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==Reception==
==Reception==


Alex Hardin is currently the world champion of angry birds. There was a tournament held in Frankfurt and Alex managed to have 3 stars on every single level multiple times. When told of his winnings he yelled "Kaplah!" - which means "success" in Klingon.
Alex Hardin is currently the world champion of angry birds. There was a tournament held in Frankfurt and Alex managed to have 3 stars on every single level multiple times. When told of his winnings he yelled "Kaplah!" - which means "success" in Klingon. He immediately said that he will be using the winnings to buy an engagement ring and get married. That was documented in many newspapers.


Reviews of ''Angry Birds'' have been generally very positive. Chris Holt of ''[[Macworld (magazine)|Macworld]]'' called the game "an addictive, clever, and challenging puzzler",<ref name="MacWorld">{{cite news|url=http://www.macworld.com/appguide/app.html?id=356224|title=Angry Birds Review|author=Chris Holt|work=Macworld|accessdate=2010-06-23}}</ref> and ''[[Pocket Gamer]]'s'' Keith Andrew said ''Angry Birds'' is "a nugget of puzzling purity dished out with relish aplenty."<ref name="PocketGamer">{{cite news|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPhone/Angry+Birds+%28iPhone%29/review.asp?c=17385|title=Angry Birds (iPhone) review|author=Keith Andrew|work=Pocket Gamer|date=2009-12-21|accessdate=2010-06-23}}</ref> Jonathan Liu of [[Wired News]] noted that "going for the maximum number of stars certainly adds a lot of replay value to a fairly extensive game."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/03/iphone-review-angry-birds-make-great-projectiles/|title=iPhone Review: Angry Birds Make Great Projectiles|date=2010-03-05|work=Wired|accessdate=2010-07-28}}</ref> The game was nominated for the "Best [[Casual game|Casual Game]]" award at the 6th annual International Mobile Gaming Awards, announced in [[Barcelona]], [[Spain]] in February 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imgawards.com/EN/the-winners.php|title=The 6th Annual IMGA Winners|work=IMGAwards.com|date=2010-02-16|accessdate=2010-06-23}}</ref> In September 2010, [[IGN]] named ''Angry Birds'' as the fourth best iPhone game of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/106/1063222p1.html|title=The Top 25 iPhone Games|date=2010-09-10|accessdate=2010-12-27}}</ref>
Reviews of ''Angry Birds'' have been generally very positive. Chris Holt of ''[[Macworld (magazine)|Macworld]]'' called the game "an addictive, clever, and challenging puzzler",<ref name="MacWorld">{{cite news|url=http://www.macworld.com/appguide/app.html?id=356224|title=Angry Birds Review|author=Chris Holt|work=Macworld|accessdate=2010-06-23}}</ref> and ''[[Pocket Gamer]]'s'' Keith Andrew said ''Angry Birds'' is "a nugget of puzzling purity dished out with relish aplenty."<ref name="PocketGamer">{{cite news|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPhone/Angry+Birds+%28iPhone%29/review.asp?c=17385|title=Angry Birds (iPhone) review|author=Keith Andrew|work=Pocket Gamer|date=2009-12-21|accessdate=2010-06-23}}</ref> Jonathan Liu of [[Wired News]] noted that "going for the maximum number of stars certainly adds a lot of replay value to a fairly extensive game."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/03/iphone-review-angry-birds-make-great-projectiles/|title=iPhone Review: Angry Birds Make Great Projectiles|date=2010-03-05|work=Wired|accessdate=2010-07-28}}</ref> The game was nominated for the "Best [[Casual game|Casual Game]]" award at the 6th annual International Mobile Gaming Awards, announced in [[Barcelona]], [[Spain]] in February 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imgawards.com/EN/the-winners.php|title=The 6th Annual IMGA Winners|work=IMGAwards.com|date=2010-02-16|accessdate=2010-06-23}}</ref> In September 2010, [[IGN]] named ''Angry Birds'' as the fourth best iPhone game of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/106/1063222p1.html|title=The Top 25 iPhone Games|date=2010-09-10|accessdate=2010-12-27}}</ref>

Revision as of 14:20, 31 December 2010

Angry Birds
File:Angry Birds promo cover.png
Promotional artwork for Angry Birds
Developer(s)Rovio Mobile
Publisher(s)Clickgamer Media
Chilingo
Platform(s)Apple iOS, Maemo (Nokia N900), Palm webOS, Android, Symbian^3
ReleaseDecember 10, 2009
Genre(s)Puzzle
Mode(s)Single player

