Educational and information-based board game

Abstract

A method and apparatus are described to promote understanding and empathy. The apparatus may include a game board apparatus in which multiple players engage and learn information about each other.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A board game apparatus for a number of players, the game designed to promote understanding and empathy among players, the apparatus comprising:
 a board game having an infinite path, the infinite path subdivided into a plurality of positions, individual positions of the plurality of positions related to one of a plurality of categories;   at least two game pieces positionable and movable on the game board;   at least two category question sets, each question set comprising an identifier corresponding to one of the plurality of categories and a question about a player and related to the one of the plurality of categories; and   a random number generator.   
     
     
         2 . The board game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two category question sets comprises at least two card sets, each card set corresponding to one of the plurality of categories, each card including a category identifier on a first side and a question about a player and related to the one of the plurality of categories on a second side. 
     
     
         3 . The board game apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a collection of freebies. 
     
     
         4 . The board game apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the freebies comprise promotional materials associated with one player. 
     
     
         5 . The board game apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second side of the card comprises a focus question in addition to the question about the player. 
     
     
         6 . The board game apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the question is directed at determining a strength or weakness of the player, and the focus question is directed at determining why the player has that strength or weakness. 
     
     
         7 . The board game apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the path comprises a juncture of more than two directions in which a player may choose to traverse. 
     
     
         8 . The board game apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the path comprises an infinite loop, ‘∞’. 
     
     
         9 . The board game apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of categories comprises entertainment, shopping, health, and food. 
     
     
         10 . The board game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the board game, at least two game pieces, and at least two category question sets are virtual and displayed to the user on a screen. 
     
     
         11 . A method of playing a board game for a number of players, the game designed to promote understanding and empathy among players, the method comprising:
 providing a board game apparatus, the board game apparatus, comprising:
 board game having an infinite path, the infinite path subdivided into a plurality of positions, individual positions of the plurality of positions related to one of a plurality of categories, 
 at least two game pieces positionable and movable on the game board, and 
 at least two card sets, each card set corresponding to one of the plurality of categories, each card including a category identifier on a first side and a question about a player and related to the one of the plurality of categories on a second side; 
   positioning the at least two game pieces on individual positions of the infinite path;   asking the player a first question from a card set corresponding to the category of the individual position in which a game piece of the player resides.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the player tracks which categories the player has answered questions. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the board game apparatus comprises a random number generator and the method further comprises the player generating a number with the random number generator, moving the game piece of the player a corresponding number of sequential positions along the path, to reside at the individual position to determine the category. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the path comprises two or more alternative paths, and the player may choose any path direction. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the player is asked a focus question from the card set corresponding to the category of the individual position in which the game piece of the player resides, the focus question related to the first question. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first question is directed at determining a strength or weakness of the player, and the focus question is directed at determining why the player has that strength or weakness. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising awarding freebies when a second individual position in which the game piece of the player resides comprises a special designation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the freebies comprise promotional materials associated with one player.