Highlights
- Supercell is partnering with Tencent to release installation-free mini games on WeChat, starting with Brawl Stars and Clash Royale.
- The initiative targets China’s fast-growing lightweight gaming market, enabling instant play without separate app installs.
- Supercell aims for seamless integration with synchronized assets, preserving progress for existing players and offering a streamlined start for new ones.
In a move to expand its user base, Finnish video game studio Supercell is joining hands with Chinese publishing giant Tencent. Supercell is all set to launch its popular titles on Tencent’s WeChat as installation-free mini games. As reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Brawl Stars is already available on the messaging platform under the name Weixin. Meanwhile, Clash Royale is in development and is scheduled for release in September. This was confirmed by Jakub Barczyk, Business and Operations Lead for Clash of Clans, on June 25 at a live-streamed WeChat event in Chongqing.
Supercell is Focused on Seamless Integration
Jakub Barczyk said that Supercel was focusing on WeChat mini games to capitalize on the rapidly growing market in China and the rising popularity of easy, lightweight games that can be played instantly without the need for a separate app. Supercell is reportedly focused on a seamless integration between WeChat and mobile games, confirmed Barczyk. The goal is to enable effortless switching between the platforms through synchronized assets.
He added, “This approach accommodates both existing players, ensuring their progress is saved, and new players, who will benefit from a streamlined experience. This strategy aims to seamlessly integrate Supercell’s popular games into the everyday routines of Chinese users through WeChat, providing easy access with classic experiences.”
According to SCMP, since WeChat mini games’ launch in 2018, it has raked up 500 million monthly active users. Additionally, over 300 mini games reportedly achieved quarterly sales of more than $1.4 million USD, according to WeChat data released on June 25.
This partnership between Supercell and Tencent is not new. The Chinese publisher acquired an 84% stake in Supercell $8.6 billion USD in 2016. The same year, Clash Royale integrated its login system with WeChat and QQ, another popular messaging app in China.
Tencent has always invested and expanded in the industry of gaming industry, which seemingly is one of its strong operating pillars. SCMP reported that Tencent recorded a 23% hike in first-quarter revenue to reach $2.32 billion USD, “driven by growth in revenues from Brawl Stars, Clash Royale and PUBG Mobile.” Additionally, Tencent holds a stake in Fortnite-maker Epic Games and also fully owns Riot Games, known for its flagship title League of Legends.
Notably, Tencent also recently approached the family of late Nexon founder Kim Jung-ju about a potential acquisition of the South Korean game developer, Bloomberg reported.
