Electronic Game With Dynamic Peg Removal Mechanics

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a new video game that offers the benefits of interactivity, complexity, and engagement found in traditional video games while providing additional unique features and challenges.

Innovation Solution

Peggle is a game that balances skill and luck, where players aim to remove specific pegs on a board by shooting a ball, with varying peg types, obstacles, and dynamic gameplay elements, including random peg placement, special abilities, and artistic backdrops, to create a challenging and rewarding experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional video game mechanics are used, then interactivity and engagement are achieved, but the game lacks unique features and novelty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunique featuresVSAvoidgame mechanics complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the copying principle by implementing a virtual representation of a physical peg removal game on a computer display. The game board, pegs, and ball are digital copies of traditional physical game elements, allowing the game to be played electronically while maintaining the core mechanics. This enables the game to offer unique electronic features such as randomized peg arrangements, varied board configurations, and digital animation while preserving the familiar peg removal gameplay experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If random peg placement is implemented, then player engagement and strategic thinking are enhanced, but game complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidgame system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing randomized peg placement and varied board configurations that change with each game session. The peg positions, board layouts, and game parameters are dynamically generated rather than fixed, creating a different challenge pattern each time the player plays. This enhances player engagement through unpredictability and strategic adaptation while the computer automatically manages the complexity of randomization algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying multiple game parameters including peg positions, board configurations, peg types, and removal rules. These parameter variations are implemented through software control, allowing the game to offer diverse gameplay experiences without requiring physical reconfiguration. The system can adjust parameters such as the number of pegs, their arrangement patterns, and special game conditions to create different challenge levels and gameplay scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple peg types and obstacles are added, then gameplay variety and challenge are improved, but the game becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegameplay varietyVSAvoidgame elements complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the game board into distinct regions or zones with different peg types, obstacles, and interaction rules. Different areas of the board can have unique characteristics such as protected pegs, high-value targets, or special obstacles. This segmentation allows the game to offer varied gameplay experiences across different board sections while maintaining clear visual distinction and manageable complexity through spatial organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by giving different regions or specific pegs unique properties and characteristics. Certain pegs may have special attributes such as higher point values, protection from removal, or ability to trigger special effects when hit. Obstacles may have localized effects in specific areas of the board. This creates gameplay variety through localized differences while the overall game structure remains consistent and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8678904B1Electronic game, such as a computer game involving removing pegs
Publication Date: 2014.03.25 POPCAP GAMES
  • US8678904B1 patent drawing
  • US8678904B1 patent drawing
  • US8678904B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Peggle is a game that balances skill and luck. The Peggle board is made up of different types of pegs, some of which the player must clear. The player begins a turn by aiming a ball at the pegs. When the player releases the ball, the ball travels through the pegs, contacting some and eventually falling to the bottom of the board. The ball may bounce off many pegs, and those pegs that the ball contacts are removed. A score is calculated based on the number and types of pegs hit during a turn.