Improved Game Control

Abstract

An apparatus (100) and method for game control is disclosed. A graphical user interface (202, 302) is generated and displayed on a display screen (102). The graphical user interface presents user controllable objects (204, 304a, 304b) and target objects (206, 306a, 306b). A user is allowed to provide user input to control the movement of the user controllable objects. A predefined region (208, 308) is identified around one of the user controllable objects, and it is detected whether the target object is within the predefined region in the graphical user interface, and if it is detected to be within the predefined region, an action (212, 314a, 314b) is performed from the user controllable object to the target object.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein (hereinafter referred to as the disclosure) relates to an apparatus for controlling a game via a graphical user interface. The disclosure also relates to a method for controlling a game via a graphical user interface. The disclosure further relates to a computer program product having a non-volatile computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions executable by a computing device having processing hardware to perform the method. Background

[0002] Video games have become a popular form of entertainment in the 21st century. Over the past few decades, video games have undergone a tremendous evolution. During this period, the boundaries of technological development in the video gaming field have been constantly pushed to create highly interactive video games and to provide users with sophisticated gameplay.

[0003] When developing modern video games, game developers often face a major challenge. A key requirement of modern video games is to allow users to interact with the various elements of the video game with minimal effort. Such interactive games must be developed with the screen size of the display on which the game is displayed in mind. Currently, most popular video games can be played on game consoles, personal computers, smartphones, tablets, etc. The screen sizes of these devices differ significantly from each other. In particular, the display screens of smartphones and tablets are significantly smaller in size. Therefore, it is a challenge to display a graphical user interface on the display screen of the smartphone (or tablet) while ensuring an appropriate and easy mechanism for the user to provide user input.

[0004] Furthermore, many modern video games often require many complex actions to be performed by the user, resulting in increasing complexity of the game control logic, making the user interfaces of such games very complex and difficult for users to use, leading to an unpleasant and tiring user experience.

[0005] Another challenge in the development of video games is to improve the operability of the display screen of the device and to make the man-machine interface efficient and easy to use. In view of the above, it is desirable to reduce the number of interactions required to execute a given user input, thus reducing the mental and physical effort required by the user.

[0006] In view of these circumstances, a need exists to overcome the aforementioned challenges associated with modern video games.

[0007] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for game control through a graphical user interface. The present disclosure also relates to a method for game control through a graphical user interface. The present disclosure further relates to a computer program product having a non-volatile computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer readable instructions executable by a computing device having processing hardware for carrying out said method. And the present disclosure seeks to provide a solution to the existing problems of game control.

[0008] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus for controlling a game through a graphical user interface, the apparatus comprising a display screen and a processor, the processor comprising: generating the graphical user interface on the display screen, the graphical user interface presenting at least one user-controllable object and at least one target object; enabling a user to provide user input for controlling movement of the at least one user-controllable object within the graphical user interface; identifying, within the graphical user interface, a predetermined region around the at least one user-controllable object; detecting whether the at least one target object is within the predetermined area of ​​the graphical user interface; performing an action from the at least one user-controllable object on the at least one target object when the at least one target object is detected to be within the predetermined region; The present invention is configured to perform the following steps:

[0009] According to a second aspect, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method for game control through a graphical user interface, the method comprising: generating and displaying on a display screen a graphical user interface presenting at least one user-controllable object and at least one target object; enabling a user to provide user input for controlling movement of the at least one user-controllable object within the graphical user interface; identifying, within the graphical user interface, a predetermined region around the at least one user-controllable object; detecting whether the at least one target object is within the predetermined area of ​​the graphical user interface; performing an action from the at least one user-controllable object on the at least one target object when the at least one target object is detected to be within the predetermined region; Includes.

[0010] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program product having a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions executable by a computing device having processing hardware for performing the above method.

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure substantially eliminate or at least partially address the aforementioned problems in the prior art and provide the advantages of simplifying a user's interaction with a graphical user interface and reducing the number of actions a user must perform when interacting with the graphical user interface, while allowing a high degree of control of the graphical user interface and resulting in improved man-machine interaction between a user and the graphical user interface.

