Angry Birds Land, the new part of the Sarkanniemi amusement park in Tampere, is just one of Rovio's new additions. The Finnish gaming company that made the eponymous Angry Birds title — with more than 1 billion downloads to date — is now spreading its wings beyond the virtual world. It has already launched plush toys, lunchboxes, clothing, stationery, food and drink items, a Formula 1 driver sponsorship deal and a jewelry line with the Angry Birds theme. Rovio this week announced it would launch an Angry Birds-branded debit card in Russia in partnership with a local bank. Next up: Angry Birds Land, one of the highlights of a theme park opening next month in the Finnish city of Tampere. (AP Photo/Lehtikuva, Antti Aimo-Koivisto) FINLAND OUT

associated press, april 2012