Philippe Grazina – Dec 29, 2024
Every great story starts with a spark—for TapNation, that moment came in 2019 when Hervé Montoute and Igor Zabukovec decided to combine their passion for gaming with a vision for creating innovative, engaging mobile games.
From those early days as a small team of five to becoming a global leader in mobile gaming, the past five years have been nothing short of remarkable.
In celebration of our fifth anniversary, we reflect on the milestones, challenges, and satisfying breakthroughs that have defined this journey. A story of growth, innovation, and a relentless drive to push boundaries, a drive that continues to inspire us as we look forward to the future.
Laying the foundation
In 2019, we laid the foundation for what TapNation would become. With Bubble Sort and Ice Cream Inc. leading the charge, we were excited to see our games reach over 2.5 million downloads and 2.3 million monthly active users in just two months.
Back then, we were a small, passionate team of five, working tirelessly to create something that resonated with players. This early success was more than a validation of our vision; it was a sign of things to come.
The foundation had been laid, and TapNation was ready to grow.
As 2020 rolled around, our vision grew, and so did our team. The studio wasn’t just creating games—it was fostering a global community. The development of our platform was a game-changer, streamlining workflows and enabling more efficient collaboration.
We expanded to 18 talented individuals, launched our studio platform, and hosted our first international game jam. Bringing together over 600 participants from more than 40 countries was a testament to the global love for gaming and collaboration.
By the end of the year, we had surpassed 100 million downloads and cultivated a thriving community of 16 million monthly active users. This year solidified our place in the industry as more than just a game studio. We were becoming a global player!
The momentum of 2021 that pushed through boundaries
Our stride continued with the release of Giant Rush, a game that quickly became one of our most popular titles. The year also hosted the first TripNation around September in Cassis, France—a gathering that strengthened our team bonds and inspired creativity.
With a growing team of 44 employees, we had 13 hit games, 400 million downloads, and a community of 35 million monthly active users.
Innovation has always been at the heart of what we do, and in 2022 we embraced new challenges. Venturing into Web3 gaming, we launched titles like Parking Jam on Immutable, exploring the intersection of blockchain and entertainment.
This year brought recognition, as we were named a Great Place to Work and received an expansion award from Google. By the end of it, we had reached 750 million downloads, added 22 games to our portfolio, and grown to a team of 70. Also, captivating 50 million monthly active users worldwide.
The 2023 milestone
In 2023, we hit one of our biggest milestones yet: 1 billion downloads. This achievement was celebrated in Times Square—a proud moment for us and everyone who contributed to our journey.
Aside from that, the year also saw us raise €15 million, acquire UAhero (an AI-powered subsidiary), and strengthen our partnerships with leaders like The Sandbox. And yes, we expanded even more to a team of 80, became finalists for Best Developer at the PGC Awards, and continued to serve and captivate over 60 million monthly active users.
Looking beyond 2024 and towards the future
Now, in 2024, we find ourselves at an exciting crossroads. With 1.4 billion downloads across our portfolio, new offices, and top rankings in Les Champions de la Croissance and the FT1000, TapNation’s growth has been nothing short of remarkable.
This year has marked our evolution from hyper-casual to hybrid-casual games. A shift that reflects our commitment to creating richer, more engaging player experiences. We’ve expanded beyond mobile, bringing titles like Color Water Sort, Thief Puzzle, and Parking Jam to Nintendo Switch. And boundaries were pushed thanks to our ventures into Web3 with Athletics Rush and partnerships with Polkadot, Arbitrum, and Tezos leading the way. These small examples were able to set the stage for the next chapter of our story.
What are we leading to?
We are leading to a heartfelt thank you. As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, we want to take a moment to thank everyone who has been part of this journey. They are our team, players, and partners. Together, we’ve achieved what once felt impossible, and we’re just getting started. As TapNation moves forward, our commitment to innovation remains steadfast.
From five people in 2019 to a global community of millions in 2024, TapNation’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, creativity, and collaboration. Our story is far from over, as we continue to celebrate these milestones.
The last five years have been incredible, but they’re just the beginning. Here’s to five years of innovation and the endless possibilities ahead.
Would you like to be part of this thriving ecosystem? Submit your game and let TapNation take your game to the next level!