pieces that may be played as if it contained some or all of indicia of one or more of the base assemblies.
Moreover, building pieces 22 may be any suitable number configured to construct any suitable number of buildings, such as sixteen pieces to build two buildings. Furthermore, the building pieces may have any suitable shape and/or ornamentation suitable for the game. For example, the castle pieces may have suitable shapes and/or ornamentation to represent components of a castle, such as walls, towers, beams, and/or flags. Furthermore, building pieces 22 may have gripping features (not shown) to improve contact with a player's fingers. Those gripping features may include grooves, ridges, undulations, and/or rough portions, among others, or any suitable combination to promote handling.
Base assemblies 24 may include any suitable structure configured to engage one or more of the building pieces, to provide a starting foundation for buildings 26, and/or to provide the players guidance on what building pieces must be used to construct the buildings. For example, the base assemblies may include one or more base elements 34 and one or more reference boards 36, as shown in FIGS. 3-4.
Base elements 34 may include any suitable structure configured to provide a starting foundation for the building pieces. For example, the base elements may be in the form of building bases 40, as shown in FIG. 3. The building bases may be configured to engage and/or interlock with one another, with one or more of the building pieces, and/or with one or more of the reference boards to form one or more buildings 26. For example, the building bases may include one or more interlocking structures 42 and one or more support structures 44.
The interlocking structures may include any suitable structure configured to allow the bases to be interconnected and/or one or more bases and one or more building pieces to be interconnected. For example, the interlocking structures may include one or more receiving portions 46 (such as cutouts and/or notches) configured to receive one or more portions of other base(s) and/or building piece(s), as shown in FIG. 3. Although interlocking structures 42 are shown to include cutouts or notches, those structures may include any suitable structure configured to allow the player to interconnect two or more bases and/or one to interconnect or more building pieces and one or more bases.
Support structures 44 may include any suitable structure configured to allow the bases to stand upright on one or more of their sides. For example, the support structures may include one or more stands 48. Although support structures 44 are shown to include stands 48, the support structures may include any suitable structure configured to allow the bases to stand upright on one or more of their sides. Additionally, although only three bases are shown, the base assembly may include more or less bases.
Reference boards 36 may include any suitable structure configured to provide the players guidance on what building pieces are needed to complete the buildings. The reference boards may include one or more reference indicia 38, which may correspond to and/or be at least substantially similar to the building piece indicia. The reference indicia may be in any suitable form, such as numeric, text, alphanumeric, symbolic, color, and/or any suitable combination. For example, reference indicia 38 may include graphic images and/or object representations, which may correspond to the graphic images and/or object representations on the building pieces. For example, the reference board shown in FIG. 4 includes graphic images of a knight's helmet and a sword, which correspond to the graphic images on two of the building pieces shown in FIGS. 1-2. Although reference indicia 38 are shown to be in the form of graphic images and/or object representations, the indicia may be in any suitable form(s), including numeric, text, alphanumeric, symbolic, color, and/or any suitable combination.
Additionally, the reference boards may include one or more apertures 50 configured to receive one or more stands 48. Moreover, reference boards 36 may include any suitable ornamentation to represent the starting foundation of the intended structure. For example, the reference board may include a bridge and/or a surrounding moat. The building bases may then be placed on the reference boards (with the stands positioned within the apertures), and the appropriate building pieces may be placed on the bases and/or each other during the game, as shown in FIG. 1.
Game 20 also may include a plurality of playing pieces 52, which may include any suitable structure configured to be associated with players of the game. For example, playing pieces may include character movers 54, as shown in FIG. 5. The character movers may depict or represent a princess, a knight, an ogre, a wizard, and/or any suitable characters from any suitable place and/or any suitable time period. One or more of the character movers may be used and/or designated as a foiler playing piece 55. For example, the character mover depicting the ogre may be used and/or designated as the foiler playing piece. Although the ogre is discussed to be the foiler playing piece, any of the playing piece(s) may be used as the foiler playing piece(s).
The playing pieces also may be any suitable size and/or shape configured to allow players of the game to grasp the playing piece. Additionally, playing pieces 52 may be any suitable number, such as the number of maximum players intended for the game. Moreover, the playing pieces may have gripping features (not shown) to improve contact with a player's fingers. Those gripping features may include grooves, ridges, undulations, and/or rough portions, among others, or any suitable combination to promote handling. Although playing pieces 52 are shown to include character movers 54, those pieces may include any suitable structure configured to represent suitable objects, devices, persons, structures, etc.
