Method for implementing a computer game

• US 9,561,437 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2013
• Issued: 02/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: King.com, Ltd (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: King.com, Ltd (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Knutsson, Sebastian
• Primary Examiner(s): McClellan, James S
• Application Number:
  US14/029,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20140128159A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,239 Days
• Field of Search: 463/9
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/40 Processing input control signals of video game devices, e.g. signals generated by the player or derived from the environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/537 using indicators, e.g. showing the condition of a game character on screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/75 Enforcing rules, e.g. detecting foul play or generating lists of cheating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44 Arrangements for executing specific programs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3274 : wherein the players cooperate, e.g. team-play

Abstract

A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which a computing device displays computer game graphics showing a gameboard with multiple game elements that are removed when matched or switched, such as in a match-3, clicker or switcher game; and in which, one or more of the processors are programmed such that: (a) to pass a level, the player has to remove a defined number of game elements of several specific collectable types which are present on the gameboard in a limited number of moves, and (b) the gameboard also displays removable elements of one or more other types that the player does not have to remove, and receives no score or points if he does remove.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of controlling a display responsive to user engagement via a user interface with a game board of a computer implemented game displayed on said display, the method comprising the following implemented by at least one processor of a computer device in communication with said interface, said display and at least one memory:

displaying the game board on said display, said game board having removable game elements of a first type and of a second type, the first type of removable game elements comprising removable elements of one or more specific collectable game elements, and the second type of removable game elements comprising removable elements of one or more other types

detecting a move comprising selection of at least one removable game element with respect to the displayed game board in response to user input received via said user interface;

determining in response to said detected move, an occurrence of at least one match with respect to said removable game elements; and

in response to said determining of the occurrence of at least one match;

removing said game elements of said at least one match from said game board displayed on the display;

determining for each removed game element if said removed game element is of the first type or the second type and only for the game elements of the first type updating information associated with a removed number of game elements, wherein removal of said game elements of the second type does not cause said information associated with the removed number of game elements to change; and

determining from said information that a defined number of game elements of the first type have been removed within a defined number of moves to thereby pass a level of said game.

2. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that a bonus number +X is applied to a game element on the game board and displayed as a bonus number X adjacent to that element, and removing that element is handled by the processor as being equivalent to removing X+1 elements of that type.

3. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that, when the user makes a match of elements that leads to elements being removed from the game board, and then any remaining adjacent elements that are also of first type are allocated a bonus number.

4. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that removing elements causes new elements to move into position on the game board, creating further matches, then any remaining adjacent elements that are also of the first type are allocated a bonus number.

5. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that a bonus number +X is applied to every collectable game element on the game board within a defined region.

6. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that if the user removes more than the defined number of game elements of all of the first type, then the processor causes the game to enter a new mode in which some of the game elements on the board are automatically allocated a bonus number.

7. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that the extent to which the user removes more than the defined number of game elements is counted and a number of bonus items, such as green beans, is allocated to the user depending on this extent.

8. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that the number of bonus items is relevant to another level in which the objective is to remove a defined number of game elements of several specific types of the first type in order to defeat a character and the bonus items can be used to purchase a bonus number to be applied automatically to one or more game elements or to a matched combination of game elements in order to make the level easier.

9. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that the defined number of game elements of several specific types of the first type is displayed on screen.

10. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that the number of a specific single type of collectable element is relevant to completing a level and is displayed to the user.

11. The method of claim 1 in which a processor is programmed such that the defined number of game elements of several specific collectable types is not displayed on screen.

12. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that the number of a specific single type of collectable element is not relevant to completing a level, but instead the total number of all collectable types is relevant.

13. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that the game board includes a type of collectable element that cannot be removed by being included in a match.

14. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that the game board includes special blocking elements that can only be removed after there have been multiple matches to remove adjacent elements.

15. The method of claim 1 in which the special elements are shown as items whose appearance changes after each match of adjacent elements, and (a) sound effect accompanies the change of appearance, (b) the special element is a flower that progressively opens after each match of adjacent elements and (c) a goal of the level is to remove a set number of these special elements.

16. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that the elements include one or more of the following, each with animated faces:

vegetables, animals, candies, sun, moon, flowers.

17. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that a collectable element evolves in stages each time it is included in a matching combination.

18. The method of claim 17 in which the collectable element is an egg and a combination of three eggs creates a cracked egg, and a combination of three cracked eggs creates an animal that flies off the game board;

and one of the goals for a level is to collect one or more of these animals.

19. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that an element on the game board is a bucket that progressively fills with water each time there is a match of elements adjacent to it and that element can spill over after a set number of matches adjacent to it, causing collectable elements to be shown on the game board.

20. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that reaching targets for a level earns a user stars, and earning 1 star earns the user an animal of one species, earning two stars earns the user a different species and earning three stars earns the user a still different species.

21. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed such that, if the user earns a collection of one group of different species, then that collection entitles the user to one type of booster;

and if the user earns a collection of a different group of species, then that collection entitles the user to a different type of booster.

