Author Topic: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?  (Read 13144 times)

MandalayVA

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Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« on: February 05, 2015, 09:37:27 AM »
On another forum I visit someone linked a Reddit post from a guy who's having major marital issues.  One of the issues is apparently his wife is addicted to the smartphone app game Candy Crush Saga and once spent SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS in a month to play it.  For those not familiar with CCS it's a game where you have to match up candies and get a certain number of different types to complete the round--and like every so-called free app game it doesn't take long to get to the point where money has to be spent to continue to play.  But hundreds of dollars in a month?  IS FUCKING INSANE.

Here's the post (warning, it's long):

http://www.reddit.com/r/relationship_advice/comments/2uv5r1/my_wife_f34_is_probably_nationally_ranked_at/

eyePod

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2015, 09:44:46 AM »
On another forum I visit someone linked a Reddit post from a guy who's having major marital issues.  One of the issues is apparently his wife is addicted to the smartphone app game Candy Crush Saga and once spent SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS in a month to play it.  For those not familiar with CCS it's a game where you have to match up candies and get a certain number of different types to complete the round--and like every so-called free app game it doesn't take long to get to the point where money has to be spent to continue to play.  But hundreds of dollars in a month?  IS FUCKING INSANE.

Here's the post (warning, it's long):

http://www.reddit.com/r/relationship_advice/comments/2uv5r1/my_wife_f34_is_probably_nationally_ranked_at/

I once payed ~$5 for something like this. Then I realized that it was becoming more of a job (similar to FarmVille but with DRAGONS!). That's when I uninstalled it and stopped playing the damn game.

This lady's just crazy.

johnintaiwan

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2015, 07:08:10 PM »
I hate when people say you eventually must pay in these games. I have been playing candy crush for about a year on my wifes phone while waiting for her to get ready or other time killing situations. I have never paid anything for that game and have reached a fairly high level. I just dont see how you could spend much on it.

SweetRedWine

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2015, 07:42:13 PM »
I'm on level 761 and I've spent a grand total of $19.  Stupid I know, but some levels are frustrating.... For weeks.  I regretted spending that much.  But $600 a month???

gimp

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2015, 08:00:06 PM »
None of y'all saw the south park episode about this?

http://southpark.cc.com/full-episodes/s18e06-freemium-isnt-free

kpd905

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2015, 08:21:03 PM »
None of y'all saw the south park episode about this?

http://southpark.cc.com/full-episodes/s18e06-freemium-isnt-free

Ah you beat me to it. 

Make a free game that is barely fun, and you need to wait to complete tasks.  Allow users to pay to complete the tasks, have levels and prizes to give them a sense of accomplishment.  Profit.

MandalayVA

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2015, 07:46:53 AM »
It also explains why Clash of Clans, Game of War and Heroes Charge could afford Super Bowl commercials.

chicagomeg

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2015, 08:14:25 AM »
For a long time, Chase had this thing where if your bill was less than $1 they just zeroed it instead of billing you when the statement closed. So every month for two years I charged exactly one Candy Crush etc. boost to it. They ended that late last year and I was so mad about having wasted a dollar on stupid candy crush! One freaking dollar!!!

Khaetra

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2015, 09:05:04 AM »
I can see the appeal.  I am an admitted World of Warcrack addict and have bought some things in-game, like pets and mounts.  But $600?!?  That's insane! 

MgoSam

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2015, 10:39:22 AM »
Easy everyone, I didn't look at the reddit thread but addictions are nothing to scoff at. I avoid playing all of these freemium games because I don't like how the cost can be unlimited. If I want to play a game, I prefer to just buy it for it's price and that's it or there are plenty of free games online.

Sibley

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2015, 11:29:25 AM »
I refuse to pay for any games, apps, etc on my phone. Google play doesn't have my credit card and probably never will. For me, its the principle of the matter.

In addition, I just finished my lunch - Subway. First time that I've bought lunch at work in 2015. Sad to end my streak.

Melchior

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2015, 11:48:15 AM »
I just looked up Candy Crush' business model. Am I understanding this right? You pay for 'more lives' or else just have to wait to start fresh?

What the hell is the appeal? I would think that cheapens any kind of accomplishment you might get from a high score.

This particular member of the PC gaming master race feels confused and increasingly irrelevant as he ages.

eyePod

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2015, 12:10:31 PM »
I just looked up Candy Crush' business model. Am I understanding this right? You pay for 'more lives' or else just have to wait to start fresh?

What the hell is the appeal? I would think that cheapens any kind of accomplishment you might get from a high score.

This particular member of the PC gaming master race feels confused and increasingly irrelevant as he ages.

