Rovio Entertainment has announced a partnership with heavy metal legends Iron Maiden that will see the bands mascot Eddie invade the companys Angry Birds Evolution game as part of its Halloween celebrations.

One of the most recognisable figures in the world of metal, Eddie will appear as a special playable character, Eddie the Bird, during a two-week event, and players who successfully recruit him to their team during that time will be able to keep him forever.

“Our team is filled with massive Iron Maiden fans and Eddie was both our first choice and a natural fit in Angry Birds Evolution,” said Miika Tams, vice president of games and product lead for Angry Birds Evolution. “Its about time his status as a true worldwide rock icon was celebrated and we know that fans will love seeing Eddie the Bird raise hell on Bird Island.”

Four different evolutions of the character will be available in the game to represent different albums from Iron Maidens 42 year history, and the games setting of Bird Island will be transformed into a Halloween-themed “heavy metal oasis” with in-game tributes to Eddie, Iron Maiden and the world of heavy metal.

Rovio is also planning on offering limited-edition Eddie the Bird merchandise during the event, and the character will migrate to Iron Maidens own mobile RPG, Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast in 2018.

“When you get a call from Rovio, one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world, confessing that they are Maiden fans and want to celebrate Halloween with Eddie you just have to take notice,” said Llexi Leon, interactive creative director at Phantom Music Management. “They have outdone themselves with this incredible tribute to Maiden and the opportunity to share the bands music with their millions of players around the world. I really cant wait to play him and skittle those pigs!”

The team-up with Rovio isnt Iron Maidens first venture into the world of brand partnerships. The bands own beer, Trooper, made with Cheshire family brewers Robinsons, is widely acknowledges as one of the most successful international launches of a British beer brand in the past 20 years.

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