Highly Configurable Game System

Abstract

Methods and systems for versatile and scalable board games include a double dovetail scalable board, crown, bridge, and door game pieces, tilting mechanisms and game play, rolling sphere game play, and a marble kinetic timer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gameboard, comprising:
 a board;   a mechanism for tilting by which the board may be tilted toward or away from any one of at least three distinct edges;   a mechanism for holding the board indefinitely at rest, in a position tilted toward or away from any one of at least three distinct edges.   
     
     
         2 . The gameboard of  claim 1 , wherein the gameboard includes patterned securement mechanisms. 
     
     
         3 . The gameboard of  claim 2 , wherein the patterned securement mechanisms include at least one of extrusions, holes, magnets, and threaded receivers. 
     
     
         4 . The gameboard of  claim 1 , wherein the patterned extrusions or holes are holes. 
     
     
         5 . The gameboard of  claim 1 , further comprising channels. 
     
     
         6 . The gameboard of  claim 4 , wherein the patterned holes are sized such that they hold a rolling object in place. 
     
     
         7 . The gameboard of  claim 2 , wherein each of the patterned extrusions or holes is configured to secure a bridge, door, or crown. 
     
     
         8 . The gameboard of  claim 7 , wherein the bridge, door, or crown is stackable with each other and are configured to support at least one rolling object. 
     
     
         9 . The gameboard of  claim 8 , further comprising features for non-tilting board games. 
     
     
         10 . The gameboard of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for tilting comprises at least one of:
 a centralized support;   an edge support;   a magnet system;   a wheel and lever system; and   an apparatus for rotating the gameboard;   
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 using a tilting gameboard to play a game;   performing an action;   cycling the tilting to an adjacent tilted state;   wherein the gameboard comprises at least two tilted states.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the gameboard comprises at least two tilted states that are adjacent to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , where in the gameboard comprises at least three tilted states. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the gameboard includes at least one receiver for a component to affect the motion or position of a rolling object.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the component is one of a crown, a door, or a bridge. 
     
     
         16 . The method of claim,  11  wherein the gameboard maintains that at least three tilted states without human intervention. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising a double dovetail. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , comprising at least one double dovetail insert and one double dovetail slot. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , configured to be joined to one or more apparatuses with complementary double dovetail features to form a full or partial three-dimensional enclosure. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the apparatus is a four-sided shape, and   the apparatus comprises two sides each with two double dovetail inserts and two sides each with two double dovetail slots.