Candy is a ubiquitous presence,  [[https://www.podparadise.com/Podcast/1803084204|https://www.podparadise.com/Podcast/1803084204]] taking on a variety of forms such as vibrant, shimmering orbs, mystical energy sources. At first glance, they seem trivial, but they hold deeper cultural significance that merits further research.



One of the most notable examples on the use of candy in gaming is its appearance in match-3 games. The Gem-Swap trilogy, for instance, includes colorful, gemstone-like candies in shimmering hues. These candies, in the form of rubies, peridots, and tourmalines, are not merely aesthetic; they are actually the basis for the game's gameplay, as players must swap them to create sets of three or more in a row.



The use of candy in Bejeweled reflects a subcultural phenomenon in the 1980s and 1990s. Brands like Swedish Fish and Haribo flooded the market with candies so vibrant they defied the boundaries of the human visual spectrum. These candies speak directly to the nostalgia that many gamers attach to classic games.



In other games, candy serves as a metaphor for power or energy. The Final Fantasy series features a healing item called the 'Hi-Potion', a stylized vial of soda pop that resembles a sparkling glass of soda. This item has been a fixture of the series since its inception and represents the 'sweet' relief that gamers feel when their characters return to full vitality.



Not all candies in gaming are triumphant or positive interpretations, some, instead, highlight darker themes associated with sugar and indulgence. The survival horror game 'Silent Hill' features haunted, ghastly manifestations of sardonic snacks such as spoiled treats, gum left rotting, and trash can eating vermin that are coated in candy-like substances, making them some of the most memorable symbols of horror associated with those creepy food items in the thrill genre.



A close look at the cultural significance of candy in gaming reveals a rich tapestry of meanings tied to mass market appeal, nostalgia, and even visceral experience. At its core, candy, in various forms, has evolved to encapsulate a broad spectrum of emotions in gaming contexts - playfulness, the power of indulgence, revulsion, anxiety, and, above all, they remind us that even in bleak places, there will be always at least a few beams of light that will beckon us further in.

(Image: [[https://goodui.org/site/assets/files/4799/leak039_bfull.jpg|https://goodui.org/site/assets/files/4799/leak039_bfull.jpg]])