Flappy Bird

• Flappy Bird: The Story of a Phenomenon

Released in May 2013, Flappy Bird quickly became one of the most talked-about mobile games in the world. Created by Dong Nguyen, a Vietnamese game developer, this simple yet challenging game captured the attention of millions and became a sensation almost overnight. Let’s dive into the journey of Flappy Bird, from its humble beginnings to its sudden disappearance, and its upcoming return.

• The Birth of Flappy Bird

Dong Nguyen, a game developer from Vạn Phúc, a village near Hanoi, Vietnam, had a passion for video games from a young age. Growing up playing games like Super Mario Bros., he dreamed of creating his own. By the age of 16, Nguyen was already coding his own games. After studying programming at a local university and gaining experience through an internship at Punch Entertainment, Nguyen decided to develop a game that was simpler and more accessible than many popular games at the time.

Flappy Bird was created in just two to three days. The game’s protagonist, Faby the bird, was originally designed for a canceled project from 2012. Nguyen wanted Flappy Bird to be straightforward and easy to pick up. He was inspired by the act of bouncing a ping pong ball against a paddle and decided to use a similar concept in his game.

• How It Works

In Flappy Bird, players control Faby, a bird that automatically moves to the right of the screen. The goal is to navigate through gaps between columns of green pipes. Tapping the screen makes Faby flap its wings and rise, while not tapping causes Faby to fall. Each time Faby successfully passes through a pair of pipes, the player earns a point. The game ends if Faby collides with a pipe or the ground. Players can earn bronze, silver, gold, or platinum medals depending on their score.

• The Rise to Fame

Flappy Bird was initially not very popular. However, the game’s fortunes changed dramatically in early 2014. The game gained significant attention after being reviewed by Swedish YouTuber PewDiePie. By January 2014, Flappy Bird was the most downloaded free app in the App Store for iOS and topped the charts in several other countries, including the US and the UK.

Nguyen revealed that Flappy Bird was earning about $50,000 a day from in-app advertisements during this peak period. The game’s addictive nature and straightforward gameplay contributed to its unexpected success. However, this same addictive quality led Nguyen to have second thoughts about the game.

• The Unexpected Removal

On February 8, 2014, Dong Nguyen announced via Twitter that he would be removing Flappy Bird from the App Store and Google Play. He cited concerns about the game’s addictive nature and how it was affecting players. Nguyen's announcement caught many by surprise, and the game was removed from both platforms on February 10, 2014.

The removal led to a surge in interest from collectors. People began offering phones with Flappy Bird pre-installed for exorbitant prices on eBay, with some listings reaching over $90,000 before being removed due to eBay’s policies.

Despite rumors and speculations, including a possible legal challenge from Nintendo, Nguyen insisted that the decision to pull the game was not due to any legal issues but rather his personal concerns about its impact on players.

• The Game’s Legacy and Return

After its removal, Flappy Bird’s legacy continued through numerous clones that appeared on app stores. In August 2014, Nguyen released a revised version called Flappy Birds Family, available exclusively for Amazon Fire TV. This version featured new obstacles and a multiplayer option, offering a fresh twist on the original game.

As time went on, Nguyen remained open to the possibility of bringing Flappy Bird back. In early 2024, Gametech Holdings acquired the trademark for Flappy Bird after Dong Nguyen failed to reclaim it. On September 12, 2024, it was announced that Flappy Bird would return to the App Store and Google Play in 2025 under a new name, "The Flappy Bird Foundation," featuring expanded features and new characters.

• The Game’s Reception

Flappy Bird received mixed reviews from critics. While some found it addictive and fun, others criticized it for being frustratingly difficult with basic graphics. The game holds a Metacritic score of 52/100. Critics like the Huffington Post described it as “insanely irritating,” while IGN acknowledged its addictive nature despite its lack of depth.

• Conclusion

Flappy Bird’s rise to fame, abrupt removal, and the subsequent resurgence highlight its impact on mobile gaming. What started as a simple game developed in a few days turned into a global phenomenon. As fans eagerly await its return with new features and characters, Flappy Bird remains a memorable part of mobile gaming history.