The playing pieces may include one or more character indicia 56. The character indicia may include any suitable type of indicia configured to designate particular building pieces that may belong to and/or may be associated with the player's piece, and/or convey any suitable information to the players. Character indicia 56 may be in any suitable form, such as numeric, text, alphanumeric, symbolic, color, and/or any suitable combination. The character indicia may be in the form of graphic images and/or object representations, such as hats, eyeglasses, swords, shields, armor, belts, shoes, etc. For example, the helmet and sword shown on the knight character mover shown in FIG. 5 correspond to the graphic images on two of the building pieces shown in FIGS. 1-2. Additionally, or alternatively, the tiara and gown shown on the princess character mover may correspond to the graphic images on other building pieces.
Although specific images are shown, the graphic images and/or object representations may include images of any suitable objects, persons, things, devices, structures, etc. Additionally, although character indicia 56 are shown to be in the form of graphic images and/or object representations, the indicia may be in any suitable form(s), including numeric, text, alphanumeric, symbolic, color, and/or any suitable combination.
Moreover, the game may include at least one game board 58, which may include any suitable structure configured to receive at least some of the playing pieces and/or to guide players on which of the building pieces to use in forming the one or more buildings. The game board may include a plurality of playing piece receiving spaces 60, which may include any suitable spaces configured to receive at least some of playing pieces. The playing piece receiving spaces also may be distributed along the game board in any suitable fashion. For example, the playing piece receiving spaces may be distributed across at least a substantial portion of the playing area in circular fashion. Additionally, any suitable number of playing piece receiving spaces may be provided on the game board, which may be based, at least in part, on the number of building pieces and/or the number of players.
Moreover, the playing piece receiving spaces may include one or more board indicia 62 configured to guide players on the building pieces to be used. The board indicia may be in any suitable form, such as numeric, text, alphanumeric, symbolic, color, and/or any suitable combination. For example, board indicia 62 may include graphic images and/or object representations of one or more of the building pieces. Additionally, or alternatively, the board indicia may include graphic images of one or more of the playing pieces to indicate a starting and/or ending space. Although a game board is discussed, any suitable structure configured to receive at least some of the playing pieces, such as mats, restaurant menus, sculptures of suitable items, etc., may alternatively, or additionally, be used. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more surfaces, such as a desk(s) or a floor(s), may be used.
Furthermore, game 20 may include at least one die 64. The die may be any suitable shape. For example, die 64 is shown to have a cubical shape. Additionally, die 64 may include a plurality of sides 66. Although die 64 is shown to be cubical with six sides, the die may be any suitable shape with any suitable number of sides.
The sides may include die indicia 68 configured to guide players on moving the playing pieces on the game board. The die indicia may be in any suitable form, such as numeric, text, alphanumeric, symbolic, color, and/or any suitable combination. For example, die indicia 68 may include one or more numeric indicia 70 and one or more iconic indicia 72 (such as foiler indicia), as shown in FIG. 7. Although die indicia 68 are shown to include the numeric and iconic indicia, the die indicia may be in any suitable form(s), including numeric, text, alphanumeric, symbolic, color, and/or any suitable combination.
Although game 20 is shown to include the building pieces, the base assembly, the playing pieces, the game board, and the die, the game may include any suitable structure configured to provide a building game facilitated by one or more indicia, one or more game boards, and/or one or more die.
A method 100 of playing some embodiments of the game is shown in FIG. 8. A player may begin his or her turn at 102. That player may roll the at least one die at 104. The player may then check whether the rolled die shows a foiler icon at 106.
If the foiler icon is not rolled, then the player may move the playing piece based, at least in part, on the rolled die (such as the number of spaces indicated on the rolled die) at 108. The player may then view the playing piece receiving space occupied by the moved playing piece for indicia representing one or more building piece shapes indicated at 110. That player may then select a building piece from the plurality of building pieces that corresponds to the building piece shape indicia on the space occupied by the playing piece at 112. The player may turn the selected building piece face up at 114. The player may then compare the turned over building piece and his or her playing piece (and/or his or her reference board) to determine if the building piece has one or more indicia that correspond with one or more indicia on the playing piece (and/or one or more indicia on his or her reference board) at 116.
