Stacking Game

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/781,131 filed on Mar. 31, 2025, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This disclosure relates generally to games of skill. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a game in which one or more players build a collapsible stack from non-uniformly shaped pieces.

Tower building games include a number of rectangular bricks are arranged in layers to form a tower. Some tower building games may include varying the orientation of the rectangular bricks by alternating from one layer to the next to provide frictional coupling between layers and adjacent bricks in the same layer. For example, during a typical play scenario, the height of the tower is increased by removing bricks from one or more lower layers to build successive upper layers. The game ends if the tower collapses because a brick has been removed, or if the tower becomes unstable or is knocked over during the attempted removal of any brick. However, these tower building games may get repetitive and monotonous.

Accordingly, there is a need for a new and improved stacking games variation to provide new challenges to conventional strategies.

This disclosure provides a game in which one or more players build a collapsible stack from non-uniformly shaped pieces.

In some examples, a method for a single-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces is provided. The method includes rolling a die piece to produce a roll result and, responsive to the roll result, taking a stacking action using a plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces. The method also includes, after the stacking action is taken, determining if an end-game condition is satisfied, and upon determining that the end-game condition is satisfied, ending the game.

Any single one or any combination of the following features may be used with the above embodiment. The method also includes, upon determining that the end-game condition is not satisfied, determining if an end-round condition is satisfied. The method also includes, after taking a stacking action and before determining if the end-game condition is satisfied, determining if one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces has fallen from a stack and, upon determining that one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces has fallen from the stack, adding the one or more fallen pieces to a pile that is drawn from during a subsequent stacking action.

In other examples, a method for a multi-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces is provided. The method includes rolling a die piece to produce a first roll result for a first stack and, responsive to the first roll result, taking a stacking action using a first plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces on the first stack. The method also includes, after the stacking action is taken, determining if an end-game condition is satisfied. Upon determining that the end-game condition is not satisfied, the method further includes rolling the die piece to produce a second roll result for a second stack. The method also includes, responsive to the second roll result, taking a second stacking action using a second plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces on the second stack and, after the second stacking action is taken, determining if the end-game condition is satisfied.

Any single one or any combination of the following features may be used with the above embodiment. The method also includes, upon determining that the end-game condition is not satisfied, determining if an end-round condition is satisfied and, upon determining that the end-round condition is satisfied, beginning a new round by rolling the die piece to produce the first roll result for the first stack. The method also includes, after taking the stacking action on the first stack and before determining if the end-game condition is satisfied, determining if one or more of the first or second plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces has fallen from the first or second stack and, upon determining that one or more of the first or second plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces has fallen from the first or second stack, adding the one or more fallen pieces to a pile that is drawn from during a subsequent stacking action on the first stack.

Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

1 6 FIGS.A through , described below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any type of suitably arranged device or system.

As previously mentioned, tower building games include a number of rectangular bricks are arranged in layers to form a tower. Some tower building games may include varying the orientation of the rectangular bricks by alternating from one layer to the next to provide frictional coupling between layers and adjacent bricks in the same layer. For example, during a typical play scenario, the height of the tower is increased by removing bricks from one or more lower layers to build successive upper layers. The game ends if the tower collapses because a brick has been removed, or if the tower becomes unstable or is knocked over during the attempted removal of any brick.

Although conventional stacking games have achieved notoriety and respect from fans and players alike, a need exists for a new and improved stacking games variation to provide new challenges to conventional strategies.

1 1 FIGS.A-B 1 FIG.A 1 FIG.B 100 102 120 130 illustrate an example stacking game piece setof a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces in accordance with this disclosure. In particular,illustrates an example plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces, andillustrates an example base pieceand an example die piece.

1 FIG.A 100 102 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 As shown in, the stacking game piece setincludes the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces. The plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesmay include a circular piece, a square piece, a pentagonal piece, a cubic piece, a rectangular piece, and a triangular piece. The plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesmay include a plurality of each of the non-uniform stackable pieces, such as a plurality of the circular piece, a plurality of the square piece, a plurality of the pentagonal piece, a plurality of the cubic piece, a plurality of the rectangular piece, a plurality of the triangular piece, or a combination thereof.

