Flappy Bird Returns: New Version Offers Optional Crypto Features

TLDR

• Flappy Bird revival includes optional Web3 integrations on Telegram
• Game will not include NFTs and will remain free to play
• In-app purchases and optional ads will generate revenue
• Original creator Dong Nguyen has distanced himself from the revival
• Onchain features will use The Open Network (TON) blockchain

The iconic mobile game Flappy Bird is making a comeback, but with a twist that reflects the evolving landscape of gaming and technology.

The Flappy Bird Foundation, which now owns the rights to the game, has launched a new version that incorporates optional Web3 elements while maintaining the core gameplay that made it a viral sensation in 2013.

The revived Flappy Bird was released on September 16, 2023, as a Telegram Mini App. It retains the familiar side-scrolling mechanics where players guide a bird through a series of green pipes by tapping the screen.

However, this new iteration comes with some notable changes and features that set it apart from its predecessor.

A spokesperson for the Flappy Bird Foundation confirmed to Cointelegraph that the game “will have Web3 integrations” when played through the Telegram messaging app.

These integrations are entirely optional, allowing players to choose whether they want to engage with crypto-related features or play the game without them.

One of the most significant announcements is that Flappy Bird “will never have NFTs.”

We're building the ultimate experience for Flappy Bird players

The beloved core gameplay remains the same, but now you'll have the *option* to use Web3 features.

No web3 wallet connection required to play and the game will never have NFTs.

— Flappy Bird (@flappy_bird) September 23, 2024

This statement, echoed in a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), clarifies the game’s stance on non-fungible tokens, a popular but sometimes controversial element in blockchain-based games.

The team also emphasized that no crypto wallet would be required to play the game, ensuring accessibility for all users.

The game’s revenue model has been detailed by the Foundation. It will rely on in-app transactions, including the purchase of energy and items that can alter flight physics.

Additionally, the game will feature in-game advertisements, which are “entirely optional to watch” and offer players perks such as score multipliers.

Currently, the game is running a “flap-to-earn” promotion, promising a future airdrop. However, specific details about any potential tokens have not been disclosed.

While earlier rumors suggested a launch on the Solana blockchain, the Foundation’s spokesperson has clarified that any onchain features will be released on The Open Network (TON), which is linked to Telegram.

It’s worth noting that Dong Nguyen, the original creator of Flappy Bird, has distanced himself from this revival and stated that he does not support crypto. Nguyen famously pulled the original game from app stores in 2014, citing concerns about its addictive nature.

The rights to Flappy Bird have changed hands since then. Gametech Holdings LLC acquired the rights after successfully opposing Nguyen’s hold on the trademark. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) determined that Nguyen had abandoned the trademark and terminated his claim.

The Flappy Bird Foundation has stated that future releases of the game without crypto features are planned for mobile platforms.

They’ve assured players that all versions of Flappy Bird “will always be 100% free to play,” maintaining the accessibility that contributed to its initial popularity.

This revival of Flappy Bird represents an interesting intersection of mobile gaming nostalgia and modern blockchain technology. By offering Web3 features as an option rather than a requirement, the game aims to cater to both traditional mobile gamers and those interested in crypto-integrated experiences.

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