[0012] Further aspects, advantages, features and objects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

[0013] It will also be appreciated that features of the present disclosure can be combined in various combinations without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, example configurations of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and apparatus disclosed therein. Also, the drawings are not drawn to scale. Similar elements are designated by the same numerals wherever possible. Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the architecture of a device for controlling a game through a graphical user interface, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2A-2D illustrate a set of exemplary views of a graphical user interface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 3A-3C show another set of exemplary views of a graphical user interface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates steps of a method for controlling a game through a graphical user interface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, underlined numbers are used to represent an item at the location where the number is located or adjacent to the number. Numbers without underlines are associated with the item identified by the line extending from the number. When a number is not underlined and is written with an arrow, the number is used to identify the generic item to which the arrow points. Detailed description of implementation

[0015] The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and how they may be practiced. Although several forms for carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art will recognize that other forms for carrying out the present disclosure are possible.

[0016] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus for game control through a graphical user interface, the apparatus comprising: With a display screen; With a processor; wherein the processor: generating the graphical user interface on the display screen, the graphical user interface presenting at least one user-controllable object and at least one target object; enabling a user to provide user input for controlling movement of the at least one user-controllable object within the graphical user interface; identifying, within the graphical user interface, a predetermined region around the at least one user-controllable object; detecting whether the at least one target object is within the predetermined area of ​​the graphical user interface; performing an action from the at least one user-controllable object on the at least one target object when the at least one target object is detected to be within the predetermined region; The present invention is configured to perform the following steps:

[0017] According to a second aspect, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method for game control through a graphical user interface, the method comprising: generating and displaying on a display screen a graphical user interface presenting at least one user-controllable object and at least one target object; enabling a user to provide user input for controlling movement of the at least one user-controllable object within the graphical user interface; identifying, within the graphical user interface, a predetermined region around the at least one user-controllable object; detecting whether the at least one target object is within the predetermined area of ​​the graphical user interface; performing an action from the at least one user-controllable object on the at least one target object when the at least one target object is detected to be within the predetermined region; Includes.

[0018] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program product having a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions executable by a computing device having processing hardware for performing the above method.

[0019] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide the aforementioned apparatus and method. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when at least one target object is detected to be within a predetermined region, at least one user-controllable object performs an action on the at least one target object. The action is performed without requiring any additional input from the user (i.e., apart from the user input provided by the user to control the movement of the at least one user-controllable object within the graphical user interface). Thus, the present apparatus enables improved game control for the user by allowing the user to interact with the graphical user interface in an easy and convenient manner. By reducing the number of inputs that the user needs to provide when interacting with the graphical user interface, the user's interaction is simplified. This allows for a highly efficient and less fatigued user input to the graphical user interface. This also results in improved man-machine interaction between the user and the graphical user interface.

[0020] The aforementioned graphical user interfaces relate to games. In some implementations, the game can be a single player game, in which at least one target object is computer-controlled. In some implementations, the game can be a multiplayer game, in which at least one target object is controlled by other players (i.e., players other than the user). In some implementations, two or more players can form a team together with the goal of defeating a target object controlled by the other players.

[0021] Throughout this disclosure, the term "user-controllable object" refers to a graphical object presented through a graphical user interface on a display screen that is controllable by a user. At least one user-controllable object includes a game character or multiple game characters in a game.

[0022] Throughout this disclosure, the term "target object" refers to a graphical object presented through a graphical user interface on a display screen with which at least one user-controllable object may interact. The at least one target object may include a game character or multiple game characters in the game. The at least one target object may also include an inanimate object or multiple inanimate objects in the game, such as, for example, a building, a tanker, crops, etc.

[0023] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to select an action to be performed from the at least one user-controllable object to the at least one target object based on at least one of a type of the at least one user-controllable object and a type of the at least one target object. The type of the at least one user-controllable object is associated with a role and ability of the at least one user-controllable object in the game. Similarly, the type of the at least one target object is associated with a role and ability of the at least one target object in the game. As an example, if the game is a fighting game, the action may be, for example, striking, wrestling, shooting, etc.

[0024] In some embodiments, the graphical user interface presents a boost option. In this regard, in some embodiments, the processor is configured to enable a user to use the boost option to intensify an action performed by the at least one user-controllable object.

[0025] In one implementation, the display screen is capable of detecting touch operations and allows a user to provide user input through touch gestures to control the movement of at least one user-controllable object, hi another implementation, the user input is provided using at least one of a mouse, a touchpad, a pointing stick, and a joystick.

[0026] The movement of at least one user-controllable object can be controlled in the following ways. A first method for moving at least one user-controllable object while keeping a background scene displayed in a graphical user interface stationary. A second method of keeping the at least one user-controllable object stationary while modifying the background scene to reveal another area of ​​interest beyond the current view presented by the graphical user interface. A combination of these.

