🚨📢BREAKING NEWS: New Adnetwork AdSURGE is here, Supercell Kills Squad Busters, Ubisoft Quits Mobile
two & a half gamers · 2026-10-16
💡 Quick Take
1. Use the brand-new ad network AdSURGE for user acquisition and ad monetization testing as soon as you can get access.
2. Avoid relying on Squad Busters since Supercell is officially shutting it down and pulling it from stores on December 1st.
3. Avoid investing time into Rainbow Six Mobile due to its catastrophic monetization failure and upcoming closure in January.
4. Avoid expecting Ubisoft to stay in European mobile development as they close their Helsinki studio, RedLynx.
📊 Detailed Explanation
The mobile gaming landscape is experiencing major structural shifts, highlighted by the launch of a powerful new ad network called AdSURGE. Built through a collaboration between Miniclip, Tencent, and Easybrain, this platform leverages massive casual portfolios, exceptional puzzle-operation data, and robust first-party scaling. Coming at a time when traditional mediation and network spaces face legal pressures and heavy competition among giants like AppLovin and Unity, AdSURGE introduces much-needed pricing pressure and auction leverage. The speaker strongly recommends testing this new network immediately to capitalize on its deep data pedigree and multi-company expertise.
On the flip side, the industry is hit by a severe shutdown wave reflecting brutal economic realities. Supercell is officially killing Squad Busters, pulling it from digital stores on December 1st and shutting down operations by December 14th—a rare and alarming outcome for a globally launched Supercell title. Meanwhile, Ubisoft is effectively exiting mobile game development in Europe, closing its Helsinki studio RedLynx and risking 52 jobs. Rainbow Six Mobile serves as a stark case study for catastrophic monetization, generating only $5.3 million in lifetime in-app revenue across 13 million installs, which ultimately sealed its fate for a January shutdown.
🎯 Gaming Expert Opinion
The introduction of AdSURGE marks a fascinating competitive pivot in the mobile ad-tech ecosystem. By combining Miniclip's reach, Easybrain's data expertise, and Tencent's backing, the network presents a credible challenger to established giants like AppLovin. Developers and publishers should heed the speaker's advice to test this platform early, as fresh ad networks often provide favorable auction dynamics and alternative user acquisition channels before saturation sets in.
The demise of Squad Busters and Rainbow Six Mobile underscores the unforgiving nature of the modern mobile market. Supercell's rare reversal on a global release proves that high install numbers or recognizable intellectual properties are no longer enough if retention and monetization loops fail to hook players long-term. Ubisoft's retreat from mobile in Europe further validates that ballooning development costs combined with dismal monetization metrics—such as Rainbow Six Mobile's low yield on 13 million downloads—will force swift corporate corrections.
Ultimately, developers must navigate these turbulence points by diversifying their UA strategies while keeping a close eye on platform fee protests, such as the ongoing UK class actions against Google and critiques of Apple and Google's 30% cuts. Adopting tools like AdSURGE while steering clear of sunsetting projects will be critical for survival in a rapidly consolidating industry.
Kanal: two & a half gamers