After disappearing from the gaming jungle for almost a decade, the iconic wing-flapping Faby is once again making a surprising return, but this time with Web3 features. 

Flappy Bird, a popular side-scroller game where players attempt to fly Faby between green pipes without crashing, is set to make its debut on Sept. 16 exclusively on the 950 million-user social media platform Telegram and its blockchain network, TON. 

Flappy Bird’s “successful” and “impactful” re-entry into the gaming market is supported by Notcoin, its premier publishing partner. 

The popular game’s launch on Telegram will begin with a “Flap-a-TON” event, with Season 1 now open, where players and Web3 communities can participate in a free mining event. According to the Flappy Bird team, it aims to connect nostalgic fans as well as Web3 gamers. 

According to the announcement, the Flappy Bird ecosystem will be managed by the Flappy Bird Foundation Group, whose affiliate acquired the original Flappy Bird trademark rights from Gametech Holdings LLC.  

Commenting about Flappy Bird’s return, Michael Roberts, the game’s creative chief, said: 

“By embracing Web3 and the TON ecosystem, we’re not just bringing back a classic; we’re ensuring that the game’s future is community-driven, secure, and accessible to all. Web3 allows us to empower our players with true ownership and a more engaging, interactive experience, ensuring Flappy Bird and its IP remain a beloved staple for generations to come.”

Although Flappy Bird launched on Sept. 16, hints of the game's return were met with criticism from the crypto community and gamers, calling it a “scam.”

Responding to these criticisms, Roberts stated their launch is being led by a team of industry veterans and dedicated fans with a “long-term commitment to building a sustainable, community-driven ecosystem.”

Roberts also mentioned their entire development process is “out in the open for our community to follow.” 

While CoinGecko’s report revealed 75% of Web3 games have failed in 2023, Robert claimed it was due to the “lack of strong community engagement or reliance on unsustainable economics.” He said Flappy Bird aims to avoid such a situation by making sure the game is appealing to a “broad audience both inside and outside Web3.”

“This community-driven approach will involve our players in the game's evolution. Additionally, by owning the Flappy Bird IP, the Flappy Bird Foundation Group, acting as a steward for the community, can take web3 gaming on a fresh path, which includes value accrual and stability for the ecosystem. ”

Apart from the Telegram-exclusive launch, the Flappy Bird team promised additional releases are planned for 2025, including versions for HTML5, web browsers, and native apps on iOS and Android. Additionally, Flappy Bird mentioned the new releases will introduce new game modes, cosmetics, progression systems and more in the future. 

Disclaimer: This news was updated on 17/09/2024.