Which publisher handled the original Angry Birds from 2009 to 2012?

Chillingo handled publishing for the original Angry Birds from 2009 to 2012. Rovio Entertainment developed the game, but partnered with the distributor for its initial App Store release and early distribution.

The game launched for iOS in December 2009 after being created during a difficult period for Rovio. Designer Jaakko Iisalo’s sketch of wingless, angry-looking birds became the starting point, while the physics-based structure-destruction gameplay drew inspiration from Crush the Castle.

Chillingo’s role is often confused with Rovio’s because Rovio eventually became the franchise’s publisher and owner of the Angry Birds brand. The original game’s listing identifies Chillingo for 2009–2012, followed by Rovio Entertainment. Chillingo also worked with Rovio on final polish, including trajectory lines, pinch-to-zoom controls, pig sounds, and landing animations.

The partnership helped Angry Birds reach a large audience, but the game’s later success transformed Rovio from a struggling Finnish studio into a major mobile-games company.