Does Flappy Bird Still Make Money? The Enduring Legacy of a Mobile Game Phenomenon
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Yes, even though Flappy Bird is no longer available for download, it continues to generate revenue, albeit in a less direct way than during its peak. While you can’t download and play the original game, the 50 million+ users who downloaded it before its removal still contribute to ad revenue. This means that Dong Nguyen, the creator of Flappy Bird, continues to receive income from ad impressions even though the game is no longer officially active. It’s a testament to the game’s viral power and the lasting impact it had on mobile gaming. Let’s dive deeper into why and how this phenomenon continues to occur.
The Rise and Fall of Flappy Bird
An Overnight Sensation
In 2013, a seemingly simple mobile game called Flappy Bird took the world by storm. With its minimalist graphics and infuriatingly difficult gameplay, it became an instant sensation, captivating millions of users worldwide. The game saw an impressive 90 million downloads and generated around $50,000 per day in ad revenue at its peak. This astronomical success, however, was short-lived.
The Shocking Shutdown
Just as quickly as it had risen to fame, Dong Nguyen, the game’s creator, made the shocking decision to shut it down. In an interview, Nguyen expressed his discomfort with the addictive nature of the game. He felt guilt-ridden by its compulsive effect on players and wanted to create games that users could play in a more relaxed manner. This unexpected decision left fans bewildered and ignited conversations about the responsibility of developers and the nature of virality.
The Lingering Revenue Stream
Ad Impressions and Passive Income
Despite its removal, Flappy Bird’s legacy continues. The 50 million downloads remain active on various devices. Even though new players can’t experience the game, the existing user base continues to generate ad impressions as they play, or try to access the game. This passive generation of ad impressions translates into revenue for Nguyen. Essentially, Flappy Bird still “makes money” indirectly, as the app remains on many devices and, even in a minimal way, is likely still triggering ads.
The Curious Case of High-Priced Phones
The removal of Flappy Bird created a unique phenomenon in the used electronics market. iPhones and iPads that had the game installed started appearing on online marketplaces like eBay with exorbitant price tags. Some devices fetched prices ranging from $1,000 to upwards of $50,000, and in some cases even higher. The scarcity created by the game’s removal fueled this market, turning seemingly ordinary devices into coveted items. A few listed devices even had multiple bids, and some were listed for a whopping $99,900 which eBay eventually took down. This unexpected side effect further highlighted the impact of Flappy Bird on popular culture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much did Flappy Bird make per day during its peak?
At its peak, Flappy Bird was reported to be generating approximately $50,000 per day through in-app advertising.
2. Why was Flappy Bird taken down?
The primary reason for the shutdown, as stated by creator Dong Nguyen, was his discomfort with the addictive nature of the game and its negative impact on people’s lives. He wanted to create a game that users could enjoy without feeling compelled to play for hours on end.
3. Did Nintendo sue or threaten legal action against Flappy Bird?
While rumors of a potential lawsuit spread, there is no evidence that Nintendo actually sued or formally threatened legal action against Nguyen. The primary decision to pull the game was made by the creator, concerned about the game’s addictive nature. The game did include pipes that looked very similar to those in the Super Mario games, and this fueled speculation about potential legal issues.
4. What happens when you reach a score of 999 in Flappy Bird?
When a player achieves a score of 999 in Flappy Bird, they face an encounter with what appears to be a Nintendo’s Mario character. This is widely interpreted as a humorous nod to the game’s visual similarities with the Mario franchise, and it does not suggest a formal collaboration.
5. How much money did Flappy Bird make in a year?
Based on its reported $50,000 daily earnings, Flappy Bird could have theoretically made about $18.25 million in a year. However, the game did not have such a long run and was eventually removed from app stores.
6. What was the “end” of Flappy Bird?
The game does not have an end in the traditional sense. When a player reaches a score of 999, they get to play against the Mario Character, before the bird dies. The game is essentially infinite and relies solely on how far the player can go before making a mistake.
7. How much money did the creator of Flappy Bird make?
The creator, Dong Nguyen, made $50,000 per day during the height of the game’s popularity, accumulating a substantial income before pulling it from the app stores.
8. Will Flappy Bird ever return?
There have been indications that Flappy Bird might eventually return to app stores, as confirmed by Dong Nguyen himself, although a specific date has not been announced.
9. Why was Flappy Bird so addictive?
Flappy Bird’s addictive quality stemmed from its simple yet challenging gameplay coupled with a “just one more try” factor. The game was unforgivingly difficult and almost impossible for players to reach high scores, thus creating a “rage” gameplay loop.
10. Did the creator of Flappy Bird get sued?
No, Dong Nguyen was not sued for creating Flappy Bird. The widespread rumors about lawsuits were mostly a result of the game’s visual similarities to Super Mario.
11. Is Flappy Bird patented?
While there are pending trademark applications for the original Flappy Bird filed by Dong Nguyen, it’s not clear whether a patent has been issued.
12. Is Flappy Bird truly infinite?
Though often described as infinite, Flappy Bird is technically not. The game has an upper limit of 9,999, making it not truly infinite but so difficult it is nearly so for a casual player.
13. Does Flappy Bird get harder over time?
No, Flappy Bird does not increase in difficulty over time. The speed and distances between the obstacles remain constant.
14. Why was the game so difficult?
The game’s difficulty stems from a lack of direct correlation between the distance the bird moves in one flap and the distance between the obstacles, thus creating a difficult timing game.
15. What is the highest known score?
While not commonly achieved, the highest achievable score in Flappy Bird is 9,999.
Conclusion
Flappy Bird remains a unique case study in mobile gaming, demonstrating how a simple concept can generate massive revenue and lasting cultural impact. Even though it’s not available for download anymore, the game still manages to generate income through ad impressions and its continued presence on existing devices. The story of Flappy Bird serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of virality, the importance of developer responsibility, and the enduring power of a good, albeit incredibly frustrating, game.