Update: Fez Dev Tells Media Member To Kill Himself

[JackWestJr]

Good on him, everyone in this situation is acting childish, but at least he has the excuse of having had this abuse for ages.

 

[Gilhelmi]

The more comments I read the more I want to personally abuse each and everyone of them. I mean personally. Find twitter and call them rude names and everything they do suck, personal telephone numbers calling them, Email them hateful things.

Of course, IF I did that, the Escapist would ban me (rightfully so), Twitter would flag my account (I do not know how it works with them), AND the police would throw me in jail for harassment (ya, it is a crime to phone/email threats to people).

Must be nice being a 'game journalist' you get to hide behind your shield and abuse people until they break and then make fun of how they broke. I have seen domestic abuse cases go to court with less evidence then this article just provided me. I wonder how long it will be until the tragic day someone does take their own life? I wonder how much the family will sue for? I wonder what new (and bad) laws will be hastily written trying to give people protection from so-called journalists verbally abusing people?

Disgusting.

I know people will say "but the Dev was being an a**h***". And I will say,

"If you BEAT your dog, do not be surprised when it Bites you. If you constantly abuse a man verbally, do not be surprised when he curses you out."

I swear, some peoples children.

 

[Gilhelmi]

You know what, I didn't even know they were working on a fez 2, but I'm gonna come out and say it, Nothing of value was lost here. I don't know why, but I do know everyone hates phil fish, he's said stupid things that I don't know what? But even though this guy is publicly labeled as a huge jerk, I see prove he's living up to it.

Here's the thing with indie developers, Your Not Notch. I know you see this guy that can pretty much get away and do and say whatever he wants but your not him. Your not the guy that basically made your industry a thing. A person that is constantly giving to gaming charities like child's play and desert bus, funding projects that aren't even his, and spending absurd amount of money on things like humble bundles. Notch is on a pillar, you other devs need to do something good for the industry other then just making a game before you get the right to run your mouth and not get called a jerk for it.

If you do not know the things he said, you should know that he said those rude thing to people who were equally (or worse usually) abusing him.

If people were to start cursing you out everyday, would you not eventually curse them back? Now imagine that the people who were cursing you turned around and said "Look at how big of Jerk this person is". No one cares that they were abusing you first, just that you lashed out. No matter what you said, nope you are a jerk lets insult them some more to get more reaction out of him we can print.

I am sure that if people started to abuse Notch as much as they abused this poor guy, he would leave the industry too.

 

[lord canti]

Why do I get the feeling if Phil was part of a bigger company fewer people would be jumping to defend him. Look he is part of an industry that has been under heavy scrutiny in every aspect for years. He should have fully expected to get a bunch of shit for being in this industry and expect even more shit when he starts saying a bunch of shit he knows will cause him backlash. I'm sorry but he gets no sympathy for me. He would not be getting as much shit as he is if he kept his mouth shut or at the very least acted like a professional.

 

[Headdrivehardscrew]

This is the end (hopefully) of a long time of Fish being a dick on twitter. Seriously this has been going on for a long time before this. Seems to be pretty common problem for some creative types that they cannot take criticism of there work. At least those that don't have corporate over lords to keep them quiet. It generally ends with this "take my ball and go home" approach.

So someone calling him "Blowfish" is "Criticism of his work"?

Don't fucking think so.

Fish was out of line certainly. But the other guy sounds like a grade-a juvenile asshole as well. This is an example of two people who should've been the better man, and yet neither of them were.

The actual criticism Beer shared with the world was how neither Fish nor Fowl Blow seemed to care much about using their stardom, wits and experience to make the indie world a better place, they both have a history of behaving like either bearded kids or uppity twats with a serious attention, humility and common courtesy disorder. Beer just pulled the names of Fish and Blow together to form 'Blowfish' because it was too much fun to pass up on.

Fish has issues beyond finding it difficult to handle language properly or deal with people in a non-offensive manner. Let's just say Fish finds it really difficult to meet deadlines and working in a manner that is anywhere near organized or useful in an average setting.

 

[Eve Charm]

You know what, I didn't even know they were working on a fez 2, but I'm gonna come out and say it, Nothing of value was lost here. I don't know why, but I do know everyone hates phil fish, he's said stupid things that I don't know what? But even though this guy is publicly labeled as a huge jerk, I see prove he's living up to it.

