Supercell, known for its innovative approach to game development, is shaking up the industry once again with its latest initiative, Spark. This internal system, aimed at enhancing team dynamics and game creation, is poised to redefine how games are made at the renowned gaming company.

Under the leadership of CEO Ilkka Paananen and head of live ops Sara Bach, Supercell has embarked on a journey of change. With the closure of Clash Mini and a renewed focus on live games, the company is now introducing Spark to streamline the process of greenlighting new game ideas.

The Spark initiative, spearheaded by former Hay Day lead Stephan Demirdjian, takes Supercell’s democratic approach to game creation to new heights. Teams are evaluated not only on their game concepts but also on their ability to work together effectively, with psychometric tests and assessments conducted by a team psychologist.

In a bold move towards openness and inclusivity, Supercell is inviting pitches from external teams to undergo the Spark process. This experiment aims to tap into the world’s best talent and challenge traditional approaches to game development.

Ilkka Paananen explains, “We want to be the world’s best at creating new game teams. I truly believe that one of the core pillars of Supercell culture is this idea that we don’t greenlight ideas, we greenlight teams.”

Stephan Demirdjian elaborates on the testing process, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurial thinking and the ability to make tough decisions. “We want to infuse more entrepreneurial thinking. You have to aim high and be willing to make difficult decisions, even if it means killing your own game or team.”

The initial test run of the Spark initiative yielded promising results, with two teams greenlit for further development. Building on this success, Supercell plans to conduct another round of testing, opening up the opportunity for external teams to participate.

As Paananen states, “We want to welcome people who will come in and even challenge how we do things and what type of games to build.”

With Spark, Supercell continues to push the boundaries of game development, blending innovation with scientific rigor to create the games of tomorrow. As the industry watches with anticipation, one thing is certain: Supercell’s commitment to excellence remains unwavering.

Source: adapted from an article by Daniel Griffiths, Editor for PocketGamer.biz.