‘Flappy Bird' Creator Dead? Hoax Report Spreads; Nintendo Infringement Case Real Reason For Takedown?

The frustratingly delightful game 'Flappy Bird' became a sensation all over the mobile apps world. Thus, it was more than a shocker when the game creator decided to take it down and the millions of players did not seem to take it well. Was the sudden pull-out caused by a possible infringement case?

The "Flappy Bird" developer is from Vietnam, a fellow named Dong Nguyen. He developed the game with time off from work. He spoke to The Verge: "The reason Flappy Bird is so popular is that it happens to be something different from mobile games today, and is a really good game to compete against each other. People in the same classroom can play and compete easily because [Flappy Bird] is simple to learn, but you need skill to get a high score."

However, when he made the surprising announcement that he will take down the game, avid fans turned into violent haters and he got death threats. There was also a false report about him committing suicide.

The fake news report, which was reposted on Hollywoodlife.com:

"Flappy Bird developer Dong Nguyen has just been found dead in his home with a gunshot wound in his dead. Authorities are confirming that Nguyen committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with a pistol. Authorities are saying that the sensational game Flappy Bird had something to do with the suicide.

There has also been 7 reports of other suicides around the U.S. today alone. Flappy Bird developer Dong Nguyen has taken Flappy Bird off app stores this morning and is believed to be the cause of the suicides."

It was never mentioned where the original report emerged from. The location listed was San Francisco, although there is no way to verify that. It was concluded that the report was meant to confuse its readers.

But the lingering question of why Nguyen took down the app still lingers. His tweet is not very conclusive:

I am sorry 'Flappy Bird' users, 22 hours from now, I will take 'Flappy Bird' down. I cannot take this anymore.

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory) February 8, 2014

It should be noted that the similarities between "Flappy Bird" and the classic Nintendo hit, "Super Mario Bros." did not go unnoticed. Kotaku actually ran the headline ""Flappy Bird Is Making $50,000 A Day Off Ripped Art." (update: it was revised to "Flappy Bird Is Making $50,000 A Day With Mario-Like Art") Jason Schreier wrote: "The Verge points out that much of the art is "inspired" by Super Mario Bros., but this game goes beyond inspiration. We're in ripoff territory here."

Did Nintendo threaten Nguyen or did he realize it on his own? What can he "not take anymore?" We will never know the answer to that question just as we will never know what lies at the end of all those green pipes.