Tracing the journey of one of mobile gaming's greatest success stories
Since its launch in 2012, Subway Surfers has grown from a simple endless runner to a global phenomenon with billions of downloads. Explore the key milestones in the game's remarkable journey.
May 24, 2012
Subway Surfers was released for iOS devices by SYBO Games and Kiloo. The game was based on an animation short created by SYBO founders Sylvester Jensen and Bodie Jahn-Mulliner as a graduation project at the Animation Workshop in Denmark.
The initial release featured Jake as the default character, with Tricky and Fresh as the first unlockable characters. The game was set in a subway system with a simple but addictive gameplay mechanic: run, dodge, and collect coins while evading the Inspector and his dog.
By the end of 2012, Subway Surfers had already introduced its "World Tour" concept, with the game visiting cities like New York, Rio de Janeiro, and Rome. This innovative approach of changing the game's setting monthly helped keep the content fresh and players engaged.
Throughout 2013
In its second year, Subway Surfers expanded to Android devices, significantly broadening its player base. The World Tour continued, with the game visiting major cities such as Tokyo, Sydney, Miami, and Moscow.
New characters were introduced throughout the year, including Spike, Yutani, and Frank. The game also added new hoverboards, challenges, and seasonal themes during special events like Christmas and Halloween.
By the end of 2013, Subway Surfers had already amassed over 100 million downloads across platforms, establishing itself as one of mobile gaming's rising stars. The game's success was attributed to its simple yet addictive gameplay, regular content updates, and growing community of players.
January 2015
In a monumental achievement, Subway Surfers surpassed 1 billion downloads across all platforms, becoming one of the first mobile games to reach this milestone. The game continued its World Tour, visiting cities like London, Paris, Beijing, and Las Vegas.
The developers introduced more characters, including Jake's robot counterpart Tagbot, and expanded the game's collectible items. They also implemented weekly hunts and daily challenges to enhance player engagement.
Subway Surfers' social media presence grew significantly during this period, with millions of followers across various platforms. The game had transcended being just a mobile app and had become a cultural phenomenon, especially among younger players.
June 2018
Subway Surfers expanded beyond gaming with the launch of its animated series on YouTube. The 10-episode first season focused on Jake, Tricky, and Fresh, providing backstories to the beloved characters and expanding the game's universe.
In the same year, Subway Surfers reached another incredible milestone: 2 billion downloads worldwide. It became the first game ever to reach 1 billion downloads on the Google Play Store alone.
The game continued to evolve with the introduction of special events, limited-time characters, and exclusive hoverboards. The World Tour concept remained strong, with visits to cities like San Francisco, Cairo, and Bali.
Throughout 2020
Despite being 8 years old, Subway Surfers maintained its popularity, particularly during the global pandemic when mobile gaming saw a significant uptick. The game reached 3 billion downloads, further cementing its place in mobile gaming history.
Season 2 of the animated series was released, expanding the storyline and introducing new adventures for the Subway Surfers crew. The developers also continued to release monthly updates, with World Tour destinations including Amsterdam, Singapore, and Seoul.
Subway Surfers was recognized by App Annie as the most downloaded mobile game of the decade (2010-2019), highlighting its enduring appeal and influence on the mobile gaming industry.
May 24, 2022
Subway Surfers celebrated its 10th anniversary, a remarkable achievement for any mobile game. The developers marked this milestone with special in-game events, limited-edition characters, and a return to Copenhagen, the city where SYBO Games is based.
By this point, the game had amassed over 3.5 billion downloads worldwide and continued to be one of the most played mobile games globally. The 10th anniversary also coincided with new features and gameplay improvements to keep the experience fresh for long-time players.
The Subway Surfers brand expanded further with merchandise, partnerships, and educational initiatives, showing how the game had evolved from a simple endless runner to a global entertainment brand.
2024 and beyond
Subway Surfers continues to thrive as one of the most successful mobile games of all time. The World Tour concept remains a cornerstone of the game, with monthly updates transporting players to new cities around the globe.
The game has surpassed 4 billion downloads, a testament to its enduring popularity and quality. New characters, hoverboards, and features continue to be added regularly, keeping the gameplay experience fresh and engaging for both new and returning players.
Looking ahead, SYBO Games has plans to further expand the Subway Surfers universe through additional animated content, potential new game experiences, and continued innovation within the original game. The future remains bright for Jake, Tricky, and the entire Subway Surfers crew.
One of Subway Surfers' most innovative features is its "World Tour" concept, where the game changes its setting to a new city each month. This approach has allowed players to virtually visit dozens of cities around the world, each with unique visual themes, special characters, and cultural elements.
The Tokyo edition features cherry blossoms, traditional Japanese architecture, and neon-lit streets, creating a vibrant visual experience.
The Rio edition captures the city's carnival spirit with colorful decorations, beach elements, and samba-inspired visuals.
The Las Vegas edition features dazzling lights, casino-themed elements, and the vibrant energy of the Entertainment Capital of the World.
The Venice edition transforms the subway into canal-like tracks with gondolas, masks, and Renaissance-inspired architecture.
"Subway Surfers was born out of a desire to create a game that anyone could pick up and enjoy, but that would also reward skill and dedication. We never imagined it would become such a global phenomenon, connecting players across cultures and continents through a shared love of the game."