Além do código, por trás dos doces : a relação entre financeirização e game design no jogo freemium Candy Crush Saga

Abstract

Considering the rise of casual electronic games over the past two decades, espe- cially since 2010, within the context of the popularization of digital platforms, this rese- arch investigates the relationship between the process of financialization, through micro- transactions, and game design. We focus on the freemium model, which reflects principles of neoliberal culture, such as profit maximization and the deregulation of mar- ket practices. To this end, the study examines the complex interconnections between the financial sector and the formulation of freemium games, fostering critical discussions about monetization strategies and their impact on the industry, academia, and society. In particular, we analyze Candy Crush Saga (King Digital Entertainment, 2012), a promi- nent example of this model. Through an analysis of the microtransaction interface, inclu- ding in-game item purchases, power-ups, and additional lives, and a literature review, we investigate how the game’s coercive, manipulative, and compulsive design encourages players to make frequent purchases. By examining the visual interfaces, it is possible to identify how microtransactions are implemented and how they reinforce compulsive behavior, highlighting how the process of financialization is closely related to microtran- sactions and game design.