According to Supercell’s Brawl Stars GM Frank Keienburg, Brawl Stars was teetering “on the edge” between a global release and potential cancellation during its 18-month soft launch period.
Speaking at GDC, Keienburg revealed the internal discussions that kept Brawl Stars alive at a studio known for pulling the plug on games that don’t show promise of becoming mega hits.
Keienburg explained that if a game’s metrics indicate it’s a lost cause, the team would likely consider ending development. However, if the situation is more nuanced, the team’s passion and belief in the game play a crucial role.
“We’re not authoritarian in our decision-making process,” Keienburg emphasized. “It’s not about mandates like ‘you must kill this game’.”
He added, “In the case of Brawl Stars, it was a close call.”
Prior to its global launch in December 2018, the team soft launched Brawl Stars on Android, previously only available on iOS devices.
While comparing data against Supercell’s other successful titles like Clash of Clans and Clash Royale, the team initially had doubts. Despite unfavorable comparisons, Brawl Stars went on to launch globally and has since surpassed $2 billion in revenue worldwide.
