What Happened to Angry Birds Space? A Deep Dive into the Game’s Discontinuation
Angry Birds Space, once a beloved installment in the wildly popular Angry Birds franchise, met its end on February 3, 2020. The game was discontinued and removed from both the App Store and Google Play. This action was part of a broader move by Rovio Entertainment to streamline their game portfolio and focus resources on their currently active games. Instead of continually updating older titles like Angry Birds Space to meet the demands of evolving devices and marketplace requirements, the company opted to discontinue them. The decision effectively rendered the game unavailable for new downloads and updates.
The official reasoning behind this choice was that Rovio preferred to concentrate on delivering “incredible experiences” within their active game titles. Maintaining older games while keeping them compatible with ongoing platform changes requires significant development efforts and resources. By sunsetting older titles like Angry Birds Space, the company could allocate those resources to the development of new and updated games, and also address the existing user base. This shift also reflects the competitive nature of the mobile gaming market, where constant innovation and improvement are necessary to maintain player engagement.
The Road to Discontinuation: A Broader Trend
The discontinuation of Angry Birds Space was not an isolated incident. It was part of a larger trend that affected many other older Angry Birds games. In December 2019, Rovio announced that a suite of games, including Angry Birds Star Wars, Angry Birds Star Wars II, Angry Birds Rio, and various other titles, would be discontinued alongside Angry Birds Space. This mass removal significantly changed the landscape of the Angry Birds franchise.
This move is understandable from a business perspective. Older games, while nostalgic, often have dwindling player bases compared to newer releases. Moreover, keeping these titles compatible with current operating systems and hardware, as well as adhering to updated app store guidelines, can be a costly and time-consuming endeavor. By focusing on fewer, more actively played games, Rovio could potentially increase the profitability of the games that remain.
A Glimmer of Hope: Zimbabwe Exception
Interestingly, there was one exception to this global removal. In 2019, all Angry Birds games released before Angry Birds Transformers (with the exception of Angry Birds Friends) were removed from the App Store and Google Play in every country except Zimbabwe. While the exact reason for this remains unclear, it does indicate that older versions of Angry Birds may still exist within a limited niche region.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Angry Birds Space
To further clarify the circumstances surrounding the demise of Angry Birds Space, here are 15 frequently asked questions and their corresponding answers:
1. Why was Angry Birds Space removed from app stores?
Angry Birds Space was removed from the App Store and Google Play as part of Rovio’s strategy to focus on their actively supported games. Maintaining older games became resource-intensive, and the company chose to prioritize new content and updates for their current titles.
2. When exactly was Angry Birds Space discontinued?
Angry Birds Space was discontinued on February 3, 2020. On this day, it was officially removed from both the App Store and Google Play globally, except for Zimbabwe.
3. Were other Angry Birds games removed at the same time?
Yes, many other Angry Birds games were discontinued alongside Angry Birds Space, including Angry Birds Star Wars, Angry Birds Star Wars II, and Angry Birds Rio.
4. Is Angry Birds Space available in any countries?
As of 2019, Angry Birds Space was available only in Zimbabwe. It was removed from the app stores in all other countries.
5. Can I still download Angry Birds Space if I had previously purchased it?
No. Even if you had previously purchased Angry Birds Space, it is no longer available for download through official app stores. Once removed, it is no longer available to reinstall through official channels.
6. Will Angry Birds Space ever return?
It is unlikely that Angry Birds Space will return to the app stores. Rovio has made it clear that they are focused on their current game lineup rather than reviving older titles.
7. Where can I download old versions of Angry Birds games?
Officially, you cannot download old versions of Angry Birds games from the App Store or Google Play. Some third-party app stores might host them, but use such sources at your own risk. It’s important to be aware of potential security risks when using unofficial sources.
8. What was the original reason for the popularity of Angry Birds Space?
Angry Birds Space was popular for its unique physics-based gameplay, which introduced gravitational fields that affected the trajectories of the birds. It was a fresh take on the original Angry Birds format, making it a hit with fans.
9. Was there any specific controversy associated with Angry Birds Space?
There was no specific controversy directly linked to Angry Birds Space. However, Rovio has faced controversies related to data privacy, which might have contributed to the decision to shift focus away from older titles.
10. Did Angry Birds Space ever get an update after its release?
Yes, Angry Birds Space did receive updates after its release, including new levels and challenges. However, after a certain point, updates stopped as the focus shifted to other games.
11. What was the gameplay of Angry Birds Space like?
The gameplay of Angry Birds Space revolved around slingshotting birds to defeat pigs in outer space. Levels often featured different gravitational fields, requiring players to adjust their shots.
12. Were there any notable characters in Angry Birds Space?
The main characters in Angry Birds Space were the usual Angry Birds flock, including Red, Chuck, Bomb, and others. The game featured new types of pigs and unique space-themed levels. The game did not include the white bird due to his unique gameplay mechanic of laying eggs, which would make zero-gravity difficult for the game to manage.
13. How did Angry Birds Space contribute to the overall Angry Birds franchise?
Angry Birds Space helped expand the franchise beyond the original format, demonstrating that the series could evolve while maintaining the core mechanics. It also introduced a new style of level design and challenge.
14. Is there any way to play Angry Birds Space on PC?
No there is no official way to play Angry Birds Space on PC. However, some players have been able to utilize Android emulators to access unofficial versions of the game, but this is not officially supported.
15. Why didn’t the White Bird (Matilda) go to space?
Matilda’s in-game ability revolves around laying eggs which would float around in space, creating some logistical problems with the game’s physics. Because of this, the Red Bird in the game told her that she was not going to be sent to space.
Conclusion
The discontinuation of Angry Birds Space marks the end of an era for many fans of the Angry Birds franchise. While it’s disappointing that the game is no longer available for download, this move underscores the dynamic nature of the mobile gaming industry and the strategic decisions game developers must make to stay competitive. By focusing on current games and innovation, Rovio aims to continue to bring new and engaging experiences to its players. While Angry Birds Space may be gone from the app stores, its impact and influence on the franchise remain a part of the gaming history.