Supercell
Supercell business and news from across the web.
Supercell launches equity-free grants program for Africa-based game studiosSupercell has launched a new equity-free grants program to support game studios based in Africa. The program offers grants ranging from $20,000 to $200,000 per studio, with successful applicants being notified by the end of October 2026. Supercell will not take ownership in any studio or game, allowing developers to retain full intellectual property rights.
Supercell starts developer grants program for African studiosSupercell, the studio behind Brawl Stars, has launched a developer grants program to support African game development studios. The program offers equity-free grants ranging from $20,000 to $200,000 to help studios grow and strengthen the emerging African gaming ecosystem. Applications are open across multiple platforms and genres, with a focus on legally registered studios based primarily in Africa.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Robert Henrysson steps down as Supermassive Games CEOSeveral key personnel changes have occurred in the gaming industry. Robert Henrysson has stepped down as CEO of Supermassive Games and partner at Nordisk Games. Christopher Serra joins Paramount Games as VP of business development and licensing, while Alexis Bonte departs as CEO of Stillfront. Nicholas Penwarden also leaves Epic Games after 15 years.
Brawl Stars Adidas Starr Cup Event DetailsSupercell has announced the Brawl Stars Adidas Starr Cup event, a football-themed competition running from June 20 to July 1, 2026. The event features tournament stages with Super Ball matches, half-time challenges focused on Super Ball and Brawl Ball modes, and offers in-game rewards including skins and currency. A major giveaway will also provide 1 million Coins and 1 million Power Points to 10 lucky players.
Hay Day Celebrates Its 14th with a Birthday Music Festival Featuring Joe JonasHay Day is celebrating its 14th anniversary with a virtual Birthday Music Festival featuring Joe Jonas. The event, running until June 30th, includes music-themed decorations, rewards, community challenges, and an original track by Jonas called 'The Cozy Anthem'. Players can collect musical notes to unlock exclusive decorations and participate in a TikTok remix challenge.
Clash of Clans Update Details: Angry Spell & Ruin WitchSupercell is introducing the Angry Spell and Ruin Witch to Clash of Clans as part of the Anime Fury update. The Angry Spell enrages friendly troops to attack the nearest defense, while the Ruin Witch summons Ruin Knights from destroyed buildings. The update details were revealed after a teaser on June 11, 2026, though the full update has been delayed to ensure smooth implementation.
Clash of Clans Global Chat Returns After 7 Year WaitSupercell has announced the return of Global Chat to Clash of Clans, nearly seven years after its removal. The updated feature includes new social elements like player-created Groups and larger Communities, along with an improved safety system. This rollout has led to the postponement of some in-game events.
Merge Mansion dev Metacore lays off 159 employees, closes studios in Germany and SwedenMobile game studio Metacore has laid off 159 employees in Finland and closed its studios in Germany and Sweden as part of a restructuring effort. CEO Mika Tammenkoski cited that the game Merge Mansion has plateaued and recent investments have not yielded new launches. Supercell is acquiring Metacore and will add Merge Mansion to its portfolio.
Finnish Game Awards 2026 winners announced — MP3s & NPCsThe winners of the 2026 Finnish Game Awards have been announced, with The Last Caretaker taking home Finnish Game of the Year 2025. Other notable wins include My Tennis Apocalypse for Bit1 Game Competition 2026 and Cities: Skylines II for Best IP Expansion 2025. The event, organized by the Finnish Game Developers' Association and Neogames Finland, celebrated outstanding indie productions.- The Finnish Game Awards honored a scarf-wearing robot as Game of the YearThe Finnish Game Awards 2026 celebrated The Last Caretaker by Channel37 as the Best Finnish Game of 2025. Other notable winners included Paradigm Island for best indie game, Cities: Skylines II for best IP expansion, and Clash Royale for business excellence. The awards ceremony highlighted the achievements of the Finnish game industry, with a focus on outstanding indie productions.
