Short answer: Clash of Clans was first released for iOS on 2 August 2012 and later arrived on Android on 7 October 2013. (Wikipedia)
What is Clash of Clans?
Clash of Clans (often shortened to COC) is a mobile strategy game made by the Finnish game studio Supercell. In the game, you build and upgrade a village, train troops, attack other players, and join a clan so you can fight in Clan Wars together. It mixes base-building, resource management, and real-time strategy battles, all wrapped in a colorful, cartoon-like art style.
When and how was it made?
The core development of Clash of Clans was fairly fast by game-industry standards — the team built the initial version in about six months. Supercell focused on making gameplay fun and easy to pick up, while keeping depth for long-term players. The team tested and adjusted the art style and game mechanics during development so it would appeal to many types of players. (Wikipedia)
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Initial release (iOS): 2 August 2012. (Wikipedia)
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Android release (Google Play): 7 October 2013. (Wikipedia)
The iOS release came first, and after the game became popular there, Supercell released the Android version a bit more than a year later. This staggered launch is common: studios often start on one platform, polish the game based on player feedback, and then expand to other platforms. (Wikipedia)
Who made it?
Clash of Clans was created by Supercell, a Finnish game company that had already worked on other mobile titles. Supercell’s approach has been to keep small, focused teams that can iterate quickly and keep improving a live game over years. Clash of Clans became their major long-term success and grew with many updates and new features released over time. (Wikipedia)
What was the game like at launch?
At launch, Clash of Clans offered the core elements that remain today: village building, resource collection, training troops, and attacking other players. Supercell also added a single-player mode after early tests showed players liked having some solo content. The art style and gameplay were simplified to make the game friendly for mobile players but still deep enough to keep people playing for months and years. (Wikipedia)
How did it grow so big?
Several factors helped Clash of Clans become a global hit:
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Easy to learn, hard to master. The basic mechanics are simple — build, upgrade, attack — but competitive play, clan strategy, and base design create deep long-term goals. (Wikipedia)
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Social play with clans. Making clans and fighting Clan Wars gave players reasons to team up, talk, and keep playing together. Social features increase player retention. (Wikipedia)
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Regular updates and events. Supercell kept adding new troops, defenses, and seasonal events. This kept the game fresh and gave players reasons to return. (ExitLag)
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Free-to-play model with optional purchases. The game is free to download. Players can progress with time or speed things up with purchases — a business model that proved very profitable when handled well. (Wikipedia)
Because of these points, the game built a large, active community that kept growing for years after the release. (ExitLag)
Important milestones after launch
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Global growth and community: After the releases, the player base expanded worldwide. Players formed clans, reached high competitive levels, and shared strategies online. (clash-universe.fandom.com)
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Long-term support: Supercell supported the game with frequent updates, balance changes, and new game modes. That long-term support is a big reason Clash of Clans stayed popular. (ExitLag)
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Cultural presence: The game inspired fan videos, guides, community sites, and even spin-offs and related media over time. It has become a recognizable brand in mobile gaming. (YouTube)
Why the release dates matter
Knowing the release dates helps you see how the game grew. The 2012 iOS release was the seed: it let Supercell test the game with players and refine it. The 2013 Android release opened the door to many more players and bigger global growth. Those two dates mark the real beginning of a long-running mobile success story. (Wikipedia)
A short timeline (quick view)
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Early 2012: Development and testing (roughly six months of core development). (Wikipedia)
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2 Aug 2012: iOS release. (Wikipedia)
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7 Oct 2013: Android release. (Wikipedia)
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2014–present: Continuous updates, new features, and an expanding community. (ExitLag)
Quick FAQ (simple answers)
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Q: Who made Clash of Clans?
A: Supercell (a Finnish studio). (Wikipedia) -
Q: When did it come out?
A: iOS on Aug 2, 2012; Android on Oct 7, 2013. (Wikipedia) -
Q: Is it still updated?
A: Yes — Supercell continues to update the game with new features and events. (ExitLag)
Final thoughts
Clash of Clans is a great example of how a carefully designed mobile game, supported with regular updates and strong social features, can grow into a long-lasting success. The game's launch dates (Aug 2, 2012 for iOS, and Oct 7, 2013 for Android) are the moments that began a decade-plus run of updates, community building, and cultural impact in mobile gaming. If you’re writing about the game or celebrating its anniversary, those dates are the key facts to remember.