104 104 104 104 104 104 104 104 104 104 104 104 a b c d a c c c c The circular piecemay have a generally circular facewith an annular edgeand a side surfaceextending for a depthfrom the circular face. The side surfaceis annular and may be textured, ribbed, grooved, or include other surface features that aid in improving friction (e.g., grip) of the side surface. Alternatively, the side surfacemay be smoothed to decrease friction. The decreased friction on the side surfacemay increase difficulty in stacking the circular piece, providing more of a challenge when using the circular piecein a stacking game.

106 106 106 106 106 106 106 106 106 106 106 106 106 a b c b a d c c c c Similarly, the square piecemay have a generally square facewith edgeshaving similar lengths and side surfacesextending from the edgesof the square facefor a depth. One or more of the side surfacesmay be textured, ribbed, grooved, or include other surface features that aid in improving friction (e.g., grip) of the side surface. Alternatively, the side surfacesmay be smoothed to decrease friction. The decreased friction on the side surfacesmay increase difficulty in stacking the square piece, providing more of a challenge when using the square piecein a stacking game.

108 108 108 108 108 108 108 108 108 108 108 108 a b c b a d c c c The pentagonal piecemay have a generally pentagonal facewith edgeshaving similar lengths and side surfacesextending from the edgesof the pentagonal facefor a depth. One or more of the side surfacesmay be textured, ribbed, grooved, or include other surface features that aid in improving friction (e.g., grip) of the side surface. Alternatively, the side surfacesmay be smoothed to decrease friction. The decreased friction on the side surfacesmay increase difficulty in stacking the pentagonal piece, providing more of a challenge when using the pentagonal piecein a stacking game.

110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 a b c b a d d b a c c c The cubic piecemay have a generally square facewith edgesof similar lengths and side surfacesextending from the edgesof the square facefor a depth. The depthis of similar length as the edgesof the square face. One or more of the side surfacesmay be textured, ribbed, grooved, or include other surface features that aid in improving friction (e.g., grip) of the side surface. Alternatively, the side surfacesmay be smoothed to decrease friction. The decreased friction on the side surfacesmay increase difficulty in stacking the cubic piece, providing more of a challenge when using the cubic piecein a stacking game.

112 112 112 112 112 112 112 112 112 112 112 112 112 112 112 a b e b c b e a d c c c The rectangular piecemay have a generally rectangular facewith opposing edgeshaving similar lengths, opposing edgeshaving similar lengths that are shorter than the lengths of edges, and side surfacesextending from the edgesandof the rectangular facefor a depth. One or more of the side surfacesmay be textured, ribbed, grooved, or include other surface features that aid in improving friction (e.g., grip) of the side surface. Alternatively, the side surfacesmay be smoothed to decrease friction. The decreased friction on the side surfacesmay increase difficulty in stacking the rectangular piece, providing more of a challenge when using the rectangular piecein a stacking game.

114 114 114 114 114 114 114 114 114 114 114 a c b a d c c c The triangular piecemay have a generally triangular facewith side surfacesextending from edgesof the triangular facefor a depth. One or more of the side surfacesmay be textured, ribbed, grooved, or include other surface features that aid in improving friction (e.g., grip) of the side surface. Alternatively, the side surfacesmay be smoothed to decrease friction. The decreased friction on the side surfacesmay increase difficulty in stacking the triangular piece, providing more of a challenge when using the triangular piecein a stacking game.

