Angry Birds racing toward a new game

5 hrs.

Winda Benedetti

Is there nowhere their sharp talons can't reach? The Angry Birds have taken wing on Earth and in outer?space. And now it appears they may be flapping their way to ... a race track?

Rovio has launched a website?teasing what appears to be a new racing-themed game called "Angry Birds Heikki."

Wait ... a new game so soon after the launch of?"Angry Birds Space?" Well, more accurately, it's "an innovative and novel merchandise and webgame partnership."

At least, that's how the website?belonging to?Finnish Formula 1 star Heikki Kovalainen (for whom the game is named) describes the game, which is scheduled to launch June 18.

For its part, Rovio hasn't revealed any details about the new?webgame. But it seems highly unlikely the company is planning to release anything that resembles a truly new Angry Birds title. What seems more likely is that "Angry Birds Heikki" will be a branded spinoff along the lines of "Angry Birds Rio." Same game mechanics. Different packaging. Brand new merchandising opportunities!

Also, Heikki plans to wear an Angry Birds-themed helmet when he's flying around the racetrack.

Speaking of new merchandising opportunities ... Rovio has also partnered with Finnish jewelry company Primesmith to create a line of fancy Angry Birds-themed jewelry.

That's right, for a mere $290, you can have the Mighty Eagle wrapped around your finger.

--?Via The Next Web, Forbes

Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things here on Twitter or join her in the stream here on Google+. And for more video game news and reviews be sure to check out the In-Game Facebook page right here.

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