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Image Credit: Dong Nguyen
Flappy Bird, the viral mobile game that had millions of players tapping their screens in frustration back in 2013, is set to make a comeback in 2025.
However, the original creator, Dong Nguyen, wants to make one thing clear—he has nothing to do with it.
Last week, a group of devoted fans announced that the beloved game would be returning under the banner of the Flappy Bird Foundation, but Nguyen has swiftly distanced himself from the project. In a post on X, Nguyen clarified, “No, I have no related [sic] with their game. I did not sell anything. I also don’t support crypto.” His statement comes amidst speculation and confusion about his involvement in the new version.
No, I have no related with their game. I did not sell anything.
I also don’t support crypto.— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) September 15, 2024
The Birth and Demise of a Phenomenon
Flappy Bird originally debuted in May 2013, quietly entering the crowded mobile gaming market. But by January 2014, it became a global sensation, raking in $50,000 a day from advertising alone.
Despite its enormous success, Nguyen shockingly pulled the game from app stores in February 2014, citing its addictive nature as a major concern.
“Flappy Bird was designed to play in a few minutes when you are relaxed,” Nguyen said to Forbes at the time. “But it happened to become an addictive product. I think it has become a problem. To solve that problem, it’s best to take down Flappy Bird. It’s gone forever.”
I am sorry ‘Flappy Bird’ users, 22 hours from now, I will take ‘Flappy Bird’ down. I cannot take this anymore.
— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 8, 2014
The Phoenix Rises
Now, a decade later, it seems “forever” has come to an end. The Flappy Bird Foundation, a team of self-described “passionate fans,” has acquired the rights to the game from Gametech Holdings LLC, which had picked up the abandoned trademark.
The new iteration promises to maintain the original’s core gameplay while introducing new features such as additional modes, characters, and multiplayer challenges.
The revival is set to begin this fall with releases on desktop and mobile web platforms, followed by native iOS and Android apps in 2025.
A Legacy Flaps On
Flappy Bird’s impact on mobile gaming culture is undeniable. Its simple yet maddeningly difficult gameplay spawned countless clones and even created a black market for devices with the original game still installed. The upcoming revival taps into a well of nostalgia for many players who remember the frustration and joy of guiding a pixelated bird through a gauntlet of pipes.
However, Nguyen’s public disavowal of the project raises questions about the nature of game ownership and the ethics of reviving a purposely discontinued title.
Whether this new iteration can capture the lightning-in-a-bottle success of its predecessor remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the story of Flappy Bird continues to evolve, much like the endless journey of its protagonist through a forest of green pipes.
