Original author: BSCN

Original title: Flappy Bird Relaunches With Plans of FLAPPY Token on Ton Blockchain

Compiled by: Koala, Mars Finance

Flappy Bird, the hit mobile game that mesmerized millions in 2013, is back. Ten years later, the game is available again, this time on Telegram, according to a recent announcement.

The game’s revival is being led by the Flappy Bird Foundation Group in partnership with blockchain company Notcoin.

This re-release, which was released on September 16, 2024, incorporates new Web3 elements such as blockchain technology but retains its simple gameplay.

Flappy Bird returns with blockchain

The re-release of the game, called "Flap-a-TON," is part of a broader effort to blend the nostalgia of Flappy Bird with modern blockchain innovation. Unlike many Web3 integrations, this version can be played without the need for a cryptocurrency wallet, making it accessible to blockchain enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.

Players will experience the familiar mechanics of Flappy Bird, but will also have the opportunity to participate in free minting events for the game’s new FLAPPY tokens.

Dubbed Flap-a-TON Season 1, the event combines the classic gameplay of Flappy Bird with the blockchain-based TON (TON Open Network) ecosystem.

New Features and Extensions

While the gameplay remains true to its roots, some new features are on the way. In 2025, Flappy Bird will expand beyond Telegram to other platforms like HTML5, web browsers, iOS, and Android. These new versions will introduce features like customizable characters, new game modes, and a progression system.

According to Coinspeaker, Flappy Bird’s creative director Michael Roberts said:

“Flappy Bird’s return to Telegram is just the beginning. By embracing Web3 and the TON ecosystem, we’re ensuring the future of gaming is community-driven, secure, and accessible to all.”

Aims to redefine casual gaming

The Flappy Bird Foundation’s collaboration with Notcoin aims to reinvent casual gaming by integrating blockchain elements in a user-friendly way. Notcoin, the game’s publishing partner, has expertise in mobile gaming and Web3, ensuring that the revival of Flappy Bird will provide a smooth, dynamic experience.

The developers hope to remove common barriers associated with blockchain gaming by eliminating the wallet connection requirement. Notcoin founder Sasha Plotvinov noted that familiar IPs like Flappy Bird are important in driving Web3 adoption, saying:

“Bringing well-known games like Flappy Bird to Web3 is key to making this technology more accessible and accepted by the general public.”

Future challenges: Original creators draw a line between themselves and others

However, the resurrection was not without controversy, with Flappy Bird's original creator Dong Nguyen publicly distancing himself from the new version.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Nguyen expressed his displeasure with the inclusion of cryptocurrencies in gaming, stating:

"I'm not selling anything. I don't support cryptocurrency." The statement prompted a backlash from some fans, with some accusing the new version of Flappy Bird of being a "scam" or a "Ponzi scheme."

There are also concerns about the legal ownership of the game. The Flappy Bird trademark was reportedly acquired by Gametech Holdings LLC, which later transferred it to the Flappy Bird Foundation Group.

Some fans took to social media to question the ethics of the game’s blockchain rebrand, with many unhappy that Nguyen was excluded from the project.

Whether it can successfully merge casual gaming with blockchain remains to be seen. As Michael Roberts said, “This is just the beginning.”