EP0007322B1

EP0007322B1 - A board game device

Info

Publication number: EP0007322B1
Application number: EP19780101438
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dr. Syed Riaz Hussain Shah
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-07-26
Filing date: 1978-11-22
Publication date: 1982-03-31
Also published as: EP0007322A1; DE2861710D1

Description

The present invention relates to a board game device according to the preamble of claim 1.
Such a board game device is known for example from the U.S. Patent 3,889,954. That game includes a board with marked spaces or areas constituting a path of progression about the board. A portion of the spaces are designated for various property locations such as particular gambling hotels, restaurants, and the like. Spaces are also designated for certain reward/penalty spaces, such as "Pass", "Don't Pass", "Income Tax", "Go To Jail", etc. Playing pieces are provided with one piece representing each player, and chance taking apparatus, such as dice, determine the movement of each piece about the board. The game further includes a medium of payment, such as taken money, and ownership indicators, such as title cards, for properties that may be purchased. Additional chance taking apparatus, such as cards, a roulette wheel, or the like, are provided to determine the payments from a player whose playing piece at the end of a particular cycle of movement comes to rest on a particular location.
Board game devices of that type for entertainment, competition and educational benefits are very popular and well-known; and various types of board games are commercially available and several patents have been issued on various board game devices, including the following U.S. patents:
The Bain patent, for example, relates to geographical travel in which the players travel along a particular route from one location to another. The Burkett patent also relates to automobile travel and is instructive with respect to traffic rules and penalties associated with the violation of such rules. Boulanger also relates to a travel game in which the component parts are retained in place to enable the game to be used by occupants of a vehicle, or the like. The Flores patent is simulative of air line operation including various purchases, sales and other business transactions. The McGennis patent also relates to business transactions, such as the purchase and sale of stock and the like. The Darrow patent covers the well-known game of "MONOPOLY" and relates to various business transactions. The game device disclosed in the Feulner patent is concerned with environmental and pollution concepts. Thus, while all of the above mentioned patents disclose game boards with game pieces movable along a path delineated thereon in accordance with chance control devices and rules of play, only the Feulner patent relates to creating an interest in or providing instructions in environmental science.
The invention as claimed is intended to provide an improved remedy. It solves the object of providing a board game device to create more interest in and awareness of the environment by the players, including a game board with a segmental path of movement delineated thereon including alternate routes, numerical indicia, descriptive and instructional indicia, distinguishable colors in certain segments and areas for positioning decks of cards having indicia thereon.
The board game device according to the invention comprises a unique roulette wheel including groups of numbers, distinguishable colored areas and two balls for controlling movement of game pieces on the game board, together with awards which may be obtained by the players when they have participated in the game, gained environmental knowledge and obtained possession of certain properties.
The present board game device also will convey in a more interesting way the knowledge of environmental problems facing the world to the players and facilitate student instruction in environmental science and related courses, with the object of the game not being to accumulate money but to obtain maximum knowledge of the elements of environment and the problems of the environment faced by this and future generations, while at the same time providing fun and entertainment.
One way of carrying out the invention is described in detail below by referring to drawings which illustrate only one specific embodiment, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the game board forming a part of the board game device of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the roulette wheel utilized in association with the game board and a pair of balls to control movement of the game pieces along the game board; and
Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the awards obtained by the players when they have gained possession of certain properties.

