Flappy Bird creator Dong Nguyen is back with what one only hopes is not too addictive a mobile game.
Following the success, removal, and final re-launch of super-addictive and super challenging smash hit Flappy Bird, Nguyen's DotGears Studios launches Swing Copters this Thursday.
(Already a number of games on Google's Play Store appear to have altered their names to include the words "Swing Copters" in them, so prepare yourself for a flood of clones and other hangers-on.)
Nguyen is adopting the same free-to-play model as Angry Birds, relying not on in-game purchases but on advertising for revenue. At the zenith of Flappy Bird's popularity, the game was earning the Vietnamese developer $50,000 a day.
Here's what it looks like:
Touch Arcade's Eli Hodapp tried the game and only scored 5 points after multiple attempts, so Swing Copters should be just as brutal and frustrating as its predecessor, only with vertical gameplay rather than side-scrolling.
A 99 cent version of the app will also be available. At least, that is, until Nguyen decides to take it down.
Of course, the only way Nguyen will take the game down is if it's too successful and/or too addictive.
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When the developer spoke with Forbes about his take-down of Flappy Bird, he said the game "happened to become an addictive product. I think it has become a problem. To solve that problem, it’s best to take down Flappy Bird. It’s gone forever.”
"Forever" turned out to be slightly less than accurate.
Then again, Swing Copters may not be the surprise hit that Flappy Birds managed to be. That game's success can be chalked up to serendipity. While Swing Copters has a distinct advantage this time around---Nguyen has press now, whereas Flappy Bird launched to anonymity---it may lack the viral something that worked so well for Flappy Bird.
Swing Copters launches August 21st on iOS and Android.
