Millions of us are using our phones the wrong way when gaming, according to the makers of Candy Crush Saga, one of the world’s most downloaded mobile games. While there’s been extensive online chatter and memes that claim older generations’ use of their index fingers is suboptimal, Candy Crush has finally settled the social media debate once and for all.
Therese Sander, Level Design Expert for Candy Crush Saga has revealed that, in fact, using your index finger can be a more beneficial way to play as it helps you to be more precise, allowing you to swipe faster and more accurately. She said: “Despite almost a quarter of Brits feeling embarrassed using their index finger in public to operate their phone, when it comes to crushing games, using your index finger can absolutely provide you with several advantages over relying solely on your thumb.
“The index finger offers superior precision and dexterity due to its larger range of motion and length - otherwise known as the index flex! This enhanced control enables you to execute complex manoeuvres, tap small targets more accurately and reduce the chance of accidental moves.
“While the thumb remains useful for certain tasks on mobile devices, we’ve noticed the index finger is the preference for some of our top players, including a number of Candy Crush All Stars finalists. The index flex could be the way to go after all!”
A nationwide poll by Candy Crush Saga, the iconic match three game, has revealed there remains a huge generational divide in the ways Brits use their phones.
The thumb is the weapon of choice for the younger generation - 80% of Gen Z and 67% of millenials say they use it as their predominant tapping digit - while 73% of those aged between 59-77 (boomers) say they largely use their index finger.
Millennials are the least confident in their approach as almost half 41% say they would be up for switching up their tapping approach, and 41% of Gen Z say they felt self-conscious browsing or playing games on their phone in public using their index finger, which might explain why the thumb is the winning digit.
More than three in five boomers back the index being best, claiming they would never consider switching up their tapping approach despite societal pressure.
Futurologist, Rhiannon Jones revealed why there is such disparity between generations, and why we are reluctant to change our ways, claiming our obsession with scrolling has changed the way we interact with our phones.
“Each generation is influenced by social and cultural content in which they grow up, including broader societal expectations,” she said.
“Technological progress, in particular, often occurs rapidly, leading to vast generational differences in technological literacy. As a result, younger generations - digital natives who have grown up in a world of global connectivity and tech-integrated living - lean towards a more intuitive scrolling style based on the size of their handheld devices and a passive scrolling attitude (i.e. scrolling while watching TV or on the tube).”
According to Rhiannon, ‘thumb superiority’ is a real feeling, whether conscious or unconscious, adding: “Why are we so reluctant to change our scrolling habits? As small as it may seem, our scrolling style can signal to the world our degree of exposure to and familiarity with different technologies, something younger generations, consciously or unconsciously, consider a key part of being socially relevant in a world ruled by technology.”
Put your index finger to the test by downloading Candy Crush Saga on iOS or Android to play for free. To learn more about the mobile game and see what gaming method works best for you, visit: www.candycrushsaga.com.
