Angry Birds • Eurogamer.net

Facebook accused of "friendly fraud" and intentionally misleading children

"It doesn't necessarily look like 'real' money to a minor."

Facebook has been accused of deliberately targeting children in order to tempt them into making in-game purchases, pursuing revenues at the expense of children and their parents.

Everton FC fans in a flap about new Angry Birds sponsor

Getoffee!

Everton football club fans are not best pleased about the hideous new Angry Birds logo on their players' sleeves.

Angry Birds movie is getting a sequel

Launching on the game's 10-year anniversary.

The Angry Birds Movie is getting a sequel to coincide with the game's 10-year anniversary.

Launching on 20th September, 2019, this sequel will be another joint collaboration between developer Rovio and Sony Pictures.

The film's existence shouldn't come as a surprise given that the first Angry Birds movie earned $350m worldwide since its launch last May.

Seems less explosive than Birdman.

The Angry Birds movie now has a debut trailer teasing its May 2016 release.

15 games later, Rovio announces Angry Birds 2

3bn downloads and counting.

Angry Birds developer Rovio Games has announced Angry Birds 2.

The sequel will be fully revealed at a special event on 28th July and then be made available to download on the 30th.

Details on the game are scarce. Rovio has only said that it will be "bigger, badder and birdier" than the first.

Angry Birds dev Rovio launches new young-adult novel series

"High action pirate adventure with a female twist."

Angry Birds developer Rovio has announced Storm Sisters, a series of young-adult fiction books starring a quintet of 11-17 year-old girls.

Written by Helsinki-based author Mintie Das, the first novel in the franchise will be published by Rovio in late 2015 or early 2016, The Guardian reports.

Like an all-female Famous Five set in the late 18th century, the series will centre around the exploits of Charlie, Sadie, Liu, Raquel and Ingela, who disguise themselves as pirates.

Also Danny McBride, Josh Gad and Maya Rudolph.

The Angry Birds movie has been cast and will star Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, and Peter Dinklage.

After five years, Apple reveals the all-time best-selling iOS games

Angry Birds rules the roost.

Apple has marked the five year anniversary of its iOS App Store by revealing the best-selling downloads across all of its platforms. And, unsurprisingly, Angry Birds features pretty heavily.

Angry Birds movie to be penned by The Simpsons and King of the Hill writer

Who also played a hand in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.

The Angry Birds movie will be written by Jon Vetti, veteran scribe of several episodes of The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and Da Ali G Show, Rovio has announced.

Angry Birds movie set for 1st July 2016

Here's hoping Mickey Rourke is involved.

The long discussed Angry Birds movie has officially fallen into the hands of Sony Pictures Entertainment, where the game's developer Rovio announced it's set to come out 1st July 2016. That's a Friday, so clear your calenders now.

The Angry Birds movie officially announced

Coming to theaters in summer of 2016.

Angry Birds developer Rovio Entertainment has officially announced that it's making a feature film based on the popular mobile game.

Due in summer of 2016, the CG-animated movie is being produced by John Cohen, who recently produced Despicable Me. Former chairman of Marvel Studios and executive producer of Iron Man, David Maisel, will act as executive producer of the film.

Rovio will retain full creative control over the project by producing and financing the movie "outside the studio system," whatever that means.

Big names join previously-leaked Minesweeper, Solitaire titles.

Microsoft has announced the first wave of Xbox Live games to be released for Windows 8 devices, playable on any PC, laptop or tablet.

Apple deploys quick-fix for in-app purchases hack

But won't be patched properly until iOS6.

Apple has offered iOS developers new tools to help combat a recent exploit which enabled users to download some in-app purchases for free.

Fake Angry Birds developer fined �50,000

Scammed gamers with premium SMS messages.

A developer who created fake versions of Angry Birds, Assassin's Creed and Cut The Rope mobile games has been fined �50,000.

VideoAngry Birds games hit 1 billion downloads

Developer Rovio thanks fans in new video.

Angry Birds Land opens at Finnish theme park

First photos inside.

Theme park attraction Angry Birds Land has opened at Finland's S�rk�nniemi Adventure Park.

Shigeru Miyamoto wishes he had designed Angry Birds

Something for Rovio to crow about.

Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto has admitted he wishes he had designed Angry Birds, the hit gaming phenomenon now available on practically every non-Nintendo platform.

Angry Birds-themed play parks coming to UK

It's all wings and roundabouts.

Angry Birds developer Rovio plans to deploy themed sets of swings and slides to playgrounds around the country.

Angry Birds dev sponsors Formula 1 star Heikki Kovalainen

It's the winging not the taking part.

Angry Birds developer Rovio has announced a sponsorship deal with Finnish Formula 1 star Heikki Kovalainen, meaning he will now wear a special Angry Birds helmet during races.

Superbrothers dev: Chasing Angry Birds is a "really bad business decision"

"Risky, innovative" titles hold far greater reward.

Developers trying to replicate the success of mainstream smartphone phenomenons like Angry Birds are likely wasting their money and would be better of trying to create something risky and innovative, so says the boss of Superbrothers: Swords & Sworcery developer Capybara Games.