1 FIG.B 120 122 124 122 124 122 126 102 124 104 106 108 110 112 114 124 122 122 As shown in, the base pieceincludes a playing surfacewith an areasized such that a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces may be performed using only the playing surface. The areaof the playing surfacemay include dimensionsgreater than dimensions of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces. For example, the areamay include a diameter that is larger than the largest dimension of the circular piece, the square piece, the pentagonal piece, the cubic piece, the rectangular piece, and the triangular pieceby at least 1.5 times, such as at least 2 times, such as at least 3 times, such as at least 5 times. The areaof the playing surfacedirectly affects the number of players capable of performing the stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces. As such, the larger the playing surfaceis, the more players are able to participate at a time.

122 102 122 102 Additionally, the playing surfacemay be textured similar to the side surfaces of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesto improve friction on the playing surfaceto facilitate stacking of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces.

130 132 134 132 132 134 134 102 130 134 132 132 134 132 132 134 The die pieceincludes a plurality of surfaces(e.g., 12 as shown) that each may include a marking(one shown). The plurality of surfacesmay be uniform (e.g., include similar shapes and dimensions) or may be non-uniform (e.g., different shapes and dimensions between the plurality of surfaces). The markingmay be a shape corresponding to actions that a user should take regarding the stacking game. For example, the markingmay correspond to a stacking action using one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesrequired by the user as part of the stacking game. The die piecemay include different markingon one or more of the plurality of surfaces. For example, each of the plurality of surfacesmay have a markingthat is different from the other plurality of surfaces. Alternatively, a group of the plurality of surfacesmay include the same or similar marking.

1 1 FIGS.A-B 1 1 FIGS.A-B 1 1 FIGS.A-B 100 102 120 130 100 Althoughillustrate a stacking game piece setof a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, various changes may be made to. For example, various components inmay be combined, further subdivided, replicated, omitted, or rearranged and additional components may be added according to particular needs. In another example, one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesmay be omitted or multiple of the base pieceor the die piecemay be included in the stacking game piece set.

2 FIG. 2 FIG. 1 1 FIGS.A-B 200 200 100 200 illustrates an example methodfor a single-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces according to this disclosure. For ease of explanation, the methodofis described as being performed using the stacking game piece set stacking game piece setof. However, the methodmay be used with any other suitable system and any other suitable stacking game piece set.

2 FIG. 130 202 130 134 132 102 102 120 102 As shown in, the die piecemay be rolled (e.g., by a user) to produce a roll result at step. For example, the die piecemay be rolled and a markingon the plurality of surfacesthat is facing upwards indicates the roll result. The roll result may include a stacking action, such as removing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesin a stack, placing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesat a desired location on the base piece, or not placing a plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesduring the current turn.

204 102 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 Responsive to the roll result, a stacking action is taken at step. For example, if a roll result is indicative of removing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesfrom the stack, then one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces(e.g., one or more of the circular piece, the square piece, the pentagonal piece, the cubic piece, the rectangular piece, the triangular piece, or a combination thereof) are removed from the stack. Additionally, a user may perform the stacking action using only one hand.

102 102 206 102 104 102 106 102 104 Optionally, if one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesfall from the stack during the stacking action, then the one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesare added to a pile in optional step. For example, if a plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces(e.g., a circular piece) falls while another plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces(e.g., a square piece) is being placed on the stack, then the fallen plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces(e.g., the circular piece) is not placed back on the stack but becomes part of a pile that is drawn from during a subsequent stacking action.

208 102 102 200 200 202 208 After the stacking action is taken, satisfaction of an end-game condition is determined at step. An end-game condition may include having all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesplaced vertically as part of the stack, reaching a predetermined number of points, or after a predetermined period of time. For example, if all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesof a pile is placed on the stack, the end-game condition is satisfied and the methodis complete (e.g., the stacking game ends). If an end-game condition is not satisfied, the methodrepeats steps-.

2 FIG. 2 FIG. 2 FIG. 200 Althoughillustrates one example of a methodfor a single-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, various changes may be made to. For example, while shown as a series of steps, various steps inmay overlap, occur in parallel, or occur any number of times.