Cracked has a great article on this very topic. http://www.cracked.com/article_18461_5-creepy-ways-video-games-are-trying-to-get-you-addicted.html

Avidconsumer

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2015, 12:27:46 PM »
Change the date on your phone to the next day. Open the Candy crush app then go back and change the date back to today. There you go 5 more lives and 600$ richer.

This is actually a sad story of addiction. I hope she gets the help she needs.

kander

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2015, 12:39:25 PM »
While pregnant I played a lot of Candy Crush, but I've never spent money to play it! Waiting isn't a bad thing, it helped me getting of the couch sometimes whaha ;)

MandalayVA

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #15 on: February 06, 2015, 12:53:12 PM »
While pregnant I played a lot of Candy Crush, but I've never spent money to play it! Waiting isn't a bad thing, it helped me getting of the couch sometimes whaha ;)

I played it for about a month.  When I realized that some levels were designed to be practically impossible to get through without having to buy something to help out I said "screw it" and deleted the app.  I have enough games with which to waste time.  :D   

I'm a red panda

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #16 on: February 06, 2015, 12:54:59 PM »
Easy everyone, I didn't look at the reddit thread but addictions are nothing to scoff at. I avoid playing all of these freemium games because I don't like how the cost can be unlimited. If I want to play a game, I prefer to just buy it for it's price and that's it or there are plenty of free games online.

I play them until I get mad at them, which is usually around level 100- then I uninstall.  But I have "no in app purchases" turn on on my phone, so I can't spend money.

caliq

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #17 on: February 06, 2015, 04:08:22 PM »
While pregnant I played a lot of Candy Crush, but I've never spent money to play it! Waiting isn't a bad thing, it helped me getting of the couch sometimes whaha ;)

I played it for about a month.  When I realized that some levels were designed to be practically impossible to get through without having to buy something to help out I said "screw it" and deleted the app.  I have enough games with which to waste time.  :D   

The devs of these types of games literally use everything psychology and neuroscience has come up with about motivation, rewards, etc etc to design these games to be as addicting as possible. 

It's like the old subliminal advertising conspiracy theories only it's actually true :(

11ducks

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #18 on: February 06, 2015, 07:03:12 PM »
Sad. I think some people just actively look for things to spend money on, as
If it'll make them happy

Astatine

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #19 on: February 06, 2015, 07:07:41 PM »
When I had some health issues just over a year ago (needing to be hospitalised a couple of times, off work for a month etc etc), I played a lot of Candy Crush. Then I got addicted but I spent $0. I refuse to spend money on freemium games. I got up to over level 400 before I got stuck and deleted it from my phone. You can ask friends for lives if they're also playing, but they gets annoying fast, so I just hit up DH for lives :p.

I much prefer paying a couple of dollars once to purchase a fun game on my phone, and that's it. I still get a lot of enjoyment out of Words With Friends - I play with DH, a couple of friends and a few internet randoms (the same ones for over a year now). Hint: if you're in hospital and the docs have screwed up with getting blood from you for tests, playing WWF is quite a good distraction from the distress of the pain.

galliver

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #20 on: February 06, 2015, 08:28:39 PM »
I'll pay for a quality app that is useful/helpful/productive if there isn't a good free alternative. The only one I can think of on the top of my head is office apps on my old phone (came with a pretty poor quality suite).

I've paid for a few games that I found beautiful and worth supporting: Quell Reflect (got Quell from Amazon free app), CrossMe Premium (intellectual game), and Monument Valley...actually, that was free on Amazon, too, for a day. Considered buying it, though.

I've never paid for freemium, and also think it's pretty dumb. If I lose all my lives, I wait. If I get frustrated, I'll take a break. It's not hard. Goodness.

sleepyguy

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #21 on: February 07, 2015, 07:44:35 PM »
Kinda funny coming from a life long gamer here... What pissed me off more than the actual amount spent is how popular these types of games are.  IMHO these 3 things are destroying the gaming industry,

- Pay2Win
- DLC
- Early Access Games / Crowdfunding

MrsPete

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #22 on: February 08, 2015, 09:00:57 AM »
It also explains why Clash of Clans, Game of War and Heroes Charge could afford Super Bowl commercials.
I must admit, I didn't "get this".  A few days ago I asked my 17-year old how they could afford to push free download games in TV commercials, and she set me straight in a hurry.  She had a clear view of how a free game can quickly turn into a paid addiction.  She likened it to a drug dealer:  First one's free! 

She's a smart kid.

Left

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #23 on: February 08, 2015, 09:03:30 AM »
It also explains why Clash of Clans, Game of War and Heroes Charge could afford Super Bowl commercials.
I must admit, I didn't "get this".  A few days ago I asked my 17-year old how they could afford to push free download games in TV commercials, and she set me straight in a hurry.  She had a clear view of how a free game can quickly turn into a paid addiction.  She likened it to a drug dealer:  First one's free! 

