Ep.172 – An Episode for the Birds: Rovio and the Angry Birds Phenomenon

In 2009, Rovio released Angry Birds, a slingshot sensation that redefined mobile gaming. In this episode, we trace Rovio’s origins from a Finnish demoscene competition to the founding of Relude, later renamed Rovio Mobile. We discuss the studio’s years of quiet struggle across 51 previous titles before one designer’s doodle of round, wingless birds sparked the idea that would change everything. Our conversation explores how swine flu inspired the green pigs, how physics-based gameplay and touch controls brought instant appeal, and how Apple’s App Store propelled it to global fame. We also examine the birth of a billion-dollar franchise—from games and films to toys, soda, and even theme parks—and how a small studio became a worldwide phenomenon. Join us as we aim, launch, and topple our way through Angry Birds on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.

Read transcript