Angry Birds is a puzzle video game developed by Finland-based Rovio Mobile, in which players use a slingshot to launch birds at pigs stationed on or within various structures, with the intent of destroying all the pigs on the playfield. Inspired by a simple sketch of stylized wingless birds, the game was first released for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch devices in December 2009. Since that time, over 12 million copies of the game have been purchased from Apple's App Store, which has prompted the company to design versions for other touchscreen-based smartphones, including those using the Android and the Symbian^3 operating systems. Rovio Mobile has supported Angry Birds with numerous free updates that add additional game content, and the company has even released stand-alone holiday versions of the game.

Angry Birds has been praised for its successful combination of addictive gameplay, comical style and low price. Its popularity has spawned proposals to create versions of Angry Birds for personal computers and gaming consoles, a market for merchandise featuring its characters and even long-range plans for a feature film or television series. With over 50 million downloads across all platforms, the game has been called "one of the most mainstream games out right now" and "one of the great runaway hits of 2010".

Gameplay

A yellow bird collapses a structure onto several pigs.

In Angry Birds, players take control of a flock of birds that are attempting to retrieve eggs that have been stolen by a group of evil pigs.[1] On each level, the pigs are sheltered by structures made of various materials such as wood, glass and stone, and the object of the game is to eliminate all the pigs in the level. Using a slingshot, players launch the birds with the intent of either hitting the pigs directly or damaging the structures, which would cause them to collapse and kill the pigs.[2] In higher stages of the game, additional objects such as explosive crates and rocks are found in the levels, and may be used in conjunction with the birds to destroy hard-to-reach pigs.

There are several different types of birds used in the game. In the earliest levels, the basic red bird is the only one available.[1] As the player advances through the game, additional types of birds become available, some of which have special abilities that are activated by tapping the touchscreen while the bird is airborne.[2] For example, a blue bird will separate into three smaller birds,[1] a black bird will self-destruct[2] and a white bird will drop explosive eggs.[1] The pigs themselves also appear in different sizes. While small pigs are relatively weak and are easily destroyed either by direct hits or by debris from the damaged structures, larger pigs are able to sustain more damage. Also, some pigs wear helmets as armor, making them even stronger.

Each level starts with the number and types of birds pre-determined.[1] The birds must be launched in the order presented, requiring the player to strategically use the birds' abilities to successfully defeat the pigs.[2] If all of the pigs are defeated by the time the last bird is used, the level is completed and the next level is unlocked.[1] Points are scored for each pig defeated as well as for damage to, or destruction of, structures, and bonus points are awarded for any unused birds. Upon completing each level, players receive one, two, or three stars, depending on the score received. Players may re-attempt levels as many times as they wish, and may also replay completed levels in an attempt to boost their score.

Development

Prior to this meeting we had set up strict criteria to determine which game we would go with, but we threw that out for the angry bird character.

--Mikael Hed, CEO, Rovio Mobile[3]

In early 2009, Rovio staff began reviewing proposals for potential games. One such proposal came from senior game designer Jaakko Iisalo[4] in the form of a simulated screenshot featuring some angry-looking birds with no visible legs or wings.[5] While the picture gave no clue as to what type of game was being played, the staff liked the characters,[5] and the team elected to design a game around them.[3] As the concept of the game was developed, the staff realized the birds needed an enemy.[4] At the time, the "swine flu" epidemic was in the news, so the staff made the birds' enemies pigs.[4] The initial cost to develop Angry Birds was estimated to exceed €100,000, not including money spent on the subsequent updates.[5]

When Rovio began writing new versions of the game for other devices, new issues came to light. As the team began working on a version for Android systems, they observed the large number of configurations of device types and versions of the Android software.[4] The number of combinations of software version, processor speed and even user interfaces was significantly larger than that for the earlier Apple iOS version.[6] Ultimately, the team settled on a minimum set of requirements,[4] even though that left nearly 30 Android phones unable to run the game, including some newly released phones like the Motorola Backflip.[6] One month after the initial release on Android, Rovio Mobile began designing a simpler version of the game for these other devices.[6]

Release

The initial iOS version of the game included a single episode entitled "Poached Eggs," which contained three themed groups of levels, each with 21 levels. From time to time, Rovio has released free upgrades that include additional content, such as new levels, new in-game objects and even new birds. As updates have been released, they have been incorporated into the game's full version offered for download from each platform's application store.

