Dynamic Game Tile Characteristics for Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computer-implemented match games face challenges in maintaining user engagement and controlling difficulty levels, especially when played on devices with limited display resources, as they struggle to introduce complexity and provide rewarding gameplay experiences.

Innovation Solution

A computer device with a processor and data structure that dynamically changes tile characteristics in response to user input, allowing for the removal and replenishment of game elements to create a chain reaction, thereby adjusting game difficulty and enhancing user engagement through a new user engagement mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If game complexity is increased to enhance user engagement, then user engagement is improved, but device resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser engagementVSAvoiddevice resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The game board is divided into multiple zones with different tile characteristics (frozen, burning, poisoned, etc.), each zone operating independently with its own rules. This segmentation allows complex gameplay mechanics to be distributed across multiple manageable zones rather than requiring the entire board to process complex interactions simultaneously, reducing overall system resource demands while maintaining engagement through diverse zone-specific challenges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Tile characteristics dynamically change based on game state - tiles can be frozen, burning, poisoned, or have other temporary states that modify their behavior. This dynamic property system allows the game to introduce complexity and variety without adding permanent structural complexity, enabling engaging gameplay variations while reusing the same underlying tile and game element structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If chain reaction mechanics are implemented to create rewarding gameplay, then player satisfaction is improved, but game difficulty control becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer satisfactionVSAvoidgame difficulty control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different zones of the game board have different characteristics and rules - some zones may be frozen requiring special thawing mechanics, others burning requiring protection, others poisoned requiring antidotes. This local quality approach allows chain reactions to be rewarding and varied in different areas while the overall difficulty is controlled by the distribution and combination of zone types rather than uniform complexity across the entire board

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The game implements multiple feedback mechanisms including visual indicators of tile states (frozen, burning, poisoned), immediate effects when tiles are matched or interacted with, and progressive revelation of zone characteristics. This feedback system helps players understand and anticipate chain reactions, making difficulty more controllable and predictable while maintaining player satisfaction through rewarding discoveries and strategic planning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tile characteristics are introduced to increase game complexity, then gameplay variety is improved, but user interface clarity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegameplay varietyVSAvoiduser interface clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different tile characteristics are represented by distinct visual appearances - frozen tiles may appear icy or blue-tinted, burning tiles may appear red or glowing, poisoned tiles may appear dark or ominous. This color and visual coding system allows multiple tile characteristics to be clearly distinguished at a glance, maintaining user interface clarity while enabling gameplay variety through visually distinct tile types and states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

Tile characteristics are added as an additional dimension of information rather than complicating the basic tile structure. Instead of adding more tile types in a linear fashion, the patent superimposes characteristic layers on top of the fundamental tile identity, allowing players to perceive and interact with multiple attributes simultaneously without overwhelming the interface. This dimensional approach organizes complexity in a way that maintains clarity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10549194B2Method and apparatus for providing a computer implemented game having game elements displayed on a game board comprising game tiles having changeable characteristics

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 KING COM

AI summary

A computer device has a touch screen which displays game elements. A user is able to move game elements to make a match. When a match is made, the game elements of the match are removed. Each game element is associated with a tile. A subset of the tiles is able to toggle between a set of characteristics each time a game element, associated with a tile of the subset, is removed. A game objective is satisfied when the subset of tiles have a respective predefined characteristic one of the set of characteristics.