Indonesia
Game Over for Flappy Bird
Flappy Bird was launched in May 2013 as free iPhone and Android app. But, it didn’t start to gain a following until November 2013. In January 2014, it topped the Free Apps chart in some part of the world. The game has been downloaded 50 million times. Then, it becomes the most downloaded free iPhone and Android app. At the top of popularity, it was removed from both Apple’s App Store and Google Play by its creator on February 10, 2014.
The game’s concept is very simple. Steer a bird to one goal. To make the bird flies, just tap the screen. Navigate it through course of metal pipes. Touch a pipe, the bird dies. However, to keep the bird alive is very difficult. It’s all tappity tap tap, and death. An hour has passed, and we’ve only managed to get three points. Difficult and frustrating!
Flappy Bird was created and developed by Vietnamese, Dong Nguyen in the span of two to three days. Nguyen displays some banner ads to the free app. With so many users now playing the game, all those ads are bringing in USD 50,000 every day on average. He could be rich instantly. However, it is not only money he wants. Nguyen took down the Flappy Bird on February 9, 2014. The game’s addictiveness convinced him to remove it.
Well, addiction is not good, Superkids. But, if we still want to play the bird, don’t worry. Our favorite app has found a new nest. There are alternatives scattered like bird seed all over the internet. The bird still flies at sites like Flappybirds.com, FlappyBird.com, etc. The new Android clones of Flappy Bird offer multiple playable characters including Obama with jet, pig, duck, chicken and parrot. There is also a zombie edition of Flappy Bird.
TEGUH WAHYU UTOMO
PHOTOS: FORBES