The first update, released in February 2010, added a new episode called "Mighty Hoax", containing two new themes with 21 levels each. Updates released in April 2010 added the "Golden Eggs" feature, which placed hidden golden eggs throughout the game that would unlock bonus content when found, and a new episode called "Danger Above", which initially contained a single theme of 15 levels. Two later updates added two more themes to "Danger Above", each with 15 levels. "The Big Setup" episode, containing two new themes, 15 new levels and additional Golden Egg levels, was added in June 2010.[7] "The Big Setup" was later given two more themes of 15 levels each.

A fifth episode, called "Ham 'Em High," launched just before Christmas, in celebration for the game's first year in the Apple Store.[8][9] "Ham 'Em High" contains 15 levels in a single theme, and a new bird, called the Mighty Eagle, which can be used to clear any level.[10] The Mighty Eagle is offered as a one-time, in-game purchase,[9] and is limited to one use per hour on uncompleted levels, which can immediately be restored if the level is completed with the standard birds. The Mighty Eagle can also be used in previously completed levels to play a mini-game called "Total Destruction" in which the player attempts to destroy as much of the scenery as possible, both with the standard birds and the Mighty Eagle, to earn a Mighty Eagle feather for the level.[10]

Reception

Alex Hardin is currently the world champion of angry birds. There was a tournament held in Frankfurt and Alex managed to have 3 stars on every single level multiple times. When told of his winnings he yelled "Kaplah!" - which means "success" in Klingon. He immediately said that he will be using the winnings to buy an engagement ring and get married. That was documented in many newspapers.

Reviews of Angry Birds have been generally very positive. Chris Holt of Macworld called the game "an addictive, clever, and challenging puzzler",[1] and Pocket Gamer's Keith Andrew said Angry Birds is "a nugget of puzzling purity dished out with relish aplenty."[2] Jonathan Liu of Wired News noted that "going for the maximum number of stars certainly adds a lot of replay value to a fairly extensive game."[11] The game was nominated for the "Best Casual Game" award at the 6th annual International Mobile Gaming Awards, announced in Barcelona, Spain in February 2010.[12] In September 2010, IGN named Angry Birds as the fourth best iPhone game of all time.[13]

Angry Birds became the top-selling paid application on Apple's UK App Store in February 2010, and reached the top spot on the US App Store in the spring of 2010,[14] where it remained until October 2010.[15] Since release, the free, limited version of Angry Birds has been downloaded over 11 million times for the Apple iOS, and the full-featured paid version has been downloaded nearly 7 million times as of September 2010.[5] The Android version of the game was downloaded more than 1 million times within the first 24 hours of release,[16] despite the site crashing at one point due to the load,[17] and over 2 million downloads in its first weekend.[18] Rovio receives approximately US$1 million per month in revenue from the advertising that appears in the free Android version.[19]

According to Rovio, players log more than 1 million hours of game time each day on the iOS version of the game.[4] In November 2010, digitaltrends.com stated that "with 36 million downloads, Angry Birds is one of the most mainstream games out right now."[20] MSNBC's video game news blog has written that "[n]o other game app comes close" to having such a following.[21] The Christian Science Monitor has remarked, "Angry Birds has been one of the great runaway hits of 2010".[22] In December 2010, in honor of the one-year anniversary of the release of Angry Birds, Rovio Mobile announced that the game had been downloaded 50 million times, with more than 12 million on iOS devices[19] and 10 million on Android.[23]

Ports

Since its initial release for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch, Rovio has released versions of Angry Birds for a number of additional devices. One of the first was for Nokia's N900 handset,[14] through its Ovi Store. An iPad-exclusive version, Angry Birds HD, was released at the same time the iPad itself was released in April 2010.[24] In August 2010, Angry Birds was made available to the Palm Pre phone running Palm's webOS operating system through its App Catalog online store.[25] Symbian^3 phones received a version of the game in October 2010,[26] which initially includes only the "Poached Eggs" and "Mighty Hoax" episodes.[27] A subsequent free update added the "Danger Above" and "The Big Setup" episodes, and all associated content and improvements.[28]