22. The method of claim 1 in which some or all game levels are untimed, eliminating any time pressure.

23. The method of claim 1 in which the game is a casual, social game and some or all levels have a true fail, to enable monetization through purchasing extra moves.

24. The method of claim 1 in which there is a continuous musical soundtrack plays during gameplay.

25. The method of claim 1 in which the method generates and displays congratulatory messages when the scores more than a predefined amount, or matches more than a predefined number of game elements, in a single move.

26. The method of claim 1 in which there is an algorithm for automatically detecting when there are no possible moves left.

27. The method of claim 1 in which there is an algorithm for re-shuffling the elements on the game board.

28. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor generates, if no move has been made for a while, help or hints by brightening and enlarging game elements used in a possible move on the board with a flashing animation.

29. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed to require a user to reach a target score before running out of moves in order to complete a level successfully, but completing the level is not timed.

30. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed to automatically replenish a life for a user in 30 minutes.

31. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed so that, if a user finishes a level in under the target number of moves, then random game elements on the game board are triggered and give the user bonus points.

32. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed so that, if a level is finished with moves left, those moves are converted to special game elements that trigger for extra bonus points.

33. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed so that the game generates and displays congratulatory messages when the user scores more than a predefined amount, or matches more than a predefined number of game elements, in a single move.

34. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed so that the user can ask his friends for lives.

35. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed so that the user can ask his friends for other help.

36. The method of claim 1 in which social network friends are prompted to assist another user if that other user has played, but not completed, a level meeting a certain criteria.

37. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed so that the user can send gifts to friends.

38. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed so that the game can be synchronized between different devices.

39. The method of claim 1 in which s-said at least one processor is programmed so that a user can seamlessly stop and re-start playing the game at any time since game state information is stored.

40. The method of claim 1 in which every change in a game state is accompanied by sound and visual feedback to provide immediate, positive gratification to the user.

41. The method of claim 1 in which game state information is preserved, enabling a remote server system to identify a user and all aspects of the state of the game they are playing, so that the user can end game play on one device and resume from a different device at a later time at exactly the same state.

42. The method of claim 41 in which the different device can be a different type of device, so that the user can move seamlessly between playing the game on a smartphone and on a tablet.

43. The method of claim 1 in which a remote server system can identify a user because that user has accessed the game through a social network.

44. The method of claim 1 in which the game is a casual, social game, namely a game that can be downloaded as an app to a smartphone and/or tablet computer and which can be accessed or played using a social network application or environment.

45. The method of claim 1 in which said at least one processor is programmed to show a virtual path or other virtual world that indicates the level reached by the user and that user'"'"'s social network friends.

46. The method of claim 1 in which the design of the game is optimised through a process including the step of:

using data analytics to understand the impact of changes to the game design in terms of user engagement or monetization or viralisation and;

implementing changes to the game design, including frequent changes to optimise user engagement or monetisation or viralisation.

47. A computing device adapted to control a display responsive to user engagement via a user interface, with a game board of a computer implemented game displayed on said display, the method comprising the following implemented by at least one processor of a computer device in communication with said interface, said display and at least one memory:

display the game board on said display, said game board having removable game elements of a first type and of a second type, the first type of removable game elements comprising removable elements of one or more specific collectable game elements, and the second type of removable elements comprising removable elements of one or more other types;

detect a move comprising selection of at least one removable game element with respect to the displayed game board in response to user input received via said user interface;

determine in response to said detected move, an occurrence of at least one match with respect to said removable game elements; and

in response to said determining of the occurrence of at least one match;

remove said game elements of said at least one match from said game board displayed on the display;

determine for each removed game element if said removed game element is of the first type or the second type and only for the game elements of the first type updating information associated with a removed number of game elements, wherein removal of said game elements of the second type does not cause said information associated with the removed number of game elements to change; and

determine from said information that a defined number of game elements of the first type have been removed within a defined number of moves to thereby pass a level of said game.

48. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with instructions for controlling a computer system to control a display responsive to user engagement via a user interface, with a game board of a computer implemented game displayed on said display, the method comprising the following implemented by at least one processor of a computer device in communication with said interface, said display and at least one memory:

display the game board on said display, said game board having removable game elements of a first type and of a second type, the first type of removable game elements comprising removable elements of one or more specific collectable game elements, and the second type of removable elements comprising removable elements of one or more other types;

detect a move comprising selection of at least one removable game element with respect to the displayed game board in response to user input received via said user interface;

determine in response to said detected move, an occurrence of at least one match with respect to said removable game elements; and

in response to said determining of the occurrence of at least one match;

remove said game elements of said at least one match from said game board displayed on the display;

determine for each removed game element if said removed game element is of the first type or the second type and only for the game elements of the first type updating information associated with a removed number of game elements, wherein removal of said game elements of the second type does not cause said information associated with the removed number of game elements to change; and

determine from said information that a defined number of game elements of the first type have been removed within a defined number of moves to thereby pass a level of said game.