Browse By

Why Candy Crush Became So Popular

After nearly a decade of being available to the world, Candy Crush Saga is still one of the top games that people download and play. This incredibly simple tile-matching game from King even won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Mobile Game in 2016 – four years after it’s original release.

The stats show that no other app is as popular than that of Candy Crush, and its many variants. Not social media giants like Facebook and YouTube, or dating apps like Tinder, have as many users or downloads.

But, how and why is it still so popular after all this time?

The Simplicity of it All

People regularly comment on just how basic or simple the game is. That fact is precisely why it is so popular and, some might say, addictive. Whether you are just starting at the beginning or right through to the highest levels, the method of game play is the same. You simply need to match the tiles. That means, you can pick up the game and start playing quickly and easily from the word go.

It’s also an ideal boredom buster that you can use to fill the gap while sitting in a doctor’s waiting room, riding on the bus or waiting for the kettle to boil. The game is so easy to start playing. There is no thinking or strategy behind it, meaning you don’t have to get too involved in the game if you don’t have the time.

The Freemium Model

Candy Crush Saga, and all the other variants that King have created since the original was released, uses a very enticing method of making it available. You don’t have to pay to play but the developers are able to make a lot of money through in-app purchases. The games are always free to download and to play and you never have to spend money, making it easily available to all.

The freemium model is a good balance of free offering to everyone and premium extras to those who want more. In Candy Crush Saga, you can pay for extra lives and moves, to unlock new levels, and to gain boosters. All of these give you an advantage when playing, making it easier to advance through the game. The fact that both free content and premium extras makes the game appeal to a wider audience.

Feeding Into Smartphone Addictions

The world is experiencing a strange phenomenon where people are actively looking for reasons to be looking at and interacting with their phones. A game like Candy Crush Saga feeds into that need by giving you a reason to spend your downtime on your smartphone.

The game also gives out a dopamine kick similar to that of playing a slot machine. Winning levels gives a thrill that can become addictive, making you eager to play the next level and get the same little high again and again. Each time you complete a level, you are essentially completing a goal and you feel like you have mastered something or accomplished something.