The Figures show a game board, generally designated by the numeral 10, which may be of generally rectangular configuration with rounded corners or any other suitable configuration and constructed of heavy cardboard or other panel member utilized in constructing game boards, with the upper surface of the game board being generally planar. A transverse hinge structure may be provided to enable the game board to be folded into overlying halves by the use of a hinge tape, or the like. The game board is provided with a peripheral path of movement defined by an outside perimeter line 12 and an inwardly spaced generally concentric line 14 with this path being divided into a plurality of segments by a plurality of transverse lines 16. As illustrated in Fig. 1, one of the segments or spaces is designated as a starting space as designated by numeral 1-8 and the other spaces are designated by sequential numerical indicia 20; there being 44 peripheral spaces with various of the spaces including background color indicia 22, descriptive or instructional indicia 24 and pictorial indicia 26. Extending transversely of the board are two alternate paths 28 and 30 with one of the paths being a short cut alternate route and the other path returning a player's game piece to a preceding space so that his game piece must travel a greater number of spaces to return to the starting point. Also, the game board 10 includes four spaces 32 thereon for positioning decks of cards with each space 32 being distinguishably colored and provided with indicia indicating the deck of cards to be positioned thereon, and the game board also includes large indicia 34 indicating the name of the game to be played with the game device, that is, "ENVIRONMENT".
The game device also includes a roulette wheel 36 which is of conventional construction except for the indicia associated with the pockets with the present roulette wheel including 37 spaces designated by reference numeral 38 in which the spaces are arranged in four sets of numerically indicated spaces with the numbers 1-6 being marked on the spaces in the roulette wheel. In addition, between the four sets of spaces, three colored spaces are provided, there being a total of four blue spaces, 40, four red spaces 42, and four green spaces 44 and one white space 46. Two small metallic balls are utilized in association with the roulette wheel, with the balls and the roulette wheel, including the pockets, rotatable component, and the like, being conventional, while the indicia associated with the pockets are as described above, and two balls being used instead of the usual single ball.
Fig. 3 illustrates an award or star generally designated by numeral 48 and which is in the form of a five-pointed star with each of the points having a distinguishable color 50 and the center being provided with designating indicia 52 with the award being designated as a "Shah" star. These awards are obtained by the players in accordance with the rules of playing the game. In addition, decks of cards with instructional indicia thereon are provided, and simulated money is also provided in playing the game.
In playing the game of "ENVIRONMENT", the objective is to create the interest in the environment in the players which is accomplished by having the players acquire maximum number of "Shah" stars which are awarded for their active participation in the game and the knowledge obtained in environmental resources.
The following represents a more detailed description of the rules for playing a typical game, it being pointed out that the various indicia may be altered and various types of game pieces may be utilized by the players:

State Treasury

The State Treasury is the sole owner of all monies and estates in playing this game. The State Treasury leases the estates to the players after receiving the necessary costs and fees for the said estate. If the State Treasury should go out of funds, plain paper dollars with marked amounts and signed by the President of the State Treasury could be used. The State Treasury cannot go bankrupt. For selecting the President of the State Treasury, each player must take a turn to rotate the environment roulette. The lowest number shown out of all players, will be selected the President. The President automatically receives $500.00 from the Treasury, for his duties throughout the game. The President must always remember to keep his personal monies separate from the Treasury department. When there are more than four players participating in the game, it is recommended to appoint one player as the President of the State Treasury full time, and he will have no playing piece on the game board and he will be out of the game, but will be fully responsible for the control of the State Treasury and will see that all the rules of the game are implemented properly by the players. The $500.00 he was to receive from the State Treasury will remain the property of the State Treasury.

Description of Materials Involved

in the Game

1. Game Board

The game board is made of flat cardboard. There are 44 spaces marked along the side of the game board which are numbered for the convenience of playing the game, except for the starting point which is not numbered. There are four different colored decks of cards in the center of the game board.

2. Environment Roulette with Two Balls

The game is played by means of environment roulette and two small metallic balls. There are 37 spaces marked in the environment roulette. These spaces are comprised as follows:

(a) 24 Arabic numbered spaces. These are four sets of 1-6 numbers marked on spaces in roulette.
(b) Four blue color spaces.
(c) Four red color spaces.
(d) One white color space.
(e) Four green color spaces.

