The idea behind match 3 games can be seen in games like Columns (1989) and Tetris Attack (1996). Chains can continue indefinitely, and the strategies of getting a board overpopulated with one type of object and clearing objects from the bottom of the screen are worthwhile in nearly every version. If falling objects create new chains of three or more identical objects, those new chains clear, become points for the player, and again are replaced. The space at the top of the screen that would now be empty is instead filled with fresh pieces. If a section of objects is cleared, the objects above take their place. However, even though the games are easy to learn, all Match 3 games incorporate strategy, which is one reason they have maintained popularity with casual gamers. The simple game concept works in Match 3’s favor. This means that a swap of two objects must result in a connection of three or more identical objects, or else the swap reverts itself. This rearrangement is done by exchanging the places of two tiles at a time, and, in recent variations, it is made more difficult by limiting the player to one move before “clearing” pieces. Match 3 is a generic style of video or computer game, in which the player attempts to rearrange shapes or objects in a playing field in order to get three or more identical objects connected (sometimes in a row, otherwise just sharing a side), at which point they disappear and grant the player points.
