Flappy Bird took the world of mobile games by storm in 2013. Its simple yet compelling gameplay involved keeping the bird afloat by systematically tapping the screen. With every tap, the bird bounced.
I say 'was' because the game was removed from the Play Store and App Store soon after its release. The developers did not specify the reason, but the overnight success might have become too overwhelming for them. We can only speculate.
Today, I bring you Chrome extensions for the same Flappy Bird game. These are, of course, the offline versions of the game. Not that the game was online to begin with.
Flappy Bird: An Overnight Sensation
In 2012, when this game was in its final stages of development, its creator, Dong Nguyen, would have never imagined the amount of recognition it was going to bring him. Of course, the recognition was too much for Dong to handle, which led to the game being taken off of the Play Store and the App Store.
With the release of Flappy Bird in 2013, it took little to no time to become one of the most-played games in the history of mobile phones. The game was downloaded a whopping 90 million times in the very short amount that it was online.
The Birth of Flappy Bird
Flappy Bird was the brainchild of Dong Nguyen, an independent game developer based in Hanoi, Vietnam. Inspired by classic arcade games like Mario and the frustrations of traditional game development, Nguyen set out to create a minimalist, "retro" style game that would be both challenging and accessible to players of all ages.
Drawing inspiration from his childhood memories of playing Nintendo games, Nguyen designed Flappy Bird to offer the same experience and nostalgia while providing a unique and addictive experience.
The Gameplay Phenomenon
At its core, Flappy Bird is a deceptively simple game. Players control a small bird avatar, tapping the screen to navigate through a series of pipes coming out from the top and bottom of the screen. The objective is to guide the bird safely through the gaps in the pipes, earning points for each successful passage without hitting any of the pipes. Basically, fly the bird as far as you can.
However, the game's notoriously tricky controls and unforgiving level design quickly earned it a reputation as one of the most challenging games of its time.
Alright, here's the list of the classic Flappy Bird game. I'll talk more about the game later.
Flappy Bird
As the name suggests, this extension can be used even when you are offline. I mean, there isn't a point in playing this while you have an internet connection.
A great source of time pass, and the developers have mentioned that they are planning on releasing an online version where you can compete with other players for the top spot.
Flappy Bird by Flappy Fun Bird
The same game as the last one, although if you see closely, the number of users is significantly higher than the first extension.
I believe it may have been due to the inability of the extension to go full-screen mode. I played both of them and believe me, the game is so much better in experience when its in full-screen mode.
Flappy Bird (Night Farm Mode)
Honestly, I wasn't aware that someone made a dlc for this game. But it's nice to see that people are still playing this game even after a decade.
This extension brings a little twist to the original game in terms of environment and feel. No wonder there are still 1 million users playing this game.
Viral Success and Cultural Impact
Despite its modest beginnings, Flappy Bird quickly caught the attention of mobile gamers worldwide. Thanks to its gameplay that was so addictive and word-of-mouth buzz, the game soared to the top of the charts, achieving unprecedented popularity virtually overnight.
Its retro-inspired graphics and punishing difficulty struck a chord with players, inspiring countless memes, parodies, and viral videos on social media platforms like Twitter and YouTube.
Controversy and Removal
Despite its immense success, Flappy Bird was not without its controversies. As the game's popularity skyrocketed, Nguyen was overwhelmed by the sudden influx of attention and criticism.
Concerns about the game's addictive nature and impact on mental health led Nguyen to remove Flappy Bird in February 2014, just months after its initial release. The decision sparked widespread debate and speculation, further fueling the game's mystique and allure.
Legacy and Influence
Although Flappy Bird may have disappeared, its legacy lives on in the annals of gaming history. I cannot state the impact this game has had on the mobile gaming industry. It paved the way for a new wave of "hyper-casual" games characterized by simple mechanics with gameplay that forced players to stay in the loop of 'one last game.'
Flappy Bird's success also served as a cautionary tale for aspiring developers, highlighting the pitfalls of sudden fame and the importance of maintaining balance and perspective in the face of overwhelming success.
To Sum It Up
Simple games like Tetris and Flappy Birds are proof that you don't need a complex idea to make a game viral. In the coming years, there will be games with more downloads, but there won't be another game like Flappy Bird, a game that became so viral that the developer had to remove it from online stores. Now, it only exists through these extensions and some websites.
Sathish S
I was the Weasley twins from Harry Potter at my school. Becoming an entrepreneur was something I knew I wanted to become right when I was a little kid selling the latest pokemon cards and candies to my classmates.
