In recent days, the world of video games has been shaken by the news of the return of one of the most famous and controversial games: Flappy Bird is back! This time with an unprecedented GameFi twist. 

The decision to relaunch the famous mobile title in a blockchain version has sparked an unexpected and heated reaction. The creator of the game Dong Nguyen even returned to social media to openly criticize the initiative.

Flappy Bird is back! The Foundation defends itself

After an enormous success and a mixed public reaction, Flappy Bird was removed from digital stores in 2014. It seemed that the game’s story was destined to remain closed forever. However, a group of developers and enthusiasts organized in the following years to keep the memory of the game alive, forming the Flappy Bird Foundation. 

This organization, claiming to be the true spiritual and legal heirs of the game, recently announced the official relaunch of Flappy Bird as a GameFi title.

This move, however, was not positively received by everyone, and it sparked a heated online debate. Many long-time fans of the original game criticized the decision to tie the return of the title to GameFi mechanisms. The community argues, in fact, that this betrays the simple and pure essence of Flappy Bird.

The Flappy Bird Foundation, in response to these criticisms, has released an official statement. In the communiqué, they defend their choice, explaining the reasons behind the new business model.

For those who are not familiar with the term, GameFi (“gaming” + “finance”) is a new gaming model that combines blockchain technology with video games. This allows players to earn cryptocurrencies or other digital assets simply by playing.

These games often use “play-to-earn” mechanisms that reward players based on their achievements or the time spent in the game.

The decision to integrate Flappy Bird with the blockchain and the play-to-earn model has raised doubts about the appropriateness of transforming a game known for its simplicity into something so complex. The main criticisms revolve around the risk of commodifying the gaming experience. With the potential introduction of economic barriers, players might not be interested in participating in a financial ecosystem while playing.

The return of Dong Nguyen and his critique of GameFi

Dong Nguyen, the original creator of Flappy Bird, has lived away from the spotlight for years after the decision to remove the game from the app stores in 2014. 

But now it’s official: Flappy Bird is back!

The announcement of the relaunch of the game as a GameFi title pushed Nguyen to make an unexpected return to social media, where he openly expressed his opposition to the project.

Nguyen has harshly criticized the choice to transform Flappy Bird into a GameFi title, stating that the game was conceived as a simple experience, accessible to everyone and free from complications related to money or financial incentives. 

“Flappy Bird was a game for everyone, not an opportunity to make money,” 

he wrote in a tweet that immediately caught the attention of the gaming community.

This stance has further fueled the debate, with many siding with the original creator, while others have defended the Flappy Bird Foundation and their decision to innovate and adapt the game to new technological trends.

Despite the criticisms, the Flappy Bird Foundation seems determined to proceed with the relaunch of the game in a GameFi context, arguing that this will allow players to obtain tangible rewards for the time and skill invested in the game. 

In a recent statement, the organization stated that:

“the world of gaming is changing, and Flappy Bird must evolve to remain relevant. Our goal is to keep the essence of the original game alive, while offering players new opportunities.”

It remains to be seen if this move will manage to win back the hearts of the original fans or if the project will be destined to fail under the weight of the criticisms. 

One thing is certain: Flappy Bird returns in a completely different context from the one in which it was first launched. In an era dominated by blockchain and cryptocurrencies, even a simple and immediate title like Flappy Bird is not immune to the changes in the industry.

Conclusions

The return of Flappy Bird in the GameFi world represents an interesting experiment in the world of video games. However, the game has also raised important questions about the future direction of the industry. 

The Flappy Bird Foundation continues to defend its project. The criticisms from Dong Nguyen and the gaming community remind us that, sometimes, simplicity can be the key to success.

Ultimately, only time will tell if this new chapter in the history of Flappy Bird will be a success or a flop. One thing, however, is certain. The video game industry is in constant evolution and no title, not even the simplest one, can escape the changes that come with it.