Original Angry Birds now free for iOS devices

Good news for iPhone and iPad owners: the original game that started the "Angry Birds" craze in 2009 is now a free download, at least for the iOS platform.

 

Tech site Mashable said the original full version even has 15 new levels - a move that may have stemmed from the game falling off the list of the top 80 highest-grossing apps.

 

"In an effort to jump start new downloads/users, Rovio took down the paywall for the full versions of Angry Birds on iOS devices and added the new levels. While it's one of the world's most popular mobile games, Angry Birds recently dropped off the top 80 highest-grossing apps for the first time in nearly three years," it said.

 

Citing a report from Appsfire, Mashable said the price of the original "Angry Birds" fell from $0.99 for iPhone and $2.99 for iPad HD.

 

Before this, the free versions of the games offered only limited playable levels. This version has been removed from the store, Mashable said.

 

"Angry Birds" debuted in 2009 and quickly gained popularity for its physics-based gameplay.

 

Freemium

 

But Mashable said the now-free full version of "Angry Birds" can be considered freemium, as they reuire in-app purchases for features such as unlimited use of Mighty Eagle or Birdquakes.

 

"It's not clear as to whether this will be a permanent change, or if it will all change back once Rovio boosts its user base," it added.  — ELR, GMA News