[0027] Movement of the at least one user-controllable object causes a change in the position of the object within the graphical user interface, It will be appreciated that the predetermined area varies depending on the current position of the at least one user-controllable object.

[0028] In some embodiments, the predetermined region is a two-dimensional shape, and the center of the two-dimensional shape is the current location of at least one user-controllable object. Examples of two-dimensional shapes include, but are not limited to, circles, ellipses, triangles, rectangles, pentagons, and other polygons. In some embodiments, the distance between the center and the boundary of the two-dimensional shape is between 10% and 90% of the distance between the opposing sides of the graphical user interface. The distance may be measured in units of distance (cm, inches, etc.) or in pixels. As an example, if the distance between the opposing sides of the graphical user interface is 20 cm, the distance between the center and the boundary of the two-dimensional shape is between 2 cm and 18 cm. As another example, if the distance between the opposing sides of the graphical user interface is 1920 pixels, the distance between the center and the boundary of the two-dimensional shape is between 192 pixels and 1728 pixels. In some embodiments, the distance between the center and the boundary of the two-dimensional shape is between 20% and 80% of the distance between the opposing sides of the graphical user interface.

[0029] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to present a boundary indicator on the graphical user interface, the boundary indicator representing a boundary of the predefined region. The boundary indicator provides a visual reference to the user. The boundary indicator indicates to the user the predefined region as a region in which at least one user-controllable object can perform an action on a predefined target object. In implementations in which the boundary indicator is presented, the boundary indicator may be semi-transparent, thereby improving visibility of the scene presented in the graphical user interface. In some implementations in which the boundary indicator is not presented, the predefined region may be semi-transparent. In some implementations, both the boundary indicator and the predefined region are presented.

[0030] In some implementations, the processor is configured to present the boundary indicator only while the user is providing user input, i.e., the boundary indicator is presented only while the at least one user-controllable object is moving within the graphical user interface, thereby allowing the user to select where in the graphical user interface they want to move the at least one user-controllable object.

[0031] In some embodiments, the graphical user interface presents control objects. In this regard, in some embodiments, the processor is configured to enable a user to provide user input through the control objects.

[0032] In some embodiments, the processor is configured as follows. · Detect whether a control object is located within a given region while a boundary indicator is displayed in the graphical user interface. · Relocating the control object outside the predefined region if the control object is detected to be located within said predefined region while a boundary indicator is displayed in the graphical user interface.

[0033] This improves the visibility of the scene displayed in the graphical user interface, and such rearrangement is performed without requiring any additional input from the user.

[0034] In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, the processor is configured to allow a user to reposition a control object within the graphical user interface. Allowing a user to manually reposition a control object within the graphical user interface provides the user with more control, thereby improving the user experience.

[0035] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to present at least one directional indicator, which represents a direction in which at least one user-controllable object may be moved to locate at least one additional target object not currently displayed in the graphical user interface. Presenting at least one directional indicator increases the efficiency of the game playing process and also adds a degree of predictability, sophistication and fun to the game. A technical contribution inherent in presenting at least one directional indicator relates to indicating to the user the direction of a second area of ​​interest beyond the current view presented by the graphical user interface, thereby drawing the user's attention to the second area of ​​interest. Presenting at least one directional indicator allows the user to receive information related to the second area beyond the current view without losing focus on the current view.

[0036] The display method of at least one directional indicator on a graphical user interface reliably assists the user in performing a task by a continuous and / or guided human-machine interaction process. Thus, the display functionality is expanded with the help of a simple directional indicator that only occupies a small area on the graphical user interface.

[0037] In some implementations, the at least one directional indicator is highlighted or enlarged during or after an action is performed on the at least one target object. The at least one predefined directional indicator may be highlighted by adding a special effect to it. As one example, the predefined directional indicator may be shown in a bright color. As another example, a flashing or glowing effect may be added to the predefined directional indicator.

[0038] It will be appreciated that the highlighting or enlarging of the at least one directional indicator serves a technical purpose, i.e. to increase the visibility of the at least one directional indicator, and not merely to be displayed for viewing, but to further enable ongoing man-machine interaction between the user and the graphical user interface. The highlighting or enlarging of the at least one directional indicator allows it to be prevented from being obscured by adjacent graphical objects (e.g. game characters of other players, etc.). It will thus be appreciated that increasing the visibility of the at least one directional indicator not only addresses human mental processes (i.e. conveying the cognitive meaning of information presented through the graphical user interface), but also contributes to giving the graphical user interface an objective technical function (i.e. further facilitating ongoing man-machine interaction). The at least one directional indicator is presented in such a way as to increase the visibility and allow the user to perform a task more efficiently.

