Why Flappy Bird is Gone

Flappy Bird became a success, but why did the Developer take it down?
He has not given too many details, but I will share what I think is the real reason why it is gone now.

Update: 2/11/14: Forbes interview about the reason Flappy bird is no more

Background music by Mhoto.

[TyForce]

This is a very interesting topic! This situation probably happens more than we see, but with the quick success of Flappy Bird, it was brought to our attention. My mind can jump all over the place, so I'll try to control it. My first thoughts brought me to the band, Alien Ant Farm. They got very popular very fast with their awesome cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal". Sure they came out with the hit "Movies", but it was greatly overshadowed by a song they did not write. To this day, AAF is known for their cover, and less for their original work. I don't know their take on this, but I felt it relevant. If we were in their shoes, how would that make us feel? 

In this case, I totally agree with you, Macktion. Nguyen must carry some sense of pride in his work. He is the artist. He can do whatever he wants. It's his baby. He also wants to be perceived in a certain way. As an artist, this is totally understandable. For example, I am a huge video game, Disney, superhero fan. I am also very light-hearted and humorous. I try to convey this in all my artwork. That way if I am ever to attract commission work or a steady job, it will be doing something I really care about. I will attract fans that relate to me. If I try to control the way I'm perceived (it is not 100% possible), I won't be asked to do illustrations or design work related to a demon grandma holding the severed head of a baby.

The one problem here is that by removing his game, it instantly put him in the lime light for this project that he does not want to be recognized for. I feel that Jason Powell (who has submitted previous comments in this forum) mention a solution to this in one of his posts. He mentioned that he created an app for his own use and made it $5 to cut down on how many people would download it. Had Had Nguyen done the same, we probably wouldn't be hearing about it right now, because everybody downloads all the new games when they come out.

In closing I just think he hadn't thought all this out, which is understandable. You just never know what's going to happen... and he didn't. All I can hope is that by putting himself in the spotlight, people will be watching, and it will drive him even harder in his next project to make something totally awesome. Something he can be proud of. Nguyen... the ball is in your court. Make us proud! No pressure... ha!

[billanderson]

I don't know, isn't the old saying-any publicity is good publicity?

[racylaserjet]

That's just not how it works though. Artist don't get to control reception or perception. There is only one of them and as many eyes that view whatever an artist has put out. You can never control them. You can only control you.