screenshot_219This week, Angry Birds turns five. To celebrate this milestone in gaming years, the appFigures blog takes an in-depth look into what has made this one of the most popular games ever:

Fun gameplay, simple controls, realistic physics, and playful graphics combined with little competition on the App Store, tons of luck, and a string of solid business decisions turned Angry Birds into a household name that kids and adults recognize instantly.

According to the site, three significant events have made Angry Birds into the icon it is today: Expanding it into a portfolio, changing gameplay and developing key partnerships.

Other fun facts abound in this piece: Did you know that when Finnish gamemaker Rovio launched Angry Birds in the U.S. it initially flopped? Awesome partnerships with the movie Rio, Star Wars and Transformers helped boost the game’s popularity, too.

All in all, this is a fascinating little history lesson in a popular game’s ups and downs and how to remain relevant.

Below, Angry Birds’ “On Finn Ice”:

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.