Word ladder game

Abstract

A method is provided of playing a game that includes selecting a word puzzle having a start word and a final goal word. The word puzzle is solved by making one or more plays to transform the start word to the final goal word. A first play includes transforming the start word to a first intermediate word or the final goal word and, if the final goal word is not achieved through the first play, making a second play by transforming the first intermediate word to a second intermediate word or the final goal word, and repeating until the game ends, once the final goal word is achieved or another game-ending event occurs. The word puzzle enables each incremental transformation to be done by a plurality of selected transformation modes, and moreover, the word puzzle may include multiple goal words and/or multiple final words as well as shape play aspects.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of playing a game, comprising:
 selecting a word puzzle having a start word and a final goal word;   solving the word puzzle through making one or more plays, the solving further comprising:
 making a first play which includes transforming the start word to a first intermediate word or the final goal word; 
 if the final goal word is not achieved through the first play, making a second play by transforming the first intermediate word to a second intermediate word or the final goal word; 
 if the final goal word is not achieved through the second play, transforming the second intermediate word to one or more subsequent intermediate words through one or more subsequent plays to reach the final goal word; and 
 ending the game once the final goal word is achieved or one of the following events occurs: a predetermined time period expires before the final goal word is achieved; a number of plays exceeds a predetermined number of plays; the start word or an intermediate word is repeated; an intermediate word breaks a restriction on a number of letters allowed for the intermediate word; an intermediate word that must be achieved before the final goal word is not achieved; an intermediate word that must not be achieved before the final goal word is achieved; a letter that must be played before the final goal word is achieved is not played; or a letter that must not be played before the final goal word is achieved is played; 
   wherein each play is defined as an incremental transformation of a word, the word being either the start word or the one or more intermediate words; and   wherein each incremental transformation of the word is selected from one of the following transformation modes, with each transformation mode being enabled as a choice for each incremental transformation of the word:   adding at least one letter to the word;   removing at least one letter from the word;   changing at least one letter of the word;   adding a prefix to the word;   removing a prefix from the word;   changing a prefix of the word;   adding a suffix to the word;   removing a suffix to the word;   changing a suffix of the word;   combining another word with the word to form a compound word;   splitting the word into two words and using one of the two words;   pluralizing the word;   singularizing the word;   switching positions of neighboring letters of the word;   adding double letters to the word;   removing double letters to the word;   changing double letters to the word;   adding two or more letters to the word;   removing two or more letters to the word;   changing two or more letters to the word;   rearranging letters of the word;   reversing letters of the word;   substituting the word with a homophone of the word; and   replacing all letters between a first and a last letter of the word.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the start word and the final goal word are related in one or more of the following ways:
 the start word and the final goal word are synonyms;   the start word is the plural of the final goal word, and vice versa;   the start word and the final goal word are part of an expression, defined by one or more of: an aphorism, a cliché, an epigram, an epitaph, an epithet, an idiom, a mantra, a maxim, a motto, a quip, or a witticism;   the start word and the final goal word sound alike;   the meaning of the final goal word is different compared to the meaning of the start word in that one means a physical transformation of the other, and vice versa;   the meaning of the final goal word is related to the meaning of the start word such that each is a species of a larger genus;   the final goal word is a compound word including the start word;   the start word and the final goal word are related to the other by age;   the start word and the final goal word are related to the other by size;   the start word and the final goal word are related to the other by location;   the start word and the final goal word are related to the other by object to its use, and vice versa;   the start word and the final goal word are related to the other by source to object, and vice versa;   the start word is the something and the final goal word is nothing, and vice versa;   the start word and the final goal word are related to the other by steps in a cycle;   the start word and the final goal word are related to the other by parts to a whole, and vice versa;   the start word and the final goal word are antonyms;   the start word and the final goal word are parts of a progression;   the start word and the final goal word are parts of a hybrid;   the final goal words are parts of a recipe for food stuff; and   the final goal words are parts of a process.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the word puzzle includes multiple goal words, and solving the word puzzle through making one or more plays further comprises:
 making a first play which includes transforming the start word to a first intermediate word or a first goal word;   if the first goal word is not achieved through the first play, making a second play by transforming the first intermediate word to a second intermediate word or the first goal word;   if the first goal word is not achieved through the second play, transforming the second intermediate word to one or more subsequent intermediate words through one or more subsequent plays to reach the first goal word;   transforming the first goal word to the final goal word through one or more plays; and   ending the game once the final goal word is achieved or one of the following events occurs: a predetermined time period expires before the final goal word is achieved; the number of plays exceeds a predetermined number of plays;   the start word or an intermediate word is repeated; an intermediate word breaks a restriction on a number of letters allowed for the intermediate word; an intermediate word that must be achieved before the final goal word is not achieved; an intermediate word that must not be achieved before the final goal word is achieved; a letter that must be played before the final goal word is achieved is not played; or a letter that must not be played before the final goal word is achieved is played.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the start word comprises a single letter and the final goal word comprises multiple letters. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the start word comprises multiple letters and the final goal word comprises a single letter. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the start word, each intermediate word, and the final goal word are vertically aligned on a playing board. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the playing board comprises a background image that corresponds to at least one of the start word, one of the intermediate words, the final goal word, or a hint to solving the word puzzle, with the start word, each intermediate word, and the final goal word being aligned vertically on the background image. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the background image comprises a grid having rows and columns formed of repeating shapes with each repeating shape containing one letter of the start word, each intermediate word, and the final goal word. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the playing board comprises a background image and a grid having rows formed of repeating shapes with each repeating shape containing one letter of the start word, each intermediate word, and the final goal word, and wherein the repeating shapes of the grid correspond to at least one of the start word or the final goal word. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the playing board comprises a grid having rows and columns formed of repeating shapes with each repeating shape containing one letter of the start word, and wherein the letters forming the start word, each intermediate word, and the final goal word such that the grid forms a shape that corresponds to at least one of the start word, one of the intermediate words, the final goal word, or a letter shape. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the letters of each of the vertically aligned words are offset laterally by one or more shapes from each other within the grid such that an outline of the vertically aligned words forms the shape that corresponds to at least one of the start word or the final goal word. 
