Any family get-together will often have tales that are as convoluted as a roller coaster’s rails. Today, I present to you a tale of devotion and digital pleasures rather than family arguments or Christmas catastrophes. In addition to her persistent trek through the candy-colored levels of Candy Crush for more than ten years, it tells the tale of my mother-in-law (MIL), who has been playing the same game of Roller Coaster Tycoon Touch for what she believes to be “six or seven years.”
When you look more closely, gaming, which the uninformed typically dismiss as a pointless hobby, exposes levels of devotion and intricacy. My MIL’s gaming adventure is more than just pointless clicking; it’s evidence of the timeless allure of well made games as well as the communities and experiences they foster. What motivates someone to play these games for years, however, and what can the rest of us take away from such commitment?
Beyond clicking – the deeper meaning of the game
To begin with, Roller Coaster Tycoon Touch isn’t your typical game. Players may create and run their own amusement parks in this virtual playground. Imagine the excitement of designing the ideal roller coaster, overseeing the park’s operations, and making sure your virtual visitors are happy. My MIL has continued to return day after day, year after year, thanks to a combination of management, strategy, and inventiveness.

Similarly, Candy Crush, with its simplistic yet compelling gameplay, has been a staple in the mobile gaming industry for years. While the challenge of the game is not in matching colored candies, the complexity is in calculating one’s actions to break past obstacles and reach the objectives of the level. For my MIL, and indeed for many others, the temptation of ‘just one more level’ is powerful.
All this constant submersion raises the question: What precisely is so attractive about these games? The gaming community itself, large and diverse as it is, provides some solutions. Websites such as Brutal Gamer, Attack of the Fanboy, and others have lauded complicated and diverse gaming, from PC invasions to odd topologies of niche games. Those platforms know that gaming is not just about entertainment; it’s about experiences that are interesting, demanding, and occasionally infuriating in the best possible manner.
Connections, inputs and gains
Reddit Gaming, with its 25 million-strong community, is a testimony to the discussions and relationships that games generate. Here, conversations span from gameplay strategy to the latest gaming news, emphasizing how titles like Roller Coaster Tycoon Touch and Candy Crush function as nexus points for larger community participation.
Moreover, the devotion to a single game for years points to the intimate connection that develops between players and their digital worlds. For my MIL, her amusement park in Roller Coaster Tycoon Touch isn’t simply a collection of digital assets; it’s a project that she’s fostered, grown, and managed through ups and downs, much like operating a real-world company. The gratification obtained from watching your park develop and tourists enjoy their stay is tremendous.
Candy Crush, also via its ever-expanding array of levels and challenges, delivers a feeling of advancement and success. Each level conquered is a mini-victory, a tribute to patience and occasionally, a touch of luck.

The fun of gaming, as my MIL’s tale indicates, rests not simply in the mechanics of play but in the journey and the stories we build along the way. It’s about the excitement of the build, the strategy of the match, and the pleasure of growth. It’s a reminder that in the realm of gaming, devotion and delight frequently go hand-in-hand, generating experiences that live well beyond the final credits.
So, the next time you hear someone disparage gaming as merely a means to pass the time, remember the roller coaster tycoons and candy crushers among us. They’re not just playing games; they’re going on adventures, managing empires, and, most importantly, having a heck of a good time doing it. Who knows? You may just be encouraged to join them on their next digital adrenaline journey.
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