Puzzle game apparatus and method of play

Abstract

The present invention provides a puzzle game apparatus and method of play, where in the game involves the construction of a jig-saw type puzzle. The game apparatus comprises a game board ( 10 ) having a number of task indicia ( 20 ) identified thereon which are arranged in a path formation. These task indicia may provide actions by which a player may acquire or relinquish playing pieces. The game board additionally includes a puzzle creation region ( 30 ) which is integrally part of the game board. The perimeter of the puzzle creation region has a number of attachment mechanisms ( 40 ) by which playing pieces are connected thereto. Each playing piece has a predetermined position within the puzzle creation region and has associated with it connection mechanisms which mate with adjacent playing pieces and/or the attachment mechanisms associated with the perimeter of the puzzle creation region. During play, a player moves their player identifier along the path formation acquiring or relinquishing playing pieces as indicated by the task indicia.

1 . A puzzle game apparatus comprising: 
 a) a game board including: 
 i) a plurality of task indicia identified thereon arranged in a path formation, wherein an action is associated with at least one task indicia, said action being performed during play of the game;  
 ii) a puzzle creation region integrally part of the game board, said puzzle creation region having a perimeter, said perimeter having a number of attachment means for interconnecting and retaining a number of playing pieces; and  
   b) a plurality of playing pieces each having a number of connection means for interconnection between playing pieces and each playing piece has a predetermined position within the puzzle creation region, wherein predetermined playing pieces interconnect with the attachment means associated with the perimeter of the puzzle creation region.    
   
   
       2 . The puzzle game apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a random determination device for controlling movement of a player's identifier along the path formation.  
   
   
       3 . The puzzle game apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the action associated with a task indicia involves a player acquiring or relinquishing one or more playing pieces.  
   
   
       4 . The puzzle game apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the puzzle creation region is divided into sections defined by at least two division indicators, wherein a particular section is assigned to a particular player.  
   
   
       5 . The puzzle game apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein upon placement of each playing piece at its predetermined position within the puzzle creation region, a 3 dimensional puzzle is created.  
   
   
       6 . The puzzle game apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the game board and the playing pieces have images thereon, said images associated with a particular theme.  
   
   
       7 . The puzzle game apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the random determination device is a die or a spinning selection device.  
   
   
       8 . A method of playing a puzzle construction game comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a game board comprising a plurality of task indicia thereon in a path formation and a puzzle creation region having associated attachment means;    b) providing a plurality of playing pieces each of which has a predetermined position within the puzzle creation region;    c) moving a player identifier along the path formation, thereby selecting a task indicia;    d) performing an action associated with the selected task indicia;    e) placing a playing piece within the puzzle creation region, wherein a playing piece can only be placed within the puzzle creation region if it interconnects with either another playing piece or the attachment means of the puzzle creation region;    f) performing steps d), e) and f), sequentially by each player following a predetermined order until a specified event occurs; and    g) determining a winner based on a predetermined criteria.    
   
   
       9 . The method of playing a puzzle creation game according to  claim 8 , wherein a random determination device is provided for controlling movement of the player identifier along said path formation.  
   
   
       10 . The method of playing a puzzle creation game according to  claim 8 , wherein the action associated with a task indicia involves a player acquiring or relinquishing one or more playing pieces.  
   
   
       11 . The method of playing a puzzle creation game according to  claim 8 , wherein the specified event involves the completion of a puzzle within the puzzle creation region.  
   
   
       12 . The method of playing a puzzle creation game according to  claim 8 , wherein the specified event involves all players being uable to place a playing piece in the puzzle creation region.  
   
   
       13 . The method of playing a puzzle creation game according to  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined criteria occurs when a particular player has placed playing pieces within the puzzle creation region covering a particular section of the puzzle creation region assigned to the particular player.  
   
   
       14 . The method of playing a puzzle creation game according to  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined criteria occurs when a particular player places a playing piece within the puzzle creation region such that no further playing pieces can be placed therein.