Candy Crush Solitaire hits one million downloads, breaks some minor records

King's latest mobile game, Candy Crush Solitaire, a fusion of their popular match-three franchise and TriPeaks Solitaire, has achieved over one million downloads. This marks a significant milestone, especially considering it's the fastest Tripeaks Solitaire game to reach this download count in over a decade.

While impressive, this success is particularly noteworthy given the challenges facing the casual puzzle market. Solitaire games, despite their enduring popularity, have faced stiff competition from simpler, flashier mobile alternatives. Even King, a dominant force in casual gaming, has experienced difficulties maintaining its market share. The success of Candy Crush Solitaire suggests their strategy of blending familiar elements from their existing games with a classic puzzle genre was a shrewd move.

Expanding Reach

Candy Crush Solitaire's rapid growth is also attributed to its availability on alternative app stores, a result of King's partnership with Flexion. This strategic move, along with a similar partnership between Flexion and EA, highlights the potential of alternative app stores for boosting game downloads.

The implications for gamers are multifaceted. We might see more Candy Crush spin-offs in the future, and the success of this title underscores the value of alternative app stores for publishers. However, whether these developments ultimately benefit the average player remains uncertain.

Interested in the creation of Candy Crush Solitaire? Read our interview with executive producer Marta Cortinas for insights into King's newest release.