3 FIG. 3 FIG. 300 illustrates an example single-player environmentof a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces in accordance with this disclosure. As shown in,

3 FIG. 1 FIG.A 1 FIG.A 300 302 310 310 102 310 312 314 316 318 320 312 110 314 106 316 112 318 108 320 104 102 310 312 110 310 102 102 As shown in, the single-player environmentincludes a base piecehaving a stack. The stackmay include one or more non-uniform pieces from a pile of non-uniform pieces (e.g., the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesof). For example, the stackmay include a first non-uniform piece, a second non-uniform piece, a third non-uniform piece, a fourth non-uniform piece, and a fifth non-uniform piece. The first non-uniform piecemay be a cubic piece, the second non-uniform piecemay be a square piece, the third non-uniform piecemay be a rectangular piece, the fourth non-uniform piecemay be a pentagonal piece, and the fifth non-uniform piecemay be a circular piece. Although the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesof the stackare shown in a particular arrangement (e.g., the first non-uniform piecemay be a cubic piece, etc.), the non-uniform pieces in the stackmay be any combination of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesof, including repeated pieces (e.g., two or more of any of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces) or having pieces omitted.

310 322 122 302 312 320 The stackincludes a heightthat is measured from the playing surfaceof the base piece(e.g., a bottom of the first non-uniform piece) to the top of the top non-uniform piece (e.g., a top of the fifth non-uniform piece).

3 FIG. 3 FIG. 3 FIG. 300 Althoughillustrates a single-player environmentof a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, various changes may be made to. For example, various components inmay be combined, further subdivided, replicated, omitted, or rearranged and additional components may be added according to particular needs.

4 FIG. 4 FIG. 1 1 FIGS.A-B 400 400 100 400 illustrates an example methodfor a multi-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces according to this disclosure. For ease of explanation, the methodofis described as being performed using the stacking game piece set stacking game piece setof. However, the methodmay be used with any other suitable system and any other suitable stacking game piece set.

4 FIG. 130 402 130 134 132 102 102 120 102 As shown in, the die piecemay be rolled by a first user to produce a first roll result for a first stack at step. For example, the die piecemay be rolled and a markingon the plurality of surfacesthat is facing upwards indicates the roll result. The roll result may include a stacking action, such as removing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesin a stack, placing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesat a desired location on the base piece, not placing a plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesduring the current turn, or reversing an order of users between two or more users.

130 130 130 134 400 134 Additionally, the users may determine the order in which the users will take turns by rolling the die piece. For example, the users may take turns rolling the die pieceuntil one of the users rolls the die pieceto show a predetermined marking, indicating that the user will roll first during the methodfor the multi-player stacking game. The remaining users may repeat this process until the order of the users is determined. Alternatively, after the first user to roll the predetermined markingis identified, the users may establish the order based on rotational position of the users from the first user (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise from the first user).

404 102 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 Responsive to the first roll result, a stacking action is taken for a first stack at step. For example, if a roll result is indicative of removing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesfrom the stack, then one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces(e.g., one or more of the circular piece, the square piece, the pentagonal piece, the cubic piece, the rectangular piece, the triangular piece, or a combination thereof) are removed from the stack. Additionally, a user may perform the stacking action using only one hand.

102 102 406 102 104 102 106 102 104 Optionally, if one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesfall from the stack during the stacking action, then the one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesare added to a pile in optional step. For example, if a plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces(e.g., a circular piece) falls while another plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces(e.g., a square piece) is being placed on the stack, then the fallen plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces(e.g., the circular piece) is not placed back on the stack but becomes part of a pile that is drawn from during a subsequent stacking action.

408 102 102 400 After the stacking action is taken by the first user, satisfaction of an end-game condition is determined at step. An end-game condition may include having all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesplaced vertically as part of the stack, reaching a predetermined number of points, or after a predetermined period of time. For example, if all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesof a pile is placed on the stack, the end-game condition is satisfied and the methodis complete (e.g., the stacking game ends).

