A group of enthusiastic fans who call themselves “The Flappy Bird Foundation Group” have announced that they have obtained the rights to Flappy Bird, the beloved mobile game that was taken down by its original creator, Dong Nguyen, in 2014. They plan to relaunch the game on both Android and iOS platforms in 2025.
Although it is unclear whether Dong Nguyen is involved in this relaunch, as attempts to reach out to him for comment have not been successful. The Flappy Bird Foundation Group stated that they acquired the rights from Gametech, LLC, a company not associated with Nguyen.
After Flappy Bird was removed from app stores in 2014, many clones emerged, and companies tried to secure the trademark. Despite Nguyen’s interest in bringing the game back, Apple’s App Store policies may have hindered his efforts. According to these rules, developers forfeit the rights to an app’s name once they remove it, and they cannot re-release it under the same name if another developer is already using it.
As a former Flappy Bird player myself, I am excited about the possibility of the game making a comeback. The new version of the game will feature the original Flappy Bird character, along with new game modes, characters, and multiplayer challenges. The updated Flappy Bird website teases these new features, such as a “rivals” mode where players can compete against 99 others and a basketball hoop shooting challenge. Additionally, new characters like “Peng” the penguin and “Quirky” with a rainbow mohawk will be introduced.
It is heartwarming to see the dedication of fans to keep the spirit of Flappy Bird alive and bring it to a new generation of players. The anticipation for the game’s return is high, and it will be interesting to see how the new features and characters enhance the gameplay experience. With the 2025 release date approaching, fans of Flappy Bird will undoubtedly be counting down the days until they can once again dive into this addictive and nostalgic game.