Action figure game

Abstract

A method and an apparatus by which rules and record keeping in games employing figures as game pieces are incorporated onto the figures themselves. Counters or wheels keep track of a character's characteristics and how they change as a game progresses. Accessories can be added to the figures that change the characteristics of a character. The accessories also identify how the characteristics of a character are modified by adding the accessory.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An action figure for use in a game having rules of play, the action figure comprising: 
 a representational figure, the figure having characteristics according to the rules of the game; and    accessories mountable on the figure, the accessories identifying how the accessories modify the characteristics of the action figure in the game.    
     
     
         2 . The action figure of  claim 1 , wherein the action figure includes a base.  
     
     
         3 . The action figure of  claim 2 , wherein the base includes a self-contained record-keeping device, and wherein the record-keeping device adjustably displays variable information relating to the game.  
     
     
         4 . The action figure of  claim 3 , wherein the variable information identifies the current status of the characteristics of the action figure, unmodified by the accessories.  
     
     
         5 . The action figure of  claim 2 , wherein the base includes multiple record-keeping devices, and wherein the record-keeping devices selectively display variable information relating to the game.  
     
     
         6 . The action figure of  claim 5 , wherein the figure includes multiple parts and wherein the multiple record-keeping devices display variable information relating to the multiple parts of the figure.  
     
     
         7 . The action figure of  claim 6 , wherein each of the multiple parts of the figure corresponds to a separate one of the multiple record-keeping devices.  
     
     
         8 . The action figure of  claim 7 , wherein the multiple parts include a head, a torso, and arms.  
     
     
         9 . The action figure of  claim 1 , wherein the accessories include symbols, the symbols identifying how the accessories modify the characteristics of the action figure.  
     
     
         10 . The action figure of  claim 9 , wherein the symbols include a color.  
     
     
         11 . The action figure of  claim 9 , wherein the symbols include a number.  
     
     
         12 . The action figure of  claim 9 , wherein the symbols correspond to a specific die shape.  
     
     
         13 . The action figure of  claim 1 , wherein the accessories include a weapon.  
     
     
         14 . The action figure of  claim 1 , wherein the accessories include a shield.  
     
     
         15 . The action figure of  claim 1 , wherein the accessories include armor.  
     
     
         16 . An accessory mountable on an action figure for use in a game having rules of play, the action figure having characteristics according to the rules of play, the accessory comprising: 
 information identifying how the accessory modifies the characteristics of the action figure in the game.    
     
     
         17 . The accessory of  claim 16 , wherein the information includes a symbol.  
     
     
         18 . The accessory of  claim 17 , wherein the symbol includes a color.  
     
     
         19 . The accessory of  claim 17 , wherein the symbol includes a number.  
     
     
         20 . The accessory of  claim 17 , wherein the symbol includes a die shape.  
     
     
         21 . The accessory of  claim 16 , wherein the accessory is shaped to resemble a weapon.  
     
     
         22 . The accessory of  claim 16 , wherein the accessory is shaped to resemble a shield.  
     
     
         23 . The accessory of  claim 16 , wherein the accessory is shaped to resemble armor.  
     
     
         24 . A method for playing a game, the method comprising the acts of: 
 providing an action figure representing a character having characteristics;    engaging the action figure in play following a set of rules;    providing an accessory for use with the action figure; and    mounting the accessory on the action figure, the accessory indicating how the accessory modifies the characteristics.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising displaying information on the action figure relating to the characteristics of the character.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising varying the information displayed on the action figure.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein varying the information displayed on the action figure includes changing the current status of the characteristics during game play.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein providing an action figure includes providing an action figure that includes a self-contained record-keeping device that selectively displays the varied information on the action figure.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein providing an action figure includes providing an action figure having multiple parts and multiple record-keeping devices that selectively display varied information relating to multiple parts of the action figure.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein displaying the information includes displaying information relating to the multiple parts of the action figure.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein displaying the information includes displaying information relating to a head, a torso, and arms.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein mounting the accessory includes mounting a weapon on the action figure.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein mounting the accessory includes mounting a shield on the action figure.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein mounting the accessory includes mounting armor on the action figure.