'Flappy Bird' Creator Pulled Game Because It Was 'Too Addictive'

[jsr]

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20140211-702163.html

'Flappy Bird' Creator Pulled Game Because It Was 'Too Addictive'
By James Hookway

HANOI--Despite what many players of his infuriatingly difficult "Flappy Bird" smartphone game seem to think, Dong Nguyen isn't actually Satan.

"I just wanted to create a game that people could enjoy for a few minutes," he said Tuesday.

His game, which became a global phenomenon, in recent weeks soared to the top of the charts in Apple Inc.'s App Store and Google Inc.'s Play, turning the shy 29-year-old Mr. Dong into something of a sensation among small, independent game developers. His notoriety grew further when he mysteriously withdrew the free game from circulation Sunday at the height of its success.

"It was just too addictive," Mr. Dong said. He said he didn't intend for people to play the game for hours at a time, as many gamers appear to have done.

[snooper2]

1. He probably saved at least one marriage

LOL

[Mosby]

2. There are rumors of fraud floating around

If true is would explain why he quickly took down the game and had been turning down interviews.

eta: http://www.bluecloudsolutions.com/blog/flappy-birds-smoke-mirrors-scamming-app-store/

[ChisolmTrailDem]

3. This was mentioned on Stewart or Colbert last night, I think Stewart.

Seems Flappy Bird is too much like Super Mario Bros. and Nintendo wasn't happy about it.

Someone correct me if I'm mistaken.

[Mosby]

4. I'm referring to the possible use of bots

to create fake downloads and usage. The advertisers pay based on downloads and usage afaik, this game was generating him 50K per week.