If the building piece has corresponding indicia, then the player may engage the building piece with one or more of the other building pieces and/or the base assembly to form the one or more buildings at 118, and his or her turn may end at 120. However, if the one or more indicia on the building piece fail to correspond with the one or more indicia on the player's playing piece (and/or his or her reference board), then the player may turn the building piece face down and return the building piece to the plurality of building pieces at 122, and his or her turn may end at 120.
If the foiler icon is rolled, then a foiler playing piece may be moved any suitable number of spaces (such as one space) at 124. The player may then view the playing piece receiving space occupied by the moved foiler playing piece to determine if any of the other playing pieces occupy the same space at 126. If the space that includes the foiler playing piece is not occupied by any of the other playing pieces, then the player's turn may end at 120. However, if the space that includes the foiler playing piece is occupied by any of the other playing pieces (and/or if the foiler playing piece and one or more playing pieces occupy the same playing piece receiving space), then the at least one die may be rolled at 128. The player may then check whether the rolled die shows a foiler icon at 130.
If the foiler icon is not rolled, then the player's turn may end at 120. However, if the foiler icon is rolled, then the player may remove a building piece from each of the buildings associated with the playing pieces that occupy the same space as the foiler playing piece at 132 and the player's turn may end at 120.
Players may take turns going through the method and the goal is to play until any suitable stopping point. For example, the game may be played until a building has been completed. Alternatively, or additionally, the game may be played until a player has reached a certain number of points based on any suitable scoring system (with certain points associated with certain building pieces). Moreover, the game may be played until a player has moved the playing piece to a particular playing piece receiving space of the game board. Although particular stopping points have been discussed, the method includes all suitable stopping points for the game, which may include all, some, or none of the stopping points discussed above.
Additionally, the method may include any suitable preparation steps before beginning the game. For example, the building pieces may be placed with their indicia face down and/or shuffled. Moreover, an order of play may be determined before the game. The order of play may be based on any suitable order, such as by descending or ascending age of the players. Furthermore, the players may select their playing pieces from the plurality of playing pieces and/or their base assemblies from the plurality of base assemblies before beginning the game
Furthermore, the method may be modified in any suitable way to vary the game. Such variation may increase, maintain, or decrease the game's challenge. For example, the players may agree to a specific order of building pieces and/or object representations that must be followed during the game. For example, the building piece(s) with the walls may be required to be placed first and the building piece with the flag may be required to be placed last on the building. Additionally, the players may agree that if an out of sequence building piece is turned over, then the player may not use that building piece and must turn it back down. For example, if the building piece turned over has a flag, then the player may not use that piece unless he or she has used all the other required building pieces.
Moreover, when the foiler playing piece lands on a playing piece receiving space occupied by other playing piece(s), then building pieces may be removed without rolling the die. Furthermore, more than one foiler playing piece and/or more than two non-foiler playing pieces may be used. However, the steps discussed above may be performed in different sequences and in different combinations, not all steps being required for all embodiments of the game.
An alternative method 200 of playing some embodiments of the game is shown in FIG. 9. A player may begin his or her turn at 202. That player may turn one or more building pieces face up at 204. The player may then check if the building piece turned over has matching indicia with his or her playing piece at 206.
If the building piece does have matching indicia, then the player adds the building piece to the building at 208 and his or her turn ends at 210. However, if that building piece does not have matching indicia, then the player turns the building piece face down at 212 and his or her turn ends at 210. The steps discussed above may be performed in different sequences and in different combinations, not all steps being required for all embodiments of the game.
The game also may include a set of instructions or rules and/or an inventory of contents. An example of instructions, rules, and inventory that might be used for the game is provided below. Although a specific example is provided, the game may include a set of any suitable instructions, rules and/or inventory, including any suitable combination of the instructions, rules, and inventory already discussed above.
General Description:
A Princess and a Knight are racing to build their castle. For who ever finishes building their castle first will become ruler of the land! But watch out, the mischievous Ogre who lives in the surrounding forest is trying to spoil their plans by making it difficult for the princess and knight to finish their task. Who will be victorious!
A game for 2 players or 2 teams!
Creative Construction
Shape Association
Contents:

