- Mobile game was a viral hit in 2013
- But in 2014 its creator pulled the game at the height of its popularity
- Group of fans have worked to bring a new version of the game to mobiles
One of the most famous mobile video games of the 2010s is set to make a comeback more than a decade after its creator took it offline.
Viral hit
Flappy Bird was a viral hit in 2013. The game, which was fiendishly difficult, proved addictive for players and became a sleeper hit. At its height in January 2014, it was the most downloaded free game on the App Store for iOS. But the next month its developer, Dong Nguyen, decided to pull the game offline. Despite the game reportedly earning $50,000 a day from sales and in-app adverts, Nguyen said he felt guilty about the game’s addictiveness.
Since then, there have been various clone games released – and taken down – but the original game has never resurfaced. Although in the 10 years since it was taken down, its legend has only grown and remains well loved by gamers who played it.
But now, the game is set to return. An expanded version of Flappy Bird is intended to be launched by the end of next month across various platforms, with an iOS and Android version planned to land in 2025.
However, Nguyen isn’t behind the new version of Flappy Bird, it is the Flappy Bird Foundation – a group of fans of the game who are “committed to sharing the game with the world.”
Back again
A post on X (formerly Twitter) from the @flappy_bird account, said: “I AM BACK!!! Just a decade ago, I was the talk of the town and soaring to new heights with my 100 million friends. Sadly, I had to leave the fame and spotlight behind to go home and find out who I really am.
“Thanks to my super Flappy Bird fans, I’m refreshed, reinvigorated, and ready to sear again. the decade-long mission involved acquiring legal rights and even working with my predecessor to uncage me and re-hatch the official Flappy Bird game!”
The accompanying video showed new screenshots, with additional characters to play with and worlds to explore.
