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Internet users flag the new ‘Flappy Bird’ game’s seeming connections to blockchain technology and cryptocurrency following its announcement
MANILA, Philippines – In February 2014, game developer Dong Nguyen removed his mobile game Flappy Bird from Android and iOS, saying it “ruins my simple life.”
More than ten years later, a self-described team of passionate fans hope to bring the game — or at least some semblance of that game — back to its former glory.
A group called The Flappy Bird Foundation announced on Thursday, September 12, that it will be releasing a “refreshed” version of the game. According to an IGN report, the expanded version will be released by October, with a mobile version of the game to be released in 2025.
According to the game’s website, the new Flappy Bird game promises to introduce new characters with distinct designs from the bird, Faby, found in the original game. It will also introduce new game modes.
The Flappy Bird Foundation said they bought the trademark of Flappy Bird from Gametech Holdings. According to documents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Gametech acquired the trademark to Flappy Bird on March 27, 2018.
An Inverse report added the group also acquired the trademark for Piou Piou vs. Cactus, which the Flappy Bird game is said to be either inspired by or taken from. The creator of Piou Piou vs. Cactus, a French developer going by the name Kek, is said to be involved with The Flappy Bird Foundation’s release, but there’s no mention of Dong Nguyen in the revival announcement.
A trademark filed by Nguyen with the name “FlappyBird,” which was filed back in March 2014, was deemed “abandoned” by the USPTO through a decision by its Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. The decision came following a notice of opposition by Gametech that was filed in September 2023.
Before the announcement of Flappy Bird’s revival, Nguyen had not been active on his X account since 2017.
Following the announcement, social media users were skeptical about the Flappy Bird revival due to previous statements by Nguyen and the addition of modes that were not found in the original game.
Another X user said the new changes to the Flappy Bird game made the revival look “off and cheap.”
Meanwhile, others flagged the new game’s supposed connections to blockchain technology and cryptocurrency.
Switzerland-based web developer and cybersecurity researcher Varun Biniwale flagged the “3-$Flap” page in his website’s blog post as it mentions that the revival will “be the world’s first open-source, community-owned Web 2 and Web 3 game.”
The page also said that “artists, developers, and creators can build, play, and earn from the legendary Flappy Bird [intellectual property].”
Social media users also found that Michael Roberts, who is credited as the “chief creative” behind the new Flappy Bird game, is associated with non-fungible token projects such as the “Deez NFTs” brand through his position at 1208 Productions.
Roberts’ LinkedIn page also cites that he “raised over $250,000 for charitable causes” through the use of NFTs. – Rappler.com
