After ten years without any version of Flappy Bird available on the app store or the web, fans of the groundbreaking game were excited by the announcement of its return. The Flappy Bird Foundation, a team of “passionate fans committed to sharing the game with the world” will develop this new version of the game. It is predicted to release on desktop and mobile browsers this fall, and on app stores in 2025.

Along with new additions to the original game, The Flappy Bird Foundation is involving Flappy Bird in cryptocurrency by partnering with $FLAP, a crypto coin launcher.

Even though Flappy Bird came out 10 years ago…

You’re still early!

Come play now to get part of the $FLAP airdrop, the token that will power the Flappy Bird ecosystem

Link in bio! pic.twitter.com/EVxGPZLWqT

— Flappy Bird (@flappy_bird) October 3, 2024

When asked about the game’s revival and The Flappy Bird Foundation’s involvement with cryptocurrency, Nguyen responded with a tweet directly disparaging and their pursuits.

Many commenters on The Flappy Bird Foundation’s promotional posts were hesitant to support the game’s revival after clarification from Nguyen. In response to backlash, The Flappy Bird Foundation posted a tweet attempting to “clear the air” regarding its copyright controversy.

We’ve seen questions circulating online and we’re here to provide the Flappy Bird community with all the answers.

Let’s clear the air we’re currently flying through ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/fdtjfcZBn6

— Flappy Bird (@flappy_bird) September 18, 2024

The post provides an explanation for their acquirement of Flappy Bird’s trademark and the rights to Piou Piou vs Cactus, a game that they believe heavily inspired the original Flappy Bird. In a screenshot featured in the post, Kek, the developer of Piou Piou vs Cactus is quoted saying “I love that through the Flappy Bird Foundation we are able to breathe new life into the games I built and inspired. It’s incredible to work alongside such a dedicated team of fans and creators who are truly passionate.”

In a more recent tweet, The Flappy Bird Foundation addressed their involvement with NFTs in a series of statements.

We’re building the ultimate experience for Flappy Bird players 🤝

The beloved core gameplay remains the same, but now you’ll have the *option* to use Web3 features.

No web3 wallet connection required to play and the game will never have NFTs.

— Flappy Bird (@flappy_bird) September 23, 2024

While NFTs are out of the picture, this does not necessarily exclude cryptocurrency, and it appears likely that The Flappy Bird Foundation will release a Flappy Bird token following their “free mining event” referred to as the Flap-A-TON.

It’s OFFICIAL! Flappy Bird has landed on Telegram! 🐤

It’s been 10 years, but the wait is over.

Join the Flap-a-TON event now and see how far you can go. Always free to play.

Ready, set, FLAP! 👉 https://t.co/KpZYYxc0Ii pic.twitter.com/Uza8cDF0SR

— Flappy Bird (@flappy_bird) September 16, 2024

Users must download Telegram to play. Once the app is open, they will be “prompted to connect a TON wallet in exchange for in-game point,” according to Decrypt. “This is the first step that any game that is planning a token launch and airdrop must take—so that players can eventually claim their tokens.”

Telegram is a somewhat controversial medium in and of itself, largely due to the arrest and subsequent release of its CEO, Pavel Durov. Currently, Telegram is the only platform where Flappy Bird is up and playable, although the developers still intend to release the game on browsers and in the app store.