Rovio’s Angry Birds Space recently launched for Android and Apple iOS, predictably taking top spot on the various app stores.
Best-selling app is old hat though; it’s not like anyone didn’t expect it. The real surprise was the noticeable lack of a Windows Phone version of the game, where the franchise had previously been supported.
Rovio marketing head Peter Vesterbacka reportedly responded to queries by saying that the company doesn’t have any plans to bring the game to the smaller platform.
“We’re the number one app in the Windows Phone app store, but it’s a big undertaking to support it, and you have to completely rewrite the application.”
“We want to be on all screens, but we have to consider the cost of supplying the smaller platforms.”
With these comments out of the bag, the internet exploded with speculation that Rovio was dropping support for the platform, causing Nokia’s stocks to drop noticeably.
Nomura analyst Richard Windsor spoke about the possible damage: “This is a worrying development for Windows Phone because it suggests that Rovio does not have much confidence in its future. As the standard version is already number one on the Windows Phone app store, it gives a strong indication that no one else will expect to be making money writing for this platform either.”
And just when everyone was really getting themselves worked up, CEO of Rovio, Mikael Hed stepped in and said they are actually doing it.
“We are working closely together with Nokia to bring our games to their platforms,” Hed said. “Our mutual goal is to bring the best possible experience to our fans, including all fans using Windows Phone devices.”
No word on Peter Vesterbacka, but I think it’s safe to assume he’s being shot at dawn.
Source: Gamasutra
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The tech press’ default setting seems to be that WP is dead, and is self-evidently a bit quick to pick up on tales (“Nokia sells fewer Lumias than iPhone” – shock horror, it’s six weeks old for God’s sake!) which support that prejudice.
WP may look like an underdog now, but as a dual WP/iOS user who thinks there’s more to life than Angry Birds, I can say it’s an solid and exciting platform that deserves a better press.