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 computer device has a user interface which displays user actuatable game elements. User input is received and used to determine if there is a match involving three or more game elements. If so a check is made to see if one of the game elements is of a particular type. If so the size of the particular game element is determined to see if it is the smallest size. If not at least two further game elements of the given type are provided with a smaller graphical representation as compared to the at least one game element of the given type in the match game condition.

Abstract: A computer implemented device has a display which displays game elements of a computer implemented game board. A use selects via a user interface a game element and moves that game element. A processor will update a count value for each move made. When the count reaches a certain value, the use is prevented from making further moves. If a user back tracks, the count value is correspondingly updated.

Abstract: A computer device having a user interface configured to display user actuatable game elements in a game board and to detect user input when a user engages with a game element in a move; 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 generate replacement user game elements for a subsequent move; and a graphics rendering component operable to render the game elements on the user interface, each game element having a graphical representation on a tile having a background appearance, wherein the processor is configured to determine on detecting the match game condition if at least one tile in the match game condition has an attained background appearance and if so to apply the attained background appearance to each tile of the match condition.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for modifying a limit value determining the number of moves available to a player in a level of a computer implemented game and maintaining this setting for subsequent play of the level. The method comprises using a counter to change a move count in response to a user input defining a move in the game, wherein no additional moves can be made if the number of moves made reaches a first limit value; responsive to further user input, providing a first set of further moves; and storing information associated with said first set of further moves such that when said game is played again, a number of possible moves comprises the first limit value of moves and said first set of further moves.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining game objects to be displayed on a display comprising: causing to be displayed on the display a plurality of selectable game objects comprising tiles stored in at least one memory, each tile having a letter; operating a processor in communication with the at least one memory to cause the tiles to be arranged in a manner enabling a user to select one or more of the tiles in a manner that spells a word, the game board being updatable; and causing the processor to use at least one dictionary stored in the memory to select one or more words to be displayed on the game board, the at least one dictionary comprising a plurality of words of a first type and a plurality of words of a second type, wherein the method comprises the processor causing the tiles to be arranged such that the game board comprises at least one word of the second type.

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 the data processing apparatus, displaying a game area having a plurality of game objects on the display, providing a predetermined player object configured for targeting and shooting of the game objects in response to player input, providing predetermined data comprising characteristics of at least one game element, selecting the at least one game element and associated characteristics for display, displaying the at least one game element, and executing the characteristics of said at least one game element in the game in dependence on a trigger event. A computing system, user device and server are also described.

Abstract: Rendering an image of a game board on a display comprising a plurality of tiles and a tumbler object abutting at least one tile; recording in a memory the position of the tumbler object in a physical world; detecting a user input to insert a new tile; detecting if the new tile creates a match with two adjacent existing tiles and if so rendering a new image of the game board on the display wherein the new and two existing tiles are removed; detecting in the physical world if the tile abutting the tumbler object has been removed and if so rendering an image of the tumbler object falling down the display under a simulated gravity imposed by a physics engine; and monitoring the position of the falling tumbler object and on determination that one of its edges abuts another tile, preventing it from falling further.

Abstract: A method is provided where a user device has a display which displays a message. This message prompts a user to provide an audio input which is captured by a microphone. The audio input is processed to determine the content. The content is compared to the expected content and if a match is determined then a reward is provided. The reward may be a reward in a computer implemented game which is run on the user device.

Abstract: There is provided a computer implemented method of providing a game in a device, the method comprising retrieving, from at least one memory of the device, information associated with a plurality of objects and one or more characteristics of the objects, the information comprising at least one constraint, each constraint being between two of the plurality of objects, determining, using at least one processor of the device, position information for each of the plurality of objects in dependence on an imposed movement generated by the at least one processor and a threshold distance which limits the distance between respective ones of said plurality of objects having a constraint therebetween.

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 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 user device supports a computer implemented game. An input from a user is received. This input requests a purchase of an in-game item. When this input is received, a determination is made as to whether the user device is on-line or not. If the user device is off-line, it is determined if the in-game item can be purchased in dependence on a locally available in-game currency budget. If so, the requested in-game item is provided in the computer implemented game.

Abstract: A computer implemented game has a game code module. The game code module generates a group game mode for user engagement at a user interface, the group game mode providing user selectable game objects on an initial game board on the display. The game code module is configured to receive from a server remote user game data generated by other user devices of users engaged in the group game mode. The display displays a progress indicator which indicates cumulative progress of the user and other users, using the game data generated by the user device and the remote user game data.

Abstract: A computer device has a touch screen which displays game elements. A user is able to move game elements to make a match. When a match is made, the game elements of the match are removed. Each game element is associated with a tile. Each tile either has a cover object or no cover object. Underlying entities are provided which occupy at least two tiles. The device has a processor which is configured to determine on detecting the match game condition if at least one tile of the game elements in the match game condition has a cover object and if so to remove the cover object and subsequently to determine if the underlying entities are only associated with tiles having cover tiles. If not, the underlying entity is repositioned if partially uncovered or removed if completely uncovered.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of using a scene data structure to display a game tutorial on a display, including accessing a scene data structure, the scene data structure having a plurality of display data elements, each associated with a respective data element identifier, the display data elements containing display data for displaying game elements on the display in a game scene; accessing tutorial data, the tutorial data comprising a tutorial data element identifier; searching the scene data structure for a data element associated with the tutorial data element identifier, that data element containing display data for displaying a respective game element; generating highlighting data using the results of the searching step, the highlighting data for highlighting the respective game element on the display; and displaying the respective game element as a highlighted game element on the display in a tutorial scene using the generated highlighting data. Devices and systems are disclosed.

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 touch screen device is configured to provide outputs responsive to inputs provided by a user interacting with the touch screen. The outputs are processed by processing circuitry to determine touch locations of consecutive taps. If the latter tap is within a threshold area of the former tap the action performed in response to the former tap is repeated. In the latter tap is not within a threshold area of the subsequent tap, the action performed in response to the former tap is different to the action performed in response to the subsequent tap.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of providing a game, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory of a device, retrieving from at least one memory information associated with a plurality of first objects and one or more characteristics of said first objects and causing said objects with said one or more characteristics to be displayed on a first area of a display in an arrangement, executing an algorithm which identifies a match condition between said first objects in which at least one of said objects comprises an action characteristic, determines at least one upgrade path in the arrangement in dependence on the action characteristic and determines if at least one first object comprising an action characteristic is positioned on the at least one upgrade path and, if so, determines a level characteristic value of said at least one first object positioned on the determined upgrade path.

Abstract: A method of modifying a transparency factor of one or more objects in a computer game. A display of a computer device displays a first object having a transparency factor at a first location, said first object overlying at least one of a plurality of game objects. In response to a trigger event at least one of said transparency factor of the first object, a transparency factor of a game pointer, and a transparency factor of at least one game object are modified and at least one of said first object, said game pointer, and said at least one game object are displayed with said at least one modified transparency factor.