Original Creator Challenges Alleged Crypto Revival
Dong Nguyen, the mastermind behind the incredibly popular mobile game Flappy Bird, has denied any involvement in a rumored reboot of the game that supposedly incorporates cryptocurrency and web3 technology.
Flappy Bird took the internet by storm in 2013 with its addictive gameplay. It was downloaded over 90 million times and generated a staggering $50,000 per day in ad revenue at its peak. However, Nguyen decided to remove the game from app stores due to concerns about its addictive nature.
Now, a decade later, Flappy Bird is making headlines again, but this time it’s surrounded by controversy that even its creator felt the need to address. Last year, Gametech Holdings LLC, the company behind The Flappy Bird Foundation, filed a complaint against Nguyen’s Flappy Bird trademark, claiming that he had abandoned it. The United States Patent and Trademark Office ruled in favor of Gametech, stripping Nguyen of his claim to the trademark.
Nguyen’s response came after The Flappy Bird Foundation announced its plans to re-release the game, suggesting that they had obtained the legal rights and hinting at a collaboration with Nguyen himself. However, Nguyen took to X to set the record straight, stating that he had not sold any rights to the foundation and had no involvement in their project. He also made it clear that he does not support cryptocurrency.
According to cybersecurity researcher Varun Biniwale, some hidden pages on The Flappy Bird Foundation’s website hinted at the integration of cryptocurrency elements into the game. Although these pages have been removed, they mentioned features like a “$FLAP token,” a “Web 3.0” version of the game on the Solana blockchain, and a “play and earn” model. The pages also made references to staking mechanisms, free airdrops, and a “flap-to-earn” event exclusively for Telegram users.
Biniwale also discovered an active leaderboard system on the website that featured the names of various crypto influencers and their scores, suggesting that the game might be available as part of a closed early release to these influencers. This finding has led to speculation that the game’s revival could be leveraging its nostalgic appeal to promote crypto-related offerings. Biniwale described the project as “shady” and speculated that it was quietly aiming to profit from cryptocurrency and web3 integration.
The timing of Flappy Bird’s reappearance is interesting, as the crypto sector is currently witnessing a surge in blockchain-based gaming, particularly on platforms like Telegram and the associated blockchain The Open Network (TON). Telegram has become a fertile ground for “tap-to-earn” games like Hamster Kombat and NotCoin, which have gained significant popularity within the crypto community.
As the game resurfaces, the crypto community waits to see if it will live up to its nostalgic reputation or if it will become another vehicle for promoting crypto-related ventures.
