The Success Story of King: The Developer Behind Candy Crush Saga
In the world of mobile gaming, few puzzle games have achieved the level of success and addictiveness as King’s Candy Crush Saga. As a poster-child for massive mobile success, King has provided the blueprint for generating significant revenue in the mobile industry. This article explores the history and achievements of King, with a focus on Candy Crush Saga.
The Developers: From Humble Beginnings to Mobile Gaming Giants
Originating in Stockholm, Sweden, King was founded by a group of investors rather than industry veterans. The founders had previously worked together on a web portal called Spray. Initially known as “Midasplayer.com,” the company rebranded as “King.com” in 2005 when it turned profitable. Encouraged by the rising popularity of social network games, King began developing titles for the browser market and eventually expanded into the mobile gaming industry.
In an interview with Venturebeat, Tommy Palm, one of the key developers behind Candy Crush Saga, discussed King’s early years. He mentioned that King had been focused on casual, skill-based games and led the industry in that segment.
Development and Release: The Journey to Success
Candy Crush Saga’s journey to success started with its release on web browsers. However, it was the transition to Facebook that truly propelled it to new heights. The addition of level-based mechanics, along with social aspects, enhanced the game’s appeal. Building upon their previous experience with iOS and Android platforms, King eventually released Candy Crush Saga on mobile devices.
Initially, the developers were uncertain about the game’s success on mobile. However, the transition to mobile gaming proved to be a turning point for King. Candy Crush Saga soon became a massive hit, surpassing expectations and setting new standards in the puzzle and mobile gaming genres. By 2013, the game had been downloaded half a billion times and was earning $633,000 per day for King.
The Success and Controversy
Candy Crush Saga’s success continued to grow, with one out of seven people in Hong Kong reported to be playing the game at the time. In 2016, King was acquired by Activision Blizzard in a deal worth $5.9 billion, solidifying its position in the gaming industry.
However, the acquisition was not without controversy. King faced criticism for attempting to trademark the word “Saga,” resulting in a dispute with the developer of the PC title Banner Saga. Despite the controversy, an agreement was reached, allowing both parties to continue using the name.
Why Candy Crush Saga Was a Success
Candy Crush Saga’s success can be attributed to its simple yet addictive gameplay, appealing graphics, and social elements. The game’s foundation can be traced back to its predecessor, Bejeweled, which popularized the match-three genre. The match-three gameplay provides a sense of accomplishment and progression, while the social elements allow players to compete against their friends.
While Candy Crush Saga shares some similarities with games like Angry Birds in terms of colorful graphics, its core gameplay is not reliant on aesthetics. Instead, the graphics serve as a means of differentiating the puzzle elements. This approach has resonated with players and contributed to the game’s widespread appeal.
In conclusion, Candy Crush Saga’s success story showcases King’s impact on the mobile gaming industry. With ongoing success and continued revenue generation, King remains a prominent player under the Activision Blizzard umbrella.