By Wes Davis, a weekend editor who covers the latest in tech and entertainment.
Last week, The Flappy Bird Foundation announced a game called Flappy Bird. However, the game’s original developer, Dong Nguyen, claims he’s not involved in the project. Nguyen posted on X, stating he didn’t sell anything, contradicting The Flappy Bird Foundation’s claim of acquiring the rights from Gametech Holdings, LLC.
Gametech filed in opposition to Nguyen’s Flappy Bird trademark in 2023, which led to the US Patent and Trademark Office determining his trademark to be abandoned and terminating his claim to it in January. This raises questions about the legitimacy of The Flappy Bird Foundation’s claim to the game’s rights.
The Flappy Bird Foundation’s announcement leans heavily on nostalgia, showcasing the game’s rise in popularity and its abrupt disappearance in 2013. However, with Nguyen’s denial of involvement, it’s unclear what the new game will entail.
For now, Flappy Bird is listed as coming soon for iOS and Android. However, with Nguyen’s denial of involvement, it’s clear that this won’t be the Flappy Bird fans knew and loved.