Method of Using Environment Roulette

The players move their playing pieces on the game board according to the number indicated by the ball(s). The player will rotate the environment roulette and the balls will land on two spaces marked in the environment roulette. If the two balls land on:

(a) Two Arabic numbers: The player will move his playing piece by totalling both the numbers.
(b) One Arabic number and one color: the player will draw the card from the deck on the game board according to the color where the ball lands and move his playing piece according to the Arabic number. The player will follow the instruction of the card from the deck first and then will move his playing piece according to the number.
(c) Double Arabic numbers (same numbers): The player will move his playing piece by totalling both numbers and the player will get one more turn and will rotate the environment roulette once again. This process will be repeated if the player gets doubles again and will continue until he gets a single number with color or two different numbers.
(d) Double Colors: The player will draw two cards from the decks on the game board according to the colors where the balls landed on the roulette. If two balls land on the same color, then the player will draw two cards from one deck. When the two balls land on colors, the player will get one more turn and will rotate the environment roulette. This process will be repeated until one of the balls or both balls comes to rest on one or two numbers.

How to Play the Game

Step One: Arrangement of Materials

Place the game board on a flat surface, such as table, floor, etc. Separate and place face down, all colored cards, according to color and space provided on the game board. Each player will receive the amount of $3,000.00 from the President of the State Treasury for playing purposes. Each player selects his/her own playing piece to represent him/her for their new adventure.

Step Two: Playing Technique

All players take one turn, to rotate the environment roulette. The player with the highest score shown will be player No. 1 and will start the game. The player with the second highest score shown will be player No. 2. The player with the third highest score shown will be player No. 3, etc. The seating arrangement will follow the same pattern. All players will be on the left side of player No. 1 in sequence of their scores. Player No. 1 will begin by placing his game piece on the game board, in the space marked "Start". He will then rotate the environment roulette in the direction pointed by the arrow, and will proceed to move as many spaces as shown on the environment roulette. If player No. 1 lands on property that may be leased, he may do so. Player No. 2 and all other players will follow the same procedure as player No. 1. If a player lands on a property which is already leased, then he must pay lease charges to the owner.
Award of "Shah" stars; - when played as an educational game.
Each player is required to submit a request to the President, for a "Shah" star, after he is in the possession of two estates, as specified below:

(a) Two National Parks, with recreational centers;
(b) Two Energy Companies;
(c) Two Clubs.

He must prepare himself for the merit test, thus, being allowed to skip one turn for studying purposes. The merit test begins by the player requesting the merit test, reading aloud to the other players the information printed on the back of his two lease registration cards. The player then gives his two cards to the President. Two questions, asked by other players and based on the information read from the back of the lease registration cards, must be answered correctly by the applicant to win the award of the "Shah" star. If the player answers one or both questions incorrectly, the "Shah" star is denied and the player has to pay $50.00 compensatory fine to the State Treasury and the President returns the two lease registration cards to the player. The player can re-submit his request for the award of a "Shah" star, after his third turn only. If a player fails three merit tests, his estates are confiscated by the President, returned to the State Treasury, and no compensation is given to the player. Once a "Shah" star has been awarded, it cannot be sold, traded, or given to any other player, under any circumstances.
Award of "Shah" stars: when playing for fun only.
This game when played for fun only, the "Shah" stars are awarded on the following basis;

When

(a) A player owns two National Parks with recreational centers, one "Shah" star is awarded.
(b) A player owns two Energy Companies, one "Shah" star is awarded.

Once a "Shah" star has been awarded, it cannot be sold, traded or given to any other player, under any circumstances.

Selling Leased Estates on the Basis of which "Shah" Stars were Obtained for Getting Additional Stars by Erecting Recreational Centers on the Already Leased National Parks

The player can sell to the State Treasury, the leased estates on the basis of which he already obtained his stars for erecting recreational center on already owned National Parks, with a view of obtaining an additional "Shah" star. Lease is Compulsory if a Player Lands on a Free Estate
If a player lands in a National Park, Energy Company or Club, it is compulsory to purchase the lease. If the player does not have enough cash to purchase the lease of the estate, he will be considered a visitor only. The estate will remain the property of the State Treasury until another player lands there and is able to purchase the lease of that estate.

