Abstract: In an embodiment there is provided a method of controlling a user interface responsive to user input with a displayed game board comprising a plurality of object positions on said interface, the method comprising the following implemented by at least one processor of a device in communication with said interface and at least one memory: displaying a game board having a plurality of first and second game objects displayed on said game board positions, each first and second object having one or more characteristics stored in said at least one memory, the second game objects having a third characteristic, detecting an input trajectory comprising a selection of a sequence of one or more neighbouring first game objects sharing at least one same characteristic in response to user input, determining a target direction comprising a portion of said input trajectory with respect to the game board, and generating a further game object having a movement vector comprising said target direction in dependence on said portio

Abstract: A method comprises displaying a map on a display of a user device, the map comprising a destination; generating one or more entities to be displayed on the map and selecting one of the entities and guiding the selected entity along a route of the map to the destination.

Abstract: In an embodiment there is provided a device having a user interface configured to display a game board having a plurality of game objects, each game object having one or more characteristics stored in at least one memory, said user interface being configured to receive user input, and at least one processor in connection or communication with the at least one memory and the user interface and configured to display a game area having a plurality of game objects, each having at least one or more characteristics, provide a user object configured to target and release a user projectile associated with said user object at said game objects in response to user input, determine a return trajectory of said projectile once released, and automatically reposition said user object on the displayed game board in response to said determined return trajectory to associate said user object with the returning projectile. A method, computer program and computer program product are also described.

Abstract: In an embodiment there is provided a computer implemented method of controlling a user interface responsive to user engagement with a displayed game area on the interface, the method comprising the following implemented by at least one processor of a device, displaying a game area having a plurality of first game objects on said display, providing one or more characteristics of said first game objects and one or more action characteristics of at least one second game object, displaying said at least one second game object at a position on said game area, detecting user input re-arranging one or more of said first game objects, and activating said action characteristics of the at least one second game object in dependence on said detected input re-arranging said one or more first game objects to provide a sequence of two or more first game objects having one or more of the same characteristics adjacent the position of the second game object, and wherein at least one of the action characteristics of the second

Abstract: In an embodiment there is provided a device having a user interface configured to display a game board having a plurality of game objects, each game object having one or more characteristics, said user interface being configured to receive user input, and at least one processor in connection or communication with at least one memory configured to detect a selection of at least one game object with respect to said displayed game board in response to player input, re-order said selected game objects on said displayed game board with respect to said input, create a further game object sharing at least one of the one or more characteristics of said re-ordered game objects in accordance with at least one rule stored in said at least one memory, and replace said re-ordered game objects with said further game object for display.

Abstract: A method comprises the steps of: selecting in a server, a subset of a plurality users of an online environment for a first user, wherein when in said online environment, said first user interacts with one or more users of said subset of the plurality users.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for enabling interactive gameplay across multiple platforms.

Abstract: A computer device is described, comprising a computer storage holding a plurality of identifiers, each associated with an address; an interface connected to receive from a first computer device, game data including a completed first board of a game; and a processor configured to receive the game data to access an address associated with a player identifier and to formulate a message for transmission to a second computer device identified by the address, the message including some or all of the game data, whereby a player at the second computer device receives the message prior to accepting an invitation to play the game. Methods for providing feedback and tile selection are also disclosed in the context of a word matching game.

Abstract: A control module for controlling data stored in at least one database is disclosed. The control module comprise at least one memory and at least one processor configured to extend the at least one database in accordance with at least one predetermined rule stored in said at least one memory, and populate the records of said extension of said database automatically in dependence on said at least one predetermined rule. The at least one predetermined rule may comprise inserting a null indicator in a record of said extension when no actual data is available.

Abstract: There is provided a computer implemented method of controlling a user interface and displaying a game board arrangement, the method comprising the following implemented by at least one processor in communication with said interface and at least one memory: displaying a subset of a set of game objects, each game object having one or more characteristics, information on said subset of game objects and said game objects being stored in said at least one memory, determining a position and trajectory of movement in dependence on user input via said user interface, executing an algorithm for determining if a particular game object is to be selected or if a different subset of game objects is to be displayed in dependence on the position and trajectory of movement and the stored information on said subset of game objects, updating said subset of game objects and information such that the particular game object is selected or a different subset of game objects is displayed; and displaying said updated subset of objec

Abstract: A compiler for compiling a server application is disclosed wherein the server is configured to automatically generate an API (Application Programing Interface) for use is a client device. The API allows communication between the client device and the compiled server application.

Abstract: A computer device is described, comprising at least one processor in communication with a database storing at least one first object having one or more characteristics and at least one second object having at least one different characteristic to the characteristics of said first object, the at least one processor being configured to control an exchange of the at least one first object or said second object between a first device and a second device, the control comprising the steps of retrieving an identifier associated with the second device, selecting the first object having one or more characteristics or the second object having at least one different characteristic in dependence on said identifier associated with the second device and at least one predetermined rule, and transmit said selected first object or said selected second object to said first device.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving a call to a method in response to detection of a game event in a user device, responsive to said call, generating a data file, said data file comprising identity information associated with said game event and a value of at least one parameter; and storing said data file in a data store.

Abstract: A method for caching in a server is provided. Data from a database is duplicated in an external cache and a hot cache which are used to speed up access and distribute server load reducing access traffic the database. The server is configured to process data requests by checking the hot cache first, then the external cache before attempting to retrieve data from the database.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer implemented method of controlling a display on a first computer device connected via a communication network to a plurality of other computer devices, the method comprising: receiving user inputs from the first and other computer devices during interaction with a game rendered on the display of each computer device, the game being played by users of the computer devices over the communication network; storing the user inputs in computer storage and generating user behaviour data based on the user inputs; accessing computer storage holding a plurality of contact identifiers of the users and controlling the display of the first computer device to display only a selected set of the stored contact identifiers, wherein the set of contact identifiers is selected to be displayed based on the user behaviour data.

Abstract: A software module for use in at least one computer game, is configured in use to run on a processor, wherein the at least one module comprises at least one component configured to provide a game function wherein said at least one component is configured to be controlled by at least one parameter the game function provided by said at least one component being determined by the at least one parameter.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In an embodiment there is provided a game element within a game adapted to be played on data processing apparatus, the method comprising the following steps implemented by at least one processor of said data processing apparatus, displaying a game area having a plurality of game objects on said display, providing a predetermined player object configured for targeting and shooting of said game objects in response to player input, providing predetermined data comprising characteristics of at least one game element, selecting said at least one game element and associated characteristics for display, displaying said at least one game element, and executing said characteristics of said at least one game element in said game in dependence on a trigger event. A computing system, user device and server are also described.

Abstract: A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which computer game graphics for a casual, social game are shown on a display of a computing device and in which one or more of the processors are programmed such that game state information is preserved, enabling a remote server system to identify a player and aspects of the state of the game they are playing, so that the player can end game play on one device and resume, from the same and also from a different device at a later time, at the same state.

Abstract: A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which computer game graphics for a casual, social game are shown on a display of a computing device and in which one or more of the processors are programmed such that: in the game, a player is automatically allocated lives, is only permitted to play a game if it has one or more lives left, and loses one or more lives if it fails a level; and in which a player can see which of their friends on the social network are playing, or have played, the game and the level they have reached; and in which the processor enables players who are friends on the social network to collaborate, including by sending a message to their friends, or a subset of their friends, transferring in-game assistance.