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'Trap' Card Type Name

8 replies [Last post]
Sat, 02/29/2020 - 20:02
NomadArtisan
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Joined: 12/12/2011

I'm not sure where the best forum is for this but here it goes.

I have a card type for a game idea that has you play the card face down and you can later reveal and activate it after some condition is met.

My favorite name for this card type is 'trap', but for any of you familiar with Yugioh, they have the same concept and card type name, and I am having trouble finding any information on whether or not 'trap' is trademarked in this context.

Do you know of any card games with a 'Trap' card type?

Do you have any ideas for alternative names for a card type or effect like this?

Thank you so much in advance!

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Sat, 02/29/2020 - 21:37
#1
Fri
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Dead of winter- crossroads

In dead of winter you read an encounter to the player to the left. After the encounter text there is text that says if X happens on this players turn read this aloud. Sometimes it's a trap sometimes is a bonus. The call it a crossroad but I think they legally protected this name.

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Sat, 02/29/2020 - 21:42
#2
Tim Edwards
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Is there a theme associated

Is there a theme associated with the game?

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Sat, 02/29/2020 - 22:51
#3
NomadArtisan
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It’s a monster card battler

It’s a monster card battler with a unique resource system.
No theme specifically, though if I were to pick one I might go with cyberpunk, emphasis on cyber and not so much punk. This would mean I could use programming and general computer terms.

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Sun, 03/01/2020 - 21:33
#4
questccg
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Off the top of my head...

NomadArtisan wrote:
...No theme specifically, though if I were to pick one I might go with cyberpunk, emphasis on cyber and not so much punk.

Some computer related security names are like: Alarms, Honey Pots and Tripwires.

Alarms is more common, but Tripwires are more cyberpunk because of the system used in networking (aka Tripwire). Honey Pots are servers designed to make them look like "attractive" servers to hack ... but in turn they are mainly used to corner hackers in their attempts... Ergo "Honey" Pots...

Just some computer and cyberpunk compatible "terms"...!

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Sun, 03/01/2020 - 21:58
#5
Jay103
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"trap" is far too generic to

"trap" is far too generic to be trademarked, and they would need to put a "tm" symbol next to it.

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Mon, 03/02/2020 - 00:24
#6
NomadArtisan
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Thanks all. @questccg -

Thanks all.
@questccg - Thanks for those ideas. I was also considering 'catch', or using various listener/event system terms, but those you listed are more specific to interacting with an 'enemy' entity.

@Jay103 - I know trap is too generic to be trademarked. My concern is more using the same name AND the same general mechanic.
There are other card games that use the same mechanic but have different names, such as 'secrets' in Hearthstone.
The mechanic itself isn't very unique either though, so maybe Trap is fine.

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Mon, 03/02/2020 - 06:42
#7
Juzek
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If it looks like a trap card,

If it looks like a trap card, and acts like a trap card, my vote is call it a trap card. It will be easier for anyone familiar with the concept.

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Mon, 03/02/2020 - 09:48
#8
Jay103
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Juzek wrote:If it looks like

Juzek wrote:
If it looks like a trap card, and acts like a trap card, my vote is call it a trap card. It will be easier for anyone familiar with the concept.

Yup.

I mean, the worst case is someone thinking you stole the idea from another game, except the mechanic IS in other games.. as are most mechanics.

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