In May 2010, Rovio announced plans for a version for devices using Google's Android operating system,[29] with a beta version being released through the Android Market in September 2010.[30] However, the full Android version of the game was first released instead on GetJar in October 2010,[15] though it was subsequently released on Android Market within days.[16] Rovio officials noted that GetJar had a more global reach than Android Market, and GetJar's availability on other smartphone platforms (including Symbian and Windows Phone 7) would make cross-platform promotion of the game easier.[15] Unlike the previous versions, Angry Birds for Android is a free, ad-supported application, as paid applications aren't supported on Android in some nations; an ad-free paid Android version is expected soon.[16] An upcoming Android upgrade will add the "Bad Piggy Bank," which will allow players to charge in-game purchases, such as removing the in-game ads, to their mobile phone bills.[23]

Rovio has stated that it is planning versions for PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii in 2011.[23][19] A version for the PlayStation Portable is scheduled for release in the latter half of 2010, and a version for the Nintendo DS has been proposed.[31] In October 2010, Microsoft suggested on one of its websites that a Windows Phone 7 version of Angry Birds was in development. After Rovio complained that Microsoft had not asked permission to make such a statement, noting that it had not committed to design a Windows Phone version, Microsoft revised its site to remove references to the game.[15]

Special editions

In October 2010, Rovio released a special Halloween edition of the game.[32] The version, exclusive to Apple iOS at the time and a separate application from the main game, included new levels with Halloween-themed music and graphics.[32] In December 2010, Rovio released Angry Birds Seasons to iOS, Android and Symbian^3 devices.[33][34] Seasons introduced 25 Christmas-themed levels, one for each day leading to the holiday, similar to an Advent calendar.[33][34] All versions include the previously-exclusive Halloween levels and are offered as separate, stand-alone paid applications, with the exception of the free, ad-supported Android version;[35] Angry Birds Halloween users on iOS received the Seasons levels as a free upgrade.[33]

Other media

Failed Angry Birds peace treaty shot

The Angry Birds characters have been referenced in television programs throughout the world. The Israeli comedy show Eretz Nehederet (in English: a Wonderful Country), one of the nation's most popular TV programs, featured the Angry Birds in a mock up peace treaty sketch. The skit satirized recent failed Israeli-Palestinian peace attempts. The video quickly went viral across the world. It received favorable coverage from a variety of independent blogs such as digitaltrends.com,[20] hotair.com[36] and intomobile.com,[37] as well as from online news media agencies such as Haaretz,[38] The Christian Science Monitor,[22] The Guardian,[39] and MSNBC.[21] In December 2010, American talk show host Conan O' Brien referenced the game in a comedy sketch on his TBS series, Conan.[40]