Angry Birds Land coming to Finnish theme park

Crowds will flock to it.

Casual gaming phenomenon Angry Birds is set to invade a Finnish theme park, with the creation of a new Angry Birds Land.

Rovio CEO's grandparents remortgaged flat to save Angry Birds

Risky investment turned into nice little nest egg.

Angry Birds studio Rovio was in such a precarious financial position while developing its planet-smashing smartphone phenomenon that its owner's grandparents remortgaged their flat to help get the game finished.

Angry Birds boss: piracy isn't always a bad thing

"Stop treating customers as users, start treating them as fans."

Piracy isn't always bad for business and can help grow an entertainment brand, so argues the boss of Angry Birds developer Rovio.

FeatureTrends of 2012: Handheld Gaming

Things are exciting, frightening, and confusing.

2012 is going to be a fascinating year as far as handhelds are concerned. iOS continues to screw with the marketplace, for one thing, helping to democratise development while also redefining how much audiences expect to pay for a game. Meanwhile, the 3DS appears to have finally hit its stride - or has it? - and Sony's getting in on the action with the almost implausibly lavish Vita. Is there still enough room for everybody?

Angry Birds claims 6.5 million Christmas Day downloads

It's no turkey.

Smartphone phenomenon Angry Birds was downloaded 6.5 million times on Christmas Day, developer Rovio has announced.

Angry Birds studio rejected $2.25b Zynga takeover - report

PopCap also spurned FarmVille dev's advances.

Angry Birds developer Rovio turned down a $2.25 billion takeover bid from social gaming giant Zynga earlier this year, according to The New York Times.

Angry Birds boxed for PC, costs �10

Publisher, developer justify price.

Really quite popular casual game Angry Birds is to be boxed up on PC and sold in shops.

Angry Birds downloaded 500 million times

Has "a good shot" at a billion, says Rovio.

Angry Birds has been downloaded more than 500 million times, according to maker Rovio.

Angry Birds dev plans publisher move

Rovio working on new indie label.

Angry Birds developer Rovio is planning a move into game publishing, according to a Develop report.

Angry Birds dev Rovio aims for $1.2bn

And pigs might fly?

Rovio's declaration to Eurogamer that it is worth "north" of PopCap ($1.3 billion) may not be far from the truth.

Rovio "betting everything" on Angry Birds

Wants to be first brand with a billion fans.

Angry Birds developer Rovio is betting all its chips on its phenomenally successful smartphone series, according to CEO Peter Vesterbacka.

Angry Birds has Ice Age film aspirations

Rovio plans more than one movie.

Rovio Mobile believes Angry Birds has enough "storytelling opportunities" for the once humble iPhone game to be spun into multiple movies.

Wii U a "natural match" for Angry Birds

Rovio "not going to ignore Kinect, Move".

Rovio has told Eurogamer it is "looking at every console" as a potential nest for Angry Birds, despite having criticised Xbox Live, Nintendo and even console gaming in the past.

Rovio values self "north of PopCap"

Have Zuma that.

Angry Birds creator Rovio has told Eurogamer it values itself "north" of the $1.3 billion figure that EA will spend acquiring PopCap Games.

Mobile Games Roundup

Agent! Tower! Continuity! Angry! Zombies! Sonic! geoDefense!

It would probably get boring for you lot if every week was filled with top-rated games. In fact, I know that a lot of you kind of glaze over at some of the scores, and some outright moan that mobile games get routinely over-rated ("9/10? Better than Halo? ROFL")

Like any platform, it's important to judge mobile games in context. An inventive 9/10 puzzle game costing 59p can never be the same as a 9/10 epic action game on a home console. But nor would you necessarily want it to be.

Trying to somehow read something definitive into what a score 'means' is, a slippery subject, and yet we all debate them endlessly. But at the same time, as long as you're always dealing with like-for-like comparisons, you're on safer ground.

FeatureBlowing Bubbles

Mobile and social gaming are in a huge valuation bubble - but that doesn't have to mean that disaster is coming.

Published as part of our sister-site GamesIndustry.biz's widely-read weekly newsletter, the GamesIndustry.biz Editorial, is a weekly dissection of an issue weighing on the minds of the people at the top of the games business. It appears on Eurogamer after it goes out to GI.biz newsletter subscribers.

Angry Birds hits 250 million downloads

Plus, Rovio confirms next project.

Absurdly successful smartphone timewaster Angry Birds has now been downloaded a whopping 250 million times, developer Rovio has revealed.

Angry Birds claims 200 million downloads

Rovio has plenty to crow about.

Smartphone phenomenon Angry Birds has notched up its 200 millionth download, according to developer Rovio.

FeatureWhy I Hate… Angry Birds

Peck off.

The dumbing down of society continues unabated. We live in a world where irredeemable pap like The Black Eyed Peas' The Time (Dirty Bit) tops the charts, where Peaches Geldof not only has a career but is paid to appear on telly and, like, talk about stuff, and stuff.

Angry Birds dev lays into Xbox Live

Slow content approval system criticised.

