Flappy Bird Creator to Remove Game From Store

Dong Nguyen, creator of the wildly successful iOS game Flappy Bird is a creator who is unhappy with his game's success. He has spoken on Twitter about how the game's success has made his life difficult and unhappy, but now he's planning on removing the game entirely. Speaking out on Twitter a few minutes ago, Nguyen has stated:

"I am sorry 'Flappy Bird' users, 22 hours from now, I will take 'Flappy Bird' down. I cannot take this anymore."

[jimbobwahey]

Must be tough having a popular game and making lots of money. Really feel sorry for the guy.

[hellzsupernova]

This guy is an asshole, what is so difficult about making 50k a day, just chill out and take in that sweet sweet cash.

Why is he having a. Meltdown for? We're not pressuring him into making a sequel or calling I'm a sellout or nothing.

[Kran]

People actually send him angry messages to him for making such an infuriating game.

Sort of the same situation with Phil Fish.

[Muffins1223]

Maybe he feels like shit when people like you bash his work and just feels like its embarrassing for him to be known as the guy who made flappy birds?Thats just my opinion though....

[TomShoe]

Eh, some people just can't handle the criticism that comes with sharing their games to the public.

[GadgetGooch]

The guy obviously doesn't like money.....

[Back-to-Back]

@hellzsupernova
Just because he is making really goood money doesnt make him exempt for criticism and stress.

[fenome]

This game is a total ripoff of Piou piou vs. Cactus and Super Mario Bros combined. Wouldn't be surprised if they got a Cease and Desist after the whole Trademark fiasco that just happened with King.

No good thing ever happens with lawsuits and videogames, judges are just way to out of the loop for it to even register. Just like the google+ youtube thing, trying to call copyright infringement on the actual holders of the copyright. I understand they're just trying to cover their own ass so they can't be held accountable under the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act, I'll drop a link, this is what's been screwing with digital content and media streaming the most), but they're doing it in all the wrong ways.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/w...

Or he could just be a Diva, and can't handle the success of his game, not sure. Personally I'd be more than happy to get hate mail for his paychecks, f* what people think.

Get personal accounts for actually talking to people, if people are spamming you just drop that account, it's not rocket science. F* the haters, I'd take a death threat with a finger and a smile. You come at me sideways though you'd better prove it

[Hellsvacancy]

All the guy has to do is remove his Twitter account etc, just don't use the internet....... unless your buying stuff

[FamilyGuy]

It amazes me how some people are just incapable of ignoring social media. I mean serious, just ignore people. :/

[Baka-akaB]

You guys claiming he got it easy and just "do things" actually got it easy , you're not the ones harassed and pressured , how'd you know how it feels ?

"just get off the net"

Yeah how does that work when people still seek you irl ?

[Dee_91]

Its insane how quick this game blew up.First flappy bird article was posted here about a week ago, and nobody knew what it was. Now look. it has 2 articles in the top news lol.But I can understand why he would take it down. Not everybody care about money that much.This game infuriated millions of people, and millions of people "expressed" those emotions to him.It could get to anyone.

[Anon1974]

Love it or hate it, this is awful. I can't believe people have harassed and pressured this indie to the point where he's willing to pull his game despite it's runaway success rather then deal with the users. If you don't like it, but on what planet is acceptable to harass the developer?

What the hell is wrong with this picture?

[SilentNegotiator]

While he deserves some of the criticism, having basically completely knocked off another game, it's terrible that he's receiving so much harassment.

Seems like a Phil Fish situation. You can't expect a SINGLE PERSON to take the weight of all of that harassment sitting down.

edit: Sheesh, all of the "but money!" comments are downright embarrassing. Do that many people these days really think that money buys happiness?

[dillhole]

Maybe he's getting threats, maybe Nintendo want to sue him for stealing Mario's pipes. Making money from something doesn't solve all your problems. Some people just can't handle being in the spotlight.

[kaozgamer]

Step 1: Tell people he's going to delete it
Step 2: More people download it in order to experience the infamous Flappy Bird
Step 3: profit

[SilentNegotiator]

Only if he's really lying.

Otherwise, it's a free game. If this were about the money, he would be worried about long term popularity, not a short burst of new people playing it and then no new players ever again.

[SilentNegotiator]

Looks like you were a little off...

Step 1: Get harassed both online and in real life.
Step 2: Remove Flappy Bird from app store.
Step 3: Get on with your life, doing your best to avoid insane people.

[bakasora]

Mind = blown
Somebody don't want money.

[Pozzle]

I think he mentioned on twitter that he has been harassed and stalked (online and in real life) by people ever since the game became popular. So I get why he would want that to end.

