When Did Angry Birds Rio Get Deleted? A Comprehensive Look
The popular mobile game Angry Birds Rio was officially discontinued on February 3, 2020. This removal coincided with the discontinuation of several other Angry Birds titles, marking a significant shift in Rovio’s mobile gaming strategy. The servers for Angry Birds Rio were also shut down at this time, meaning the game is no longer playable through official channels.
The Rise and Fall of Angry Birds Rio
Angry Birds Rio was a spin-off title launched in 2011, based on the animated film Rio. This crossover game featured the same physics-based gameplay as the original Angry Birds, but with new characters, settings, and challenges tied to the movie. Initially, the game was a success, drawing in fans of both the Angry Birds franchise and the film. New levels were even released in 2014 based on Rio 2. However, like many mobile games of its era, its lifespan was ultimately finite.
The decision to discontinue Angry Birds Rio was primarily due to licensing issues. As the game’s rights were tied to the Rio franchise, Rovio’s agreement with the film’s licensors eventually expired. Without the proper licensing, the company could no longer legally distribute or support the game.
Furthermore, Rovio has, over the years, moved toward a free-to-play model with constant updates and in-app purchases. Maintaining older, premium games like Angry Birds Rio became less financially viable. The focus shifted towards newer titles, particularly the Angry Birds 2 franchise, which they heavily supported.
Legacy and Abandonware
The discontinuation of Angry Birds Rio means it is now considered abandonware. This term refers to software that is no longer supported or maintained by its original publisher. While it may be possible to find older versions of the game from unofficial sources, these versions are often unreliable, may be corrupted, or may not function correctly. They are also not supported by Rovio, and players may encounter security risks by downloading them from untrusted sources.
Despite its discontinuation, Angry Birds Rio remains a fond memory for many fans. It represents a unique moment in the Angry Birds history, showcasing the franchise’s willingness to explore new creative partnerships. The game’s removal highlights the evolving nature of the mobile gaming landscape and the challenges of managing licensed intellectual property.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why was Angry Birds Rio discontinued?
Angry Birds Rio was primarily discontinued due to license issues with the Rio film franchise. Once Rovio’s agreement expired, they could no longer legally distribute or maintain the game. Additionally, the company’s shift towards free-to-play models made supporting older premium games like Angry Birds Rio less viable.
2. When were the servers for Angry Birds Rio shut down?
The servers for Angry Birds Rio were shut down on February 3, 2020, the same day the game was officially discontinued from app stores.
3. Is Angry Birds Rio still playable?
Officially, Angry Birds Rio is not playable. It is no longer available for download on official app stores, and its servers have been shut down. While unofficial versions may exist, they are not supported by Rovio and can be unreliable.
4. Was Angry Birds Rio part of a larger discontinuation?
Yes, Angry Birds Rio was part of a larger wave of game discontinuations in early 2020. This included Angry Birds Star Wars, Angry Birds Star Wars II, and Angry Birds Space, among others.
5. What is abandonware, and why is Angry Birds Rio considered one?
Abandonware is software that is no longer supported or maintained by its original publisher. Since Angry Birds Rio was removed from app stores and its servers were closed, it is now classified as abandonware.
6. Did Rovio remove other Angry Birds games?
Yes, Rovio has removed numerous Angry Birds titles from app stores, mostly those released before October 2014. This strategy was to shift focus and resources towards their free-to-play games, especially Angry Birds 2. The original Angry Birds was removed in 2019 but later returned to iOS under the name “Red’s First Flight.”
7. Why did Rovio rename the original Angry Birds on iOS?
Rovio renamed the original Angry Birds on iOS to “Red’s First Flight” due to the negative impact that the name “Classics” was having on their wider games portfolio. It was confusing and competing with their new titles in app store search results.
8. Was Angry Birds Space also discontinued?
Yes, Angry Birds Space was also discontinued on February 3, 2020, alongside Angry Birds Rio and several other titles.
9. Why did Rovio remove the original Angry Birds from Android stores?
The original Angry Birds was removed from the Google Play Store in 2019 as part of Rovio’s testing and portfolio shift strategy. It was also related to the negative impact it was having on the visibility of other titles in app store searches.
10. What is the difference between Angry Birds Rio and the original Angry Birds?
Angry Birds Rio is a spin-off based on the movie Rio, featuring characters and settings from the film. It uses the same core physics-based gameplay as the original Angry Birds, but with a different theme and level design.
11. Will there be another Angry Birds game?
Yes, a new game, seemingly called “Angry Birds 3”, is rumored to be released on November 12th, 2024, in honor of the Franchise’s 15th Anniversary.
12. What happened to Angry Birds Stella?
Angry Birds Stella was discontinued on September 8, 2015, leaving its storyline incomplete with a teased but never released third chapter.
13. What is the reason for Angry Birds discontinuation in general?
The main reason for the widespread discontinuation of older Angry Birds titles is Rovio’s shift in focus towards their free-to-play games, specifically Angry Birds 2, which provides ongoing revenue through in-app purchases. Older games, such as the premium ones, became less profitable to support.
14. Is it safe to download Angry Birds Rio from unofficial sources?
Downloading Angry Birds Rio from unofficial sources carries risks. These versions might be corrupted, non-functional, or contain malware. It is not recommended to download the game from untrusted sources.
15. Did deleting the game delete game progress?
If a player is signed into a Rovio Account, game progress is saved. To ensure progress is saved before deleting an app, they should sign out of their account. This makes it easy to retrieve game data once signed in again.