When Did Angry Birds Get Discontinued? A Comprehensive Look at the Demise of a Mobile Gaming Icon

The story of Angry Birds is a tale of meteoric rise and eventual decline, a common narrative in the fast-paced world of mobile gaming. The question of when Angry Birds was discontinued isn’t as simple as a single date, as it involves multiple versions of the game being phased out over time. To provide a clear answer, we must look at different instances where versions of the beloved game were removed from app stores. The most significant instance of discontinuation is the delisting of the original Angry Birds game, later marketed as Rovio Classics: Angry Birds, from the Google Play Store on February 23, 2023. This marked the effective end for Android users to officially play the original game. However, the situation is more nuanced than a single date. Versions of the game have been removed at different times, which makes understanding the timeline crucial.

The Timeline of Angry Birds Discontinuation

The Original Angry Birds (Rovio Classics)

The original Angry Birds game, initially released in 2009, has seen several iterations and re-releases. Notably, after the first version was removed, it was brought back as Rovio Classics: Angry Birds before being removed again. As mentioned, the Android version was delisted on February 23, 2023. However, the iOS version was renamed to “Red’s First Flight” and remains available, though this move can also be seen as a soft discontinuation of the “Classic” branded experience. Therefore, the true discontinuation of the original, classic game primarily affects Android users, since the classic version of the game was completely removed from that platform.

Other Angry Birds Games

The Angry Birds franchise has spawned numerous spin-offs and sequels, many of which have also faced their own discontinuation.

• Angry Birds Space: This popular installment was removed from both the App Store and Google Play on February 3, 2020. This was part of Rovio streamlining its portfolio to focus on other projects.
• Angry Birds Stella: This spin-off featuring a different cast of birds, was discontinued on September 8, 2015, leaving the game’s storyline unfinished.
• Angry Birds 2: While not completely discontinued, Angry Birds 2 was delisted from the Samsung Galaxy Store on January 15, 2022, with in-app purchases being disabled. Although the game still exists on other platforms, this move signaled a change in its lifecycle.

Therefore, to summarise, while the original Angry Birds classic game was removed from the Google Play Store in February 2023, various other Angry Birds titles have been discontinued at different points over the past few years.

Why Were Angry Birds Games Discontinued?

The primary reason for the discontinuation of the original Angry Birds, according to Rovio, was its negative impact on their wider games portfolio. The paid, ad-free model of the original game was in direct competition with the free-to-play model of their other titles. It was a paid app with no in-app purchases, which made it unprofitable and outdated. In the modern mobile gaming environment, game companies heavily rely on in-app purchases.

The decline in popularity of the Angry Birds franchise over time also contributed to the discontinuation of these various games. The gaming landscape is constantly evolving, with players always seeking the newest and most engaging experiences. This pushed many gamers to seek innovative games. New and more innovative games were being released, and the core Angry Birds mechanics, once revolutionary, began to feel stale. This was especially true for titles like Angry Birds Stella, which didn’t manage to capture the success of the main series. The mobile gaming market is highly competitive and therefore, outdated games have to be discontinued in order to allow room for new ones.

The decision to discontinue these games ultimately came down to strategic decisions by Rovio in order to refocus their efforts and resources. Furthermore, Rovio’s purchase by Sega has likely impacted its future strategies, with new priorities for the game franchise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To provide further clarity and address common queries, here are 15 FAQs related to the discontinuation of Angry Birds games:

1. When was the original Angry Birds game released?
   The original Angry Birds was initially released on December 11, 2009, for iOS devices. Ports for other platforms, including Android, soon followed.

2. What was the original name of Angry Birds?
   The game was originally just called Angry Birds, before later being named Rovio Classics: Angry Birds and subsequently Red’s First Flight on iOS.

3. Why was Rovio Classics: Angry Birds removed from the Google Play Store?
   Rovio stated that it was removed because of its negative impact on their wider games portfolio. The game’s paid model was competing with their free-to-play games.

4. Is the original Angry Birds completely gone?
   Not entirely. While it has been delisted from Google Play and renamed to Red’s First Flight on iOS, the core game still exists for iOS users. However, it is gone from Android devices.

5. When was Angry Birds Space discontinued?
   Angry Birds Space was discontinued on February 3, 2020, from both the App Store and Google Play.

6. Why was Angry Birds Space discontinued?
   It was discontinued as part of Rovio streamlining their game portfolio and focusing on newer projects.

7. What happened to Angry Birds Stella?
   Angry Birds Stella was discontinued on September 8, 2015, leaving its storyline incomplete.

8. Why was Angry Birds Stella discontinued?
   The game did not gain the traction of other titles in the franchise, making it a less viable product for Rovio.

9. When was Angry Birds 2 removed from the Samsung Galaxy Store?
   Angry Birds 2 was removed from the Samsung Galaxy Store on January 15, 2022.

10. Is Angry Birds 2 completely discontinued?
    No, Angry Birds 2 is still available on other platforms, though it has been removed from the Samsung Galaxy Store.

11. Was there any compensation for Angry Birds 2 players when Rowdy Rumble was ended early?
    Yes, Rovio gave out 500 rainbow feathers and a red chest to players in Angry Birds 2 when Rowdy Rumble ended early due to technical difficulties.

12. Why was Angry Birds renamed Red’s First Flight on iOS?
    It was renamed to Red’s First Flight to reduce the impact of the “Classics” branding on their wider games portfolio.

13. Was Angry Birds losing money?
    Rovio did experience a loss due to investment in a movie based on the Angry Birds franchise.

14. Is there any new Angry Birds games coming?
    While no direct sequel has been announced, the franchise continues with titles like Angry Birds Journey. There is also a movie titled “Angry Birds 3” reportedly set to be released in 2024.

15. Who acquired Rovio?
    Sega acquired Rovio in August 2023 for US$776 million.

In conclusion, the discontinuation of Angry Birds is a complex topic that spans many titles and dates. The original game, once a worldwide phenomenon, has largely faded into the annals of mobile gaming history, primarily due to the need for studios like Rovio to evolve with the market. By examining the different versions and timelines, we gain a better understanding of the rise and fall of one of the mobile gaming world’s biggest names. The legacy of the Angry Birds, however, is likely to endure despite the discontinuation of its most beloved titles.