WO2003080202A1

WO2003080202A1 - A game

Info

Publication number: WO2003080202A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000357
Authority: WO
Inventors: Craig Albert Anthony
Original assignee: Craig Albert Anthony
Priority date: 2002-03-27
Filing date: 2003-03-26
Publication date: 2003-10-02
Also published as: AUPS139702A0

Abstract

A method of playing a game including the steps of: Providing players of the game with different group of response identifiers; Presenting a question along with a question identifier to the players; Players recording a response to the question, if a response identifier matching the question identifier is present in their group of response identifiers; Continuing to present questions to the players until a predetermined number of players indicate that they have been presented with question identifiers matching a predetermined number of their group of response identifiers: Assessing whether the responses recorded by the indicating players are correct answers to the questions; and Nominating a game winner from amongst the players according to predetermined criteria. Also disclosed is a game apparatus that includes at least one response identifier and an area associated with the response identifier where a response identifier where a response to a question may be recorded.

Description

A GAME

Technical Field

This invention relates to a game.

Background to the Invention

It is known to conduct a game in the nature of a quiz involving a group of players. The players are asked a series of questions and record their responses to those questions. When all of the series of questions have been asked of the players their responses are marked to ascertain a score based on the number of questions they answered correctly. The player with the highest score is nominated the winner of the game. Players of quiz games are now very familiar with games of this format and do not derive as much entertainment value from these games as they once did. Further, when such a game is repeatedly played by the same group of players, one or two players in the group, being the players with the best ability to record correct answers, will usually win the game. The incentive for the other players in the group to replay the game is decreased because they perceive they are likely to lose. There is a need for an arrangement which would ameliorate at least one of the above problems .

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of playing a game including the steps of providing players of the game with different groups of response identifiers; presenting a question along with a question identifier to the players; the players record a response to the question if a response identifier matching the question identifier is present in their group of response identifiers; continuing to present questions to the players until a predetermined number of players indicate that they have been presented with question identifiers matching a predetermined number of their group of response identifiers; assessing whether the responses recorded by the indicating players are correct answers to the questions; nominating a game winner from amongst the players according to predetermined criteria.

In using this method, a degree of uncertainty surrounds whether the next question to be asked is relevant to a particular player. Further, a particular player may get ahead of his opponents by the good fortune of being asked more identified questions matching an identifier in his or her group of question identifiers than his opponents.

Optionally, the question identifiers and the response identifiers are numbers. This provides a scheme for identifying questions which is readily understood by most people . Optionally, the predetermined number of response identifiers is all of the group of response identifiers. Optionally, the predetermined number of players is all of the players.

Optionally, the method further includes the step of recording the order in which the questions are asked.

This record can be used in determining the game winner.

Optionally, the predetermined criteria includes the first player to provide an indication whose responses are all correct answers. Optionally, the response identifiers included in the different groups are selected at random.

Optionally, the question identifier presented to the players is selected at random. In a second aspect the present invention provides a game apparatus including at least one response identifier; an area associated with the response identifier where a response to a question may be recorded. Optionally, the area is associated with the response identifier by being adjacent to the response identifier.

In a third aspect the present invention provides a game apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention when used to provide players with a group of response identifiers in a method for playing a game according to the first aspect of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the ^"accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a game apparatus according to the second aspect present invention; Figures 2, 3 and 4 depict game apparatus similar to that depicted in Figure 1, but with different groups of response identifiers.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to figure 1, a game apparatus is shown in the form of game card 10. Game card 10 includes response identifiers in the form of numbers 12. Each number 12 is associated with an area 14 where a response may be recorded by being adjacent to the area 14. The numbers appearing on game card 10 are selected at random. Figures 2, 3 and 4 show different game cards 10 bearing different numbers . To play a game, each player of the game is provided with a different group of response identifiers. This is achieved by distributing one game card 10 to each player where the game cards bear different groups of numbers 12. The numbers are selected at random from a range of numbers eg the numbers 1 to 40.

A set of questions is made ready for the game with known correct answers. The questions are associated with question identifiers in the form of numbers by being numbered sequentially with a range of numbers corresponding to the range of numbers used on the game cards. The set of questions and matching answers is available only to the game organiser, or quizmaster. Question identifiers, in the form of numbers, are associated with the questions. The numbers being in the range of numbers that were used in the game cards 10.

To begin the game a random number is generated within the range of game card numbers. This number can be generated by pulling a numbered token from a barrel, or by other suitable means such as an electronic random number generator. The quizmaster consults the set of questions and presents a question, along with the random number to the players by saying eg "This is question number 12" and then presenting the question. The players record a response to the question if they have a matching number 12 on their game card 10. After allowing time for players to record their responses, the quizmaster generates another random number and asks another question in the same manner as before. The game continues in this way. The order of asking the questions is recorded.

When a player has been asked questions along with numbers matching all of the numbers 12 on their game card 10 they indicate this to the quizmaster. This can be done by any convenient means such as raising one hand, calling out a pre-arranged word or sounding a buzzer. The quizmaster takes the game card 10 from the indicating player and continues to ask questions until all players have made an indication.

The responses recorded on the game cards are checked by the quizmaster to see if they are correct answers. The winner of the game is the earliest player to indicate, whose responses were all correct answers . While the game method above has been described by reference to a group of persons playing a game who are gathered together, the game may also be played interactively over remote means such as either wholly or as part of any form of TV game show, or a game conducted over a computer network such as the internet. In the case ^'of remote play, the indication provided by the players may also be provided over the remote means .

In the case of games played over remote means the game card 10 may be represented in electronic form. Responses from players may be recorded in any convenient form such as by keyboard text entry, or by making a multiple choice selection.

Whilst the above method has been described with reference to individual players, the players of the game can be teams of people.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A method of playing a game including the steps of: providing players of the game with different groups of response identifiers; presenting a question along with a question identifier to the players; the players record a response to the question if a response identifier matching the question identifier is present in their group of response identifiers; continuing to present questions to the players until a predetermined number of players indicate that they have been presented with question identifiers matching a predetermined number of their group of response identifiers; assessing whether the responses recorded by the indicating players are correct answers to the questions ; nominating a game winner from amongst the players according to predetermined criteria.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the question identifiers and response identifiers are numbers.

3. A method according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the predetermined number of response identifiers is all of the group of response identifiers .

4. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the predetermined number of players is all of the players.

5. A method according to any preceding claim further including the step of recording the order in which the questions are asked.

6. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the predetermined criteria includes the first player to provide an indication whose responses are all correct answers .

7. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the response identifiers included in the different groups are selected at random.

8. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the question identifier presented to the players is selected at random.

9. A game apparatus including: at least one response identifier; an area associated with the response identifier where a response to a question may be recorded.

10. A game apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the area is associated with the response identifier by being adjacent to the response identifier.

11. A game apparatus according to either of claim 9 or claim 10 when used to provide players with a group of • response identifiers in a method for playing a game according to any of claims 1 to 8.