410 102 102 412 If an end-game condition is not satisfied, satisfaction of an end-round condition is determined at step. An end-round condition may include having all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesplaced vertically as part of the first stack and having the tallest stack of a plurality of stacks. For example, if an end-round condition is satisfied (e.g., the first user has the tallest stack and has placed all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesin the pile of the first user), the first user may be awarded points. Points may be awarded, for example, based on the amount of non-uniform pieces in piles of other users. Other point methods are contemplated. If an end-round condition is not satisfied, a subsequent user performs step.

130 412 404 130 130 134 132 102 102 120 102 After a predetermined period of time or turn condition, the die piecemay be rolled by a second user to produce a second roll result for a second stack (which may be the first stack) at step. The predetermined period of time may commence upon any desired condition, such as the first player completing the stacking action of step. A turn condition may include actions taken by one or more of the users (e.g., the second user picking up the die piece). For example, the die piecemay be rolled and a markingon the plurality of surfacesthat is facing upwards indicates the roll result. The roll result may include a stacking action, such as removing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesin a stack, placing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesat a desired location on the base piece, or not placing a plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesduring the current turn.

414 102 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 Responsive to the second roll result, a stacking action is taken for the second stack (which may be the first stack) at step. For example, if a roll result is indicative of removing one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesfrom the stack, then one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces(e.g., one or more of the circular piece, the square piece, the pentagonal piece, the cubic piece, the rectangular piece, the triangular piece, or a combination thereof) are removed from the stack. Additionally, a user may perform the stacking action using only one hand.

102 102 416 102 104 102 106 102 104 Optionally, if one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesfall from the stack during the stacking action, then the one or more of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesare added to a pile in optional step. For example, if a plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces(e.g., a circular piece) falls while another plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces(e.g., a square piece) is being placed on the stack, then the fallen plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces(e.g., the circular piece) is not placed back on the stack but becomes part of a pile that is drawn from during a subsequent stacking action.

418 102 102 400 An end-game condition is determined at step. An end-game condition may include having all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesplaced vertically as part of the stack, reaching a predetermined number of points, or after a predetermined period of time. For example, if all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesof a pile is placed on the stack, the end-game condition is satisfied and the methodis complete (e.g., the stacking game ends).

420 102 102 400 402 402 If an end-game condition is not satisfied, satisfaction of an end-round condition is determined at step. An end-round condition may include having all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesplaced vertically as part of the first stack and having the tallest stack of a plurality of stacks. For example, if an end-round condition is satisfied (e.g., the first user has the tallest stack and has placed all of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesin the pile of the first user), the first user may be awarded points. Points may be awarded, for example, based on the amount of non-uniform pieces in piles of other users. Other point methods are contemplated. If an end-round condition is not satisfied, the methodreturns to stepand a subsequent user (including the first user in two-player rounds) performs step.

4 FIG. 4 FIG. 4 FIG. 400 Althoughillustrates one example of a methodfor a multi-player stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, various changes may be made to. For example, while shown as a series of steps, various steps inmay overlap, occur in parallel, or occur any number of times.

5 FIG. 4 FIG. 4 FIG. 500 500 400 illustrates a multi-player environmentof a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces in accordance with this disclosure. In particular, the multi-player environmentmay be a result of multiple iterations of the methodof. Although described using, any other methods of performing a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces are contemplated.

5 FIG. 1 FIG.A 1 FIG.A 500 502 510 530 510 102 510 512 514 516 518 520 512 110 514 106 516 112 518 108 520 104 102 510 512 110 510 102 102 As shown in, the multi-player environmentincludes a base piecehaving a first stackand a second stack. The first stackmay include one or more non-uniform pieces from a first pile of non-uniform pieces (e.g., the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesof). For example, the first stackmay include a first non-uniform piece, a second non-uniform piece, a third non-uniform piece, a fourth non-uniform piece, and a fifth non-uniform piece. The first non-uniform piecemay be a cubic piece, the second non-uniform piecemay be a square piece, the third non-uniform piecemay be a rectangular piece, the fourth non-uniform piecemay be a pentagonal piece, and the fifth non-uniform piecemay be a circular piece. Although the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesof the first stackare shown in a particular arrangement (e.g., the first non-uniform piecemay be a cubic piece, etc.), the non-uniform pieces in the stackmay be any combination of the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesof, including repeated pieces (e.g., two or more of any of the plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces) or having pieces omitted.

