Are you a fan of the difficult but fun app known as Flappy Bird? As of early this morning, Flappy Bird was no longer available to be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

The game has become increasingly popular over the last few weeks and was among the top games downloaded for both Apple and Android users. The game requires players to use their touch screens to direct their bird through the air and through an obstacle of tubes. If the bird hits a tube, it dies and the player loses a life.

Players must try to score as many points as they can before their bird dies and although the game may sound simple, it is extremely hard. Players can rack up a score as high as 9,999, but most never make it to double digits. Oddly, the difficulty of the game is what has made it so popular.

With such popularity, it is hard to understand why the game would be pulled. Developer Dong Nguyen announced his decision to take down the game in several tweets to fans. He did not reveal the reason behind his decision to remove the popular game, and many fans are demanding answers.

I regret creating Flappy Bird #FLAPPYBIRD

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory_) February 8, 2014

People have been calling me terrible names because I created Flappy Bird #dongatory #TeamDong #flappybird

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory_) February 8, 2014

I really am frustrated being the creator of Flappy Bird #flappybird #dongatory

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory_) February 9, 2014

Some people are ruined from flappy bird Therfore I should TAKE IT DOWN!! #flappybird #dongatory

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory_) February 9, 2014

I am sorry 'Flappy Bird' users, 16 hours from now, I will take 'Flappy Bird' down. I cannot take this anymore. #flappybird #dongatory

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory_) February 9, 2014

After a backlash from fans, the developer seemed to quickly change his mind. He began tweeting that if he could get several different amounts of likes by the deadline, he would not remove the game. After removing it Sunday morning, he tweeted that he was working on bringing it back.

❗️I WILL KEEP FLAPPY BIRD UP IF I GAIN 800 Followers WITHIN 1hr ❗️❗️ (this is how i will know if people actually cares) #dongatory

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory_) February 9, 2014

Nguyen’s twitter ramblings have led many people to wonder what is going on with him. Was he simply taking the game down for the media attention? Did he only threaten to take it down to get more followers and downloads? Why was he so upset about his successful app?

I can call 'Flappy Bird' is a success of mine. But it also ruins my simple life. So now I hate it. #flappybird #dongatory

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory_) February 9, 2014

We may never know what happened to make Nguyen want to take down the app, but Flappy Bird fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their game will soon be back and available for download.

FLAPPY BIRD IS COMING BACK!!! #dongatory #flappybird

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory_) February 9, 2014

Im trying to contact apple to bring the game back!! #flappybird #dongatory

— Dong Nguyen (@dongatory_) February 9, 2014

Why do you think the Flappy Bird developer chose to remove the game and then bring it back a short time later?

Image via YouTube.