Leasing National Parks and Recreational Centers

If a player's piece reaches a space marked "National Park" and this estate is not already leased by another player, he has to purchase the lease by paying the cost marked in the space on the playing board. The player will then be given a lease registration card with the name of his newly purchased estate. The player must then place a recreational center on his estate and will pay the charge shown on the lease registration for erecting a recreational center. If the player does not have enough money to buy a recreational center at the time of the lease purchase of the National Park, he will then have to buy the recreational center as soon as he is in the possession of enough money to cover the cost thereof. If the player-fails to do this, he will have to pay a fine of $100.00 to the State Treasury for failure to act promptly for the appropriate action. After paying the fine, the player has to erect a recreational center by his next turn, otherwise the State Treasury will take back the National Park lease and will not refund any compensation. If the National Park is already leased out, and under the circumstances where no recreational center has been built on the National Park, the owner can charge another player admission fees only, for landing on his leased estate. It is the duty of the landed player to ask the lease owner to show the lease registration card and pay the admission fees and charges for the recreational center, if erected. It is the responsibility of the lease holder to claim the charges from the player who lands on his estate. If the lease holder allows the player to move out of his estate without paying charges (due to lack of claims), the President fines the player who moved out of the estate, and the lease holder forfeits the charges which he could have collected. If the landed player moves out of the National Park without paying the required dues, the President of the State Treasury will collect a fine of $100.00 for admission fees and $1,600.00 for the recreational center, if erected. This fine is for violation and dishonesty of the game. If for some reason the lease registration card cannot be found among the players, the President of the State Treasury will call the owner of the leased property to produce the lease registration card. If the owner fails to produce the lease registration card, the lease will be cancelled and the estate will be taken over by the State Treasury.

Leasing Energy Companies and Clubs

If a player lands on a space marked Energy Company or Club, and it is not leased by another player, he must purchase the lease by paying the cost marked in the space on the playing board. After the lease has been purchased, the President of the State Treasury issues the buyer a lease registration card, showing the name of the estate he has purchased and the charges for the use of the facilities when used by other players. If the Energy Company or Club is already leased out, it is the duty of the landed player to ask the lease owner to show the lease registration card and pay the charges for the use of the facilities. If the landed player moves out of the National Park, Energy Company or club, without paying the required dues, the President of the State Treasury will collect a fine of $100.00 for violation and dishonesty of the game. If for some reason the lease registration card cannot be found among players, the President of the State Treasury will call the owner of the leased estate to produce the lease registration card. If the owner of the leased estate fails to produce the lease registration card, the lease will be cancelled and the estate will be taken by the State Treasury.

Selling and Transfers of Leased Estates to the State Treasury

The State Treasury will accept, at any time, the return of the leased estates but only one- half of the original lease fees will be refunded.

Leased Estate Cannot be sold from One Player to Another

If a player needs emergency cash for a penalty, or accident charges, or taxes, or for erecting a recreational center, he can return his leased estates back to the State Treasury only. A player cannot turn his leased estate back to the State Treasury or remove his recreational center for the purpose of buying a new of different estate.

Personal Gifts and Loans

Players are not allowed to give or to receive any type of gifts or loans from other players or from the State Treasury, regardless of the situation.

Environmental Protection Tax: (Red Cards)

If a player arrives at "Environmental Protection Tax" space, and/or a ball lands on red space in the environment roulette, he will take the top card from the red deck and read aloud clearly. If the player fails to read aloud and accurately the contents on the card, the State Treasury will charge double the amount shown on the card. The player returns the card face down to the bottom of the deck after reading it. The player may or may not read aloud the contents of the card when playing for fun only. Try Luck: (Blue Cards)
If a player reaches a "Try Luck" space, and/or a ball lands on the blue space in the environment roulette, he will take the top card from the blue deck and read aloud the contents to the participating players. If the player fails to read aloud the contents of the blue card, he will pay a fine of $100.00 to the State Treasury, and returns the card to the bottom of the blue deck. The player may or may not read aloud the contents of the card when playing for fun only.

