Sketchnote: Game Architecture; Amy Zhou

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“Candy Crush Saga” epitomizes the addictive simplicity that has come to define modern mobile gaming, sporting an architecture that belies its ostensibly straightforward gameplay. At its core, the game employs a robust loop system that not only handles the basic match-three mechanics but also orchestrates the cascading effects and combo rewards that keep players hooked. The level design is deceptively clever, with each stage ramping up in complexity and often frustratingly designed to nudge players towards in-app purchases. It’s this freemium model, seamlessly integrated into every aspect of the game from the progression system to the power-ups, that turns what could be a harmless pastime into a potentially wallet-draining obsession. In essence, while the game’s colorful and engaging interface might draw players in, it’s the carefully engineered blend of challenge and reward, backed by a profit-driven architecture, that makes Candy Crush a king among mobile games, for better or worse.

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  1. “Candy Crush Saga” epitomizes the addictive simplicity that has come to define modern mobile gaming, sporting an architecture that belies its ostensibly straightforward gameplay. At its core, the game employs a robust loop system that not only handles the basic match-three mechanics but also orchestrates the cascading effects and combo rewards that keep players hooked. The level design is deceptively clever, with each stage ramping up in complexity and often frustratingly designed to nudge players towards in-app purchases. It’s this freemium model, seamlessly integrated into every aspect of the game from the progression system to the power-ups, that turns what could be a harmless pastime into a potentially wallet-draining obsession. In essence, while the game’s colorful and engaging interface might draw players in, it’s the carefully engineered blend of challenge and reward, backed by a profit-driven architecture, that makes Candy Crush a king among mobile games, for better or worse.

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