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

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 shooter which a player can control to shoot out elements, such as balls, and which bounce against objects, such as pins, following a trajectory determined by the processor and then fall into scoring containers, with the processor causing a record of the score achieved to be stored; and in which the processor draws the scoring containers with dynamic faces that are animated in a specific way when an element falls into them.

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: 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 system comprising a server in communication with a user device configured to run a plurality of applications. A data structure is held in the system, said data structure comprising multiple entries, wherein each entry associates an application pairing with a weighting, each application pairing comprising a source installation and a target installation. The user device running an application corresponding to one of the source installations selects one of the target installations to download from the server on the basis of the weightings, wherein each of the weightings is for the source installation is proportional to probability of the respective target installation being selected and installed.

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 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 gameboard with multiple game elements that are removed when matched or switched by a player, such as in a match-3, clicker or switcher game; and in which the processor(s) enables the game elements to evolve into visually altered versions when they form part of a match or switch and it is the altered versions that can be removed by subsequent matching or switching by the player.

Abstract: A virtual lobby client automatically interfaces with multiple virtual world instances, each provided by a separate virtual world provider from among multiple virtual world providers, each interfaced with to access a separate virtual world account, to retrieve a separate selection of inventory items from each virtual world account. The virtual lobby client renders an inventory directory index of each separate selection of inventory items within a single lobby interface with at least one selectable option for managing each of the items in the inventory directory from the single lobby interface. The virtual lobby client renders, within the single lobby interface, a separate graphical portal for each virtual account, wherein entry of each of the separate graphical portals triggers the virtual lobby client to automatically open a virtual world specific interface window into a particular virtual world instance provided under the particular virtual world account associated with the entered graphical portal.

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, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which a computing device displays computer game graphics for a computer game, and in which one or more of the processors are programmed to implement the game with: (a) a first game mode where the player is prompted to find items on a list within a picture; and (b) a second game mode where the player is prompted to compare two nearly identical images and find the differences; (c) a third game mode where the player is promoted to find items on a list within a certain picture, wherein the picture is darkened and only a select section is lit up, the lit section being dependent on input given by a pointing device.

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 colored candies.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for managing relationship information across virtual worlds. In one embodiment, information about avatars in virtual worlds may be received. A correlation may be derived between two avatars based on the received information. The derived correlation between the two avatars may be stored. Applications may query for derived correlations.

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 that player's social network friends; to show on the computing device a gameboard with multiple game elements that are removed when matched or switched by a player, such as in a match-3, clicker or switcher game; and in which a processor generates, if no move has been made for a defined time, help or hints by brightening and enlarging game elements used in a possible move on the gameboard with an animation.

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.

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