The long-dormant Flappy Bird was set to return to the App Store in 2024 after ten years of absence, sparking excitement among fans. However, skepticism also arose, and now it seems there’s reason for concern—its revival appears to be tied to cryptocurrency promotion.
Cybersecurity researcher Varun Biniwale uncovered hidden pages on the Flappy Bird website referencing Web 3 technology, microtransactions, and the cryptocurrency Solana. Biniwale also found a playable version of the game, featuring a leaderboard filled with crypto-based usernames, and mentions of a $FLAP token.
The original Flappy Bird was taken down by creator Dong Nguyen in 2014 because he felt the game had become too addictive. There were speculations that Nguyen had sold the trademark for quick cash, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
According to Inverse, court documents reveal that Gametech Holdings filed for the trademark in September 2023, arguing that it had been abandoned after Nguyen publicly stated he wouldn’t develop the game further. The court awarded the trademark to Gametech Holdings, which then sold it to The Flappy Bird Foundation, led by game designer Michael Roberts.
Roberts is also the head of 1208 Productions, a studio that claims to be a pioneer in the Web 3 space and operates its own NFT brand called "Deez."
For fans hoping that the return of Flappy Bird would bring back the simpler times of 2013, it seems unlikely. Instead, the game appears to have ventured into the world of cryptocurrency.