Activision Blizzard has filed a patent for a computer device and method that provides boosters to players in a game while still incorporating elements of randomness. The device includes a user interface with a display and gameboard, and a processor that detects user input and removes matching game elements. The processor also has an activation mode that activates a segment of the gameboard when a threshold count of matching game conditions is met, generating booster game elements for that segment. GlobalData’s report on Activision Blizzard gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Activision Blizzard, Location-based parallel gaming was a key innovation area identified from patents. Activision Blizzard's grant share as of September 2023 was 72%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
A computer device and method for providing boosters in a game
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230282074A1) describes a computer device configured to provide a game to a user. The device includes a user interface with a display that shows a gameboard consisting of tiles supporting game objects. Some of these tiles contain user-selectable game elements with different characteristics. The user interface can detect user input when a user engages with a user-selectable game element. The device also has a processor that receives the detected user input and detects a qualifying match game condition when a plurality of adjacent user-selectable game elements with matching characteristics are found. When a qualifying match game condition is detected, the processor removes the matching game elements and generates new ones to replenish the gameboard.
The processor can also operate in an activation mode where it selectively defines a segment of the gameboard, records a count of qualifying match game conditions, and activates the segment when a threshold count is met. In this mode, the processor determines a minimum number of booster game elements to be generated for the segment. If the minimum number of booster game elements is not present in the segment, the processor generates additional booster game elements when the threshold count is met. The segment can be visually indicated to the user, and an activation tool can be provided on the display for the user to select and activate the activation mode.
The processor can also detect qualifying match conditions in preceding levels of the game and charge up the activation tool based on these conditions. When the activation tool is selected, the charge state is reset to zero. The processor can generate new booster game elements based on a chance parameter, and the chance parameter can be configurable. The type and number of booster game elements generated can be determined by the power status of the activated segment. The processor can also generate a graphical rendering of an activation component to visually indicate the activation of the segment.
Overall, this patent describes a computer device and method for providing a game to a user, where the gameboard is replenished with new game elements when matching game conditions are met. The device includes an activation mode and the ability to generate booster game elements to enhance gameplay.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