[0039] In some implementations, the at least one directional indicator is displayed along a perimeter of the boundary indicator. In other implementations, the at least one directional indicator is displayed along a perimeter of the graphical user interface. In such implementations, the at least one directional indicator is not obscured by adjacent graphical objects (e.g., other players' game characters, etc.). This provides the technical effect of improving usability of the graphical user interface.

[0040] In some embodiments, the number of user-controllable objects is more than one. In some embodiments, the processor is configured to allow a user to synchronously control the movement of multiple user-controllable objects in the graphical user interface based on user input. This allows a user to simultaneously control multiple user-controllable objects based on a single user input. This greatly simplifies user input.

[0041] For ease of explanation, consider an example in which the multiple user-controllable objects include a first user-controllable object and a second user-controllable object, whose movements can be controlled synchronously. One such example is illustrated using Figures 3A and 3B. By "synchronized" it is meant that the multiple user-controllable objects move together in the same direction at the same speed according to user input.

[0042] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the processor is configured to, upon detecting that the at least one target object is within the predetermined region, perform a first action and a second action, respectively, from a first user-controllable object and a second user-controllable object of the plurality of user-controllable objects on the at least one target object, thereby enabling a user to simultaneously perform multiple actions through the plurality of user-controllable objects based on a single user input. The first action may be the same as or different from the second action.

[0043] The present disclosure also relates to a computer-implemented method as described above, to which the various embodiments and variants disclosed above with respect to the first aspect above apply mutatis mutandis.

[0044] In some embodiments, the number of user-controllable objects is multiple, and the method includes enabling a user to control movement of the multiple user-controllable objects within the graphical user interface in a synchronized manner based on user input.

[0045] In some embodiments, the number of user controllable objects is a plurality, and the method includes, upon detecting the at least one target object within the predetermined region, performing a first action and a second action, respectively, from a first user controllable object and a second user controllable object of the plurality of user controllable objects on the at least one target object.

[0046] In some embodiments, the method includes presenting in a graphical user interface a boundary indicator representative of a boundary of said predetermined region.

[0047] In some embodiments, the method includes presenting the boundary indicator only while the user is providing user input.

[0048] In some embodiments, in the method, the graphical user interface presents control objects, and the method further includes allowing a user to provide user input through the control objects.

[0049] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: Detecting whether a control object is located within a predefined region while a boundary indicator is displayed on a graphical user interface. · relocating the control object outside the predetermined region if the control object is detected to be located within the predetermined region while a boundary indicator is displayed on the graphical user interface.

[0050] Additionally or alternatively, the method may further include allowing a user to rearrange the control objects within the graphical user interface.

[0051] In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of: the predetermined region is a two-dimensional shape, the center of the two-dimensional shape is a current position of the at least one user-controllable object, and the distance between the center and a boundary of the two-dimensional shape is between 10% and 90% of the distance between opposing sides of the graphical user interface. In some embodiments, the distance between the center of the two-dimensional shape and a boundary is between 20% and 80% of the distance between opposing sides of the graphical user interface.

[0052] In some embodiments, the method includes presenting at least one directional indicator representing a direction in which the at least one user-controllable object may be moved to locate at least one additional target object not currently displayed in the graphical user interface.

[0053] [Detailed description of the drawing]

[0054] 1, a block diagram of an architecture of a device 100 for game control is shown, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 100 comprises a display screen 102 and a processor 104. The processor 104 is configured to perform various tasks as described with respect to the first perspective above.

[0055] It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that Figure 1 merely illustrates a simplified architecture of device 100 for clarity and that Figure 1 should not be construed as unduly limiting the scope of the claims herein. One of ordinary skill in the art may recognize numerous variations, alternatives, and modifications of the disclosed embodiments.

[0056] 2A-2D, a set of exemplary views of a graphical user interface 202 are shown, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, presenting at least one user-controllable object, depicted as user-controllable object 204, and at least one target object, depicted as target object 206.

