If you enjoy playing Angry Birds without having to pay extra to unlock features, you better act fast as the only version sans microtransactions is flying the coop on Android.
The game’s developer Rovio announced on Tuesday that it would delist Rovio Classics: Angry Birds, a remake of the original mobile phenomenon, from the Google Play Store on Thursday, February 23. While Rovio says the game will still be playable on Android once it’s been removed from the store, you won’t be able to download it after tomorrow.
Strangely, the iOS App Store version will stay put, but it will be renamed to Red’s First Flight.
Released last March, the classic Angry Birds currently costs 89p, and is described as a “faithful remake” of the original 2012 game in which players catapult feathered friends at greedy pigs. It features all eight original episodes and more than 390 levels.
Notably, the game doesn’t contain any microtransactions or in-game ads. Perhaps due to word of its impending removal, the game is currently sitting atop the puzzle games chart on the Google Play Store.
While acknowledging that fans would be saddened by the game’s delisting, Rovio said it took the decision due to the title’s impact on “our wider games portfolio”.
Please read below for an important announcement regarding the availability of Rovio Classics: Angry Birds. pic.twitter.com/a4n4bU5gQJ
— Rovio (@Rovio) February 21, 2023
"Negatively impacting our other games" AKA people are playing it instead of newer ones that have more microtransactions.
— FSAPO Jake (@FSAPOJake) February 21, 2023
I don't think y'all understand how this works, if people like 1 specific thing then you take it away, people aren't gonna go to a different thing, they're just gonna go do something else. Then you've lost those people entirely because they don't care anymore
— Dontlookformymain1987 (@BBob1987) February 21, 2023
Hey uh, what if you didn't screw over your fans? Idk about the new games, but I can only imagine they're gimmicky noise compared to the classic game. I know gamers suck but they're literally showing you what sort of experience they want. Lmao
— Ryan "Blue Checkmark DLC" Dary (@RyandaryStreams) February 21, 2023
Some irritated players took that to mean the game isn’t generating the same level of cash as its microtransaction-laden sequels. “What if you didn’t screw over your fans?” tweeted one person. They added: “Idk about the new games, but I can only imagine they’re gimmicky noise compared to the classic game.”
Another said Rovio risked alienating long-time players by taking away the specific game they like. The original version’s success led to a raft of sequels and even a hit film that raked in more than $352 million (£292m) globally in 2016.