Conservation Grant: (Green Cards)

If a player lands on "Conservation Grant" space, and/or a ball lands on the green space in the environment roulette, he will take the top card from the green deck and read aloud and clearly, stating the reason and the amount which he will receive as as Conservation Grant. If the player fails to read aloud and accurately the contents of the cards, the State Treasury will not pay the player the amount of the grant which he was expected to receive. After reading the card, the player returns the card face down to the bottom of the green deck. The player may or may not read aloud the contents of the card when playing for fun only.

Performance Efficiency Award: (White Cards)

Each time a player completes the circle of the playing board from the starting point, and/or a ball lands on a white space in the environment roulette, he will draw a Performance Efficiency Award card and will receive a cash award according to the players efficiency rating. The player must return the card face down, to the bottom of the deck of which he drew.

Environmental Violation

If a player lands on "Environmental Violation" space No. 30, he will have to pay a fine of $400.00, be sent straight to jail and will skip three turns. He will also miss the opportunity to draw a performance efficiency award card. If he can produce a President's Pardon (which is two Try Luck cards), he is considered a visitor at the Environmental Violation space No. 30, and does not have the $400.00 fine; he does not go to jail; he does not skip three turns and he will be allowed to draw a performance efficiency award card.

Jail

When a player lands on space No. 4, marked "Jail", he is considered visiting Wayside Park and does not play anything.

Short Cut Approach

When a player lands on space No. 2, marked "Short Cut Approach", he moves to space No. 17 marked "Try Luck" and draws one blue card from the deck on the game board.

Serious Accident

If a player lands on "Serious Accident" space No. 14, he will be sent direct to the hospital, where he will skip two turns and pay $300.00 hospitalization costs.

Hospital

When a player lands on space No. 32, he is considered visiting the hospital and there is no charge for it.

Nuclear Shelter

If a player lands on the space No. 8 marked "Nuclear Attack Alarm" the player goes to the "Nuclear Shelter" and will skip one turn. Also, if the player lands on the space No. 40 marked "Nuclear Weapon Testing Area", he is directly sent via detour to Nuclear Shelter and will skip one turn.

Death Valley

If a player lands on space No. 10 marked "Death Valley", he will skip one turn.

People's Space Flight Center

If a player lands on space No. 13 marked "People's Flight Center", he is considered a visitor and there is no charge.

Bad Flood

If a player lands on space No. 16, marked "Bad Flood", he will pay to the Treasury $80.00 for the flood relief fund.

Snow Storm

If a player lands on space No. 22 marked "Snow Storm", he is required to pay $100.00 to the State Treasury or skip one turn.

Landslide

If a player lands on space No. 28 marked "Landslide", he is required to pay to the State Treasury $100.00 or will skip one turn.

Oil Spill Penalty

If a player lands on space No. 6 or space No. 36 marked "Oil Spill Penalty", he is required to pay $150.00 to the State Treasury.

Minor Accident

If a space is occupied by a player's piece and a second player lands there, the second player will pay to the first occupant of that space a minor accident fine of $25.00. This $25.00 is supplement to the charges which the player is obliged to pay, such as admission fees, recreational center charges, club membership fees or charges by the energy companies. If a third player lands, he will pay to each player $25.00 as compensation for the minor accident, besides paying other dues according to the demand of the space.

Conclusion of Game

1. There are nine "Shah" stars in the game. When the President of the State Treasury has awarded the last "Shah" star, the player who has the maximum number of "Shah" is the winner. (The abundance of dollars or the number of estates owned has no value for determining the winner.) If more than two players are participating in the game, the second, third and fourth place winner would be according to the number of "Shah" stars in the possession of the players.
2. If the game is interrupted and has to be stopped for any reason, the winner is the player who is in possession of the most "Shah" stars.
3. If two players hold an equal amount of "Shah" stars, the game becomes a tie game between the two players.
4. If a player owes a debt to another player, he will return his estate leases to the State Treasury for the proper refund, and in turn, will pay his debt to the player he owes.
5. If the player has been awarded any "Shah" stars with his estate leases, he will keep his "Shah" stars until the game comes to an end. If he should become bankrupt during the play, he must remove his playing piece from the board and can only participate in the process of the merit test given to other players.
6. If one of the last two players loses all his cash and estates, the game ends and the player who has the greatest number of "Shah" stars is the winner.

