Dong Nguyen, the Vietnamese developer behind the hit mobile game “Flappy Bird,” has tweeted that he’s pulling the game from the virtual shelves Sunday. It’s unclear from his tweets why, but he assures followers that it’s not a legal issue, and he’s not interested in selling the game to another developer.
It is not anything related to legal issues. I just cannot keep it anymore.
— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 8, 2014
I also don't sell 'Flappy Bird', please don't ask.
— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 8, 2014
And I still make games.
— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 8, 2014
the creator of flappy bird is shutting down the app and deleting it forever i dont know if im happy or sad
— evonne&jj (@midknightniall) February 8, 2014
We don’t know if he’s deleting it forever. The game has enjoyed enormous success, making Nguyen a sort of celebrity. Earlier this week, though, he asked to be given “peace.”
Press people are overrating the success of my games. It is something I never want. Please give me peace.
— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 4, 2014
He’s also been criticized for lifting artwork from other games, such as Nintendo’s “Super Mario World.” And some people contend it’s just a terrible game, despite its popularity. Anyone who hasn’t experienced “Flappy Bird” might want to download it today. Be careful not to “overuse” it, though, as Nguyen suggests in this impromptu Twitter interview.
@dongatory Are you tired of all the accusations from @Kotaku who believe you stole sprites from Mario games?
— Luke Herbert (@Misterlukeherb) February 8, 2014
@misterlukeherb @kotaku Ah, I didn't directly stole something. It is quite an art to doing that 🙂
— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 8, 2014
@dongatory @Kotaku No problem, but you hate the success of Flappy Bird?
— Luke Herbert (@Misterlukeherb) February 8, 2014
@misterlukeherb @kotaku Not because of them but because how people use my game. They are overusing it.
— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 8, 2014
@dongatory @Kotaku Do you believe that it is not expressing you're true potential as a game developer and you are being misjudged?
— Luke Herbert (@Misterlukeherb) February 8, 2014
@misterlukeherb @kotaku I always believe I am a game developer. I don't mind to be misjudged.
— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 8, 2014
@dongatory @Kotaku Are you planning on working on anything new to escape Flappy Birds?
— Luke Herbert (@Misterlukeherb) February 8, 2014
@misterlukeherb @kotaku Sure, I am now.
— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 8, 2014
A word of caution for those picking up “Flappy Bird” before it disappears:
@craig_rob Don't start….it'll drive you mad…..
— Tom Manger (@TomManger99) February 8, 2014
