Google and Apple have started to remove apps for video games containing the word "flappy", after a number of clones of the original game, Flappy Bird, began appearing in app stores.
Doug Nguyen, the creator of the game's app, removed Flappy Bird from app stores in on Feb. 9, which was followed by a large amount of games attempting to capitalize on the game's success, according to CNET.
Developers of the clone games are attempting to have their games approved, but are currently unable to publish their versions of Flappy Bird, BGR reported.
Game designer from Mind Juice Media Ken Carpenter developed a clone he called Flappy Dragon, which was rejected by Apple from the app store along with the others clones.
According to CNET, Carpenter tweeted that Apple rejected his game because Apple "found your app name attempts to leverage a popular app."
Carpenter stated his game was rejected from the Google Play Store without a warning from Apple or Google, according to BGR. Despite having changed the name of the game, Carpenter said his game is still not allowed in the Google Play Store.
"There was no 'Fair Warning' email, which Google claims to send before taking such actions," Carpenter said. "I checked and rechecked my spam folder to be sure. They just arbitrarily removed the app with no warning. The message they sent me simply referenced the 'spam' provision of the Google Play terms and did not specifically call out what my transgression was."
Despite the crackdown on Flappy Bird's clones, there are clones that have managed to get through to app stores after being approved in the previous week, according to BGR. Non-official copies of Flappy Bird, such as web-based apps that make the game available to users, are still available in app stores. The game can also be accessed in a Sesame Street and multiplayer version, along with Flappy Bird "originals" for Android devices.
