Original Flappy Bird developer denies involvement in game's relaunch, says "I did not sell anything"

The iconic mobile game Flappy Bird is poised for a comeback, but its original creator wants nothing to do with it. The Flappy Bird Foundation , a newly formed organisation, announced plans to "re-hatch the official Flappy Bird game" by late October 2024 for web browsers, with mobile versions expected in 2025.

However, Dong Nguyen , the Vietnamese developer behind the original viral hit, publicly distanced himself from the project in a rare tweet on September 15, 2024. "No, I have no related [sic] with their game," Nguyen stated. "I did not sell anything. I also don't support crypto ."

The Flappy Bird Foundation claims to have "acquired the rights from Gametech Holdings , LLC," framing the relaunch as a triumphant return of the classic mobile title. The organisation describes itself as a team of "passionate fans and industry veterans" committed to preserving the Flappy Bird IP.

Reports suggest that Gametech Holdings successfully filed to terminate Nguyen's Flappy Bird trademark in early 2024. The US Patent and Trademark Office had determined the trademark to be abandoned, nearly a decade after Nguyen pulled the game from app stores in 2014, citing concerns over its addictive nature.

Cybersecurity researcher Varun Biniwale uncovered hidden pages on the new Flappy Bird website, suggesting potential cryptocurrency integration. The pages, since removed, mentioned the game would "fly higher than ever on Solana as it soars into web 3.0 ."