     
     
         12 . A method of playing a game, comprising:
 selecting a word puzzle having a start word and multiple goal words including a final goal word, wherein the start word and the goal words are related in one or more of the following ways:
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are synonyms; 
 the start word is the plural of at least one of the goal words, and vice versa; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are part of an expression, defined by one or more of: an aphorism, a cliché, an epigram, an epitaph, an epithet, an idiom, a mantra, a maxim, a motto, a quip, or a witticism; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words sound alike; 
 the meaning of at least one of the goal words is different compared to the meaning of the start word in that one means a physical transformation of the other, and vice versa; 
 the meaning of at least one of the goal words is related to one another such that each of the goal words is a species of a larger genus; 
 at least one of the goal words is a compound word including the start word; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by age; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by size; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by location; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by object to its use, and vice versa; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by source to object, and vice versa; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are nothing, and vice versa; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by steps in a cycle; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by parts to a whole, and vice versa; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are antonyms; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are parts of a progression; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are parts of a hybrid; 
 at least one of the goal words are parts of a recipe for food stuff; 
 at least one of the final goal words are parts of a process; and 
 each of the goal words is a compound word including the start word; 
   solving the word puzzle through making one or more plays, the solving further comprising:
 making a first play which includes transforming the start word to a first intermediate word or a first goal word; 
 if the first goal word is not achieved through the first play, making a second play by transforming the first intermediate word to a second intermediate word or the first goal word; 
 if the first goal word is not achieved through the second play, transforming the second intermediate word to one or more subsequent intermediate words through one or more subsequent plays to reach the first goal word; 
 transforming the first goal word to a final goal word through one or more plays; and 
 ending the game once the first goal word is achieved followed by the final goal word, or one of the following events occurs: a predetermined time period expires before the final goal word is achieved; a number of plays exceeds a predetermined number of plays; or the start word, one of the goal words, an intermediate word is repeated; an intermediate word breaks a restriction on a number of letters allowed for the intermediate word; an intermediate word that must be achieved before the final goal word is not achieved; an intermediate word that must not be achieved before the final goal word is achieved; a letter that must be played before the final goal word is achieved is not played; or a letter that must not be played before the final goal word is achieved is played; 
   wherein each play is defined as an incremental transformation of a word, the word being either the start word, the one or more intermediate words, the first goal word, or one or more intermediate goal words, the incremental transformation defined by adding or removing one or more letters from the word, or changing one or more letters of the word.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each incremental transformation of the word is selected from any one of the following transformation modes:
 adding at least one letter to the word;   removing at least one letter from the word;   changing at least one letter of the word;   adding a prefix to the word;   removing a prefix from the word;   changing a prefix of the word;   adding a suffix to the word;   removing a suffix to the word;   changing a suffix of the word;   combining another word with the word to form a compound word;   splitting the word into two words and using one of the two words;   pluralizing the word;   singularizing the word;   switching positions of neighboring letters of the word;   adding double letters to the word;   removing double letters to the word;   changing double letters to the word;   adding two or more letters to the word;   removing two or more letters to the word;   changing two or more letters to the word;   rearranging letters of the word;   reversing letters of the word;   substituting the word with a homophone of the word; and   replacing all letters between a first and a last letter of the word.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the multiple goal words include at least the first goal word, a second goal word, and the final goal word. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of solving the word puzzle includes making a predetermined number of total plays, the solving further comprising:
 making the first play which includes transforming the start word to the first intermediate word;   making one or more subsequent plays, transforming the first intermediate word to one or more subsequent intermediate words to reach the first goal word in a first predetermined number of plays;   transforming the first goal word to the final goal word through a second predetermined number of plays; and   ending the game once the first goal word and the final goal word are achieved in a total predetermined number of plays which is a sum of the first predetermined number of plays and the second predetermined number of plays, or the number of plays exceeds the first predetermined number of plays without achieving the first goal word or the second predetermined number of plays without achieving the final goal word.   