- 6 Plastic Castle Bases
- 16 Castle Pieces
- 3 Flags
- 2 Item Boards
- 1 Game Board
- 3 Movers (princess, knight and ogre)
- 1 Die
  The Object

To win the game be the first player to construct a castle by collecting the 5 castle pieces that belong to their character.
Set Up:

- 1. Each player begins with a castle base that consists of 3 plastic castle pieces. 2 of which have securing posts at the bottom and 1 connector piece that does not. Assemble the castle bases by slotting together the 3 castle walls.
- 2. Once the 3 pieces have been slotted together each player selects an item board. Secure the castle base to the item board by sliding the feet forward into the holes.
- 3. Place the game board in the center of the playing area and lay out the castle playing face down around the board.
- 4. Place the game movers on the appropriate staring pieces, the knight and princess in the center of the mote and the ogre on the “foil” space. {waiting for icon}
- 5. Players choose to be either the knight or the princess.
- 6. Youngest player goes first.
  Let's Play!
- Pictured on each item board are 3 items that your character is looking for.
  On Your Turn:
- 1. Players take turns rolling the die and moving accordingly clockwise around the board.
- 2. Illustrated on each space is a different castle piece shape. Once you have moved your character the number rolled turn over any castle piece that matches the shape you have landed on.
- 3. When a player turns over a castle piece that shows one of their character's items add that piece to your castle any way you please.
- 4. If a player turns over a piece and the item showing does not belong to their character, they must leave the piece where it is and turn it back face down.
- 5. Then it's the next player's turn.
  Moving/Playing the Ogre
- 1. When a player rolls the Foil Icon move the Ogre 1 space clockwise.
- 2. If he happens to land on a space with another player he has the chance of stealing one of the castle pieces that belongs to that player.
- 3. To resolve the Ogre's mischievous behavior roll the die;
  - a. If you roll a number, you do not have to give up any of your pieces.
  - b. If you roll the foil icon you must give up one of your pieces. Take any piece from your castle and place it face down on the table with the rest of the castle pieces
    Once you have collected 5 castle pieces, raise your flag by placing your flag piece anywhere on your castle and claim victory! You are now the ruler of all the land!
    Winning the Game:

Be the first player to collect 5 castle pieces belonging to their character and build their castle to win.
The disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any claim recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claim should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of new claims in a related application. Such new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method of playing a game, the game including a plurality of building pieces and a plurality of playing pieces, comprising:

selecting a playing piece having a first indicium from the plurality of playing pieces;

selecting a building piece having a second indicium from the plurality of building pieces;

comparing the second indicium with the first indicium; and

engaging the building piece with one or more of the other building pieces to form one or more buildings when the second indicium on the building piece corresponds with the first indicium on the playing piece.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising returning the building piece to the plurality of building pieces when the second indicium on the building piece fails to correspond with the first indicium on the playing piece.

3. The method of claim 1, where the game further includes a plurality of base assemblies, further comprising selecting a base assembly from the plurality of base assemblies, and wherein engaging the building piece with one or more of the other building pieces includes engaging the building piece with the base assembly to form one or more buildings when the second indicium on the playing piece corresponds with the first indicium on the building piece.

4. The method of claim 1, where the game further includes a plurality of base assemblies, further comprising:

selecting a base assembly having a third indicium from the plurality of base assemblies; and

engaging the building piece with the base assembly to form one or more buildings when the second indicium on the building piece corresponds with the third indicium on the base assembly.

5. The method of claim 1, where the game further includes at least one die and a game board having a plurality of playing piece receiving spaces, at least some of the playing piece receiving spaces include at least one building piece indicium that corresponds to the building pieces, further comprising:

rolling the at least one die, and

moving the playing piece to a playing piece receiving space having at least one building piece indicium based, at least in part, on the rolled die,

wherein selecting a building piece having a second indicium includes selecting a building piece that corresponds to the at least one building piece indicium on the playing piece receiving space.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing a building piece from the one or more buildings.

