Angry Birds take fight with pigs into space

Angry Birds are going to space. (Image: Rovio)

The world’s obsession with smacking birds into glass, stone and wood in the pursuit of thieving pigs seems to be boundless. But how long can it last?

We’ll find out the answer on Thursday when Angry Birds debuts its latest version, Angry Birds Space.

Demand for this new version is so great, the company that created it is actually holding a pre-sale for the app, and that just doesn’t happen This isn’t Madden or Halo. It is a mobile app.

Geekwire.com’s Todd Bishop said it shows how the public’s use of apps has turned a corner to rival traditional video games.

“You’re seeing a lot of the same principles from traditional video games, from traditional movies, now applying to these mobile apps,” Bishop said.

Angry Birds has sold more than 700 million copies in the two years since it debuted. When a version based on the movie “Rio” was released last year, it sold 200 million copies in a week.

“Now we’re spending so much more time looking at our phones, and that’s really what this signifies,” Bishop said. “The power has shifted to the phone, and this happens to be one of the killer apps on the phone. So you’re seeing it just take off in the popular culture.”

But why? Doesn’t flinging birds at smug and fat pigs get boring after a few minutes? I mean, I don’t get bored, but it’s easy to see how you could.

Bishop explained why it’s so hard to put down. “It’s a combination of puzzle and action so it’s something that challenges you, not only in terms of your visual space but in terms of your brain to figure out how to solve a particular puzzle.”

In this latest version, you’re going to have to deal with zero gravity, but you’re going to get a bunch of new birds to handle the task.

And you know what that means? A new flock of stuffed toys, key chains, fruit snacks and likely a movie.

Watch Angry Birds Space: NASA announcement: