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 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: 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 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: 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 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: 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.

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 a computing device displays computer game graphics showing a score for a computer game, and in which, one or more of the processors are programmed to: (a) receive the score a player achieves while playing a game; and (b) visually indicate how this score relates to one or multiple pre-defined goals; (c) receive information about the high scores of different players of the game (d) compare the current score of the player, the previous high score of the player and the high scores of the different players; and (e) during the play of the game, visually represent the difference between the current score, the high scores of the different players and the pre-defined goal(s).

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.

Abstract: A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors in which a computing device displays computer game graphics for a casual game 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 a processor enables the game to be accessed through a social network through which friends can request help in completing game levels and send game-related gifts to one another; and in which a processor draws the game elements as brightly coloured candies.

Abstract: A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which the processor(s) are programmed so that: a player can see its game level position on a virtual path, or other virtual world, shown on the player's computing device display, the virtual path including a node for each level of the game; and when the player moves a cursor, pointer or other selection tool over a node, then a thumbnail image of the gameboard for that level is automatically displayed.

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, where the casual, social game is downloaded as an app to a smartphone and/or tablet computer and can be accessed or played using a social network application or environment; and in which one or more of the processors are programmed such that: a notification is automatically generated if a player is stuck at a level for more than a defined time or after more than a defined number of attempts to pass that level, the notification alerting friends of the player so that they can assist him or her.

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 to show: a virtual path or other virtual world that indicates the level reached by the player and some of that player's social network friends; a score board that displays the score of a player once he has completed a level successfully, together with the highest scores of some of its social network friends' for that level; and in which each level of the game can be failed and, if the processor determines that the player is running out of moves or time, then the processor causes the game to automatically display a message offering extra moves and/or time for the player to purchase, to carry on playing the game, or other in-game assistance.

Abstract: A method of displaying scores of players in a game tournament played on connected computing devices, each with an integral display, in which one or more processors cause the scores for each player for a specific round of the game to be recorded and then causes the scores for that specific round to be displayed in a scoreboard that includes at least one linear bar divided into two sections, the length of each section being determined by the processor to indicate the relative scores of each player.

Abstract: A method of designing multiple computer games, using a software module running on a processor, in which the module enables pre-defined kinds of game design functions to be implemented across multiple different computer games; and in which the module implements multiple pre-defined kinds of common game design functions; and is extensible in that new components can be added to the module to create new functionality.

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 disappear 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: the gameboard includes an entry point and one or more exit points and the player completes a level of the game if he or she clears elements to make a path from the entry point to an exit point; and the game includes a virtual path though which the player progresses if he or she completes a level of the game; and that virtual path can, at some nodes, fork in several different directions and the position of the exit successfully reached in the gameboard determines which fork the player will take through the virtual path if the player completes a level.