Angry Birds developer Rovio has criticised Microsoft for its antiquated Xbox Live content approval system.

Nintendo not interested in "garage devs"

"That's not a business we want to pursue."

Nintendo is fully behind independent developers, but it won't do business with what it calls "garage developers".

Console games "dying" - Angry Birds dev

Innovation now in mobile and social games.

Console games are "dying".

Rovio's huge Angry Birds riches detailed

Facebook is next platform to be conquered.

News that Rovio, the small Finnish developer Rovio behind Angry Birds, has done rather well for itself off the back of its smartphone phenomenon will come as little surprise. However, new information detailing the scope of its fortune makes for an eye-watering read.

Angry Birds: St Patrick�s Day announced

Rio movie tie-in coming soon too.

The next holiday to be celebrated by hit physics puzzler Angry Birds's Seasons expansion is St Patrick's Day, developer Rovio has announced.

Making the announcement during a presentation today at the Game Developer's conference in San Francisco, Rovio chief Peter Vesterbacka promised the update, which will presumably be available around 17th March, is "very green" and boasts "more pigs than ever".

The smartphone phenomenon has already seen free Halloween, Christmas and Valentine's-themed level packs, and Vesterbacka promised there are more to come.

WP7 gets Sonic, Angry Birds, more

"Six weeks of hits" announced.

Sonic the Hedgehog: Episode 1, tower defense classic Plants vs Zombies and ubiquitous feather-flinger Angry Birds are among the grandstanding titles heading to Windows Phone 7 this Spring in a big new games push just announced by Microsoft.

Angry Birds tops PSN charts

Smartphone smash triumphs on consoles.

Smartphone phenomenon Angry Birds has made a very successful hop over to consoles, topping the PlayStation Network chart in its first month on sales.

Angry Birds Nintendo 3DS confirmed

Alan Wake dev co-founder joins Rovio.

Mobile phenomenon Angry Birds will launch on the Nintendo 3DS and Wii.

In a tweet response to questions by dsfocus, developer Rovio Mobile said the puzzle game will release on "Wii and 3DS later in the year".

The plan is to launch the first Angry Birds game, Angry Birds Seasons and the upcoming Angry Birds Rio as digital downloads.

VideoPlay Angry Birds with Kinect hack

Latest game mod takes off.

First Angry Birds 2 screens?

German TV hawks first rook at sequel.

A German TV station has broadcast what appears to be an early glimpse of an Angry Birds sequel.

Christmas Angry Birds swoops in

Aptly describes shopping season.

Cherished iPhone game Angry Birds has had a festive makeover. Quick! Act surprised.

Angry Birds Christmas flying in?

Festive edition of iOS phenomenon hinted.

A special Christmas edition of Angry Birds is apparently winging its way to your preferred smartphone device soon.

VideoIsrael seeking peace for Angry Birds

Pigs, birds fail to broker treaty.

No Angry Birds 2 planned

Facebook spin-off underway though.

There are currently no plans for a direct sequel to App Store smash hit Angry Birds, developer Rovio has announced.

Angry Birds sells a million in six days

Halloween edition is scarily successful.

The new Halloween edition of the absurdly popular mobile game Angry Birds has shifted more than a million downloads in just six days, developer Rovio has announced.

The original game has sold 6.5 million units to date on the App Store and a further two million Android downloads.

"We're delighted to see such fantastic reception for Angry Birds Halloween," said Rovio CEO Mikael Hed. "We intend to continue creating more and more quality products and updates, and keep exceeding the expectations of our fans worldwide."

Mobile Games Roundup

Reckless! Shoot! Dexter! Angry! Buka!

The trouble with doing these roundups is never quite knowing how good a game is going to be. As with Game Dev Story, you can sometimes end up finding something so good that it clearly deserves its own review. This is probably the shortest review you'll ever see on Eurogamer, but until that review gets commissioned, you should trust me on this and buy it immediately. It'll be the best �2.39 you ever spend. Probably.

The rest of the current crop isn't quite so magisterial in quality, but we think you'll appreciate at least a couple of the five we've got lined up for you this week. Shoot To Kill is the first of numerous new games on the way from ex-Sensible head honcho Jon Hare's new mobile-centric outfit Tower Studios, while addled Angry Birds addicts will no doubt be delighted to know that they can sink another few hours into the 45 new levels on offer.

Elsewhere, Reckless Racing is one of the best-looking mobile titles ever made, while Dexter's belated release on iPad is a prime example of where it all goes horribly, gruesomely wrong. A horror show for all the wrong reasons.

EA buys out Angry Birds publisher

Chillingo feathers its nest.

The publisher of monster App Store hit Angry Birds has been snapped up by EA.

MS mock-up infuriates Angry Birds

Plus: Android AB out this week.

Microsoft has angered Rovio Mobile by using an unauthorised mock-up of Angry Birds to promote Windows Phone 7.

Angry Birds creator hawking movie rights

Toys, comics and TV shows planned too.

The company behind Angry Birds hopes to sell the rights to produce TV shows, movies, toys and comics based on the hit iPhone game.