The Angry Birds franchise is one of the most popular mobile game franchises of all time. Developed by Finnish company Rovio Entertainment, the original Angry Birds game was first released in 2009 and quickly became a global phenomenon. With its simple yet addictive gameplay, funny characters, and widespread availability on multiple platforms, Angry Birds took the world by storm.
Two mainline sequels have been released so far – Angry Birds 2 in 2015 and Angry Birds 3 in 2021. The series has also spawned numerous spin-off games, as well as a movie franchise. However, with the underwhelming reception of the third installment, fans are wondering if there will be an Angry Birds 4.
Brief History of Angry Birds Games
Here is a brief overview of the main Angry Birds games released so far:
Angry Birds (2009)
The game that started it all. Players use a slingshot to launch birds at pigs stationed in or around various structures, with the goal of destroying all the pigs on each level.
Angry Birds Seasons (2010)
Added holiday and seasonal themed levels.
Angry Birds Rio (2011)
A tie-in with the animated film Rio.
Angry Birds Space (2012)
Added space and gravity physics themes.
Angry Birds Star Wars (2012)
A Star Wars crossover title.
Angry Birds Go! (2013)
A racing game spin-off.
Angry Birds Epic (2014)
An RPG style Angry Birds game.
Angry Birds Transformers (2014)
A Transformers crossover title.
Angry Birds 2 (2015)
The first official mainline sequel, with new birds, new graphics, and new gameplay elements like spells.
Angry Birds Action! (2016)
A side scrolling platformer game.
The Angry Birds Movie (2016)
The first feature film based on the Angry Birds franchise.
Angry Birds Evolution (2017)
A turn-based RPG style game.
Angry Birds Match (2017)
A tile-matching puzzle game.
Angry Birds Dream Blast (2019)
A bubble shooter style puzzle game.
Angry Birds AR: Isle of Pigs (2019)
An augmented reality Angry Birds game for mobile devices.
Angry Birds Friends (2020)
A rebuilt social version of classic Angry Birds.
The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2021)
The sequel to The Angry Birds Movie.
Angry Birds 3 (2021)
The third mainline game in the series, introducing new gameplay mechanics and boss battles.
Performance of Angry Birds Games
The Angry Birds games have been hugely successful commercially. Here are some key stats about the performance of the franchise:
Game | Downloads |
---|---|
Angry Birds | Over 2.7 billion downloads across all platforms |
Angry Birds 2 | Over 270 million downloads as of 2021 |
Angry Birds Friends | Over 60 million downloads |
Media | Revenue |
---|---|
The Angry Birds Movie | $350 million worldwide box office |
The Angry Birds Movie 2 | $147 million worldwide box office |
Angry Birds merchandise | Over $400 million |
As of 2021, the total revenue generated by the Angry Birds franchise is estimated to be over $9 billion. The games themselves have remained hugely popular, consistently ranking among the top downloaded mobile games globally throughout the 2010s.
Angry Birds 3 Performance and Reception
Angry Birds 3 was released in 2021 as the official sequel to Angry Birds 2. Here are some key facts about the game’s performance:
– Reportedly took 2 years and over $10 million to develop.
– Downloaded over 50 million times across iOS and Android.
– Topped iOS download charts in 80 different countries.
– Generated over $30 million revenue by early 2022.
However, while still commercially successful, Angry Birds 3 has seen a weaker critical and fan reception compared to previous games. Complaints from reviewers and players include:
– Overcomplicated new gameplay mechanics.
– Levels seem more luck-based than skill-based.
– Boss battles are tedious and repetitive.
– The new slingshot mechanics are frustrating.
– Technical glitches and bugs.
– Art style and graphics feel dated.
– Lack of innovation compared to previous sequels.
– Monetization and ads are too aggressive.
Overall, Angry Birds 3 is considered something of a disappointment, or at least a sign of the franchise losing steam after so many iterations. While still playable and engaging for casual gaming, it lacks the magic and simplicity that made the original Angry Birds so appealing.
Will There Be an Angry Birds 4?
Given the underwhelming response to Angry Birds 3, the future of the series is uncertain. Here are some factors that will determine if there will be an Angry Birds 4:
Financial Performance
Angry Birds 3 still made decent money, generating over $30 million revenue in its first year. While a drop from previous games, this still shows financial potential for more titles. However, budgets are ballooning – Angry Birds 2 cost $2 million, while Angry Birds 3 cost $10 million. The budget for Angry Birds 4 could be prohibitive.
Fan and Critical Reception
The decline in review scores and feedback from players does not bode well. Rovio will need to innovate significantly to win back fans. A throwaway Angry Birds 4 cash-in would likely underperform.
Franchise Fatigue
There is a sense that the Angry Birds formula has gotten stale. To reinvigorate interest, Angry Birds 4 would need to offer something fresh and new for the series.
Mobile Gaming Trends
Mobile gaming is moving away from paid, upfront games and towards free-to-play live service games filled with microtransactions and battle passes. Execution would need to be stellar for an old-school premium game like Angry Birds to thrive.
Competition
The mobile gaming market is more competitive than ever. Standout hits like Angry Birds are fewer and farther between. There are no guarantees a new sequel would cut through the noise.
Developer Direction
Rovio may decide to invest resources into fresher IP rather than milking Angry Birds dry. Reports suggest they have multiple new projects in the works.
Conclusion
In summary, while not completely ruled out, an Angry Birds 4 currently seems unlikely. The financial incentive is there, but the trend of diminishing critical and fan reception presents challenges. Angry Birds 3 clearly showed signs of franchise fatigue, and trying to eke more sequels out may end up just tainting the brand.
Rovio would need to take the game in an exciting new direction for Angry Birds 4 to feel justified. More of the same would simply lead to continued decline. Gamers have plenty of strong alternatives these days.
Ultimately, what made Angry Birds special was its novelty and simplicity when it first emerged in the early days of mobile gaming. That magic is hard to recapture over a decade later in a far more crowded market. Perhaps it is time for Rovio to shift focus to their next big hit rather than keep clinging to the past. Angry Birds had an outstanding run, but even the mightiest franchises inevitably fizzle out.