[SpiralTear]

As much as I dislike Flappy Bird, I honestly didn't expect him to decide on this, especially right now at the peak of its popularity.

[Vegamyster]

I'd assume he might be worried about getting sued if it continues to grow, the Super Mario World aesthetic is so similar.

[fenome]

Especially with what's going on right now with King and Candy and Saga. People can use grey areas now to try to sue you, who knows

[Noctis]

whats so hard about having a successful game and gaining tons of money for it??

[ruefrak]

If I've learned anything from Puff Daddy it's "Mo money, mo problems." Sudden success and fame can be quite intimidating.

[fenome]

Just look at Justin Bieber...or was that Miley Cyrus? I get 'em confused, they look like twins. Lmao

[MNGamer-N]

Sounds like he may be getting heat from the Indonesian Mafia

[tigertron]

That's pretty random. :P

[Back-to-Back]

Yea all 12 of them.

[fenome]

They're bringin the heat!

Well, in their food at least.. That shit's spicy! Ha!

[inf3cted1]

Looks like he was cashing out and suddendly nintendo went after him.

[cyguration]

What?!

[Pancit_Canton]

Smart man. Once the popularity went up some more. Big company might go after it for lawsuit due to some of obvious similarity off other games.

[hellzsupernova]

If that were possible game loft would never have existed. Nobody could sue him for this game.

[admiralvic]

"Big company might go after it for lawsuit due to some of obvious similarity off other games."

It really isn't that simple. Like, Nintendo could sue him for the background looking like Mario and the power pipes, but the game doesn't use them in any way similar to Mario. It would be difficult to prove, harder to figure out and justify how there are damages and so on.

A lot of companies probably wouldn't bother him, because it simply isn't worth the money or negative press to get a small payday.

[fenome]

King says hi, and their Saga wants to Crush your Candy

[yewles1]

...so like an inverse Phil Fish?

[KonsoruMasuta]

Who wants to bet that a company will try to buy the rights?

[1nsomniac]

Its obvious that its due to legal reasons, this game was very dodgy from the very beginning. everything about it was manufactured, from reviews to marketing.

He's doing the smart move & getting out while he still can.

[KillrateOmega]

This game is making him money. Why would he take it down?

Is it because some people send him angry messages? If that's the case, then pro tip: ignore them. They're just words.

[tigertron]

Maybe it was a bunch of...angry birds? *buddum tish*

Yeah, I'll see myself out...

[Anon1974]

You've clearly never been on the receiving end of this kind of internet bullying. Just like the death threats that Bioware writers received, huh? "They're just words. Don't sweat it."

Would you say "What's the big deal" to the parents of kids who suffered this kind of abuse to the point where they took their own lives? If a guy came to my work everyday and shouted insults at me as I walked in the door, sure I could say "It's only words" or I could get the bastard for his illegal harassment. Cyberbullying is no more acceptable.

What the hell is wrong with gamers? If you don't like the game, don't play it, but what kind of sick coward thinks it's acceptable to personally contact the dev to heap abuse on them for something they created for entertainment purposes? There needs to be repercussions for this type of behaviour.

[KillrateOmega]

1) Don't you dare call me a "coward". Don't you dare presume to know my life. You don't know me and never will.

2) Nowhere in my comment did I say that bullying and all it's forms was acceptable. Nowhere.

3) Don't try and take this out of context. This was done through Twitter, not real life. If he really wanted to avoid seeing such messages, then he could simply block the offending posters or, better yet, avoid Twitter entirely. It sucks, but it is avoidable.

4) You've attempted to give me a patronizing lecture, so let's hear your solution. If the cause of this really was cyberbullying, then what could he have done here outside of blocking the users or not using Twitter (both of which are, to varying degrees, ignoring the offending party)?

[Anon1974]

Easy... I'm not attacking, I didn't call you a coward nor did I anywhere say you condone this type of behaviour in the first place. No need to get so damn defensive, but the the idea that people should just "ignore" the problem isn't a solution. Allowing yourself to be bullied off any web service isn't the answer. It's enabling these bastards.

Personally, I've been on the receiving end of this kind of abuse. Over the period of over a year I ignored, blocked and generally tried to avoid just such an internet bully but they continued to find new ways on new sites to lash out at me. It wasn't until I brought in the authorities that I eventually was able to put this behind me. No one should have to put up with this type of harassment, on Twitter, on Facebook, over email...it doesn't matter. I'm 40, have a family, a job I love and am generally pretty damn thick skinned but for a year I'd go to work, go online and just know that I'd be targeted again in a new way. It was only a matter of time. That affects you.

