System and method to facilitate moves in a word game

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9669291-B1
Application number	US-201213463741-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	May 3, 2012
Priority date	May 31, 2011
Publication date	Jun 6, 2017
Grant date	Jun 6, 2017

Abstract

A system and method to facilitate moves in a word game includes a game asset distribution module that adjusts the respective distribution weights of letters in a set of alphabet letters. The letters are distributed to players in a word game with a probability proportional to the distribution weights. The game asset distribution module includes an analysis module to analyze the game board, lists of playable words, player skill levels, and relationships of particular letters in word formations. Accordingly, distribution weights of the letters are adjusted in order to facilitate allocation to the player of those letters which will facilitate word formation, ensure at least a minimum playable word experience, and enhance an overall user experience, even amongst players with significantly different skill levels.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
assigning, via at least one processor, to each alphabet letter a respective distribution weight according to a weighting rule of an online game, wherein each respective distribution weight reflects a frequency the corresponding alphabet letter, to which the respective distribution weight is assigned, is available for a game action in the online game of a game network server system;
allocating based on respective assigned distribution weights, for availability in one or more game actions by a particular player, instances of each alphabet letter in a plurality of the alphabet letters;
initiating display, to the particular player, of the allocated instances of each alphabet letter in a game interface of the online game;
receiving a game action representing completion of a formation of a word, the word based on selection of a subset of the allocated instances of each alphabet letter;
determining a losing player being the particular player having a point score in the online game lower than any further player within the online game, wherein each further player has a respective social network connection in a social network server system with the particular player;
based on determining the losing player being the particular player:
determining a number of remaining instances of the alphabet letters, available for distribution, and yet to be allocated to the losing player, in accordance to the respective distribution weights and the plurality of alphabet letters previously allocated to the losing player;
determining the number of the remaining instances of the alphabet letters is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold;
comparing a set of played words based on one or more words previously formed in one or more game action selected by the losing player in the online game;
determining a prospective word formation, in a subset of the remaining instances of the alphabet letters, matches at least one of the words previously formed;
adjusting the respective distribution weight of each letter in the subset of the remaining instances of the alphabet letters, the adjusted respective distribution weight being greater than a prior corresponding distribution weight.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
prior to determining the losing player being the particular player:
adjusting the respective distribution weights of the alphabet letters based on the weighting rule;
allocating an instance of at least one further alphabet letter according to the adjusted distribution weights;
incorporating display of the instance of the at least one further alphabet letter into the display of the allocated instances of each alphabet letter in the game interface of the online game; and
receiving from the particular player a further game action representing completion of a formation of a further word that includes the instance of the at least one further alphabet letter.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
allocating an instance of a further letter to the player based on the distribution weight;
responsive to the allocation of the instance of the further letter, adjusting the distribution weight of the further letter according to the weighting rule; and
allocating an additional instance of the further letter to the player based on the adjusted distribution weight; wherein the adjusted distribution weight is less than a prior distribution weight assigned to the further letter.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining an occurrence relationship between a first letter and a second letter in a further word;
allocating to the player an instance of the first letter based on the assigned distribution weight;
responsive to the allocation of the instance of the first letter, adjusting the distribution weight of the second letter; and
allocating to the player an instance of the second letter based on the adjusted distribution weight, wherein the adjusted distribution weight is greater than a prior distribution weight assigned to the second letter.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
analyzing profile factors included in a user profile of the player;
determining a skill level of the player based on the profile factors; and
adjusting the respective distribution weights of the alphabet letters based on the skill level of the player, wherein a profile factor is a game history and the adjusting the respective distribution weights includes increasing a distribution weight of high-point alphabet letters and decreasing a distribution weight of low-point alphabet letters when the skill level of the player is determined to be higher than a predetermined threshold, and wherein a high-point alphabet letter is relatively more difficult to use in word formations than a low-point alphabet letter.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving an indication of a promotional word being featured in a promotional campaign;
adjusting the respective distribution weight of each letter occurring within the promotional word; and
allocating an instance of at least one letter of the each letter occurring within the promotional word based on the adjusted distribution weight, wherein, for each letter occurring within the promotional word, the adjusted distribution weight is greater than a prior distribution weight and an instance is allocated to one of the player and a further player.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
analyzing a set of played words including all words having been played in a course of game actions in the game;
determining a prospective word formation being situated among the set of played words; and
adjusting the distribution weight of a letter occurring within the prospective word formation, wherein the adjusted distribution weight of the letter is greater than a prior distribution weight assigned to the letter.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a word list including all words prospectively playable in a further game action;
analyzing a set of remaining letters available to the player in formation of a further word;
determining a number of words prospectively playable by the player in further game action utilizing the word list and the set of remaining letters; and
reallocating at least one letter when the number of words prospectively playable by the player is less than a predetermined threshold.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a vowel as a replacement letter into a letter tray corresponding to the player, the vowel producing a vowel-consonant ratio greater than a predetermined distribution ratio;
reallocating the replacement letter; and
suspending the reallocation of the replacement letter when a consonant is received.

10. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium embodying a set of instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
assigning to each alphabet letter a respective distribution weight according to a weighting rule of an online game, wherein each respective distribution weight reflects a frequency the corresponding alphabet letter, to which the respective distribution weight is assigned, is available for a game action in the online game of a game network server system;
allocating based on respective assigned distribution weights, for availability in one or more game actions by a particular player, instances of each alphabet letter in a plurality of the alphabet letters;
initiating display, to the particular player, of the allocated instances of each alphabet letter in a game interface of the online game;
receiving a game action

Assignees

• Holme Kevin
• Coker Michael
• Oyhenart Jessica
• Dees Shannon
• Hurd Daniel
• Rouse Justin
• Zynga Inc

Inventors

• Holme Kevin
• Coker Michael
• Oyhenart Jessica
• Dees Shannon
• Hurd Daniel
• Rouse Justin

Classifications

• G07F17/3295 Primary

  Games involving skill, e.g. dexterity, memory, thinking · CPC title

• A63F2003/0428

  Crosswords · CPC title

• A63F2003/0426

  Spelling games · CPC title

• A63F3/0423

  Word games, e.g. scrabble (electric A63F3/0421; two-dimensional puzzles with rotating rings or discs A63F9/0811, A63F9/0819) · CPC title

• A63F3/04 Primary

  Geographical or like games {; Educational games (educational appliances in general G09B)} · CPC title