Angry Birds

Angry Birds is an entertainment brand created by Finnish game company Rovio Entertainment. Its central concept is a physics-based puzzle game featuring bird characters attacking green pigs by launching themselves from a slingshot. The first game was released for mobile devices in 2009 and gained broad popularity through simple controls, cartoon characters, short-form levels and a playful destruction mechanic. Rovio subsequently expanded the property through sequels, spin-off games, animated content, licensed merchandise and films, turning it from a mobile game into a cross-media character franchise. Its most recognizable elements include the red bird, green pigs, slingshot gameplay and exaggerated cartoon expressions. The brand has been marketed globally across mobile entertainment and licensing channels. In 2023, Sega Sammy Holdings acquired Rovio, bringing Angry Birds into Sega Sammy’s entertainment portfolio.

Angry Birds was developed by Finnish company Rovio Entertainment. The first game bearing the name was released in 2009 and used a physics-based mechanic in which players launched birds from a slingshot to destroy structures and attack green pigs. Its accessible controls and short, repeatable levels suited mobile devices and helped the property spread rapidly in the smartphone game market. As its audience grew, Rovio added characters, levels and new mechanics, while also developing sequels and spin-offs. The property later expanded beyond games into animated shorts, television content, licensed merchandise and theatrical films, creating a character-led cross-media entertainment franchise. Its first theatrical animated film was released in 2016, followed by a sequel in 2019. In 2023, Sega Sammy Holdings completed its acquisition of Rovio Entertainment, making Angry Birds part of Sega Sammy’s game and entertainment intellectual-property portfolio.

• 2023

  Rovio acquired by Sega Sammy

  [2]Sega Sammy Holdings: Completion of acquisition of Rovio Entertainmentsegasammy.co.jp

  Sega Sammy completed the acquisition of Rovio Entertainment, bringing Angry Birds into its entertainment business.

• 2016

  First Angry Birds movie released

  [3]Sony Pictures: The Angry Birds Moviesonypictures.com

  The brand expanded from mobile games to theatrical animated films.

• 2009

  First Angry Birds game released

  [1]Rovio Entertainment: Angry Birdsrovio.com

  Rovio released the first Angry Birds mobile game, establishing the core gameplay of slingshot launching, physics-based destruction, and bird-versus-pig conflict.

A cartoonish mobile gaming and cross-media entertainment brand for mass and family audiences.

• Mobile puzzle game · 2009

  Angry Birds

  The core game series uses a slingshot to launch birds with different abilities, relying on physics and structural destruction to defeat green pigs. Its level-based design, cartoon characters and accessible controls define the brand.

• Animated film · 2016

  The Angry Birds Movie

  A theatrical animated film based on the Angry Birds characters and setting, expanding the game’s bird-versus-pig conflict into a feature-length story for family and general audiences.

• Animated film · 2019

  The Angry Birds Movie 2

  The second theatrical animated film in the Angry Birds franchise, continuing its principal characters and expanding the relationship between the birds and pigs.

• 2021

  New Mexico sues Rovio over alleged child privacy violations

  New Mexico’s attorney general filed a lawsuit against Rovio Entertainment, alleging that it knowingly collects and sells the personal data of children under 13. The suit claims that Rovio’s practices violate state privacy laws and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act; these are allegations in the filing.

  Source

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• 2023

  Integrating Angry Birds brand through acquisition of RovioM&A

  Background

  Sega Sammy sought to expand its global mobile gaming and entertainment IP portfolio.

  Action taken

  Sega Sammy completed the acquisition of Rovio Entertainment, bringing Angry Birds under its umbrella.

  Aftermath

  The brand became part of Sega Sammy's entertainment business.

  Source

• 2021.08.25

  Reported2021.08.28

  New Mexico sues Rovio over alleged child privacy violations[4]New Mexico sues Rovio over alleged child privacy violationsjurist.org

  New Mexico’s attorney general filed a lawsuit against Rovio Entertainment, alleging that it knowingly collects and sells the personal data of children under 13. The suit claims that Rovio’s practices violate state privacy laws and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act; these are allegations in the filing.

Read more

1. 1Rovio Entertainment: Angry Birdsrovio.com
2. 2Sega Sammy Holdings: Completion of acquisition of Rovio Entertainmentsegasammy.co.jp
3. 3Sony Pictures: The Angry Birds Moviesonypictures.com
4. 4New Mexico sues Rovio over alleged child privacy violationsjurist.org