Supercell acquires Metacore to add Merge Mansion to its "live games portfolio"Supercell is acquiring Metacore, the developer of the popular mobile game Merge Mansion. The deal aims to integrate Merge Mansion into Supercell's live games portfolio, leveraging Supercell's expertise in scaling global live games. Merge Mansion, a merge 2 mystery puzzle game launched in 2020, has reportedly generated around $700 million and boasts over 60 million downloads.
Supercell Fully Acquires Merge Mansion Creator MetacoreSupercell has fully acquired Metacore, the developer of Merge Mansion, consolidating the popular merge-2 puzzler into its live games portfolio. Despite previous investments and attempts to launch new titles, Metacore's sole game, Merge Mansion, will now be the focus of Supercell's operational efforts. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.- gamescom latam 2026 wraps up with record-breaking resultsgamescom latam 2026 concluded with record-breaking attendance, exceeding 154,000 visitors and marking a 17.5% increase from the previous year. The event facilitated over 13,000 B2B meetings, projecting an estimated US$180 million in new business and solidifying its role as a key platform for the South American games industry. Major companies like Nintendo, Electronic Arts, and PlayStation showcased over 400 games, including more than 60 new releases.
- gamescom latam 2026 wraps up with record-breaking resultsgamescom latam 2026 concluded with record-breaking attendance, attracting over 154,000 visitors and showcasing more than 400 games. The event also facilitated over 13,000 B2B meetings, projecting an estimated US$180 million in new business, solidifying its role as a key business platform for the Latin American games industry.
Metacore restructuring to the tune of 'up to 160' redundanciesMetacore is planning a significant restructuring, potentially leading to up to 160 redundancies in Finland, due to the plateaued growth of its hit game Merge Mansion and unsuccessful new investments. Concurrently, Supercell, already a major shareholder, will acquire the rest of Metacore, aiming to scale Merge Mansion back into a leading position within its category.- The best Finnish games in the world will be awarded at The Finnish Game Awards 2026 gala in MayThe Finnish Game Awards 2026 gala will take place on May 21, 2026, in Helsinki to honor the best Finnish games of 2025. The event will feature new award categories such as Best IP Expansion of the Year and Business Excellence Award, alongside traditional honors like Finnish Game of the Year. The Finnish games industry saw revenue growth in 2025, driven by a strong performance in multi-platform, PC, and mobile segments.
Clash Of Clans Adds "Foot Tribute" Bundle, Internet Reacts Very NormallySupercell has released a "Foot Tribute" bundle for its mobile game Clash of Clans, featuring decorative statues of the Archer Queen's feet. The bundle, available for $12, has generated a mixed reaction from players, ranging from bewilderment to amusement, with some jokingly calling it "peak trolling."
Clair Obscur and Dispatch triumph at the BAFTA game awardsThe 22nd annual BAFTA Game Awards honored outstanding creative achievements, with Sandfall Interactive's Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Adhoc Studios' Dispatch taking home multiple awards, including Best Game for Clair Obscur. Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen received an Academy Fellowship for his contributions to mobile gaming. The ceremony also faced controversy regarding the last-minute removal of a trailer for the game The Quiet Things.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 takes Best Game award at 2026 BAFTA Games Awards but shares spotlight with Dispatch with 3 wins eachClair Obscur: Expedition 33 won Best Game at the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards, with Sandfall Interactive also securing wins for Debut Game and Performer in a Leading Role for Jennifer English. Dispatch tied for the most wins with three awards, including Performer in a Supporting Role for Jeffery Wright, and also received nominations in multiple categories.
No prizes for guessing what won Best Game at Bafta 2026 Games AwardsClair Obscur: Expedition 33 was the dominant winner at the Bafta 2026 Games Awards, securing Best Game, Debut Game for Sandfall Interactive, and Performer in a Leading Role for Jennifer English. The Telltale Games style adventure Dispatch also received three awards for Animation, Audio Achievement, and Performer in a Supporting Role for Jeffrey Wright. Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen was controversially awarded the BAFTA Fellowship.