Supercell's Squad Busters Wins Big at 2024 Apple Awards
Despite a rocky start, Supercell's Squad Busters has rebounded spectacularly, earning the prestigious 2024 Apple Award for iPad Game of the Year. This accolade places it alongside other award winners, Balatro+ and AFK Journey, highlighting its success.
Squad Busters' initial launch was underwhelming for Supercell, a surprising outcome given the company's history of carefully vetting releases. The Finnish mobile giant rarely launches globally, preferring to shelve underperforming titles. However, Squad Busters has proven its worth, finding its audience and achieving significant recognition.
The Apple App Store Awards also saw AFK Journey from Farlight Games win iPhone Game of the Year, and Balatro+ secure the Apple Arcade Game of the Year award. Squad Busters now stands proudly among these other top-tier games.
A Turnaround Story
Squad Busters' initial struggles sparked considerable debate. Many questioned Supercell's decision to release a game that seemed to underperform, especially given their reputation for creating billion-dollar hits.
This award suggests the game's quality wasn't the issue. The gameplay, a compelling blend of battle royale and MOBA elements, appears to have resonated with players. However, the combination of Supercell IPs might not have initially aligned with player expectations.
While the discussion continues, this award serves as a significant achievement for Supercell, validating their perseverance and dedication.
For a comparison of this year's releases according to our Pocket Gamer Awards, be sure to check out our rankings.
