Younger gamers may not remember, but back in 2013-14, a game called Flappy Bird burst onto the mobile scene. Originally released for iOS, the game was simple yet incredibly addictive.
Developed by Vietnamese video game artist and programmer Dong Nguyen, Flappy Bird was a casual side-scroller where players would control a bird, Faby, and fly between columns of green pipes without hitting them. Tapping the screen would make Fabby fly higher, while doing nothing would result in him flying downward. The goal was simple: get your highest score possible by flying through the pipes.
Although Flappy Bird was originally released in May 2013, it didn't gain mass popularity until early 2014. By the end of January 2014, it was the most downloaded free game on the App Store for iOS. Nguyen was estimated to be earning around $50,000 a day from in-app advertising.
But in a sudden, unexpected move, Nguyen did the unthinkable; on February 10, 2014, he removed Flappy Bird from the App Store and Google Play. His only statement at the time was: "I cannot take this anymore." He later explained that he believed Flappy Bird was too addictive and that it had "become a problem."
While there had been similarly designed clone of Flappy Bird over the years, none failed to achieve the same level of success as the original. But like all nostalgia-fueled comebacks, Flappy Bird is making a return 10 years after it was shut down.
A team of fans called Flappy Bird Foundation have reportedly acquired the official Flappy Bird trademark, as well as the rights to Piou Piou vs Cactus, a mobile game that some claim had been copied by Flappy Bird.
The new Flappy Bird will release on iOS and Android in 2025. The official website for the game makes note of several updates, including new characters and game modes. Three new game modes were teased, including a basketball-themed mode where you must fly through basketball hoops, an 'EZ mode' for newcomers, and a more competitive 'Rivals' mode with up to 99 other players.
“We are beyond excited to be bringing back Flappy Bird and delivering a fresh experience that will keep players engaged for years to come,” said the Flappy Bird Foundations’ chief creative Michael Roberts in a statement. “We have big plans for our little Bird.”
“Today is a milestone not just in gaming but for me personally. It’s so cool to see how influential Piou Piou has been for developers and hundreds of millions of gamers over the years," added Piou Piou developer Kek, who is now also part of the Flappy Bird Foundation. "It’s incredible to work alongside such a dedicated team of fans and creators who are truly passionate about changing the industry narrative and together bringing the original Flappy Bird back to life.”
It's unclear if Flappy Bird will return as a free mobile game supported by ads or if there will be a price tag associated with it.