She's a smart kid.
hehe, never thought of it this way. I never viewed playing games as something I spent money on. If it ran out of "lives", I ran out of "patience" for the game and stopped playing. Plus it helps limit my game time so I don't spend hours on it

only games I really pay money to play is going to the bowling alley. Too bad I can't figure out how to bowl in the "street" without causing problems. Bunch of drunk adults throwing pins/balls down the alley anyone?
« Last Edit: February 08, 2015, 09:05:08 AM by eyem »

MoneyCat

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #24 on: February 08, 2015, 10:37:50 AM »
The only free-to-play game I play is My Vegas, which is a Facebook slot machine game, because you earn real rewards like free show tickets, free meals, etc. for Las Vegas vacations.  They try to get you to pay for more "chips" but I've never had to purchase any.  Currently, I'm sitting pretty with 1.5 million chips without ever having paid a cent for this game.  I also have enough loyalty points to get free tickets for two to two different Cirque du Soleil shows when I go on vacation this summer.  That adds up to savings of about $400-500.

Syonyk

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #25 on: February 08, 2015, 10:12:19 PM »
A family member of mine was spending $200-300/mo on "Free" to play games. And iPad slot machines.

So I totally see how this can happen.

Davnasty

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #26 on: December 03, 2019, 09:11:44 AM »
Another example:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-social-casinos-leverage-facebook-user-data-to-target-vulnerable-gamblers

Quote
She continued spending, hiding it from her husband. In total, Kelly would lose more than $400,000.

Yes, this is very much a result of addiction but the really scary thing is how people with addiction are intentionally targeted. These virtual casinos can track user data and identify who has the potential to be a "whale" based on spending patterns. Then they go to great lengths to keep them addicted. In the case of Suzie Kelly she repeatedly asked to have her account closed but instead they assigned her a "personal VIP host" who gave her free chips whenever she asked to be shut down.

acepedro45

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #27 on: December 04, 2019, 09:26:21 AM »
Star Trek the Next Generation had an episode called The Game where the crew became addicted to an augmented reality game that turned out to be a way for the Ktarians to mind control the players and ultimately their ship.  It made a lasting impression on my young self and I can't help but think about that episode when I catch myself playing games on my phone/computer.  Currently I have no games installed

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Game_(Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation)

I can't find the link, but years ago someone made a mashup of that episode and Angry Birds. They edited out all the "Game" graphics and replaced them with Angry Birds visuals and sound effects. This was released at the height of the Birds craze (when it seemed like every NYC subway car was filled with people staring down and swiping their birds).

The Star Trek plot also included a quasi-sexual reward of pleasure for passing each level. Seems apropos in light of the deliberate dopamine manipulation modern games aspire toward.

ETA: Found a link!
https://news.avclub.com/the-perils-of-angry-birds-as-told-by-star-trek-tng-1798224277
« Last Edit: December 04, 2019, 09:29:30 AM by acepedro45 »

acepedro45

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #28 on: December 04, 2019, 09:26:55 AM »
Quote
For a long time, Chase had this thing where if your bill was less than $1 they just zeroed it instead of billing you when the statement closed. So every month for two years I charged exactly one Candy Crush etc. boost to it. They ended that late last year and I was so mad about having wasted a dollar on stupid candy crush! One freaking dollar!!!

Love this hack!

Luap595

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #29 on: December 04, 2019, 10:38:03 AM »
If you are looking for something to kill time, is free (you can pay for more features, but they never make you), and is probably good for your brain, check out Chess.com. Truly one of the most amazing sites on the web, IMHO. The things they've done with data from all the games played there is out of this world.

Just Joe

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #30 on: December 05, 2019, 04:49:02 PM »
Another example:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-social-casinos-leverage-facebook-user-data-to-target-vulnerable-gamblers

Quote
She continued spending, hiding it from her husband. In total, Kelly would lose more than $400,000.

Yes, this is very much a result of addiction but the really scary thing is how people with addiction are intentionally targeted. These virtual casinos can track user data and identify who has the potential to be a "whale" based on spending patterns. Then they go to great lengths to keep them addicted. In the case of Suzie Kelly she repeatedly asked to have her account closed but instead they assigned her a "personal VIP host" who gave her free chips whenever she asked to be shut down.

If that isn't a reason to abandon social media - I don't know what is.

iris lily

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Re: Spending $600/month on ... Candy Crush Saga?
« Reply #31 on: January 14, 2020, 11:40:26 AM »
The first few months of my retirement I found myself playing Candy Crush which I didn’t much like and would never pay to get  to another level as well as Pet Rescue  which —Yikes, I started to pay to play.

Turned  that shit off fairly soon after, uninstalled it and wont get caught like that again.

I do regularly play Free Cell and less often Diamond Mine.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!