The Battle of Polytopia Marks 10 Years with New Gameplay Mode and Major Updates
The Battle of Polytopia is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2026, as developer Midjiwan confirms a brand-new gameplay mode, additional features, and even a physical card game are on the way.
Originally launched on February 26, 2016, the award-winning strategy title has evolved from a single-player mobile passion project into a globally recognized indie success story with more than 25 million organic downloads and millions of monthly game sessions.
From Indie Passion Project to Global Strategy Hit
Created by Felix Ekenstam, founder of Midjiwan, The Battle of Polytopia began as a mobile-first strategy game inspired by classic PC and console titles but redesigned for touchscreen accessibility.
At launch, the game featured:
- iOS-only availability
- Single-player mode
- One gameplay format
- Five playable tribes
Over the past decade, the game has expanded significantly, now offering:
- Multiple unique Tribes including Cymanti
- Local and online multiplayer
- Leaderboards and weekly challenges
- Multiple game modes such as Domination
- Tribe skins and customization
- Releases on Android, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Nintendo Switch
This evolution transformed Polytopia into what Midjiwan now calls a “forever game,” emphasizing replayability, competitive play, and community-driven design.
Award-Winning Growth and Community Power
Over the last decade, Polytopia has earned industry recognition, including:
- Best Indie Developer at the Pocket Gamer Mobile Game Awards (2024)
- Best Community at the Gaming On Phone Awards (2025)
The game boasts:
- 270,000+ active fans
- 50,000+ Discord members
- 60,000+ Reddit members
The most popular tribes among players include Elyrion, Vengir, Cymanti, Kickoo, and Hoodrick, reflecting the strategic diversity that keeps the meta evolving.
From September to December 2025, Midjiwan hosted the Polytopia World Championships, a global esports event with a $10,000 prize pool and more than 10,000 participants — reinforcing the game’s competitive credibility.
10th Anniversary Celebrations Begin
To mark the milestone, Midjiwan has launched:
- A signed limited-edition 10-Year Anniversary poster via its official store
- The New Dawn Cymanti Skin on Nintendo Switch (already available on mobile)
The celebrations will continue throughout 2026, culminating in the reveal and launch of:
- A brand-new gameplay mode
- Additional in-game features
- A physical Polytopia card game
While details remain under wraps, the announcement signals continued innovation and franchise expansion beyond digital platforms.
Sustained Engagement and Replayability
Polytopia now sees:
- Millions of sessions played monthly
- Average player session times exceeding 5 hours
The game’s long-term success is widely attributed to its player-first philosophy — prioritizing creativity and community over aggressive monetization strategies.
According to studio leadership, the focus remains on quality gameplay, strategic depth, and meaningful community interaction.
Why Polytopia’s 10-Year Milestone Matters
In the mobile gaming industry — where lifecycle turnover is often rapid — sustaining a decade of organic growth is rare. Polytopia’s journey highlights several important trends:
- Mobile-First Strategy Works – Deep strategy games can thrive on mobile platforms.
- Community Drives Longevity – Strong Discord and Reddit ecosystems sustain engagement.
- Indie Studios Can Scale Globally – Award recognition and esports tournaments validate long-term viability.
- Platform Expansion Fuels Growth – Moving beyond iOS accelerated adoption and competitive legitimacy.
As Midjiwan prepares to reveal its new gameplay mode later this year, Polytopia enters its second decade positioned as one of the most resilient and community-driven mobile strategy franchises.
Similar coverage about games:
👉 https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-battle-of-polytopia/feature-retrospective/
Pocket Gamer frequently publishes retrospectives and milestone coverage on successful mobile strategy games, including The Battle of Polytopia and other long-running indie titles.
