I suppose it was only inevitable, but I’m not sure we expected this to happen so quickly. Following the removal of Flappy Bird this morning, games that rank highly in search results for “Flappy Bird" are absolutely rocketing up the iTunes charts. Worse yet, the game that’s reaping the largest reward from being the first game that appears in the search, Flappy Bee (Free) is completely ripping its icon and game art from Bee Leader ($0.99), a similarly free game that we published a 4.5 star review for back when it was originally released early last year. Bee Leader developer Greg Harding already has contacted Apple, but has yet to hear back. Much like how Flappy Bird is going to be on financial cruise control for some time to come because of its large install base that’s being served an advertisement on every retry, even if Flappy Bee is pulled down tomorrow, its ad revenue still will be significant for some time to come.
Flappy Bee has shifted a shocking 139 slots on the top 200 free listing, which puts it (as of this writing) at a solid #11. Similarly, Flappy Plane (Free) and Fly Birdie – Flappy Bird Flyer (Free) are flying up the charts at #19 and #24 respectively. With games like Fluffy vs Flappy Birds (Free) and Flying Flappy Unicorn Bird (Free) also having great placement for the search term “Flappy Bird," I feel like it’s only a matter of time before they begin significantly charting as well.
It’s anyone’s guess how long it’ll take before Flappy Bird mania dies off, but with the I Want a Clone tumblr pointing out that freelance developer site Elance being absolutely loaded with different people straight up asking for direct clones, I have a feeling things are going to get way worse before they get better in the “doing everything we can to ride on the coat tails of Flappy Bird" arena that the App Store has become recently.
Update: Flappy Bee is now sitting at #5 top free four hours later.
Plays awesome with iOS7 MFi game controllers!
Just in time for an Apple TV with an app store. Funny how many iOS games now have controller support, isn't it?
You say that like devs know something we don't about he Apple TV. They don't. Games have support for controllers because third party controllers are available for sale and make games like this far more playable than they currently are.
I can't still believe it: being in the late 30s, the comeback in either retro games,music and retro (fluorescent) sunglasses make me smile.
I guess the human kind is bond to relive and (re)make everything that was "in" back then. I use the relive the 70s when I was younger. I guess it's a way to solidly what we have accomplish and taking/transforming that to go forward. Like Elton John said: "it's the Circle of Life."
Solidly = solidify. Sorry. Long live to iPhone auto-correction! 😬
Was an Insta-Buy for me. It's kicking my ass.
DotEmu just updated both R-Type games to iOS 11 64bit compatibility! I'm beyond words with happiness that they have come to the rescue for these great titles! I have bought every port released by DotEmu this far and I don't see that changing anytime soon 🤘🏿