Rovio is investigating ways to expand the Angry Birds brand, including merchandise, television shows and movies.[41] The game's official website offers plush versions of the birds and pigs for sale, along with T-shirts featuring the game's logo and characters.[42] Mikael Hed, CEO of Rovio Mobile, has envisioned a feature film in the stop-motion animation style of Aardman Animation.[41] Hed acknowledges that such a film would be years away, and that Rovio must keep the characters relevant until then, by producing sequels or new ports of the original game.[41]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Chris Holt. "Angry Birds Review". Macworld. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
  2. ^ a b c d e Keith Andrew (2009-12-21). "Angry Birds (iPhone) review". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
  3. ^ a b Ryan Rigney (2010-10-02). "The Origins of Angry Birds". PCWorld.com. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Jon Mundy (2010-10-13). "Interview: Rovio on the origin of Angry Birds, being inspired by swine flu, and why you may never see an Angry Birds 2". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  5. ^ a b c d MobileWebGo (2010-09-08). "How Did Angry Birds Become a BlockBuster? Rovio video interview and transcript". MobileWebGo. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
  6. ^ a b c Daniel Ionescu (2010-11-19). "Angry Birds Devs Angry At Android Fragmentation". PCWorld.com. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
  7. ^ Joe White (2010-06-22). "Angry Birds Receives Major Update". AppAdvice.com. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  8. ^ Rob Hearn (2010-12-23). "Angry Birds iPhone Ham 'Em High update introduces the 59p Mighty Eagle". PhonesReview.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
  9. ^ a b "iOS Angry Birds Mighty Eagle On Its Way: Video". phonesreview.co.uk. 2010-11-25. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  10. ^ a b Shawn Wagnon (2010-11-25). "Angry Birds Ham 'Em High with 15 new levels & the Mighty Eagle coming out to give you a new bird flinging high: Rovio gives you level busting can of sardines!". Device. Retrieved 2010-11-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  11. ^ "iPhone Review: Angry Birds Make Great Projectiles". Wired. 2010-03-05. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
  12. ^ "The 6th Annual IMGA Winners". IMGAwards.com. 2010-02-16. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
  13. ^ "The Top 25 iPhone Games". 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  14. ^ a b Gustav Sandstrom (2010-05-12). "Angry Birds Smartphone App Takes Off For Rovio". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
  15. ^ a b c d Leslie Horn (2010-10-15). "Angry Birds for Android Launches as Free GetJar App". PC Magazine. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  16. ^ a b c Quentyn Kennemer (2010-10-15). "Angry Birds is Free & It's Out". phandroid.com. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  17. ^ Keith Dsouza (2010-10-15). "GetJar Taken Down By Angry Birds". Techie Buzz. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  18. ^ Patrick Goss. "Angry Birds Android passes 2m mark". techradar.com. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  19. ^ a b c "The Supremely Addicting Angry Birds Hits 42 Million Free and Paid Downloads". SymbianFreak.com. 2010-10-22. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  20. ^ a b Van Camp, Jeffrey (November 23, 2010). "Israeli Angry Birds satire goes viral". digitaltrends.com. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  21. ^ a b Popkin, Helen A.S. (November 22, 2010). "'Angry Birds' fail to negotiate peace treaty". MSNBC. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  22. ^ a b Shaer, Matthew (November 29, 2010). "Angry Birds bound for Xbox, PlayStation". Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  23. ^ a b c Mike Butcher (2010-12-10). "Angry Birds hits 50 million downloads, creates simple in-app purchases on Android". TechCenter Europe. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  24. ^ "Angry Birds HD for iPad". iTunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
  25. ^ Dew Alam (2010-08-25). "iPhone Game Angry Birds now on Palm webOS". Top10.com. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  26. ^ "Nokia Symbian^3 Angry Birds Available in Ovi Store". Phones Review. 2010-10-22. Retrieved 2010-10-22.
  27. ^ Padmini Harchandrai (2010-10-22). "Angry Birds Arrives for Symbian^3". tech2.0. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  28. ^ Angry Birds for Symbian Updated to v1.4.2: More Levels, UI, Golden Egg
  29. ^ Mark Brown (2010-05-18). "Angry Birds coming to Android this summer". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
  30. ^ Phil Nickinson (2010-09-03). "Angry Birds for Android is here!!!". Android Central.
  31. ^ Daemon Hatfield (2010-08-02). "Angry Birds Migrating to PSP, Nintendo Platforms". IGN.com. Retrieved 2010-09-09.
  32. ^ a b Richard Mitchell (2010-10-21). "Angry Birds Halloween edition spooks iPad, iPhone". Joystiq.com. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  33. ^ a b c Jeff Cormier (2010-12-01). "Angry Birds Seasons goes live and free for iOS and Android". The Next Web. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  34. ^ a b Ewan Spence (2010-12-17). "Review: Angry Birds Seasons". AllAboutSymbian.com. Retrieved 2010-12-17.
  35. ^ Vlad Bobleanta (2010-12-01). "Angry Birds Seasons out for Android and iOS today, free to Halloween users". switched.com. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  36. ^ "Breakthrough: Peace talks begin to settle bitter longstanding conflict". hotair.com. November 25, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  37. ^ "The Angry Birds Peace Treaty didn't turn out so well". intomobile.com. November 23, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2010. {{cite news}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  38. ^ "Israeli satire show goes viral with Angry Bird take on peace talks". Haaretz. November 22, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  39. ^ Stewart, Keith (November 23, 2010). "Angry Birds Treaty brings casual gaming into the world of satire". The Guardian. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  40. ^ Conan O'Brien (host) (2010-12-15). Conan's Message to Finland (Television production). TBS. Event occurs at 1:38. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
  41. ^ a b c Marc Graser (2010-08-24). "Angry Birds flies with Hollywood". Variety. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  42. ^ "Angry Birds Shop". Rovio.com. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
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