Game as Instructional Tool in Environmental Science and Inter-Disciplinary Science Courses

This game could be utilized as part of the formal system in teaching Environmental Science. The instructors could assign students in the schools, colleges and universities, to play "Environment" and to submit a short report of what Knowledge the students have acquired from the game regarding environment and its application in life. Necessary credits may be granted for the productive effort of the student.

Conservation Grant (Green Cards)

1. Special Award for developing special kind of Zoos for wildlife conservation. You receive $150.00.
2. Grant for the development of the equipment and the technology to manage the quality of our environment so that observations and measurements of pollution locally, regionally and globally could be maintained efficiently. You receive $150.00.
3. Grant for water conservation project. You receive $100.00.
4. Grant for Bengal Tiger conservation project. Bengal Tiger is critically endangered species of the world. You receive $100.00.
5. You are awarded grant for the conservation of Lion Marmosets of Brazil which is a critically endangered species of the world. You receive $100.00.
6. Grant to develop efficient food storage system to meet the requirement of increasing population. You receive $100.00.
7. You are awarded grant for Marine conservation. You receive $100.00.
8. Grant for development of new natural parks. You receive $100.00.
9. Grant to study effects on man and his environment of major engineering projects. You receive $100.00.
10. Grant to secure methods of nuclear waste storage. You receive $100.00.
11. Grant to study environmental effects of urban-industrial societies. You receive $100.00.
12. Grant for development of nuclear waste disposal system. You receive $100.00.
13. Grant to reclaim eroded beach, due to poor planning and management. You receive $50.00.
14. Grant to save oysters from destruction by the spill of crude oil into the ocean. You receive $50.00.
15. Grant to develop all natural health food free from chemical pollution. You receive $50.00.
16. Grant to develop the efficient system for forecasting earthquakes. You receive $50.00.
17. Special Award to control water erosion. You receive $150.00.
18. Grant for assessing damage caused by pollution to lakes. You receive $150.00.
19. Grant to develop policies regarding noise levels at which high-ways and airports should be designed to operate. You receive $80.00.
20. Grant to develop special technique and re-design of aircraft currently in use to reduce noise. You receive $100.00.
21. Grant for conducting research to reduce pollution emissions such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and smoke caused by aircraft engine emissions. You receive $100.00.
22. Grant to study the possibility of using hydrogen as fuel. You receive $50.00.

Try Luck (Blue Cards)

1. Move forward to Arab Oil Company. (If free, you may purchase the lease; if already owned, you must pay the owner lease charges.)
2. Pardon by President. Get out of jail free. (You keep it till you require or sell for $400.00.)
3. Special Award for your constructive effort to clean polluted streams. Amount you receive' $80.00.
4. Fishing violation in restricted area. Pay fine $50.00.
5. Hunting violation in nature preserved area. Pay fine $50.00.
6. Special tax, pay $30.00. Contribution to wind protection development scheme to provide shelter from hot and cold high winds.
7. You are in quick sand area. Go back five spaces.
8. Special Award! To control water erosion. You receive $150.00.
9. Go to Rocky Mountains: if free, you may purchase the lease; if already owned, you must pay the owner lease charges. If you pass starting point, collect $250.00.
10. Pardon by President! Get out of Jail free! (You keep it till you require, or sell for $400.00.)
11. Fishing violation in restricted area. Pay fine $30.00.
12. Accident! Pay hospital charges $175.00.
13. Special Award for developing technique to clean polluted waterways. Amount you receive $150.00.
14. Special invitation to visit Yellowstone National Park: (If free, you may purchase the lease; if already owned, DO NOT pay any charges to the lease owner.) If you pass starting point center, collect $250.00.
15. Proceed to nearest oil company. (If free, you may purchase the lease; if already owned, you must pay the owner lease charges.) If you pass starting point, collect $250.00.

