Flappy Bird removed from app stores

Smash mobile hit Flappy Bird has been removed from the Google Play and iTunes stores by the game's creator.

Dong Nguyen decided to take the game offline after having trouble getting used to the fame and attention that came with Flappy Bird's success.

That's despite Nguyen reportedly earning $50,000 USD a day from advertising revenue.

"I can call 'Flappy Bird' is a success of mine," he tweeted. "But it also ruins my simple life. So now I hate it.

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

Nguyen also claimed that taking the game down had nothing to do with legal issues.

"It is not anything related to legal issues," he added. "I just cannot keep it anymore."

Nguyen will still continue to make games for the foreseeable future.

A number of clones have started to appear on the app stores since Flappy Bird's removal, attempting to cash in on its success. This includes Fluffy vs. Flappy Birds, Flappy Plane and Fly Birdie - Flappy Bird Flyer.