[0057] Also presented in the graphical user interface 202 is a predefined region 208 identified around the user-controllable object 204. In some embodiments, the predefined region 208 is circular. (In FIG. 2A, it is shown as a dotted oval because the illustrative view is perspective.) In FIGS. 2B-2D, the graphical user interface 202 presents a boundary indicator 210 representing the boundary of the predefined region 208. Whether or not such a presentation is provided depends on the embodiment. In FIG. 2B, opposing sides 211a and 211b of the graphical user interface 202 are also shown.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 2C-2D, when the target object 206 is detected to be within a predetermined area 208 , the user-controllable object 204 performs an action 212 on the target object 206 .

[0059] 2C-2D, the graphical user interface 202 presents a control object 214 to which a user can provide user input. In some embodiments, when the control object 214 is detected to be located inside the predefined region 208 while the boundary indicator 210 is presented (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2C), the control object 214 is repositioned outside the predefined region 208 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2D).

[0060] 2D , the graphical user interface 202 also presents at least one directional indicator, shown as directional indicator 216. The directional indicator 216 represents a direction in which the user-controllable object 204 may be moved to locate at least one additional target object that is not currently visible in the graphical user interface 202.

[0061] 3A-3C, a set of exemplary views of a graphical user interface 302 are shown, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, presenting at least one user-controllable object, depicted as user-controllable objects 304a and 304b, and at least one target object, depicted as target objects 306a and 306b.

[0062] Graphical user interface 302 presents a predefined region 308 identified around user controllable objects 304a and 304b. In some embodiments, graphical user interface 302 presents boundary indicators 310 that represent the boundaries of predefined region 308. Also shown in Figure 3A are opposing sides 311a and 311b of graphical user interface 302.

[0063] In some embodiments, the graphical user interface 302 presents a control object 312. A user may be able to provide user input through the control object 312 to control the movement of the user-controllable objects 304a and 304b. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface 302 allows a user to control the movement of the user-controllable objects 304a and 304b in a manner such that the objects are synchronized based on the user input.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 3B, when a target object 306a is detected to be within a predetermined area 308, the user controllable objects 304a and 304b perform a first action 314a and a second action 314b, respectively, on the target object 306a.

[0065] 3C, when both target objects 306a and 306b are detected to be within the predetermined region 308, the user controllable objects 304a and 304b perform the first action 314a and the second action 314b on the target objects 306a and 306b, respectively. Alternatively, the user controllable objects 304a and 304b may perform the first action 314a and the second action 314b together, first performing the first action 314a and the second action 314b on one of the target objects 306a and 306b, and then performing the first action 314a and the second action 314b on the other of the target objects 306a and 306b.

[0066] 3B and 3C, the graphical user interface 302 also presents at least one directional indicator, shown as directional indicator 316. The directional indicator 316 represents the direction in which the user controllable objects 304a and 304b may be moved to locate at least one additional target object that is not currently visible in the graphical user interface 302.

[0067] 2A-2D and 3A-3C are merely examples, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, substitutions, and modifications of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 4, steps of a method for game control according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown. In step 402, a graphical user interface is generated and displayed on a display screen. The graphical user interface presents at least one user-controllable object and at least one target object. In step 404, a user is enabled to provide user input for controlling the movement of the at least one user-controllable object in the graphical user interface. In step 406, a predefined area is identified around the at least one user-controllable object in the graphical user interface. In step 408, it is detected whether the at least one target object is within the predefined area in the graphical user interface. If it is detected in step 408 that the at least one target object is within the predefined area, step 410 is executed. In step 410, an action is executed from the at least one user-controllable object to the at least one target object. Thereafter, the processing loop of the aforementioned steps is resumed in step 402. If it is detected in step 408 that the at least one target object is not within the predefined area, the processing loop of the aforementioned steps is resumed in step 402.

[0069] The steps described above are merely exemplary and may include alternative steps, i.e., one or more steps may be added, one or more steps may be removed, or one or more steps may be performed in a different order, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0070] Modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above can be made without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims. The terms "including," "comprising," "incorporating," "having," "being," and the like used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be interpreted in a non-exclusive manner, i.e., to allow for the presence of items, parts, or components not expressly described. The absence of a specification that an element is plural does not preclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The terms "first," "second," "third," and the like used in this specification do not indicate order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish one element from another.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for controlling a game through a graphical user interface, comprising: a display screen and a processor, the processor comprising: generating the graphical user interface on the display screen, the graphical user interface presenting at least one user-controllable object and at least one target object; enabling a user to provide user input for controlling movement of the at least one user-controllable object within the graphical user interface; - identifying a predetermined region within the graphical user interface around the at least one user-controllable object; - detecting whether the at least one target object is within the predetermined area of ​​the graphical user interface; performing an action from the at least one user-controllable object on the at least one target object when the at least one target object is detected to be within the predetermined region; An apparatus configured to perform the steps of:

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the number of the user-controllable objects is multiple, and the processor is configured to enable a user to synchronously control movement of the multiple user-controllable objects within the graphical user interface based on user input.

3. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the number of the user-controllable objects is multiple, and the processor is configured to, when detecting that the at least one target object is within the predetermined area, perform a first action and a second action, respectively, on the at least one target object from a first user-controllable object and a second user-controllable object among the multiple user-controllable objects.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to present, on the graphical user interface, a boundary indicator representative of a boundary of the predetermined region.

5. The graphical user interface presents control objects, and the processor - allowing a user to provide user input through said control object; detecting whether the control object is located within the predetermined area while the boundary indicator is displayed on the graphical user interface; relocating the control object outside of the predefined region if the control object is detected to be located within the predefined region while the boundary indicator is displayed on the graphical user interface; The apparatus of claim 4 configured to perform the following:

6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to present the boundary indicator only while a user is providing user input.

7. the graphical user interface presents control objects, and the processor - allowing a user to provide user input through said control object; - enabling a user to reposition the control object within the graphical user interface; The apparatus of claim 1 configured to perform the following:

8. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined region is a two-dimensional shape, the center of the two-dimensional shape is a current position of the at least one user-controllable object, and the distance between the center and a boundary of the two-dimensional shape is between 10% and 90% of the distance between opposing sides of the graphical user interface.

9. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined region is a two-dimensional shape, the center of the two-dimensional shape is a current position of the at least one user-controllable object, and the distance between the center and a boundary of the two-dimensional shape is between 20% and 80% of the distance between opposing sides of the graphical user interface.

10. the processor is configured to present at least one directional indicator; the directional indicator representing a direction in which the at least one user-controllable object may be moved to find at least one additional target object not currently displayed in the graphical user interface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

11. 1. A computer-implemented method of controlling a game through a graphical user interface, the method comprising: generating and displaying on a display screen a graphical user interface presenting at least one user-controllable object and at least one target object; enabling a user to provide user input for controlling movement of the at least one user-controllable object within the graphical user interface; - identifying a predetermined region within the graphical user interface around the at least one user-controllable object; - detecting whether the at least one target object is within the predetermined area of ​​the graphical user interface; performing an action from the at least one user-controllable object on the at least one target object when the at least one target object is detected to be within the predetermined region; A method comprising:

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the number of the user-controllable objects is multiple, and the method includes enabling a user to control movement of multiple of the user-controllable objects within the graphical user interface in a synchronized manner based on user input.

13. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the number of the user-controllable objects is multiple, and the method includes, upon detecting that the at least one target object is within the predetermined area, performing a first action and a second action, respectively, on the at least one target object from a first user-controllable object and a second user-controllable object of the multiple user-controllable objects.

14. The method of claim 11 , comprising presenting in the graphical user interface a boundary indicator representative of a boundary of the predetermined region.

15. The graphical user interface presents control objects, and the method further comprises: - allowing a user to provide user input through said control object; detecting whether the control object is located within the predetermined area while the boundary indicator is displayed on the graphical user interface; relocating the control object outside of the predefined region if the control object is detected to be located within the predefined region while the boundary indicator is displayed on the graphical user interface; 15. The method of claim 14, comprising:

16. The method of claim 14 , comprising presenting the boundary indicator only while a user is providing user input.

17. The graphical user interface presents control objects, and the method further comprises: - allowing a user to provide user input through said control object; - enabling a user to reposition the control object within the graphical user interface; The method of claim 11 , comprising:

18. 12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the predetermined region is a two-dimensional shape, the center of the two-dimensional shape is the current position of the at least one user-controllable object, and the distance between the center and a boundary of the two-dimensional shape is between 10% and 90% of the distance between opposing sides of the graphical user interface.

19. presenting at least one directional indicator; the directional indicator representing a direction in which the at least one user-controllable object may be moved to find at least one additional target object not currently displayed in the graphical user interface. The method of claim 11.

20. A computer program having computer readable instructions configured, when executed by a processing means of an apparatus, to cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

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