Home Gaming Phil Fish explodes, cancels Fez 2

Phil Fish explodes, cancels Fez 2

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Fez2

Fez was a fun game when it was launched last year, minus that uh, game-breaking save issue. Still, Polytron and its founder, Phil Fish had a hit on their hands, opening the doors for a sequel to be produced. And now, those doors have been closed.

Thanks to a heated debate over Fish from Gametrailer’s Marcus “Annoyed Gamer” Beer on Invisible Walls, Fish has cancelled development on the sequel. Beer started the flaming first, going into a three minute tirade about Fish and fellow indie developer Jonathan Bow, calling them the “self-styled kings of the indie genre”.

According to Beer, his main gripe is that Fish and Blow, or “BlowFish”, are more than willing to use favourable internet PR when it suits them, but asking them for opinions on anything else would result in the duo being dead quiet.

Here’s a few more of Beer’s gems which stem from Fish being unwilling to comment on the new Xbox One policy of independent publishing, in case you don’t have the audio right now to hear the original:

Gents, you are the guys who did Indie game the movie, and some of you looked relatively normal in it, and one of you looked like a total tosspot in it. But you can’t have it both ways. You’re successful game designers. You’re indie game designers. Hoorah, good for you, you fucking hipsters. So let’s get something out of the way. If you are successful and you want people to promote your games and you go to the press and give them quotes and anything that pertains to you selling your next title, when the press come to you and say ‘oh this is something that is pertinent to the indie scene. Let’s talk to BlowFish because BlowFish is successful and Blowfish are these kind of pioneers. Don’t get fucking snicky about it.

Have you seen these wankers bitch and moan—Phil Fish in particular.

Whiny? He’s a fucking asshole most of the time.

I would like to say to every outlet who got dismissed by BlowFish, fuck ’em. That’s it.

At which point, Fish got angry, and was just shy of one pair of purple pants as he Hulked out and ranted back, demanding that Beer offer an on-camera apology. As for that dismissal about the Xbox One indie development policy, Fish said on Twitter that he had yet to comment because he was “waiting for actual info to drop before commenting.”

Fish then told Beer to compare his life with Fish’s, and the “kill yourself”. “I fucking hate this industry,” Fish tweeted, saying that constant criticism had forced him into thinking about quitting the gaming scene. And then later on, Fish tweeted the following:

Fish (3)

Fish (2)

Fish (1)

Fish (1)Fish (2)

So what’s happening here? Is Beer being an unreasonable prick with a chip on his shoulder? Is Fish overreacting on a scale that can only be described as nuclear? Well actually, both. Sure, Fish and other devs only like it when the press is positive towards them? Well you know what? So does the rest of the gaming industry.

That a Gametrailers representative can accuse two developers of being biased with press coverage, while that website regularly shows off advertising for other games in order to get exclusives, is beyond ironic. Hell, if irony was chocolate, we’d all have type two diabetes right now.

It’s also an unspoken fact about the industry, and while it’s sad that this is an actual truth, that’s the way it is right now. Frankly, Beer should be disgusted with himself. And I’m still ashamed that this is something that everyone has to deal with on a daily basis.

But as for Fish, this is a guy who has no idea how to take criticism, there’s one very simple rule about the internet, that everyone has to know: Don’t read the f***ing comments. That’s something that’ll destroy your soul, no matter how good your game is. Because the internet is an asshole that way.

And if you happen to be the kind of guy who can’t take criticism of any kind, that should apply double for you. I don’t feel bad for Fish whatsoever. I feel for his Polytron employees, as they’re the ones who will suffer in the end.

An official update has been posted on the Polytron site

FEZ II is cancelled.
i am done.
i take the money and i run.
this is as much as i can stomach.
this is isn’t the result of any one thing, but the end of a long, bloody campaign.

you win.

Last Updated: July 29, 2013

35 Comments

  1. ‘Is Fish overreacting on a scale…’
    I see what you did there…

    Reply

  2. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    July 29, 2013 at 07:56

    Sheesh. Guys, the local primary school called. They want their child mentality back.

    Reply

  3. Jonah Cash

    July 29, 2013 at 07:56

    As I always say on here, people really need to grow thicker skins, or just ignore the shit and focus on the positive….. People should really just relax, and not just in gaming in all aspects of life. If there is an ass who is making your life difficult ignore him or find a way of getting him out of your life!! And if he is your boss, try to get another job… Or grow thicker skin… Have a good week all!!

    Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      July 29, 2013 at 07:59

      Whatever. I don’t like you because… because…. well just ‘coz!
      #trollol

      Seriously though, I agree. Just look at the hate AAA devs get. Remember Mass Effect? Or EA and SimCity or Blizzard and D3(Although that was their own doing really).

      I feel sorry for this Fish guy but seriously, he should know this happens in the industry.

      Reply

      • Jonah Cash

        July 29, 2013 at 09:25

        In your face!!! Hahahaha

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          July 29, 2013 at 09:27

          looooool. Well played

          Reply

  4. Umar Kiiroi Senk?

    July 29, 2013 at 07:58

    Well written article 🙂 I usually watch Annoyed Gamer every week , Beer is extremely harsh , a lot of the time what he says is true, and he really hits deep when it comes to this industry but I find his statement to be a little bit too much, that said …. I really do not like Fish, he is someone that likes to dish it out but cracks when it get’s hot in the kitchen. And now he want’s to act like a spoilt little brat, abandoning his employees and fans …. that is the industry, nay that is the world we live in. You only get that which you put out and man did Fish put out a lot of bullshit …

    Reply

  5. Anon A Mouse

    July 29, 2013 at 08:05

    No more Fez? Sad Panda is sad..

