There's no doubt that Angry Birds has become a big deal -- just look at how many "ha ha we know pop culture" pundits on TV mention the game for a cheap laugh. According to mobile developer Sourcebits, the game is big enough to be viewed as the Super Mario of a new generation.
"If you look at the market cap for easy-to-play casual games vs. the market cap for epic first person shooter type games, you’ll quickly understand the importance of Angry Birds," said sales VP Dan Gonzalez. "The hardcore gamer, while fairly large in a historical context, is completely dwarfed by the number of casual gamers adopting smart phones and tablets."
The other VP of sales, Brian Meehan, added: "The world is changing and fast. Angry Birds is the world’s new Mario Bros. My kids will never own a DS or PSP. They have everything via smart phones and tablets. When I travel, I love to walk from the back of the plane to the front and see what people are doing on their devices. Not surprisingly, it’s mostly games. I particularly see a lot of Angry Birds on iPhones and iPads. Not just one or two, but ten to 15."
Mobile gaming is definitely a huge part of our culture, and one that Destructoid has made great pains to include in our coverage. I do wish some of these mobile devs wouldn't sound so superior about it, though. Talk of mobile gaming from these people always has to be in the context of how flailing and pointless "traditional" gaming has become, with seems a overly combative. I just don't know why everything has to be successful at the expense of everything else.
Angry Birds Is 'The New Super Mario Bros.' [Industry Gamers]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
4:00 PM on 03.19.2011 | 
Why do people always want to make dumbass remarks?
Not saying the game's BAD or anything, just massively overhyped.
Well, we'll see about that.
Stopped reading there.
Interestingly enough, the only people I know who play it extensively are my middle-aged parents...
That is why Angry Birds is doing so well.
Also, I've played hundreds of games like Angry Birds before it was made and I'm sure there will be hundreds in the future. There never was and never will be anything special about it. It was just the first game on iDevices that was at least mediocre.
In my opinion, gamers aren't people who just buy Angry Birds or Cut the Rope or what have you so they can ease the pain of boring flights/bus rides. Gamers are people like us on Destructoid, those who live with the gaming culture day in and day out because they WANT to, not because it's convenient. It's like saying you're an athlete when you play ping pong with some friends on occassion. You're not one. Gaming isn't just playing one or two games every now and then.
Are you fucking kidding me? NO, it is NOT.
"Am I the only one who thinks angry birds is boring as hell?" No, I've played the lite version and was shocked that THIS is what everyone is talking about? Seriously?! Most over-hyped game ever.
I'd put Angry Birds more on par with Tetris, but I doubt it will even outlive that game's legacy. I mean, even as little diversions go, Tetris has been a near-perfect game for over 20 years.
As in the victim of several retarded egotistical statements.
It's the game for non-gamers. Not just casuals and hardcores, but literally non-gamers. That said, gamers can enjoy it too, but I find that it appeals far more to the non-gaming populous since most of us actually have other games worth playing on our DS or PSP options.
And when we're home, we're not playing Angry Birds, I can tell you that much. We're either finishing a handheld game before getting some sleep or rocking out on our consoles where gaming is.
Will mobile gaming be bigger than console gaming? In terms of an audience, sure, but in terms of an actual culture, I'm not so sure.
I would assume they know that their air of superiority is based on very little, but when they aren't criticized for it (and it brings in VC and ad money), what incentive do they have to not make such claims?
like a heavy rain of angry bird poop
"It seems mildly entertaining. The biggest thing is this: most people who play Angry Birds probably don't play video games."
Most people that think they're playing video games are actually playing interactive movies.
I'd put Angry Birds more on par with Tetris, but I doubt it will even outlive that game's legacy.
This, this, this this this. And...
From Jim Sterling:
I just don't know why everything has to be successful at the expense of everything else.
especially this.
You really don't understand anything, do you?
Have you even done any calculation to back that claim up, anyway?
These morons will be knocked off their pedestal when they find that real gamers will stick with what they love. When Casual gamers lose interest and move onto the next big thing. You can't expect casual gamers to continuously follow and support these games.
Especially when the developer of said game stole the idea, and hasn't come up with any followup yet.
I'm really tired of hearing about the people involved with Angry Birds.
yes I'm being Childish, but so are you
I know right. What happened to being humble? Apparently it's a trait few developers possess, because you know...if you have a popular video game you're a fucking innovative godsend to a dying world of console games.
Give me a break.
and this game is nothing like SMB. mainly because, it sucks. unlike SMB
That's it! that's the game I was talking about! I am soooo glad I'm not the only one who played it.
Screw angry birds. Theives. All of them.
Exactly, I hate how people pretend that if you play a certain type of game, that automatically makes you a "casual". Casual is a way you play any game, not a trait of the game itself. Take for example Tetris, I'm sure many people nowadays consider it casual, but then what it is to the people who have spent hundreds of hours trying to break records on it?
"From The Silent Protagonist:
I'd put Angry Birds more on par with Tetris, but I doubt it will even outlive that game's legacy.
This, this, this this this."
So you two think that Angry Birds is on par with what many would say is the greatest game of all time? I guess that would explain why it's selling so well. Thanks guys for your input. lol