Supercell's Squad Busters: A Solid Start, But Falling Short of Expectations
Supercell's latest mobile game, Squad Busters, a MOBA RTS hybrid, has achieved 40 million installs and $24 million in net revenue within its first month. This performance was particularly strong in the US, followed by Indonesia, Brazil, Turkey, and South Korea.
However, these figures pale in comparison to Supercell's previous successes. Brawl Stars generated $43 million in its first month in 2018, while Clash Royale amassed over $115 million during its initial launch period in 2016. Furthermore, Squad Busters' install rate has significantly declined since its peak of 30 million in the first week, dropping below five million by the end of the month. Spending has also been consistently lower than anticipated since launch.
Supercell Fatigue?
The diminishing returns for Squad Busters, despite Supercell's apparent high investment, raise concerns about potential market saturation. Competitor Honkai Star Rail, for instance, achieved a staggering $190 million in its first month, highlighting the significant gap in performance.
While Squad Busters is a well-made game, its similarity to Supercell's existing titles might indicate a degree of "Supercell fatigue" among players. Only time will tell if Squad Busters can overcome this hurdle and achieve long-term success.
For a look at other top-performing mobile games released in 2024, check out our list of the best mobile games of 2024 (so far)! You can also explore our comprehensive list of the year's most anticipated mobile games to see what's on the horizon.
