Candy Crush Saga Player Profile

Candy Crush Saga has consistently captivated the mobile gaming world for over a decade, earning the title of the #1 mobile game of all time (Source: Data.Ai, Unified Analysis - Cumulative Revenue, Global, Through July 2023). 

Today, it is still among one of the most downloaded, most played mobile games ever released—so much so that the 4.8B combined “swipes” of every player in 2022 would wrap around the Earth more than 3 times a day. (Source: King Internal Metrics, Global, 2022)

With its dedicated and passionate player base, Candy Crush Saga offers advertisers a multitude of opportunities to connect with a vibrant and active community. It has evolved into more than just a platform for entertainment; Candy Crush is a hub where advertisers can establish meaningful relationships and cultivate brand loyalty.

More than just gamers, Candy Crush players are influential consumers who respond positively to advertising, and so their loyalty to the game and significant engagement levels make them a valuable demographic for advertisers.

Understanding the profile of Candy Crush players goes beyond demographics: it's about appreciating the influence and power this community possesses, and how it can be harnessed to create engaging and effective marketing strategies. This knowledge allows for the development of targeted campaigns for this unique gaming demographic. Leveraging the industry-leading ad performance of Candy Crush is not merely a strategy, but a gateway to unlock unparalleled opportunities in the realm of gaming advertising. 

Five Things Advertisers Need to Know About Candy Crush Players

1. High Level of Engagement: Candy Crush players are not casual gamers. They are highly engaged, playing an average of 28 sessions every week and spending 4.3 hours per week immersed in the game. This high level of engagement and attention offers advertisers ample opportunities for effective ad placements (Source: Data.Ai. Unified Analysis- Daily Sessions, Time spent daily. USA YTD through 26 July 2023).

2. Long-term Loyalty: Of all Candy Crush players, 66% have been playing video games for more than 10 years. (Source: Activision Blizzard Media Gaming Study via Toluna, July 2023 (Base: US Adults 18+)) Candy Crush players themselves are incredibly loyal, with an average tenure of 3 years and 312 days. (Source: King Internal Data. USA. Through 26 July 2023). This loyalty not only speaks to the game's lasting appeal but also suggests that these players might be more open to long-term brand engagements. This is in part thanks to Candy Crush’s 100% opt-in ad model, which boasts 98% viewability and 97% video completion rates. Players are always rewarded for their time and attention—and keep coming back for more.

3. Diverse Playing Locations: Thanks to mobile, Candy Crush is played in a variety of locations both at home (98%) and away (46%). This diversity offers advertisers unique opportunities to deliver context-specific ads that could enhance engagement and conversion rates. Our research shows that 70% of all Candy Crush sessions fall outside of primetime (6-10PM) making Candy Crush an effective tool for reaching your customers throughout the day. (Source: Activision Blizzard Media survey of Candy Crush players via Alchemer, US & UK, May 2023)

4. Premium Game Perception: A significant 79% of Candy Crush players perceive it as a premium mobile game—13% more so than the overall puzzle genre. This perception can be leveraged by advertisers to position their products or services as premium offerings. And as known product advocates, Candy Crush players are 1.3 times more likely to be consulted by their friends for product recommendations and offer advice to friends on purchases they’re considering. (Source: Activision Blizzard Media Premium Gaming Study via Alter Agents, December 2022)

5. Strong Player Identification: Nearly half of the Candy Crush players (41%) identify as gamers, not casual players. (Activision Blizzard Media Gaming Study via Toluna, USA, July 2023) This strong identification within the gaming culture suggests that advertisements that align with gamer identities and values are likely to be more effective. 

The Candy Crush Impact

Candy Crush transcends the boundaries of a typical game. It serves as a platform where advertisers can build meaningful relationships and foster brand loyalty within this influential community. Understanding these players allows advertisers to develop more targeted and effective campaigns that resonate with this unique gaming demographic.

By harnessing the power of these players, advertisers can innovate and craft player-centric targeting strategies, unlocking unparalleled opportunities in the realm of gaming advertising. In understanding these players, advertisers can craft more targeted and effective campaigns that resonate with this unique gaming demographic.