Less in-game purchases

doncoyote

I’ve been playing Candy Crush for years, on and off, and the sheer number of times a game element has been changed, it seems to encourage players to spend money. Ending the constant ‘nickel & dining’ of players might improve gameplay.

Maximizing profit is their right, and seems to work for them. But after so many game alterations that decrease free items, raise the price of daily and weekly deals, make more rewards time based (so you must keep playing after winning them in order to get real value, instead of getting items you can use the next time you play), the piggy bank going from 60 gold to just 30, etc. ad nauseam I feel more like a consumer than a player.

And maybe it’s just me, but the % of games I lose but I a win in one or two more moves is certain (tempting me to buy the five extra moves), is far too high for coincidence (I’m not alleging the game is “cheating”).

Finally, the five lives at a time model has always struck me as unfair - if it’s a free game, sure. But once you’ve paid a certain amount, it seems like you should be able to play the game you paid for whenever you want, like all the other apps out there.

I sometimes get the feeling that a lot of research has gone into every aspect gameplay, like Vegas casinos not having clocks and having all the slot machines ring at a specific pitch, to light up the pleasure centers of the brain and make players more willing to pay to keep the excitement going - but I know that is silly, maybe it’s just how flashy and noisy CC is, like a casino.

I’m in the 8000 level range, have enjoyed playing the majority of the game, but (despite recently joining this great community), But I doubt this suggestion will affect King, I won’t be playing it anymore. Maybe Bejeweled, the original “match-three” app, is still out there

Crazy Cat Lad

Hi @doncoyote !

I moved your feedback from Ideas to Discussions.

Please bear in mind that the game is free to download and free to play. Therefore it features in-game purchases to monetize the development, maintenance and support. All purchases are also fully optional since all levels can be passed without making any purchases.

Alienscar

Hi @doncoyote I will be sorry to see you leave as your posts are always a good read.

Finally, the five lives at a time model has always struck me as unfair - if it’s a free game, sure. But once you’ve paid a certain amount, it seems like you should be able to play the game you paid for whenever you want, like all the other apps out there.

I sometimes get the feeling that a lot of research has gone into every aspect gameplay, like Vegas casinos not having clocks and having all the slot machines ring at a specific pitch, to light up the pleasure centers of the brain and make players more willing to pay to keep the excitement going - but I know that is silly

You can easily find articles on the internet that explain the psychology of Candy Crush and how its design is intended to get players 'addicted' to the game. So your feeling is spot on, as a lot of thought has gone into the gameplay for exactly the same reasons as the Vegas casinos.

The limited lives is all part of that 'addiction' technique as is the mix of easy and hard levels.

I think the problem that King is now facing is one of time. By that I mean I think what used to work back when Candy Crush was first introduced does not seem to gel with today's society. Whilst all of the mind games might have worked in the past I think that today's so called 'now generation' mentality means that the delaying tactics of the game no longer work. I also believe that there is a bit of the 'now generation' in all of us now. Everyone wants something for nothing and they want it delivered yesterday for free.

I sincerely believe that the obvious lack of customer care shown by King is going to catch up them sooner rather than later because there are an increasing number of 'I quit' posts lately.

Ah well what do I know, stay safe Don.