510 522 122 502 512 520 The first stackincludes a first heightthat is measured from the playing surfaceof the base piece(e.g., a bottom of the first non-uniform piece) to the top of the top non-uniform piece (e.g., a top of the fifth non-uniform piece).

530 102 530 532 534 536 532 112 534 110 536 108 530 542 122 502 532 536 522 542 410 420 408 418 Similarly, the second stackmay include one or more non-uniform pieces from a second pile of non-uniform pieces (e.g., a second plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces). For example, the second stackmay include a sixth non-uniform piece, a seventh non-uniform piece, and an eighth non-uniform piece. The sixth non-uniform piecemay be a rectangular piece, the seventh non-uniform piecemay be a cubic piece, and the eighth non-uniform piecemay be a pentagonal piece. The second stackincludes a second heightthat is measured from the playing surfaceof the base piece(e.g., a bottom of the sixth non-uniform piece) to the top of the top non-uniform piece (e.g., a top of the eighth non-uniform piece). The first heightand the second heightmay, for example, be compared to determine an end-round condition (e.g., during stepsor) or end-game condition (e.g., during stepsor).

5 FIG. 5 FIG. 5 FIG. 6 FIG. 500 Althoughillustrates an example multi-player environmentof a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, various changes may be made to. For example, various components inmay be combined, further subdivided, replicated, omitted, or rearranged and additional components may be added according to particular needs. Additionally, one or more of the non-uniform pieces in a stack may be similar to other non-uniform pieces of the stack as shown in.

6 FIG. 4 FIG. 4 FIG. 600 600 400 illustrates an example multi-player environment multi-player environmentof a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces in accordance with this disclosure. In particular, the multi-player environmentmay be a result of multiple iterations of the methodof. Although described using, any other methods of performing a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces are contemplated.

6 FIG. 1 FIG.A 600 602 610 630 610 102 610 612 614 616 618 620 As shown in, the multi-player environmentincludes a base piecehaving a first stackand a second stack. The first stackmay include one or more non-uniform pieces from a first pile of non-uniform pieces (e.g., the plurality of non-uniform stackable piecesof). For example, the first stackmay include a first non-uniform piece, a second non-uniform piece, a third non-uniform piece, a fourth non-uniform piece, and a fifth non-uniform piece.

630 102 630 632 634 636 638 632 112 634 110 636 112 638 108 Similarly, the second stackmay include one or more non-uniform pieces from a second pile of non-uniform pieces (e.g., a second plurality of non-uniform stackable pieces). For example, the second stackmay include a sixth non-uniform piece, a seventh non-uniform piece, an eighth non-uniform piece, and a ninth non-uniform piece. The sixth non-uniform piecemay be a first rectangular piece, the seventh non-uniform piecemay be a cubic piece, the eighth non-uniform piecemay be a second rectangular piece, and the ninth non-uniform piecemay be a pentagonal piece.

6 FIG. 6 FIG. 6 FIG. 600 Althoughillustrates an example multi-player environment multi-player environmentof a stacking game using non-uniformly shaped pieces, various changes may be made to. For example, various components inmay be combined, further subdivided, replicated, omitted, or rearranged and additional components may be added according to particular needs.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C.

The description in the present disclosure should not be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential or critical element that must be included in the claim scope. The scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. Moreover, none of the claims invokes 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) with respect to any of the appended claims or claim elements unless the exact words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim, followed by a participle phrase identifying a function. Use of terms such as (but not limited to) “unit,” “component,” “element,” “member,” or “apparatus,” within a claim is understood and intended to refer to structures known to those skilled in the relevant art, as further modified or enhanced by the features of the claims themselves, and is not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).

While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.