Flappy Bird pulled because it ‘became an addictive product’

Dong Nguyen has spoken publicly for the first time since the high profile removal of his hit title Flappy Bird from the world’s app stores.

And it transpires that the decision was caused simply by the Vietnamese developer’s concerns about the amount of time people were spending playing the simplistic title.

“Flappy Bird was designed to play in a few minutes when you are relaxed,” Nguyen told Forbes. “But it happened to become an addictive product. I think it has become a problem. To solve that problem, it’s best to take down Flappy Bird. It’s gone forever.

“After the success of Flappy Bird, I feel more confident, and I have freedom to do what I want to do. [But] my life has not been as comfortable as I was before. I couldn’t sleep. I don’t think [removing the game from sale was] a mistake. I have thought it through.”

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