Every bully that gets away with this feels empowered to go out and do it again. Then it goes beyond the internet. Then it escalates.

[Soulscare]

He didnt even call you a coward >.>

[KillrateOmega]

Oh... The way your comment was worded, it was unclear as to whether or not you were calling me a coward or the bullies cowards. Regardless, I apologize for getting heated back there. I don't take well to being called a coward.

Anyways, my problem with the idea of trying to actively fight off cyberbullies is that there are so many of them. They are so numerous and have access to so many avenues of continued assault that it's - no offense - a seemingly, virtually useless effort.

I don't know. I've always approached that kind of thing the same way I approach trolls: ignore them. I don't give them the satisfaction of knowing that I've noticed them and their efforts. I don't feed them.

[HappyWithOneBubble]

The guy can't stand the hate. Some people can't handle the pressure.

[Fixay]

I guess the flappy bird clone 'Clumsy Bird' will carry on the success lmao

[Bathyj]

Sorry. Double post. Stupid fingers.

[Bathyj]

"It is not anything related to legal issues" read, it is something related to legal issues.

Ps
He just jumped from 50 to 500k a day.

[ocelot07]

I don't get it. Some one makes a free game. That is simple can get a little frustrating at times. People send him abuse.

EA take a great series make it free to play. Make people wait a day to do things or offer them to speed it up for money. Yet it gets over 1k 5 star ratings. Mobile gamers are brain dead morons am sorry if it sounds harsh but that is how I feel.

[il-JumperMT]

Cool story bro now give the money you earned yet do NOT deserve to people in need, then I will have respect for trash like you.

[Monkeycan8]

He does deserve the money. He made the product its not like he was expecting to get this amount of attention and money.

People like you truly disgust me just because someone has money doesn't mean they can't have problems too. He has received death threats and is constantly harassed on twitter and other social media.

[Old_Prodigy]

I swear, people are really strange now-a-days.

[feraldrgn]

Anybody got links or quotes as to why it's made his life difficult and unhappy?

As an aside, since he's earning so much from the game, couldn't he get a middleman to check incoming emails & delete any offensive ones?

[Agent_hitman]

Oh fvck, keep your fingers crossed cause EA might buy this game.. Hopefully not..

Imagine flappy bird with micro-transactions

[360ICE]

I wish he wouldn't take it down, but keep it up and give the money it earns to charity. THat'd be the best of all worlds.

[KingKevo]

"Oh look at me, I cannot take your money anymore. I am so stressed. I could afford to hire people to do my job, but I'm too unhappy *cough*. So go ahead and buy the game as long as you can and give me some more money, before in a few hours I will announce that I got my own studio or sold the IP to another company. F*** you guys. LOL!!!"

Guess that's what he wanted to say. But gosh, why are these stories about this game popping up on N$G day by day.. I don't get it at all.

[LordHiggens]

I pity you

[-Gespenst-]

I respect him for symbolically denying the importance of money by retracting the game, and I also think people ripped into him unfairly since he's clearly an amateur developer and an amateur in anything is going to plagiarize at first - it's part of the learning process. It's by no means a special game, and I don't think the creator is under any illusion that it is.

The fact is, the game got lucky - just like many apps before it. It definitely helped that Pewdiepie picked it up - his legions of lobotomized followers flocked to the app store and snatched it up straight away.

I doubt he ever intended it to be as successful as it turned out to be, and to be honest, he definitely thought it was pretty dumb and pointless himself - but he was just making some small beginnings in the videogame market with an app he probably didn't think would garner so much mindless popularity. The game was free, but I guess he needed a bit of revenue from it, so he put the advertising in. That would be cynical if a big company did it, but this guy was just trying to scrape by, and I doubt he had any idea of the the kind of revenue he'd generate on account of the fact that he didn't expect hundreds of thousands of people to flock to it, therefore making it not cynical - just a guy trying to make an honest buck in a corrupt industry, and in a corrupt, unequal social order.

I hate casual games just as much as the next guy, but when a single bloke makes a free, inoffensive game with no presumptions that it'll be even slightly big, I can't really complain. He churned it out in 2-3 days, he knows it's a piece of fluff, but he's probably just intended to test the water.

The real problem is that simpletons like Pewdiepie and his idiot fans MADE the game big - I mean, what does THAT say about our culture? It says people these days are pretty darn stupid, and it also reflects on the level of corporate thralldom they're under - they've been tricked into buying stpuid bullshit for so long they do it naturally now. The difference is that a game like Flappy Bird isn't exactly exploitative like Candy Crush or something - the guy who made it never thought it'd catch on like it did, and he therefore didn't intend to exploit anyone. He probably just intended to make a bit of ad revenue from idle people indifferently browsing the appstore and trying whatever random free shit they could find.

