Popular game Angry Birds, which almost redefined how we play games on mobile phones, is being removed from the Google Play Store, according to its developer Rovio. The game is being renamed on the Apple App Store to Red’s First Flight.
Rovio Classics: Angry Birds is being delisted from the official Google Play Store on Thursday (February 23).
"Please read below for an important announcement regarding the availability of Rovio Classics: Angry Birds," Rovio posted on Twitter.
According to Rovio, the parent of Angry Birds, due to the game’s impact on its wider games portfolio, Rovio Classics: Angry Birds will be unlisted from Google Play today. It should be noted that users who have already downloaded the immensely popular game will be able to play it on their devices.
"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. Rovio Classics: Angry Birds will remain playable on devices on which the game has been downloaded, even after it has been unlisted," Rovio said in a statement.
"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 for the brand and this game from the beginning. 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," the statement added.
However, the App Store version of the popular game will be available. Oddly, Rovio is mulling to change the game’s name to Red’s First Flight.