Angry Bird alert: Roseville wants to slice mobile phone gaming record

Article by: Star Tribune
Updated: September 14, 2012 - 5:32 PM

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This undated image released by Rovio shows a poster of the company's Angry Birds app. The exceptionally popular Angry Birds smart phone app has grown into a full-blooded pop cultural sensation, addicting mobile users at a rate nearly as impressive as the body count its animated slingshot birds are racking up against their swine enemy. (AP Photo/Rovio) NO SALES

Photo: Feed Loader, Associated Press - Ap

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Angry Bird devotees and Fruit Ninjas will attempt to smash the Guinness world record for the largest mobile phone gaming party on Saturday.

The Roseville skating center will host the party in an attempt to break the record of 316 participants in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The city also hopes to attract attention to its Guidant John Rose MN Oval.

"We are hoping to have 3,000 people," said Roseville Visitors Association Executive Director Julie Wearn. "The Oval is known on a national and international level as a great speed-skating arena. We want people to know that it's also here for other events."

Warren said the city came up with the idea after seeing how popular and easily accessible games such as Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja and Tetris are on mobile phones. According to the NPD group, a marketing research company, about 211.5 million people play video games in the United States, and 22 percent play them on their cellphones.

The event will begin at 9 a.m., with the official Guinness count beginning at noon.

Rovio, the company that created Angry Birds, donated Angry Bird merchandise as prizes. There will be three competitions at the event: youngest player, oldest player and best dressed.

Alejandra Matos • 612-673-4028