After being dormant for a decade, Flappy Bird is returning in the most unusual way possible.
For those unaware, Flappy Bird first made headlines in 2013 when it skyrocketed to popularity with its simple but highly addictive gameplay. Created by Dong Nguyen, all players had to do was tap their touchscreens and the the bird would fly between pipes.
Flappy Bird flying between pipes in Flappy Bird (2013), Screenshot via Flappybird.io
The mobile game had 100 million players and through the advertising revenue, it was earning $50,000 per day. However, Nguyen decided to pull the game from mobile stores in 2014.
In his message to the world, Nguyen shared feelings of guilt and concerns over the game’s addictive nature as reasons for its removal. He also added that he feared for his and his family’s safety, as some players became frustrated with the game’s difficulty. Nguyen publicly stated that he had no intention of bringing Flappy Bird back or selling its rights.
Now, Flappy Bird is set to make a comeback, and Nguyen has nothing to do with it. A group calling itself The Flappy Bird Foundation has announced plans to re-release the game with new features and game modes. According to reports, the group acquired the trademark from Gametech LLC, which had claimed the rights after Nguyen let them expire.
What remains unclear is how the group behind the new game obtained the rights and whether Nguyen had any role in the process. Court filings show that Gametech Holdings took over the trademark in 2023 after it was deemed abandoned due to non-use.There is more to this controversial comeback than it meets the eye. Creators of another cult game, Piou Piou vs. Cactus, an earlier game that inspired Flappy Bird’s creation, are also a part of the new release. Piou Piou’s characters are similar to those in Flappy Bird, and the internet didn’t hesitate to accuse Dong of plagiarism.
This further puts a gloomy shadow over Flappy Bird’s return. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm for the game hasn’t waned despite all these years, and this version is set to have new modes, including a battle royale-style competition and basketball hoops mode for casual gamers.
Flappy Bird jumping through hoops in Flappy Bird (2024), via Flappy Bird YouTube
A clear departure from the original minimalistic design is also backed up with a premium currency that is set to add microtransactions to the new version. The change towards in-game purchases from an ad-supported model is another way to modernize this cultural phenomenon, but the odd circumstances behind the return remain.
With Dong Nguyen out of the picture and external parties involved, questions have arisen within the community as many fear that this isn’t the same game once they played and loved. Nevertheless, whether the revamped Flappy Bird can capture the same cultural zeitgeist as the original remains to be seen.
Check out the trailer and let us know what you think:
News
5 Games Like GTA You Can Play in 2024 While the Long Wait For GTA 6 Continues
Here are 5 other great open-world games that will keep the gaming community at bay as they wait for GTA 6. GTA 6 is arguably the most highly-anticipated game of next year and the gaming community has waited long enough. The…
Fans Divided on Whether Filoni Will Save or Sink Star Wars: “he has some kind of god complex”
When George Lucas stepped away from Star Wars, many fans felt that the new creative teams, especially those behind the sequel trilogy and standalone films, strayed from his original vision. This shift sparked mixed reactions and controversy over the franchise’s direction. Although Kathleen…
Popular YouTuber Claims Jason Momoa Mistreated Cast & Crew on the Set of ‘Minecraft’ Movie: “It was pretty disappointing”
Video Game adaptations are rising up in popularity again and WB decided to jump on the opportunity and make ‘A Minecraft Movie’ based on the popular game released back in 2011. The first trailer was recently released, and the feedback was not ideal,…
Daisy Ridley Reveals Her Top 5 Favorite Star Wars Movies, and Fans Agree: “Very based list”
Daisy Ridley’s career soared to new heights largely due to her role as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, which revitalized the franchise for a new generation. She first appeared as Rey, a scavenger on the desert planet Jakku, who plays…
Gina Carano’s Back, and She’s Now Set Her Mark on ‘Star Wars’ Legend Mark Hamill for a Trump Joke… And She’s Not Biased, Right?
Guess who’s back… your favorite actress who likes to make other people’s business her own. Yes, we are talking about Gina Carano, who has once again decided to take a stance against satire while – at the same time – continuing…
Former Disney President Jeffrey Katzenberg Was so Wrong When He Said “Movies about girls don’t work” Before One of the Company’s Biggest Hits
After a several decade-long career, famous director and animator John Musker is slowly preparing to retire. The 70-year-old director is responsible for revitalizing Disney in the late 80s and 90s, so he is definitely one of the most important animators in history….
End of content
No more pages to load