If Google thought Amazon was playing safe with its Amazon Appstore plans then it has a nasty wake-up call this morning. Rovio has announced that it will dump GetJar and throw in with the new Amazon download service for its new Angry Birds Rio for Android game.
Amazon’s Appstore will be the exclusive place to get Angry Birds Rio, while Rovio will also offer ad-free versions of Angry Birds and Angry Birds Seasons for Android, again exclusively through Amazon’s system.
Angry Birds Rio for Android will be available at amazon.com/angrybirds. It will come with 60 levels, with more on offer via in-app purchases.
Press Release:
Angry Birds Rio for Android to Debut Exclusively in the Amazon Appstore
AUSTIN, Texas/ ESPOO, Finland – March 14, 2011 – Rovio today announced that the highly anticipated game Angry Birds Rio will be introduced for the Android platform exclusively in the Amazon Appstore. Developed in conjunction with Twentieth Century Fox, Angry Birds Rio features the animated stars of the studio’s upcoming motion picture, RIO. Additionally, for the first time ever on the Android platform, fans of Angry Birds games will have the opportunity to purchase and download ad-free versions of Angry Birds and Angry Birds Seasons. Both will debut only in the Amazon Appstore.
“The Android platform has seen phenomenal growth, and it’s great that new avenues for app distribution are opening up,” said Mikael Hed, CEO of Rovio. “The openness of the Android platform works for the benefit of consumers and developers alike. It has been delightful to team up with Amazon to bring the Angry Birds franchise to this great new application marketplace.”
“Amazon is thrilled to work with a leading developer like Rovio in offering our customers Angry Birds Rio for Android exclusively in the Amazon Appstore,” said Aaron Rubenson, category leader for Amazon Appstore. “We think Angry Birds Rio is sure to be an instant customer favorite.”
“Angry Birds Rio is a fun and interactive way to introduce millions of fans to the exciting world of ‘RIO,’ and we are proud to work with both Rovio and Amazon to make this experience available to users on the Android platform,” said Peter Levinsohn, president of new media and digital distribution for Twentieth Century Fox. “The Amazon Appstore will be a great new way for consumers to download all their favorite Android apps, and we’re excited to offer Angry Birds Rio as one of the first pieces of content to be made available to consumers through this new store.”
In Angry Birds Rio, the original Angry Birds are kidnapped and taken to the magical city of Rio, where they eventually escape their captors and set out to save their friends, Blu and Jewel – two rare macaws and the stars of the upcoming Fox motion picture, RIO. From the creators of Fox’s blockbuster ICE AGE motion picture franchise, RIO debuts in theaters worldwide on April 15, 2011. Angry Birds Rio will launch with 60 dedicated levels, with more content to follow via app updates.
Angry Birds Rio will be available for download on Android phones and tablets at amazon.com/angrybirds.
I don’t like this exclusivity, they should have this game also in Android Market, why should I be forced to install it from Amazon.
I agree with you however, if we think about it for a minute we will realize that things like this may become more common for Android markets, especially for “big” players. The other thing is, maybe it will put more pressure on Google to make sure the app market is head and shoulders above the rest.
isn’t the same about android market? why should you be “forced” to buy it from android market?
It seems way too much effort to get a free game. Although as it’s free it should be OK to get the apk from elsewhere.
It is still free, right?
cheapskate. . ..
what, a couple bucks going to break you? No wonder Android users are getting a rep for being cheap and not paying for any apps. . . . heck, if it gives you a few hours of good entertainment then it’s better than a movie ticket, isn’t it?
it’s not about being a cheapskate, its about thinking you’re entitled to something because it’s been given to you for free in the past. angry birds SHOULD sell their product or have ads on it – they’ve done both in the past and they’ll continue to do both in the future.
I’m more than willing to pay for Android games if they’re high quality and will last me a few hours, and I’ve bought a few in the past. Even then, some high quality games like Cordy are free.
I said “fail” because they’re not only releasing a paid game to users who are used to getting them free, but they are also making them download another app store in order to buy it.
there’s no “free” version of any angry birds. all of them have advertisements on them or cost an amount (ios versions) to start with. this is a for-profit group, not charity for gamers.
How do I get it ?! It’s driving me crazy trying to get it.. it just keeps showing me a stupid poster.
Amazon android app store is only for the USA. So users outside the US can’t get Angry Birds Rio even though it is free atm.
Amazon has timed-exclusive rights to Rovio’s new “Angry Birds – Rio” and attempting to get it another way won`t allow you to play it (trust me, I tried) because it validates it through the Amazon App Store app.
So, here`s how you do it:
1) Download the Amazon App Store http://amzn.to/getappstore (from your device or if using your PC you will have to transfer the .apk to your device after)
2) Install it to your Android device
3) Run the Amazon App Store application
4) Log in with a US account
5) Ensure your Amazon.com “1-Click Setting” points to a US address (Log in using a PC to check)
6) In the Amazon App Store locate “Angry Birds – Rio (99cents)”
7) Download & install
For today the full no-ads version is 100% free. Soon it goes to 99cents and the ad-supported version will be the only free one
Does anyone know if ad-free versions of the first Angry Birds will be offered via Google’s market? Or are the ad-free versions exclusive to Amazon’s store as well?
I’m ditching Android. Not because I don’t like it.. I do. But it’s becoming worthless with “exclusivity”. I will pay for anything I want, but I want to purchase it from whom I want. Books, movies, games, whatever. I want my apps to be available freely (but not free) from wherever I want to buy them. I will never shop with Amazon anyway and that includes selling my own work through them. Someone has to stand up and be counted instead of apathy ruling. I’m sick of it. Angry Birds? Not just the birds! Besides it’s exclusive nature it means that half the world can’t have it because it’s US only. DICKHEADS!
I’m ditching Android. Not because I don’t like it.. I do. But it’s becoming worthless with “exclusivity”. I will pay for anything I want, but I want to purchase it from whom I want. Books, movies, games, whatever. I want my apps to be available freely (but not free) from wherever I want to buy them. I will never shop with Amazon anyway and that includes selling my own work through them. Someone has to stand up and be counted instead of apathy ruling. I’m sick of it. Angry Birds? Not just the birds! Besides it’s exclusive nature it means that half the world can’t have it because it’s US only. DICKHEADS!
I’m ditching Android. Not because I don’t like it.. I do. But it’s becoming worthless with “exclusivity”. I will pay for anything I want, but I want to purchase it from whom I want. Books, movies, games, whatever. I want my apps to be available freely (but not free) from wherever I want to buy them. I will never shop with Amazon anyway and that includes selling my own work through them. Someone has to stand up and be counted instead of apathy ruling. I’m sick of it. Angry Birds? Not just the birds! Besides it’s exclusive nature it means that half the world can’t have it because it’s US only. DICKHEADS!