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# Where is the explosive item? Match 3 game mechanics explained

During the testing of your Match 3 game, it may take you a few plays to actually make the explosive item appear.

The frequency of its appearance is actually a direct result of how skilfully participants play the game.

Matching 3 icons in a row will blow up that row and score points, however:

* **Match 4 horizontally:** You get an explosive version of a regular item, which when matched, will clear an entire horizontal row.
* **Match 4 vertically:** You get an explosive version of a regular item, which when matched, will clear an entire vertical row.
* **Match 5 horizontally or vertically:** You get THE explosive item, which when matched in a line of 3 or more, will clear all pieces of the same type.
* **Match vertical and horizontal lines simultaneously:** You get an explosive version of a regular item which will clear all of its immediate neighbouring icons (9 icons total).

If it's important to your campaign for the the explosive item to be visible, you have a couple of options:

* Make your game longer so there are more chances for a player to generate the explosive item
* Make the explosive items one of the regular items so it comes up more often (and leave the generic bomb as your explosive item)
* Customise the instructions or the copy to highlight what happens if they can match 5

||| Please note, less is more on the copy, especially with marketing games, so the third option should only be taken if it's essential to your project.