     
     
         16 . A method of playing a game, comprising:
 selecting a word puzzle having a first start word and multiple goal words;   solving the word puzzle through making one or more plays, the solving further comprising:
 making a first play which includes transforming the first start word to a first intermediate word or a first goal word; 
 if the first goal word is not achieved through the first play, making a second play by transforming the first intermediate word to a second intermediate word or the first goal word; 
 if the first goal word is not achieved through the second play, transforming the second intermediate word to one or more subsequent intermediate words through one or more subsequent plays to reach the first goal word; 
 transforming the first goal word to a final goal word through one or more plays; and 
 ending the game once the final goal word is achieved or one of the following events occurs: a predetermined time period expires before the final goal word is achieved; a number of plays exceeds a predetermined number of plays; the first start word or an intermediate word is repeated; an intermediate word breaks a restriction on a number of letters allowed for the intermediate word; an intermediate word that must be achieved before the final goal word is not achieved; an intermediate word that must not be achieved before the final goal word is achieved; a letter that must be played before the final goal word is achieved is not played; a letter that must not be played before the final goal word is achieved is played; or an intermediate word breaks a restriction on a number of letters allowed for each word based on a shape of the word puzzle; 
   wherein each play is defined as an incremental transformation of a word, the word being either the first start word, the one or more intermediate words, or the first goal word, the incremental transformation defined by adding or removing one or more letters from the word, or changing one or more letters of the word; and   wherein the first start word, each intermediate word, and each goal word are vertically aligned on a playing board such that, as the first start word is transformed to the final goal word through plays to solve the word puzzle, letters forming the first start word, each intermediate word, and each goal word, form a shape of the word puzzle that corresponds to at least one of the first start word, the first goal word, one or more intermediate goal words, or the final goal word, a letter, symbol, or character shape, or a letter abbreviation of a word included in a title of the puzzle.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein each incremental transformation of the word is selected from any one of the following transformation modes:
 adding at least one letter to the word;
 adding at least one letter to the word; 
 removing at least one letter from the word; 
 changing at least one letter of the word; 
 adding a prefix to the word; 
 removing a prefix from the word; 
 changing a prefix of the word; 
 adding a suffix to the word; 
 removing a suffix to the word; 
 changing a suffix of the word; 
 combining another word with the word to form a compound word; 
 splitting the word into two words and using one of the two words; 
 pluralizing the word; 
 singularizing the word; 
 switching positions of neighboring letters of the word; 
 adding double letters to the word; 
 removing double letters to the word; 
 changing double letters to the word; 
 adding two or more letters to the word; 
 removing two or more letters to the word; 
 changing two or more letters to the word; 
 rearranging letters of the word; 
 reversing letters of the word; 
 substituting the word with a homophone of the word; and 
 replacing all letters between a first and a last letter of the word. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein two or more of the goal words are related in one or more of the following ways:
 the first start word and at least one of the goal words are synonyms;   the first start word is the plural of at least one of the goal words, and vice versa;   the first start word and at least one of the goal words are part of an expression, defined by one or more of: an aphorism, a cliché, an epigram, an epitaph, an epithet, an idiom, a mantra, a maxim, a motto, a quip, or a witticism;   the first start word and at least one of the goal words sound alike;   the meaning of at least one of the goal words is different compared to the meaning of the first start word in that one means a physical transformation of the other, and vice versa;   the meaning of the start word and at least one of the goal words is related to one another such that each is a species of a larger genus;   at least one of the goal words is a compound word including the start word;   the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by age;   the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by size;   the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by location;   the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by object to its use, and vice versa;   the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by source to object, and vice versa;   the start word is the something and at least one of the goal words is nothing, and vice versa;   the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by steps in a cycle;   the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by parts to a whole, and vice versa;   the start word and at least one of the goal words are antonyms;   the start word and at least one of the goal words are parts of a progression;   the start word and at least one of the goal words are parts of a hybrid;   the final goal words are parts of a recipe for food stuff; and   the start word and at least one of the goal words are parts of a process.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first start word comprises a single letter and the final goal word comprises multiple letters. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the playing board comprises a grid having rows and columns formed of repeating shapes with each repeating shape containing one letter of the first start word, each intermediate word, and the final goal word. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein a shape of the grid forms the shape that corresponds to at least one of the first start word, the first goal word, one or more intermediate goal words, the final goal word, the letter, symbol, or character shape, or the letter abbreviation of the word included in the title of the puzzle. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the word puzzle further comprises a second start word and a first and a second goal word, the solving further comprising:
 making two first plays which include transforming the first start word to a first intermediate word or the first goal word and transforming the second start word to a first intermediate word or the second goal word;   if the first goal word is not achieved through the first play, making a second play by transforming the first intermediate word to a second intermediate word or the first goal word, and if the second goal word is not achieved through the first play, making a second play by transforming the first intermediate word to a second intermediate word or the second goal word;   if the first or second goal words are not achieved through the second plays, transforming each of the second intermediate words to one or more subsequent intermediate words through one or more subsequent plays to reach the first or the second goal words;   transforming the first goal word to a first final intermediate word through one or more plays and transforming the second goal word to a second final intermediate word through one or more plays, wherein the first final intermediate word and the second final intermediate word together form the final goal word; and   ending the game once the first goal word and the second goal word are achieved, followed by the final goal word, or the first start word, the second start word, one of the first or the second goal words, or an intermediate word is repeated.   
