Flappy Bird's OG creator clarifies he didn't "sell anything" to the blockchain-pushing 'Flappy Bird Foundation' that's reviving the infamous mobile icon: "I also don't support crypto"
Dong Nguyen has no involvement in the new, 'official' Flappy Bird comeback
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Every Friday
GamesRadar+
Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.
Every Thursday
GTA 6 O'clock
Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.
Every Friday
Knowledge
From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.
Every Thursday
The Setup
Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.
Every Wednesday
Switch 2 Spotlight
Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.
Every Saturday
The Watchlist
Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.
Once a month
SFX
Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!
A decade after Flappy Bird invaded every playground, bus ride, and toilet seat where smartphones existed, the 'Flappy Bird Foundation' has scooped up the rights and is bringing back the infamous mobile gaming icon with some questionable ties to blockchain. The game's original creator has now chimed in to clarify that he has no involvement with the project and doesn't approve of crypto in general.
Flappy Bird first became a viral sensation more than a decade ago and was making an estimated $50,000 per day at the height of its popularity, but its original creator Dong Nguyen took the ultra-tough platformer off storefronts in 2014 because he was worried about its addictive effects on the player base.
A group calling itself the Flappy Bird Foundation - which is definitely not a charity, despite the name - has now announced that Flappy Bird is coming back with new features, new characters, new platforms, new modes, and ties to cryptocurrency. An ad states that the new iteration will "fly higher than ever on Solana as it soars into Web 3.0."
Matters get even murkier - and more uncomfortable - since the Flappy Bird Foundation acquired the rights from Gametech Holdings, an American company that seemingly wrangled the trademark off of Nguyen some time ago.
The Vietnamese Flappy Bird creator has now clarified on social media that "No," he has no relation "with their game." He also writes that he "did not sell anything," and thus probably didn't profit off or consent to anything that's happening with his creation. "I also don't support crypto," he added.
Between the original creator's attitude toward the comeback and the various associations to blockchain, it's hard to be excited about Flappy Bird's return. Especially when there are enough knock offs floating about on the App Store.
Check out the best gaming phones so you can play some non-crypto-bird stuff on the go.
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Kaan freelances for various websites including Rock Paper Shotgun, Eurogamer, and this one, Gamesradar. He particularly enjoys writing about spooky indies, throwback RPGs, and anything that's vaguely silly. Also has an English Literature and Film Studies degree that he'll soon forget.


