A decade ago, the world was rocked by the sudden removal of Flappy Bird, leaving millions puzzled. On 8 February 2014, creator Dong Nguyen tweeted:
“I am sorry ‘Flappy Bird’ users, 22 hours from now, I will take ‘Flappy Bird’ down. I cannot take this anymore.”
The game, once a global sensation, vanished from app stores without a clear explanation. But what caused its demise?
On February 8, 2014, Flappy Bird was removed by its creator, Dong Nguyen, because gamers, parents, and teachers cited concerns about addiction and negative impacts on physical and mental health. Another probable cause behind Flappy Bird’s removal is rule-breaking; Apple likely discovered violations due to bot-made ranking manipulations, withheld earnings, and compelled its removal.
What Made Dong Nguyen Take Down Flappy Bird?
Flappy Bird’s rise to fame was as mysterious as its fall. Initially, the game, created by Dong Nguyen, struggled to gain traction, languishing in obscurity on app store charts.
Nguyen released Flappy Bird on Apple’s App Store on May 24, 2013. Initially, it struggled, ranking a dismal 892 in the family game category.
It vanished from the charts within three days, remaining unnoticed for five months. Flappy Bird seemed destined for failure, languishing in obscurity.
But as per The Medium, on October 29, 2013, Flappy Bird made a surprising comeback, reemerging on the charts.
Over the following months, its trajectory was erratic, fluctuating between highs and lows until claiming the number-one spot on January 17.
In an interview, Nguyen denied using promotional tactics, attributing the game’s success to luck.
However, scrutiny of Flappy Bird’s ranking history revealed irregular bursts of downloads, suggesting the use of advertising campaigns.
The Vietnamese creator acquired 75,000 downloads for Flappy Bird, raising questions about affordability.
Legitimate advertising channels would have cost $100k, but Apple’s App Store algorithm adjustment in June 2012 prompted shady marketing tactics.
Underground companies exploited the system using overseas bots, paying real users to download apps within 24 hours.
While legally dubious, these methods utilized genuine iTunes accounts, lending credibility to downloads in Apple’s ranking algorithm.
While Flappy Bird soared to unprecedented heights, its creator found himself overwhelmed by the game’s unforeseen consequences.
The relentless demands of fame, coupled with allegations of addiction and negative impact on users’ lives, took a toll on Nguyen.
Concerns escalated as teachers and parents criticized Flappy Bird for negatively impacting children’s lives.
Acknowledging the harm caused, Dong tweeted, “I can call ‘Flappy Bird’ is a success of mine. But it also ruins my simple life. So now I hate it,” leading to his decision to remove the game even though he was earning $50,000 per day in ad revenue.
Another probable cause behind Flappy Bird’s removal could be rule-breaking; Apple likely discovered violations due to bot-created ranking manipulations, withheld earnings, and compelled its removal.
The aftermath of Flappy Bird’s disappearance left many questions unanswered. Speculation swirled regarding the true reason for its removal, ranging from legal issues to Nguyen’s desire for a simpler life.
While some sympathized with Nguyen’s plight, others questioned the fairness of his actions, mainly if they involved violating app store regulations. Ultimately, the enigmatic saga of Flappy Bird is a complicated tale.
Should developers resort to questionable tactics to achieve success, or is ethical conduct paramount? Do you believe Nguyen’s decision to remove Flappy Bird was justified, considering its cultural impact and financial success?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
