Layered Match-Three Game Elements for Limited-Screen Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer-implemented games face challenges in maintaining engagement and introducing complexity when played on devices with limited display resources, such as smartphones and tablets, particularly in match-three games like Candy Crush Saga, where user interface control and effective feedback are crucial for maintaining player interest.
Innovation Solution
A computer device and method that includes a display for game elements with multiple layers, each associated with matching characteristics, a user interface for input detection, and a processor to determine and remove layers based on matching criteria, revealing booster game objects when all layers are removed, enhancing gameplay complexity and engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If match-three games introduce complexity to maintain engagement, then player engagement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The game element is divided into multiple layers, each with different matching characteristics. This segmentation allows the single game element to provide multiple engagement mechanisms without increasing overall game complexity, as each layer can be independently matched and removed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by stacking multiple layers on top of each other within the same game element. This dimensional change allows additional matching characteristics to be added without expanding the horizontal game board, maintaining simplicity while increasing engagement depth
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple layers are added to game elements to increase complexity, then gameplay engagement is improved, but display resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple layers are nested within the same game element footprint, with each layer stacked vertically. This nesting allows multiple matching characteristics to occupy the same display space, increasing gameplay complexity without requiring additional display area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional tile-based game to a three-dimensional layered structure. By utilizing the vertical dimension, multiple layers can be displayed within the same horizontal space, reducing the need for additional display resources while increasing game complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If layers are removed to reveal booster game objects, then user engagement is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Booster game objects are pre-positioned beneath the layers of game elements but remain hidden until the layers are removed. This preliminary placement allows the boosters to be ready for immediate activation when layers are removed, enhancing engagement without requiring complex real-time generation or positioning logic
Data Source
AI summary
A computer device provides a computer implemented game. A display displays game elements in a game board which has tiles. A first type of game element occupy two or more tiles and a second type of game element occupy one tile. The first type of game element has layers with each layer associated with a matching characteristic. A user interface detects user input when a user engages with a game element in a move. At least one processor determines that second game elements having at least one common matching characteristic satisfy a match condition and at least one of those second game elements is adjacent to a first game element. In response, it is determined if that first game element has a layer associated with the common matching characteristic, and if so, causes the layer associated with the common matching characteristic to be removed.