The creator of Flappy Bird has released a new game, Swing Copters, onto the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.
Earlier in the week Dong Nguyen unexpectedly revealed Swing Copters, and we were given an August 21 release date. Sure enough, it's now available to download for free on iPhone, iPad, and Android.
Swing Copters somewhat resembles Dong Nguyen's previous hit game, Flappy Bird, but it twists the action 45 degrees. Rather than tapping the screen to guide your bird horizontally through random formations of pipes, here you're guiding a small character left and right on an upwards trajectory. Rather than pipes, the obstructions here are overhanging girders with bizarre hanging hammers swinging beneath.
As with the infamous Flappy Bird, Swing Copters is seriously tough. Besides simple satisfaction and social highscore bragging, there appears to be an additional incentive to do well in the form of a medal systems. Collect four and you'll unlock new characters beyond the default propeller hat-wearing chap.
The game is ad funded (hence the free download), but you can pay 69p / 99c in game to remove these banner adverts on the iOS version. Note that the Android version did not show up as the top search result when we looked for it. If you're looking, it's the game made by .GEARS Studios, which is the name of Nguyen's one-man outfit. Alternatively, just follow this link.
This represents the first smartphone game launched by Dong Nguyen since he famously pulled Flappy Bird from sale in February amidst a wave of attention and criticism.
Since then he has re-released the game as an Amazon Fire TV exclusive, and with new multiplayer elements, under the title Flappy Birds Family.
There's no sign of a Windows Phone version of Swings Copters as yet, but given that the developer was said to be working on a Windows Phone version of Flappy Bird before it was pulled, we won't be discounting one.
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