Because of all this, it's pretty unfair and quite ridiculous to rip the guy the shreds. He's not the correct target. Even the argument that the game is a clone falls down because of this, because the guy likely openly admits it borrows a hell of a lot, and never really intended to trick and swindle anyone. The fact that it's clone doesn't matter, because the guy likely wouldn't deny it. If he decided to make something bigger, it'd likely be more original, but this was clearly more of an experiment than anything else - that and a very small, modest source of income (he presumed).

It's kind of annoying how exploitative companies like Zynga and such aren't bombarded with nearly as much hatred as this poor sap. They're the people you should be railing against - this guy's just trying to scrape by doing something he honestly enjoys doing. By grilling this guy, you totally miss the point and commit something of an injustice.

[-Gespenst-]

The truth is more important than money could ever be, and the truth is that this game was NEVER meant to be big - the moment it became big was the moment it was snatched up by the press and treated like something it utterly was not. Pulling the game is regrettable, because now the guy doesn't have a small source of income, not to mention he now HAS a bad reputation borne of utter ignorance from commentators. However, pulling the game is simultaneously an honorable thing to do, not because the game is shit - that is irrelevant - but because the game has been blown out of proportion into something it's not, and because every penny it earns would be kind of exploitative at this point (i.e. pewdiepie fans playing it unaware of how dumb they are for playing it - playing it because an idle, talentless idiot like pewdiepie plays it ironically because he has nothing else to contribute of worth).

I say leave the guy alone, and if he ever puts up another free, mediocre app, just help him out a bit, but don't do a pewdiepie on it. In fact, if Nguyen puts up another game in the future, someone should tell Pewdiepie to have some responsibility, get out from behind his computer, and stop playing shit games ironically while generally just being an utter moron. Maybe the guy won't put up any more mediocre games, and perhaps his next project will be something more serious, but the problem now is that he has to learn about his craft without making money on the side - every second he spends making games for experience will be seconds lost not making a small bit of cash to scrape by. Thus he'll probably have to get another job, and who knows much that'll impact on what he's ACTUALLY passionate about. Perhaps this is even the first and last time he'll involve himself with game development.

If you're not happy with the necessity of having to do what this guy did, don't blame the guy himself, blame the capitalist social order. Games like this are SUPPOSED to go largely under the radar - they're not intended to have an impact, they're merely very small stepping stones for people like this guy, a LONE developer.

[Sky Lazarus]

He can safely retire.

[Chapter11]

Don't hate the man who took the shit, hate the people who made the shit so popular.

[LKHGFDSA]

"I can call 'Flappy Bird' is a success of mine. But it also ruins my simple life. So now I hate it."
I don't get it. Can't he just not use Twitter if he's getting too many tweets?
Oh well, I'm glad this game will be over and people will stop talking about it. I think it was a bit overrated anyway.

[jairusmonillas]

He can't fool me he's probably taking it down cause of multiple copyright infringements.

[LordHiggens]

This game is not even that infuriating...it is a fun little game meant to be played while taking a dump. You people are pathetic for taking it so seriously...and for bullying a dev who probably made this in a day...shame on you.

[LordHiggens]

I would also like to add that this game is free. It is conpletely free. None of you have the right to be bitching...at all. In any way...gamers are such entitled P.O.S's

[edwineverready]

The game just received a update. So why would he remove it just after. Makes no sense.

[DomceM]

2 possibilities.

1. Genuinly something is going on and he feels bad. Whatever the reason may be (angry messages, etc.).

2. He knows nintendo will sue, so comes out with this statement so people know its last chance to get flappy birds and get it now bringing him a ton more money.

only he knows the truth.

[siavm]

I don't understand why he would do this. His game well hated by some gets mostly positive ratings and reviews in stores it is available on. Hell if I had a game do what this does I would take the hate and cash that check. And if he thinks it is too much money donate some of it. Whatever though. A replacement, iron pants, is already coming for his spot anyway. So in the end don't Dave Chapelle.

[NewAgeisHere]

Ye cause money and fame really makes people happy..........Just look at Hollywood, so many famous actors and singers who are famous and full of cash overdose.Yay gotta love fame and fortune.

[JOEgolferG]

Agreed! the people who are commenting about him throwing away money don't realize how greed in society = the ugly corrupt world of today.

[JOEgolferG]

The guy is doing what he needs to do, jesus money is not the only thing of worth in this world unless your a corporate w***er.