7. The method of claim 6, where the game further includes at least one die, a foiler playing piece, and a game board having a plurality of playing piece receiving spaces, further comprising:

rolling the at least one die, and

moving the foiler playing piece to a playing piece receiving space based, at least in part, on the rolled die,

wherein removing a building piece from the one or more buildings includes removing a building piece from the one or more buildings associated with a playing piece when the playing piece and the foiler playing piece occupy the same playing piece receiving space.

8. The method of claim 7, where the at least one die includes a plurality of sides, one or more sides includes a foiler indicium, and wherein moving the foiler playing piece to a playing piece receiving space includes moving the foiler playing piece to a playing piece receiving space when a side with the foiler indicium is rolled with the at least one die.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising rolling the at least one die when the foiler playing piece is moved to a playing piece receiving space with one or more playing pieces, and wherein removing a building piece from the one or more buildings associated with a playing piece includes removing a building piece from the one or more buildings associated with a playing piece when a side with the foiler indicium is rolled with the at least one die.

10. A method of playing a game, the game including a plurality of building pieces and a plurality of base assemblies, comprising:

selecting a base assembly having a first indicium from the plurality of base assemblies;

comparing the second indicium with the first indicium; and

engaging the building piece with at least one of the base assembly and one or more of the other building pieces to form one or more buildings when the second indicium on the building piece corresponds with the first indicium on the base assembly.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising returning the building piece to the plurality of building pieces when the second indicium on the building piece fails to correspond with the first indicium on the base assembly.

12. The method of claim 10, where the game further includes a plurality of playing pieces, further comprising:

selecting a playing piece having a third indicium from the plurality of playing pieces; and

engaging the building piece with at least one of the base assembly and one or more other building pieces to form one or more buildings when the second indicium on the building piece corresponds with the third indicium on the playing piece.

13. The method of claim 12, where the game further includes at least one die and a game board having a plurality of playing piece receiving spaces, at least some of the plurality of playing piece receiving spaces include at least one building piece indicium that corresponds to the building pieces, further comprising

rolling the at least one die, and

14. A method of playing a game, the game including a plurality of building pieces, a plurality of playing pieces, a plurality of base assemblies, at least one die, and a game board having a plurality of playing piece receiving spaces, at least some of the playing piece receiving spaces include at least one building piece indicium that corresponds to the building pieces, comprising:

selecting a base assembly having a second indicium from the plurality of base assemblies, the second indicium corresponding with the first indicium;

rolling the at least one die;

moving the playing piece to a first playing piece receiving space having at least one building piece indicium based, at least in part, on the rolled die;

selecting a building piece that corresponds to the at least one building piece indicium on the first playing piece receiving space from the plurality of building pieces, the building piece having a third indicium;

comparing the third indicium with at least one of the first and second indicia; and

engaging the building piece with at least one of the base assembly and one or more other building pieces to form one or more buildings when the third indicium on the building piece corresponds with at least one of the first and second indicia.

15. A game, comprising:

a plurality of building pieces, at least some of the building pieces are configured to engage one or more other building pieces when manually assembled to form one or more buildings, a first set of the building pieces each include a first indicium and a second set of the building pieces each include a second indicium; and

a plurality of base assemblies configured to engage one or more of the building pieces and to provide foundations for the one or more buildings, the base assemblies include at least one of the first and second indicia.

16. The game of claim 15, wherein at least some of the building pieces are configured to interlock with one or more other building pieces to form the one or more buildings.

17. The game of claim 16, wherein at least some of the building pieces include one or more receiving portions configured to receive a portion of at least some of the other building pieces.

18. The game of claim 17, wherein the receiving portions include one or more notches.

19. The game of claim 15, wherein the base assemblies each includes a reference board having at least one of the first and second indicium.

20. The game of claim 19, wherein the base assemblies each includes one or more base elements configured to engage one or more of the building pieces.

21. The game of claim 20, wherein the reference board includes one or more receiving portions configured to receive one or more portions of the base elements.

22. The game of claim 15, wherein the one or more buildings includes one or more three-dimensional castles.

23. The game of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of playing pieces having at least one of the first and second indicia.

24. The game of claim 23, wherein the playing pieces depict at least one of a princess, a knight, and an ogre.

25. The game of claim 23, further comprising a game board with a plurality of playing piece receiving spaces, and at least one die.

26. The game of claim 25, wherein at least some of the playing piece receiving spaces include building piece indicia that correspond with one or more of the building pieces.