Match-Three Game Characteristic Progression System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer-implemented match-three games face challenges in engaging users with limited display resources and maintaining gameplay complexity while providing effective user engagement, especially in casual puzzle games like match-three games.
Innovation Solution
A computer device and method for a match-three game that includes a display showing game elements with multiple matching characteristics, a user interface to detect user input, and a processor to determine matches and change characteristics, allowing for removal and replenishment of game elements based on matching conditions, with visually distinct representation and reward mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If game elements are removed from the game board after matching, then the game progresses and provides clear feedback, but the display resources are consumed and the game may become less engaging over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a characteristic progression system where matched game elements do not disappear immediately but instead advance through an ordered set of characteristics. When a game element matches, its current characteristic is removed and the next characteristic in the ordered set is activated. This allows the same physical game element to provide multiple matching opportunities across different characteristics, effectively recovering display resources while maintaining reliable feedback loops.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple matching characteristics are introduced to increase gameplay complexity, then user engagement improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring matching conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the matching mechanism by introducing ordered sets of characteristics for different types of game elements. First type game elements have one ordered set of characteristics while second type game elements have different ordered sets. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by organizing characteristics into distinct, manageable groups with clear matching rules, making detection and measurement more systematic despite the overall increased gameplay complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes predetermined ordered sets of characteristics for each game element type before gameplay begins. These ordered sets define the sequence in which characteristics will be activated and matched. By pre-defining the characteristic progression paths, the system simplifies real-time match detection while maintaining complex gameplay, as the processor only needs to follow the predetermined sequences rather than evaluate all possible characteristic combinations dynamically.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If game elements change characteristics instead of being removed, then gameplay continuity is maintained, but the loss of information about original characteristics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system tracks and manages the progression of characteristics for each game element through ordered sets. When a game element changes characteristics, the system maintains information about the progression state, knowing which characteristic is current and what remains in the ordered set. This feedback loop ensures that no information is truly lost, as the system can reconstruct the characteristic history and determine remaining matching opportunities based on the ordered set structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer device has a display which display game elements. A first type of game elements is associated with a matching characteristics of an ordered set of matching characteristics. At least one processor is configured to determine that at least three game elements have at least one common matching characteristic to satisfy a match condition and at least one of said game elements satisfying said match condition is of the first type. The first type of game elements in the match are removed if a current matching characteristic is a last matching characteristic of the respective ordered set or changed a next characteristic of the set.