Environmental Protection Tax

(Red Cards)

1. Environmental education tax, for advancement of research to save natural environment. Pay $100.00.
2. Reclamation tax, for developing land destroyed by poor mining techniques. Pay $100.00.
3. Flood control tax, for constructing structures in upper and lower watersheds for control of water flow. Pay $100.00.
4. Energy conservation tax, for developing new sources. Pay $190.00.
5. Industrial waste disposal tax, for establishing new techniques and systems for the disposal of industrial waste. Pay $110.00.
6. Drinking water tax, for changing the lead pipes and old drinking water supply system which was causing pollution in water and also resulting in sickness. Pay $80.00.
7. Ranch land improvement tax, for reclaiming excessive grazed lands. Pay $80.00.
8. Environmental conservation tax, for international co-operation and coordination of environmental conservation research. Pay $150.00.
9. Wild life development tax, for conservation and enhancement of wild life. Pay $150.00.
10. Forest development tax, for reforestation of denuded hills. Pay $150.00.
11. Sewage improvement tax, for developing efficient and effective method of sewage treatment. Pay $120.00.
12. Farm improvement tax, for reclaiming farmlands which lost productivity for not observing conservation techniques. Pay $100.00.
13. Noise pollution tax, for building noise protection barriers. Pay $120.00.
14. Environmental beautification tax, for beautifying poor section of urban areas. Pay $100.00.
15. Air pollution tax, for improving controls over automobile emissions and gases emitted by industries. Pay $80.00.
16. Fisheries development tax, for increasing fish wealth of the country. Pay $100.00.
17. Beach conservation tax, for developing advanced techniques to save beaches from erosion. Pay $80.00.
18. Nuclear pollution tax, for covering the serious damage caused by the melting of nuclear reactors. Pay $200.00.
19. Fish conservation tax, for saving fish in rivers from industrial pollution. Pay $100.00.
20. People pollution tax, for clearing litter from parks. Pay $80.00.

Claims

1. A board game device comprising a game board (10) having a substantially planar upper surface, and a peripheral path of movement (12, 14) delineated on said surface with the path of movement being separated into a plurality of spaces (18, 20) for movement of game pieces therealong, said path of movement including at least one alternative route (28, 30) for the movement of game pieces when appropriate, and that a roulette wheel (36) for controlling movement of a game piece is provided, characterized in that said roulette wheel (36) includes numerically designated sets of pockets (38) and distinguishably colored sets of pockets (40 to 46) different from the numerically designated sets of pockets (38) and two balls for movement in a manner to become deposited in pockets on the roulette wheel (36) for indicating the manner in which the game piece is to be moved along the path of movement on the game board (10).

2. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said game board is provided with a plurality of color delineated areas (32) thereon for decks of cards, a plurality of decks of cards having distinguishable colors for positioning on the areas (32) on the game board (10) with the decks of cards including indicia thereon instructing players to take certain actions when a card is drawn.

3. The device as defined in claim 3, wherein the spaces (20) on the game board (10) include sequential numerical indicia with some of the spaces including pictorial indicia, descriptive and instructional indicia and distinguishable colors.

4. The device as defined in claim 3 in combination with awards in the form of stars (48) to be obtained by players of the game when certain properties have been obtained and a merit test passed, with the merit test being provided by the indicia on the cards.

5. The device as defined in claim 2, wherein said indicia on the game board (10) and cards relate to environmental science.

6. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said sets of pockets (38) on the roulette wheel include 4 sets numbered from 1 to 6, 4 blue pockets (40), 4 red pockets (42) and 1 white pocket (46).

7. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said path of movement (12, 14) includes a second alternate route (30 or 28), one of said alternate routes being a short cut and the other alternate route forming a longer route for movement of a game piece.

8. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said game board (10) includes distinguishable card receiving areas (32) thereon, a plurality of color distinguishable decks of cards positioned face down on said areas to be drawn by game players when a game piece lands on a corresponding colored space in the path of movement (12 or 14), and indicia on said cards indicating course of action to be followed by the player.