Flappy Bird - Gone but Not Yet Forgotten

Flappy Bird was a hit no-one expected. A simple and highly infuriating game it sprung to the top of the charts out of nowhere. It was first released in May of last year and later became the most popular app downloaded on iTunes. It shot to mainstream only recently, thanks to press articles that questioned its place at the top of the free to download charts.

The game has been criticised as much as it has been praised and very much fits into the "marmite" category, you either love it or hate it. For its creator, Dong Nguyen, his love for his work has turned sour. Unable to cope he announced the games removal from itunes on Twitter.

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

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 8, 2014

He followed this up with the following:

It is not anything related to legal issues. I just cannot keep it anymore.

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 8, 2014

It seems Nguyen is a simple man and is scared that he has created something which people have become addicted to. The signs he was uncomfortable with Flappy Bird's success have been evident for a while now. He has posted Tweets talking about what he feels is an issue with his game becoming addictive and also about his fear of becoming too well known.

@misterlukeherb @kotaku Not because of them but because how people use my game. They are overusing it.

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 8, 2014

@hermanjakobi I won't. The PR will make me not an indie game maker anymore.

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 8, 2014

 True to his word he has now removed the game from sale. Another of Nguyen's games, Shuriken Block, also appears to have been removed from sale.

However Shuriken Block, along with Smashing Kitty, Droplet Shuffle, and Ninjas Assault are still available to play via Nguyen's Studio Webpage, .GEARS Studios.