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10 years after it was taken offline, viral mobile game Flappy Bird is back

Mobile video game phenomenon Flappy Bird is returning 10 years after its developer took it offline.

In 2014, Vietnam-based developer Dong Nguyen shocked the gaming world when he pulled the viral hit Flappy Bird from the App Store and Google Play Store, at a time when it was making tens of thousands of dollars a day. He went on to say, “I can call Flappy Bird my success. But it also ruins my simple life. That's why I hate it now.”

Now Flappy Bird is set to return: an enhanced version is set to launch in late October on multiple platforms, including web browsers, and an iOS and Android version is planned for 2025. But this new Flappy Bird isn't coming from Nguyen, but from the Flappy Bird Foundation, which is described as “a new team of passionate fans who want to share the game with the world.”

The Flappy Bird Foundation said it acquired the official “Flappy Bird” trademark from Gametech Holdings LLC, a US company that apparently stole the trademark from Nguyen, as well as the rights to the original game and character from “Piou Piou vs. Cactus,” the mobile game that allegedly originally inspired the “Flappy Bird” character.

The Flappy Bird Foundation is already talking about future releases of Flappy Bird that will introduce new game modes, characters, game progression, and huge multiplayer challenges.

Michael Roberts, the “creative director” behind the return of Flappy Bird, said: “We are thrilled to bring Flappy Bird back and offer a new experience that will captivate players for years to come. We have big plans for our little bird!”

Kek, the developer of Piou Piou, is also involved and commented: “Today is a milestone, not only in gaming, but for me personally. It's so cool to see how influential Piou Piou has been to developers and hundreds of millions of players over the years. It's incredible to be working with such a dedicated team of fans and developers who are truly passionate about changing the industry narrative and bringing the original Flappy Bird back to life together.”

Dong Nguyen is not mentioned in the Flappy Bird Foundation's press release. Nguyen, who has largely avoided the spotlight since taking Flappy Bird offline, hasn't tweeted in years.

Wesley is IGN's UK News Editor. You can find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can contact Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].

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