Candy Crush Saga, the popular matching game, has hit a remarkable milestone, accumulating a staggering $20 billion in revenue since its debut in 2012, as announced by its creator, King.
This iconic game, enjoyed by millions during their daily commutes, is set to captivate players further with the imminent release of up to 15,000 new levels, catering to the most devoted Candy Crush enthusiasts.
Initially launched on a website, Candy Crush Saga transitioned to Facebook and eventually mobile platforms, experiencing a meteoric rise, boasting a remarkable 5 billion downloads. Pioneering the “freemium” model, where the game is free but players can enhance their performance through in-game purchases or opt to watch ads for additional moves, Candy Crush Saga has left an indelible mark in the gaming industry, Reuters news report said.
King President, Tjodolf Sommestad, underscored the enduring appeal of mobile games demonstrated by Candy Crush Saga and its sibling titles like Farm Heroes Saga. “We’ve proven to ourselves and to the industry that it is possible to reignite games that are years old and keep them relevant for a decade or longer, and break records even a decade in,” Sommestad stated in an interview.
Todd Green, Candy Crush general manager, highlighted the game’s continuous evolution to enhance player satisfaction, from optimizing the subtle bounce when candies land on the grid to introducing new levels, including the monumental 15,000th level.
Candy Crush Saga has consistently held the title of the top-grossing franchise in U.S. app stores for the past six years, reinforcing the success of King’s strategy and presenting a formidable challenge for aspiring game developers. Sommestad acknowledged the high bar set for new game development, stating, “We do have an effort to build new games, but the bar is very high and it takes a lot to launch a new game nowadays.”
Acquired by Activision Blizzard in 2016, King continues to make significant contributions to the gaming giant. In the second quarter, King contributed $747 million in net revenue, constituting 31 percent of Activision’s total revenue. With its continuous success and plans for expansion, Candy Crush Saga remains an iconic force in the gaming world.
