Method of Simultaneous Multidirectional Word Construction Gameplay for Multiple Players

Abstract

A method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users provides a process by which users construct a plurality of word formations connecting with an initial word formation to gain points. A game layout comprises a plurality of bounded spaces, forming a uniform grid. Character tiles are placed within the bounded spaces to form words. All users create word formations using the same set of letters. Each user creates word formations on a personal user board simultaneously with the other users. Gameplay proceeds in rounds. The word formations of the highest scoring user in a round are transferred to the game layout, and are used as the initial word formation for the subsequent round. A plurality of scoring methods include fixed point values for character tiles and creating word formations in specific manners relative to special score modification tiles placed around the game layout.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users comprises the steps of:
 providing a game layout, wherein the game layout comprises a plurality of bounded spaces;   providing a plurality of character tiles,   wherein each of the plurality of character tiles displays a single alphabetic character;   wherein each of the plurality of character tiles may be placed within one of the plurality of bounded spaces;   providing a character tile repository, wherein the character tile repository initially contains the plurality of character tiles;   providing a plurality of user boards, wherein each of the plurality of user boards is a scale version of the game layout and a user board is provided to each user;   providing a plurality of score modification tiles;   establishing a set of preliminary game characteristics with other users;   determining an initial word formation;   randomly attaining a set of current playing tiles from the character tile repository, wherein all users create word formations using the set of current playing tiles;   viewing the set of current playing tiles;   beginning a play turn simultaneously with the other users;   creating a plurality of word formations from the current playing tiles by connecting the current playing tiles to the initial word formation while the other users simultaneously create word formations from the current playing tiles, wherein each user creates the plurality of word formations on the user board;   ending the play turn simultaneously with the other users;   calculating a personal turn score;   adding the personal turn score to a personal accumulated score;   announcing the personal turn score to the other users and acquiring additional turn scores of the other users;   determining a highest scoring user for the play turn;   transferring the plurality of word formations from the user board of the highest scoring user to the game layout in order to initialize a subsequent play turn;   repeating play turn cycles if game conclusion conditions have not been met; and   winning the game by concluding the game with the highest personal accumulated score.   
     
     
         2 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the steps of:
 establishing standard scoring rules and score modification rules for creating word formations; 
 placing each of the plurality of score modification tiles around the game layout, 
 beginning the game with an initial score of zero; 
 establishing a list of acceptable word formations; and 
 establishing a game competency level, wherein different game competency levels determine various gameplay characteristics including the number of character tiles in the set of current playing tiles, acceptable orientations for word formations, acceptable word formation operations, and acceptable theme word categories. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 forming the initial word formation by randomly drawing character tiles from the character tile repository; and 
 placing the initial word formation on the game layout. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the steps of:
 providing a word formation repository, wherein the word formation repository contains a plurality of ready-made word formations; 
 selecting the initial word formation from the word formation repository; and 
 placing the initial word formation on the game layout. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 beginning the play turn by engaging a timing mechanism. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 creating a new word formation across a specific score modification tile that meets scoring requirements of the specific score modification tile. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 6  comprises the step of:
 creating a new word formation by altering an existing word formation atop a specific score modification tile. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 6  comprises the step of:
 creating a themed word formation atop a themed tile, wherein the themed tile is a specific score modification tile. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 ending the play turn by disengaging a timing mechanism. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 ending the play turn by creating word formations using all of the current play tiles before the other users create word formations using all of the current play tiles; and 
 receiving a large point value for using all of the current play tiles. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the steps of:
 providing a scoring sheet; 
 receiving a plurality of point values for each word formation according to established scoring rules; 
 accumulating the plurality of point values for each of the plurality of word formations to produce a personal turn score; and 
 recording the personal turn score on the scoring sheet. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 comparing the personal turn score to the additional turn scores of the other users to identify a highest turn score; and 
 designating the user with the highest turn score as the highest scoring user. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 doubling the point value received for a new word formation, if the new word formation is oriented in a diagonal manner and if the new word formation is made atop a diagonal word score modification tile. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 doubling the point value received for a new word formation, if the new word formation is created by replacing a character tile in an existing word formation and if the new word formation is made atop a replace letter score modification tile. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 doubling the point value received for a new word formation, if the new word formation is created by adding a character tile to an existing word formation and if the new word formation is made atop an add letter score modification tile. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 doubling the point value received for a new word formation, if the new word formation is created by rearranging the character tiles of an existing word formation and if the new word formation is made atop a rearrange characters score modification tile. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 doubling the point value received for a new word formation, if the new word formation may be read backwards as an additional word formation and if the new word formation is made atop a read backwards score modification tile. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 quadrupling the point value received for three or more word formations, if the three or more word formations share a common character tile and if the common character tile is atop a converging score modification tile. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 receiving a large point value for creating a themed word formation, if the themed word formation is made atop a mismatching themed score modification tile, wherein the theme of the themed word formation does not match the theme of the mismatching themed score modification tile. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of simultaneous multidirectional word construction gameplay for multiple users as claimed in  claim 1  comprises the step of:
 receiving a very large point value for creating a themed word formation, if the themed word formation is made atop a matching themed score modification tile, wherein the theme of the themed word formation matches the theme of the matching themed score modification tile.