Build construction game and method of playing the same

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a connecting game comprising a plurality tiles or bricks. The game is based on the aspects of building construction wherein the bricks have either a complimentary key or slot configuration. A successful connection is made and points scored when the key of one brick is connected to a slot of a second brick or vice versa. The game may be played horizontally at a beginner's level and for the more advanced player, in three-dimensional space not limited to merely stacking bricks flat but in numerous three dimensional connections and orientations. Each brick is played with the goal of making the most key to slot connections in a single move.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A design, build construction game for play in three dimensions, the game comprising: a set of rules, a plurality of bricks each brick having at least one long side surface, at least one upper/top surface, and at least one shorter end surface, wherein forming a part of at least one upper surface of each brick is at least one bit, the at least one bit having either a key or slot configuration, and wherein when the key of one brick is coupled to the slot of another brick, a connection is made, and further wherein the key of one brick and the slot of another brick may within the rules of the game make at least the following types of connections, each type of connection being distinct:
 both bricks flat and adjacent at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick adjacent and upright at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick atop the end of the upper surface and upright at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick atop a non-end portion of the upper surface and upright at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick adjacent and on the side at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick on the side atop the upper surface at the connection,   one brick on the side and the other brick on the side and atop at the connection.   
     
     
         2 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bricks are substantially rectangular in shape and having bottom surface, a second side surface, and a second end surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . The game of  claim 2 , wherein a mirror image of the at least one bit forming a part of the top surface forms a part of the bottom surface. 
     
     
         4 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein each brick includes a plurality of bits. 
     
     
         5 . The game of  claim 4 , wherein each brick includes between 2 and 8 bits. 
     
     
         6 . The game of  claim 5 , wherein each brick includes 8 bits. 
     
     
         7 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein each brick is partitioned into equal halves, each half including at least one bit. 
     
     
         8 . The game of  claim 7 , wherein each half includes a plurality of bits. 
     
     
         9 . The game of  claim 8 , wherein each half includes between 2 and 4 bits. 
     
     
         10 . The game of  claim 9 , wherein each half includes 4 bits. 
     
     
         11 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of connections forms a three dimensional structure. 
     
     
         12 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the game includes at least 50 bricks. 
     
     
         13 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein there is a plurality of bit configurations. 
     
     
         14 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bricks are designed with a visual indicator, the visual indicator selected from at least one member of the group consisting of color, design, letters, texture, and numbers. 
     
     
         15 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bricks includes electronic components selected from at least one member of the group consisting of a sound emitting device, illumination device, and a radio frequency identifier chip. 
     
     
         16 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the game is played electronically on a device selected from a member of the group consisting of mobile phone devices, smart phone devices, computing devices, mobile game stations, personal gaming devices, and arcade games. 
     
     
         17 . The game of  claim 16 , wherein the game is played by a plurality of players over a computer network, wherein the device selected from a member of the group consisting of mobile phone devices, smart phone devices, computing devices, mobile game stations, personal gaming devices, and arcade games is connected to the computer network by a cellular broadband connection, a cable modem, a DSL modem, a dial-up modem, or a wireless router. 
     
     
         18 . A design, build construction game comprising: a plurality of bricks having top/upper and bottom surfaces, a plurality of sides and a plurality of ends, wherein forming a part of the top and bottom surface of each brick is at least one bit, the at least one bit having either a key or slot configuration, and wherein when the key of one brick is coupled to the slot of another brick, a connection is made; at least one playing rack for organizing a player's bricks; at least one game card including instructions and visual descriptions for playing a three-dimensional game; and further comprising a set of rules, wherein the key of one brick and the slot of another brick may within the rules of the game make at least the following types of connections, each type of connection being distinct:
 both bricks flat and adjacent at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick adjacent and upright at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick atop the end of the upper surface and upright at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick atop a non-end portion of the upper surface and upright at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick adjacent and on the side at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick on the side atop the upper surface at the connection,   one brick on the side and the other brick on the side and atop at the connection.   
     
     
         19 . A method of playing a design, build construction game, for first and second players, said method comprising the steps of: each such player and/or team selecting game bricks having thereon at least one bit, each bit having thereon at least one key/lock; positioning a first game brick representing the first such player's move; a second such player establishing a connection to the first game brick; the first such player establishing a connection to the second such player's connection; the first such player and the second such player alternating turns making connections among the game bricks; and awarding points to the first and the second such players for a successful connection of the game bricks, wherein the key of one brick and the slot of another brick may make at least the following types of connections, each type of connection being distinct:
 both bricks flat and adjacent at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick adjacent and upright at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick atop the end of the upper surface and upright at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick atop a non-end portion of the upper surface and upright at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick adjacent and on the side at the connection,   one brick flat and the other brick on the side atop the upper surface at the connection,   one brick on the side and the other brick on the side and atop at the connection.