X on a Row

There are many games in which the goals is to get a particular number of objects on a row. For example, in the very popular Bejeweled game (or is variants like Begemed) you must get three equal jewels on a row. In Tetris like games the goal is to to create horizontal rows of ten blocks. And in a game like Gobang you must get five stones of your color on a row before your opponent does.



There are a considerable number of other variations and they tend to be very popular. Why is this the case? A game must present the player with a challenge. Such challenges can for example relate to reaction speed (as in many arcade and shooter games), strategic thinking (like in RTS games) and insight in systems (for example Sim games). X on a Row games present the player with so-called pattern matching challenges.



In a pattern matching challenge the goal is to see certain patterns as quickly as possible, and to make moves that create such patterns. In X on a Row games this is often combined with reaction speed challenges (in particular in a game like Tetris) or with strategic challenges (like in Gobang). People like pattern matching challenges. We are good at pattern matching. We do it all the time. For example, when you read this you actually match the pattern formed by pixels to see which character they represent and you match the sequences of characters to words. Even when I make erors you tend to be good in still matching them correctly. This is called partial matching.



It is a good game design exercise to design and create your own X on a Row game. You should ask the following questions, with some possible choices:

What are the elements from which patterns must be made? You can have single colored blocks (coins, animals, …) or combinations of blocks (like in tetris). The elements might have different functions. For example, you can have symbols that have a color, shape, pattern, etc. like in the Set game. They can even change or degrade over time. You can also introduce bonus elements with special powers (prefably only later in the game).

What patterns should the player find? Of course this does not have to be rows. It can be other shapes or even things like four blocks that form the vertices of a square. Or maybe you want to match blocks with different colors or shapes. And maybe you can allowe partial matches. Also you should think about bonus patterns. For example longer rows give more points or, better, an extra special block.

How do the elements appear? They can fall from the top. They can automatically appear at empty spots. Or the user can place them.

What happens when a pattern is found? You can simply win the game, like in Gobang. The elements can disappear leaving empty spots. Other existing elements can shift or jump to fill the empty spots. Or the pattern can change into other elements.

What moves can the player make? The player needs a mechanism to make the patterns. (Just spotting them is also an option but might not be too much of a challenge.) Players can sometimes place stones. They can switch existing stones. They can switch or rotate or reverse entire rows or columns. They can change the patterns in falling groups of elements.

How do you win the game? Strangely enough many of the X on a Row games cannot be won. They just go on until you lose. This is actually somewhat against the rules of game design. It is always good to have a higher goal than just to get the highest score. The best way to achieve this is to have different levels in the game and you should be able to win each level. Some possibilities are: You win when you manage to create the pattern. You win when you get rid of all stones or when they whole playing area is filled (which are actually also patterns). You win if you get a particular score or survived a particular period of time or number of new stones. You win when your opponent (or the computer) loses.

I hope this has inspired you to create your own X on a Row game. Try to be original. Once you have the idea, the game is normally rather easy to make in Game Maker. Place your game on YoYo Games and put a link to it here, so we can all check it out.