Candy Crush maker reduces 2014 forecasts

The Dublin-based games creator also makes Pet Rescue

The makers of mobile game Candy Crush Saga have reduced their 2014 forecast after lower-than-expected second-quarter results.

King Digital Entertainment said it expected to make $2.25bn (£1.3bn) to $2.35bn (£1.4bn) from items purchased within its games, as against a previous estimate of $2.55bn to $2.65bn.

Its shares slipped 22% in after-hours trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

King's financial officer said it had plans to launch a sister title.

Hope Cochran said in an interview: "We expect Candy Crush will decline, but have a very strong tail and a long tail.

"We will be launching the Candy Crush sister title in [the fourth quarter], which will give more longevity to that title."

The company reported a quarterly revenue of $594m, compared with $456m in the same period last year.

Investors have worried that unless King Digital delivers several long-lasting hits, it might suffer the same fate as the makers of other games such as Farmville and Angry Birds, who both saw a flurry of initial success followed by a lull in customer purchases.