A game people can sink their teeth into

FRUIT HEIGHTS -- Vampires are coming out tonight, and not just for the latest "Twilight" movie.

Fans of the blood-sucking genre can now sink their teeth into "Vampire Count," one of many party games invented by a local man.

Dave Platt kept dreaming of a hide and seek game he and a group of young boys played during a freak snowstorm that kept them cabin-bound in July. Eight years ago, he dreamed he could sell the game and his wife encouraged him to do it. The game is a twist on the child's game of Hide and Seek.

"The kids helped me invent it," Platt said.

It wasn't long until he had his game patented and began selling it while standing in grocery stores around the area. He was tired of the long hours and decided to search for a better way to market his game, so he headed to the Entrepreneurial Business Alliance Center on the Davis Applied Technology campus in Kaysville. There the center director Steve Cloward helped him with designing a new box for the game. Although the boxes are put together by his family, he wholesales the games to game stores, variety stores and grocery stores for them to sell.

Platt is known as "the game guy" in his neighborhood as he plans parties for church and civic groups, where they play many of his games.

"Many people wonder what to play at church parties and reunions," Platt said. And he says his games are just the thing they need.

People of all ages can play them, including Vampire Count, which he will demonstrate at "The New Moon Experience" at South Towne Expo Center today and Friday, to coincide with the release of the movie "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" on Friday.

The game has two sets of cards, so those who don't like vampires can play it with bear cards. A CD of background music comes with music for both sets of cards. The host shuffles the cards, which contains 23 tombstone cards and one vampire card. The cards are passed out to the players, who carefully look at their card. The lights are turned off and the music plays as everyone hides. The vampire stays hidden until all of the players are hiding, then he puts in his glow-in-the-dark teeth and begins the Vampire Shuffle (sliding his feet across the floor). He moans and says in his best vampire voice, "I vant to suck your blood." Once he finds someone and touches him, that person screams. There are other rules, but you must read the instructions to find out. The game includes 24 sets of glow-in-the-dark teeth.

Platt has sold more than 31,000 copies of his original game. He also now has the Perfect Party Game package of 47 games. Many are games Dave made up, some were suggestions made by others, and others are the old-fashioned games such as "Kick the Can," "Mother May I" and "Run Sheepy Run." The newer games include such titles as "Pick Your Nose," "Smell the Broom Handle," "Rhino Tag," Mingle, Mingle, Mingle," "Getting There," and "Barnyard Scramble."

There are ice breakers to help people to get to know each other better. "It Happened" is one of those. Everyone is given a pencil and piece of paper and is instructed to write one sentence that actually happened to them. At one of Platt's parties someone wrote, "I shot a skunk in our backyard." Someone else wrote, "I was the state high school champion in the hundred yard dash."

After the guest writes the true statement he or she signs it, folds the paper and hands it to the host. After mixing the papers up, the host picks one statement and reads it silently, then chooses three people from the group, including the person who wrote the statement. The host reads the statement aloud and asks the participants to recall how the event happened. Two will make up stories and the third will tell the truth. Then the audience will show by the raising of hands who they think is telling the truth.

Platt said it was fun learning that is was a young person in her 20s that shot the skunk. This game helps people get to know each other.

"It is difficult to find games and activities that everyone, regardless of age or number of players, can all play together," said Platt. He said his games can be played by anyone from age 2 to 96. His mother is 96 and she still plays the games with the family.

"When people tell me they have made up a game, I ask them if it is patented. If they say no, I ask, 'Can I?'ââ" Usually they tell him to go ahead.

Vampire Count is included with the Perfect Party Games, which also contains three CDs and written rules for all of the games. The games are available in many local stores, including Three Little Monkeys in both Fruit Heights and Bountiful, Endzone Hobby Center in Clearfield, Bowman's in Kaysville, Dick's Market in Bountiful and Centerville, Winegar's in Roy and Bountiful, Lee's in Ogden, Smithfield and Logan and Valley Market in Eden. It is also in stores in Tooele, Provo, Salt Lake City, Lehi and Springville. The games cost $25 or less depending on where they are purchased.

"Turn off the TV, computer and video games, play together and have fun," Platt said.

For more information, Platt can be reached at (888) 668-8291 or davesanytimegames@msn.com.