It started off innocently enough as a simple game for the iPhone launched late-2009 that turned into an international phenomenon that has been downloaded over 500 million times. Angry Birds quickly achieved pop culture status and has continued to keep momentum by releasing spin-offs to the classic version including a Rio-themed version based on the animated feature film.
So of course when Gene Simmons, rock band madam for rock n roll’s biggest brand whores KISS, caught wind that Rovio, the makers of Angry Birds, were willing to re-brand their product he picked the phone and rang them straight away. In an interview with Industry Gamers, Simmons revealed that the negotiations for a spin-off were well advanced and he was confident the talks “will become a deal.”
Simmons also revealed that KISS are talking to Sony Games about other video game possibilities. “We are really trying to take to areas that haven’t been done before,” he said. “[Until now], we have stayed out of the marketplace because the ideas simply weren’t exciting enough.”
Simmons believes the gaming industry has had a huge impact on the music industry “in more ways than even it understands. The more you control the music and the visuals, the more it becomes important,” he said.
“It becomes a part of you. Guitar Hero is pretty addictive. Once you play it, it’s going to be tough not to want to get up in the middle of the night either alone when nobody is looking, or with your friends.”
In the meantime Rovio is focusing on rolling out Angry Birds retail stores across the world and has also hired David Maisel, executive producer of Marvel Studios films such as Iron Man and Thor, to head up production to work on an Angry Birds feature-length film.
For more bizarre band merchandise check out our slideshow.
