Dynamic Physics for Match-Three Game Element Replenishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing match-three games face challenges in maintaining user engagement with limited screen resources and require innovative methods to provide rewarding gameplay that progresses from simple to challenging levels, while effectively utilizing feedback to reinforce player success and accomplishment.
Innovation Solution
A computer device with a user interface that detects user input to remove and replace game elements, where the physics of replacement elements, including direction and speed, are controlled by user input and location on the screen, allowing for dynamic movement and visual feedback to enhance gameplay experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If game elements are removed and replaced with fixed physics (e.g., always falling down from top), then the game mechanics are simple and easy to understand, but user engagement becomes repetitive and boring over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the physics of replacement game elements changeable rather than fixed. The system allows physics parameters (direction, speed, origin location) to be modified based on user input and game state, enabling the same basic mechanism to provide varied and engaging experiences while maintaining simplicity of core gameplay
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the physics characteristics of replacement elements to be adjusted. Different parameters such as direction (up/down/left/right), speed, and origin position can be changed to create different gameplay scenarios, enabling the game to progress from simple to challenging while maintaining the same fundamental match-three mechanic
2Stability of the object's composition
If replacement game elements always fall down from the top edge, then the visual feedback is consistent and simple, but the gameplay becomes monotonous and lacks challenge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different regions of the game board to have different physics characteristics. Replacement elements can come from different edges (top, bottom, left, right) depending on the local game state and user input, creating spatial variety while maintaining overall game consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the origin and direction of replacement elements based on game progress and user actions. This allows the visual feedback to adapt from simple downward falling in introductory levels to more complex multi-directional replenishment in challenging levels, maintaining engagement while preserving core consistency
3Productivity
If the game board is fully repopulated after each match, then the game state is always complete and ready for next move, but screen space is wasted and visual clutter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unnecessary elements by not repopulating the entire game board after each match. Only the specific vacancies created by matched elements are filled, removing excess visual clutter and freeing screen space while maintaining game flow continuity through selective replenishment
Data Source
AI summary
A computer device has user interface configured to display user actuatable game elements and to detect user input when a user engages with a game element; and a processor configured to receive a detected user input and on detecting a match game condition to control the user interface to remove at least three game elements from the display and to provide on the user interface replacement user actuatable game elements, wherein the manner of providing each replacement game element has a graphical representation governed by a tile associated with each game element, wherein each tile has a selectable physics which controls at least one of (i) the direction in which it moves to replenish a vacancy left by the removed user game elements; and (ii) the speed at which it moves to replenish the vacancy.