In April of 2012, Candy Crush Saga hit both Google and Apple’s mobile app stores and quickly became a global sensation. One of King’s first creations, the game’s premise was simple—players are tasked with matching candies of different colors to complete increasingly more difficult objectives within a limited number of moves.
Yet, this simplicity belied the game’s magnetic appeal, which stemmed from its vibrant candy-coated visuals, engaging gameplay, and innovative approach to mobile gaming. Its mobile-first design, social sharing features, and freemium model played significant roles in catapulting Candy Crush to the top of app store charts worldwide. As of 2023, it remains one of the most popular mobile games, a testament to its long-lasting impact.
Reinventing a Genre
Borrowing heavily from Bejeweled, an earlier puzzle game, Candy Crush Saga refined the match-three formula and added a layer of sweetness that helped it surpass the popularity of its predecessors.
The biggest of these was Bejeweled, a game developed by PopCap Games and later acquired by Microsoft, which was a hit in its own right.
However, Candy Crush took the formula to new heights by leveraging its charming confectionery theme, bite-sized levels designed for quick mobile sessions, and built-in social hooks that encouraged players to share their progress and send lives to friends.
This social element, combined with its freemium business model, encouraged continued player engagement while allowing users to play for free with optional in-app purchases.
Closing the Gaming Gender Gap
Candy Crush Saga was not only a game-changer in terms of mechanics and accessibility, but it also helped pave the way for the mobile gaming industry’s evolution. Along with games like Farmville and Angry Birds, Candy Crush helped expand the gaming audience beyond its traditional base of younger adult male players.
Its accessible design attracted a diverse player base, helping to close the gender gap in gaming and making it a popular pastime for older generations as well.
With mobile games like Candy Crush, casual gaming became an activity for anyone, regardless of age or experience level.
Satisfying Gamers with a Sweet Tooth
The game’s success also spawned an entire genre of games with candy and confectionary themes. Developers across the globe sought to replicate the winning formula of Candy Crush with similarly sweet, colorful aesthetics and puzzle-based mechanics.
Many games that borrowed heavily from the Candy Crush concept and name have popped up over the years, all with their own takes on the candy-filled game universe. Candy Monster: Crush Rush Saga and Candy Pony Run mimic some of the match-three gameplay seen in Candy Crush, but offer unique characters and mechanics.
Bubble Crush Saga, another spin-off, adds a bubble-shooting element to the familiar candy-themed gameplay.
While varied in their approach, these games all borrow from Candy Crush’s success by incorporating delightful, colorful designs and easy-to-learn mechanics that appeal to a broad audience.
Online casinos have got in on the action, too, with many sweet-themed slot games popping up in recent years. The biggest and most popular of these is Sweet Bonanza, a slot game that uses a tumble mechanic rather than the traditional reel-spinning slot mechanic. This is similar to the matching feature that lies at the heart of Candy Crush and other matching games like Bejeweled.
The sweet theme has also found its way into other games that don’t use the match mechanic, too. Some notable titles in this category include the Cookie Run series, a fast-paced endless runner featuring animated cookies that have garnered a devoted following in mobile markets.
Another example is the upcoming title, Haunted Chocolatier, developed by Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone, that promises to add a whimsical and mysterious twist to the confectionery genre, combining sweet elements with a darker, supernatural theme.
A Sweet Legacy
The impact of Candy Crush on gaming cannot be understated. By creating a vibrant, accessible, and highly engaging game, King opened the door to a wave of confection-themed games that continue to sweeten the gaming industry to this day. From mobile match-three titles to more complex narrative-driven games, the influence of this sugary success can still be felt across multiple genres of gaming, most notably in the way it has helped to make the medium accessible to new demographics.