     
     
         23 . A method of playing a game, comprising:
 selecting a word puzzle having a start word and multiple goal words including a final goal word, each goal word defining an individual sub-puzzle, wherein the start word and the goal words are related, or the goal words are related, in one or more of the following ways:
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are synonyms; 
 the start word is the plural of at least one of the goal words, and vice versa; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are part of an expression, defined by one or more of: an aphorism, a cliché, an epigram, an epitaph, an epithet, an idiom, a mantra, a maxim, a motto, a quip, or a witticism; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words sound alike; 
 the meaning of at least one of the goal words is different compared to the meaning of the start word in that one means a physical transformation of the other, and vice versa; 
 the meaning of the start word and at least one of the goal words is related to one another such that each is a species of a larger genus; 
 at least one of the goal words is a compound word including the start word; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by age; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by size; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by location; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by object to its use, and vice versa; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by source to object, and vice versa; 
 the start word is the something and at least one of the goal words is nothing, and vice versa; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by steps in a cycle; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are related to the other by parts to a whole, and vice versa; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are antonyms; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are parts of a progression; 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are parts of a hybrid; 
 the final goal words are parts of a recipe for food stuff; and 
 the start word and at least one of the goal words are parts of a process; 
   solving the word puzzle through making one or more plays, the solving further comprising:
 making multiple first plays which include transforming the start word to multiple intermediate words or the multiple goal words, each intermediate word being part of each individual sub-puzzle; 
 if any of the multiple goal words is not achieved through each first play, making second plays by transforming each of the intermediate words of each individual sub-puzzle to a second intermediate word or the multiple goal words; 
 if any of the multiple goal words is not achieved through the second play, transforming each second intermediate word to one or more subsequent intermediate words through one or more subsequent plays to reach each of the multiple goal words of each individual sub-puzzle; and 
 ending the game once each of the multiple goal words is achieved or one of the following events occurs: a predetermined time period expires before each of the multiple goal words is achieved; a number of plays exceeds a predetermined number of plays; the start word or an intermediate word is repeated for each sub-puzzle; the start word or an intermediate word is repeated for each sub-puzzle; an intermediate word breaks a restriction on a number of letters allowed for the intermediate word; an intermediate word that must be achieved before the final goal word is not achieved; an intermediate word that must not be achieved before the final goal word is achieved; a letter that must be played before the final goal word is achieved is not played; or a letter that must not be played before the final goal word is achieved is played; 
   wherein each play is defined as an incremental transformation of a word, the word being either the start word or the one or more intermediate words for each sub-puzzle, the incremental transformation defined by adding or removing one or more letters from the word, or changing one or more letters of the word; and   wherein the start word, each intermediate word of each sub-puzzle, and each of the multiple goal words of each sub-puzzle are vertically aligned on a playing board with each sub-puzzle being separated by one or more grid lines.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein each incremental transformation of the word is selected from any one of the following ways:
 adding at least one letter to the word;   removing at least one letter from the word;   changing at least one letter of the word;   adding a prefix to the word;   removing a prefix from the word;   changing a prefix of the word;   adding a suffix to the word;   removing a suffix to the word;   changing a suffix of the word;   combining another word with the word to form a compound word;   splitting the word into two words and using one of the two words;   pluralizing the word;   singularizing the word;   switching positions of neighboring letters of the word;   adding double letters to the word;   removing double letters to the word;   changing double letters to the word;   adding two or more letters to the word;   removing two or more letters to the word;   changing two or more letters to the word;   rearranging letters of the word;   reversing letters of the word;   substituting the word with a homophone of the word; and   replacing all letters between a first and a last letter of the word.