    Reply

  6. Concerned

    July 29, 2013 at 08:30

    The same guy that gave Microsoft lip because they wanted to charge him to release a fix for his broken game(after they gave him 2 freebies!?). The same guy who said Japanese Games suck? You should take it as good as you give it Fish! As soon as the millions he made on XBLA runs out he’ll resume his masterpiece – Broken Fez II coming fall 2017!!

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      July 29, 2013 at 14:11

      I actually agreed with him about Microsoft’s policies, and I guess he must have been pretty upset recently when Microsoft dropped their “you must pay to patch” policies (a little too late, if you ask me).

      But, I always thought that Phil should have kept the pressure on MS, but still provided a patch to his customers. Leaving Fez a broken pile of shit for over a year is disgusting, especially given how he loved to tweet about how rich he became.
      That’s one of the reasons I never bought Fez (and wouldn’t have gotten Fez 2)

      Reply

  7. Trevor Davies

    July 29, 2013 at 08:32

    Wow that’s a bit harsh from Beer. Not surprised by Fish’s reaction though, pretty much par for the course.

    Reply

  8. RinceDAmasterdebata

    July 29, 2013 at 08:45

    How old are these chops?

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      July 29, 2013 at 08:48

      Are you referring to his facial hair?

      Reply

      • RinceDAmasterdebata

        July 29, 2013 at 08:53

        lol. Really, this is so damn stupid, guys need to grow up!

        Reply

  9. Ultimo_Cleric N7

    July 29, 2013 at 08:48

    To Fish and ESPECIALLY Mr. Beer I say this:
    Both of you should grow up. Here is a little gem of guidance for you Mr. Fish. NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO, YOU WILL BE CRITCIZED! WELCOME TO LIFE……
    And Beer, you really are a winner. Well done.
    Somebody call the WAAAMBULANCE…….

    Reply

    • hairyknees

      July 29, 2013 at 10:58

      OMG! THIS IS A REAL THING? 😛 I was gonna comment and say WAAAAH CALL THE WAMBULANCE xD

      Reply

  10. Brady miaau

    July 29, 2013 at 08:55

    Why can’t we all just get along? I do not think much of people that react like this, but we do not the “hidden” truth that may have driven Mr Fish.

    1972, John Lennon

    Imagine there’s no heaven
    It’s easy if you try
    No hell below us
    Above us only sky
    Imagine all the people living for today

    Imagine there’s no countries
    It isn’t hard to do
    Nothing to kill or die for
    And no religion too
    Imagine all the people living life in peace

    Reply

  11. OVG

    July 29, 2013 at 09:04

    Blow me.

    Reply

    • Brady miaau

      July 29, 2013 at 09:30

      no

      Reply

      • OVG

        July 29, 2013 at 09:32

        Blow Fish?

        Reply

        • Brady miaau

          July 29, 2013 at 09:35

          perhaps, yes. if well prepared, by a certified chef and tested for toxins pre-preparation.

          Maybe.

          Reply

  12. Skyblue

    July 29, 2013 at 09:13

    #dealwithit

    Reply

  13. FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

    July 29, 2013 at 09:32

    You win Monday and 2x Internet cats to keep you warm for winter if you can guess who came to Mr Fish’s defense.

    Reply

    • Brady miaau

      July 29, 2013 at 09:36

      Phil Fish?

      Reply

      • FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

        July 29, 2013 at 09:37

        One word; Cliffy-B.

        Reply

        • Trevor Davies

          July 29, 2013 at 09:41

          That’s like pouring petrol on the fire lol

          Reply

        • Concerned

          July 29, 2013 at 09:49

          Imagine them teaming up as a development company!? ????

          Reply

          • FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

            July 29, 2013 at 10:10

            All they’ll do is whine all day.

          • Ultimo_Cleric N7

            July 29, 2013 at 10:18

            I think this would be the gaming world’s version of the Blue Screen of Death.

        • Ultimo_Cleric N7

          July 29, 2013 at 10:01

          Haha Cliffy B called Beer a douche. Pot calling the kettle black!

          Reply

  14. Gerhard Davids

    July 29, 2013 at 10:47

    Fish has a bad reputation for a reason.
    Now he want’s to play the injured Bambi. Even in the Indie Gamer movie he couldn’t help but be a prick.

    Good riddance.

    Reply

  15. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    July 29, 2013 at 14:04

    I watched Beer stomping Blowfish on Gametrailer over the weekend, and then discovered that Phil went pre-school on twitter.
    The thing is, I actually agree with Beer. Phil Fish is a “tosser”, and a “childish wanker”. The guy tasted a bit of fame (FROM ONE GAME), and his head expanded, along with his mouth. I absolutely agree with Beer that the relationship between the media and developers is one of reciprocity. Fish, like other developers or industry professionals, are well within their rights to “decline to comment”, but both Fishy and Blow love to go on a whiney rant. It’s almost as if they lived for those moments of absolute soap-opera drama.

    Also, I still remember Fish slagging of Japanese games, and unlike Jonathan Blow who actually had a credible argument, Fishballs caused controversy and rode it gladly to expand Brand Fish (like a French Canadian Steve Hofmeyr), and that’s something I absolutely despise.
    On the other hand, I can’t shake the feeling that this is some twisted Fish-scented PR move, to create buzz for Fez 2. As we speak, the mindless zombie Fish supporters are literally crying for the game.

    Reply

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