Layers with Chris Nolan

King & Candy Crush: the most successful mobile game ever?

Candy Crush is more than just a mobile game - it's a global phenomenon and arguably the most successful mobile game ever created. In this episode, we delve into the history and the minds behind King, the studio behind Candy Crush. Just look at some of these mind-blowing stats! - $8 billion+ in revenue and 3 billion+ downloads, that's 2 out of every 5 humans on the planet - The game has been played an estimated close to 5 trillion minutes in total, which is over 9 million years of nonstop playing - The game has players across all 7 continents of the world, including Antarctica King and Candy Crush's story dates back to the dot-com boom days. There were glamorous moments, such as becoming one of the largest European IPOs ever and selling the company to Activision Blizzard for $6 billion. However, there were also multiple near-death experiences in the face of foundational technology shifts that were completely beyond their control. It’s a story that spans more than two decades, during which they had to adapt, move fast, and reinvent themselves. Let's dive in.

Game Science & Black Myth Wukong

🎙 The Epic Tale of Game Science: Crafting Legends with Black Myth: Wukong 🐒✨ Black Myth: Wukong is the AAA game that wasn’t supposed to exist. With nearly 30 million copies sold and over a billion dollars in revenue, it’s the biggest blockbuster hit of 2024. But its legacy will go beyond the game itself—it represents a turning point for the Chinese gaming industry and will continue to shape the market for years to come. In this episode, we dive into the story of Game Science and its founding team, following in the footsteps of visionaries like Yocar and Yang Qi. This is the tale of dreamers—perfectionists, stubborn yet passionate artists—who defied the odds to create something truly extraordinary. Join us as we explore their journey to bring Black Myth: Wukong to life. 🎧 Tune in to uncover the magic behind one of the most exciting games of our time!