Flappy Bird, the once very popular phone game, has made a comeback and can now only be found on Android phones through the Epic Games Store. Unlike its controversial Telegram version from last year, this version has no cryptocurrency or blockchain features, and that signals a major shift in the game’s relaunch strategy.
Flappy Bird was a phenomenon back in 2014, with over 50 million people downloading it before the creator removed it from app stores, citing guilt over creating such an addictive game that was reportedly earning him around $50,000 per day at its peak.
Crypto-Free Gaming Makes a Comeback
ValueWalk’s view on the broader crypto gaming market suggests that traditional monetization models still maintain a stronger appeal with mainstream audiences. Their look at no KYC casinos and gaming platforms reveals how crypto-based games have become more popular, even though many mainstream players are wary of games focused more on tokens than fun.
After the crypto experiment on Telegram didn’t take off like the first Flappy Bird, the Foundation decided to release a version without crypto. Last September, the Foundation brought Flappy Bird back as a Telegram mini-app, adding crypto features on TON and a mining phase that gave players a chance to earn FLAP tokens. In comparison, it couldn’t attract as many players as other tap-to-earn hits such as Notcoin or Hamster Kombat.
Back to Basics With Enhanced Features
The new Epic Games Store version goes back to the basics of the original, but it still includes some cool new features that please both veterans and novices. You still guide the pixel bird through the pipes in the classic way, and the quest mode adds some new challenges. This version draws a distinct line between this release and its crypto-oriented predecessor.
Android users can expect the same addictive gameplay that made the original a phenomenon, with improved graphics and smoother performance. The game also features local leaderboards and achievement systems that weren’t present in the 2014 version.
This move appears to align with the original creator’s stance, as Nguyen broke a seven-year social media silence last year to distance himself from the Telegram crypto version.
The Evolving Android Gaming Landscape
Flappy Bird’s return is a clear sign that things are shifting in Android gaming distribution, especially as the Epic Games Store grows as a different choice to Google Play. For developers wanting to keep more of their earnings, Epic’s platform is a good choice since it offers better splits and reaches Android’s big audience.
With this launch, we can see how the mobile gaming industry is changing, and developers are trying out new ways to get their games into players’ hands and earn money. While some experiment with Web3 and blockchain, other developers are heading back to time-tested ways of making games.
What’s Next for Flappy Bird?
Even though the Epic Games Store edition has no Web3 features, the creators of Flappy Bird still want to do something with crypto. Even though the store version doesn’t deal with Web3, the foundation’s social media still advertises a potential airdrop for Telegram users.
The foundation has issued alerts about possible scams and says that any tokens called official Flappy Bird cryptocurrency are not connected to the game.
Android owners hoping to bring back the addicting gameplay from Flappy Bird can find a simple, cryptocurrency-free version on the Epic Games Store. Epic Games Store is the only place to get the Android version right now, though there’s no news on whether it will be on iOS or back in the Google Play Store.
2025-05-19 15:07:37