US 4,378,118 A · Action game

Abstract

An action game for at least two players comprising at least two sets of organized picture generating elements, for example books or card decks, which illustrate interaction between objects controlled by the players, for example at least two airplanes in a game simulating aerial combat. Each element such as a book page includes a picture of one game object as seen from the other game object controlled by one of the players, and each element depicts a different spatial relationship between the game objects. Each element also includes a plurality of maneuver symbols spaced from the picture and each indicating a different maneuver selectable for the game object controlled by the player viewing the picture and controlling the object from which the view is seen. Each element also includes a plurality of destination symbols, for example page numbers, one for each maneuver symbol and located in spaced, proximate relation to and in visual correspondence with the maneuver symbols. The destination symbols serve as pointers to particular ones of the picture generating elements as determined by player selection of the maneuver symbols. The destination symbols are provided by a method and apparatus utilizing a graphical network of identical geometric figures, for example equilateral polygons, the particular figure selected to approximate the motions and facings of the game objects and the network including a defined portion in space representing the field of view from a game object.

Claims8

Dependent claims

An action game-type activity for at least two players comprising:

(a) first means for generating a plurality of visual representations of two relatively movable and interacting game objects controlled by the two players, said generating means comprising a plurality of consecutively ordered picture generating elements, each element including a picture of one game object as seen from the other game object controlled by one of the players, each element depicting a different spatial relationship between the game objects;
(b) second means for generating a plurality of visual representations of two relatively movable and interacting game objects controlled by the two players, said generating means comprising a plurality of consecutively ordered picture generating elements, each element including a picture of the other game object as seen from the one game object controlled by another of the players, each element depicting a different spatial relationship between the game objects;
(c) a plurality of symbols of a first type on said picture generating elements each indicating a different selectable maneuver for the game object controlled by the player viewing the picture and controlling the object from which the picture is seen;
and
(d) a plurality of symbols of a second type on said picture generating elements in spaced, proximate relation to said first type symbols, there being one second type symbol for each first type symbol and located in visual correspondence therewith, said second type symbols serving as pointers to particular other ones of said picture generating elements as determined by selection of said maneuver symbols.

2 more elements

A method of making a game of the type wherein a plurality of sets of organized picture generating elements illustrate the interaction between game objects controlled by the player and show each player his own point of view of the action and allow each player his own choice of future actions, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a grid comprising a pattern of interconnected geometric figures of the same size and shape, the grid pattern being selected to approximate motion and facing of said game objects;
(b) providing a transparency having a geometric pattern thereon identical to the pattern of said grid;
(c) defining a process calculating arrangement on said grid and on said transparency by outlining the periphery of the geometric figures surrounding a single, central geometric figure;
(d) determining the total number of picture generating elements in each set as the product of the number of geometric figures in said process calculating arrangement times the number of sides of any one geometric figure in said arrangement;
(e) preparing a listing of facing identifications of each of the geometric figures in said process calculating arrangement and randomly assigning a first series of different numbers to said facing identifications, there being one number assigned to each facing identification up to the previously determined total number of picture generating elements;
(f) assigning a second series of different numbers to said facing identifications in said listing, one number to each identification up to said total number of picture generating elements, by utilizing said transparency and said grid to develop a relationship between said facing identifications and the numbers in said first series to generate the numbers in said second series;
(g) providing a plurality of maneuver symbols each comprising a graphical representation of a game object maneuver and each identified by the facing within the process calculating arrangement wherein the game object would be located after the corresponding maneuver, each maneuver being determined by a relationship between the movement capabilities of the game object and said process calculating arrangement;
(h) providing a plurality of picture generating elements each containing a pictorial representation of one game object as viewed from the other and each having said maneuver symbols thereon in spaced relation to said pictorial representation and arranging said elements into separate sets depending upon which game object the pictorial representation is viewed from;
(i) preparing a maneuver code defining a relationship between all of said maneuvers and the facings of said figures of said process calculating arrangement encountered by said maneuver when initiated from the same point within said arrangement;
(j) preparing a listing of maneuver destinations for each game object from said maneuver code and said listing of facing identifications;
and
(k) recording said maneuver destinations on said picture generating elements in correspondence with said maneuver symbols and arranging said picture generating elements sequentially in each of said sets.

9 more elements

Apparatus for making a game of the type wherein a plurality of sets of organized picture generating elements illustrate the interaction between objects controlled by the players and show each player his own point of view of the action and allow each player his own choice of future actions, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a grid comprising a first sheet element provided with a pattern thereon of interconnected geometric figures of the same size and shape;
(b) a transparency comprising a second sheet element of transparent material having a geometric pattern thereon identical to said pattern on said first sheet member;
(c) said patterns of said grid and said transparency each containing a defined process calculating arrangement including a central figure and the figures surrounding the central figure and contiguous with the sides of the central figure;
(d) a first record member containing a listing of the facing identifications of each of the geometric figures in said process calculating arrangement, a randomly assigned first series of different numbers arranged in correspondence with said listing and a second series of different numbers arranged in correspondence with said listing and generated from a relationship between said facing identifications and said numbers of said first series developed by utilizing said grid and said transparency;
(e) a second record member containing a listing of the facing identifications of each of the geometric figures in said process calculating arrangement and a maneuver code defining a relationship between symbols representing maneuvers of said objects and the facings of said figures of said process calculating arrangement encountered during said maneuvers when initiated from the same point within said arrangement;
and
(f) third and fourth record members, each comprising a listing of the picture generating elements of a corresponding one of said sets, each further comprising destination identifications corresponding to said maneuver symbols for each of said picture generating elements and derived from said maneuver code and said facing identifications.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Action game

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Action game

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Abstract

Claims8