Angry Birds: Popular Angry Birds game to go offline on Google Play Store: Here’s why

‘Rovio Classics: AB’, the remake of the original Angry Birds game, is set to leave the Play Store, developer Rovio has confirmed. On the other hand, its iOS version will stay up on the App Store but get a new name ‘Red’s first flight’.
Without going into the details, Rovio revealed that the decision came after a review of the game’s “business case” and its impact “on our wider games portfolio.” The Play Store delisting will come into effect on February 23, the company has confirmed.

Rovio will ‘kill’ the remastered original game to save the others
In a tweet, Rovio attached its announcement regarding the shutdown of ‘Rovio Classics: AB’ on the Play Store. The message read, “We have reviewed the business case of Rovio Classics: Angry Birds, and due to the game’s impact on our wider games portfolio, we have decided that Rovio Classics: Angry Birds will be unlisted from the Google Play Store on Thursday, February 23. Additionally, the game will be renamed to Red’s First Flight in the App Store pending further review.”

Taking note of the game’s popularity, the developer said, “We understand that this is sad news for many fans, as well as the team that has worked hard to make Rovio Classics: Angry Birds a reality. We are extremely grateful to the Angry Birds fans who have shown their love of the brand and this game from the beginning.”
Shifting the focus to its other Angry Birds games that feature microtransactions, unlike the remaster, it said, “We hope those fans can continue to bring that passion to our live Angry Birds slingshot games such as Angry Birds 2, Angry Birds Friends, and Angry Birds Journey, where our goal every day is to craft the best possible experience for players.”

Game will be playable for those who download it before takedown
Although the game is soon to be pulled down for Android users, those who purchase the remaster – priced at Rs 95 – before the deadline will be able to play it as long as they don’t uninstall the game. The developer added, “Rovio Classics: Angry Birds will remain playable on devices on which the game has been downloaded, even after it has been unlisted.”