Flappy Bird recently announced its surprise comeback after a decade, and while fans rejoiced at first, they’re also learning more about the trademark’s new owners.
1208 Productions is a Web3 company that has produced their own line of “Deez” (as in Deez Nuts) NFTs and multiple Web3 games.
“1208 Productions is a pioneer in the web 3 space and has invented new technology within this space. With a track record of consulting with celebrities and industry leaders, the company has also been responsible for generating over $75 million in revenue. As Web 3 OG’s launching back in 2021, 1208 Productions has established itself as a leader in the field.”
Web3 refers to an aspiration for an internet ecosystem entwined with cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and blockchain technology, as opposed to the current “Web 2.0”. In the years since they went (relatively) mainstream, NFTs have gained a bad reputation for being associated with unethical financial practices like pump and dump schemes, and sometimes just being downright ugly.
Pretty smart of the Flappy Bird grifters to hide this NFT/Crypto shit behind a hidden part of their site so people don't instantly see the scam, the second you look into the company behind this you know exactly their type, looks terrible. pic.twitter.com/0llnilIMir
— StacyScene (@StaceBaseAlpha) September 13, 2024
In the time since this information became known, the new Flappy Bird X account has been hit with a Community Note alerting fans to the new owners.
I AM BACK!!
Just a decade ago, I was the talk of the town and soaring to new heights with my 100 million friends. Sadly, I had to leave the fame and spotlight behind to go home and find out who I really am.
Thanks to my super Flappy Bird® fans, I’m refreshed, reinvigorated,… pic.twitter.com/b4UaFZQA2r
— Flappy Bird (@flappy_bird) September 12, 2024
“This game has no relation to the original creators and seems to be a crypto scam/using fans nostalgia for the game to sell NFTs.”
The original owner of the Flappy Bird trademark allowed his ownership to expire and is seemingly not involved with the “revival” of Flappy Bird as a Web3 product.
It’s worth mentioning that while the name of the game has become a global phenomenon, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of reskins, fangames, and similar products to the original Flappy Bird to play instead.