Here's the thing with indie developers, Your Not Notch. I know you see this guy that can pretty much get away and do and say whatever he wants but your not him. Your not the guy that basically made your industry a thing. A person that is constantly giving to gaming charities like child's play and desert bus, funding projects that aren't even his, and spending absurd amount of money on things like humble bundles. Notch is on a pillar, you other devs need to do something good for the industry other then just making a game before you get the right to run your mouth and not get called a jerk for it.

If you do not know the things he said, you should know that he said those rude thing to people who were equally (or worse usually) abusing him.

If people were to start cursing you out everyday, would you not eventually curse them back? Now imagine that the people who were cursing you turned around and said "Look at how big of Jerk this person is". No one cares that they were abusing you first, just that you lashed out. No matter what you said, nope you are a jerk lets insult them some more to get more reaction out of him we can print.

I am sure that if people started to abuse Notch as much as they abused this poor guy, he would leave the industry too.

Oh I don't doubt this guy gets tons of hate but welcome to the internet. A man of his standing as she says, should know better then to react "Look at me, then look at yourself, then go kill yourself" on a public forum that people will see, all because someone just took a small pot shot at his name.

 

[spoonybard.hahs]

People saying they wont buy Fez because they dont like Phil Fish, Thats real sad. Fez is a great game no matter who it was developed by.What im saying is if you dont like Fez because its just not your cup of tea thats all well and good. But not liking a game because the guy who developed it made some questionable comments is just stupid.

In our society, people have a hard time separating art from artist. Many people who do it are fully well aware of how ridiculous it is even as they actively engage in it. For a lot of people I imagine it's just that they don't want their money to go to this person that they despise, even if it means depriving themselves of a somewhat enjoyable experience.

To use a somewhat controversial example, there are thousands of people who are boycotting the Ender's Game movie based solely on the fact that Orson Scott Card is against gay marriage. Now I'm not familiar with Ender's Game, I dunno if the story itself has any anti-gay messages in it (I've been told it doesn't, but I don't know) but to them it doesn't matter if 90% or more of the people who worked on the film are in full support of gay marriage, or are gay themselves, they just don't care. They refuse to give money to it because the guy who wrote the book the movie is based on is against gay marriage.

There's nothing ridiculous about it. Why would anyone want to give money to someone they disagree with or are offended by? I like Ender's Game. It is actually a terrific book. Unfortunately, I had purchased and read it before I knew anything about Card, and now regret doing so. No matter how good the film might be, I will not see it. I don't want my money supporting a man who will use it and his fame to promote hatred. Does this mean that the film studio, cast, and crew get caught in the cross-fire? Yes. But they knew lost ticket sales were a risk when they decided to produce a film based on a book written by an unabashed bigot.

And no, the book isn't full of anti-gay sentiment. Although, there is a twinge of gay subtext in it (unintentional on Card's part). I might have entertained the notion of possibly seeing it, but given Card's comments on the film, yeah, no. Totally not seeing it.

Fish is obviously a lesser example than Card (I am unfamiliar with Fish's politics outside of games). However me buying Fez, or what would have been Fez II, would only condone his behavior. Which I find unacceptable and unbecoming of a "professional." My buying his games feeds his ego which he is clearly unable to control. So much so that rather than give up what he recognizes as an obvious problem and learn from it, he gives up Twitter and his current project.

My hard-earned money is better spent elsewhere than on a simpering man-baby.

 

[spoonybard.hahs]

You know what, I didn't even know they were working on a fez 2, but I'm gonna come out and say it, Nothing of value was lost here. I don't know why, but I do know everyone hates phil fish, he's said stupid things that I don't know what? But even though this guy is publicly labeled as a huge jerk, I see prove he's living up to it.

Here's the thing with indie developers, Your Not Notch. I know you see this guy that can pretty much get away and do and say whatever he wants but your not him. Your not the guy that basically made your industry a thing. A person that is constantly giving to gaming charities like child's play and desert bus, funding projects that aren't even his, and spending absurd amount of money on things like humble bundles. Notch is on a pillar, you other devs need to do something good for the industry other then just making a game before you get the right to run your mouth and not get called a jerk for it.

If you do not know the things he said, you should know that he said those rude thing to people who were equally (or worse usually) abusing him.

If people were to start cursing you out everyday, would you not eventually curse them back? Now imagine that the people who were cursing you turned around and said "Look at how big of Jerk this person is". No one cares that they were abusing you first, just that you lashed out. No matter what you said, nope you are a jerk lets insult them some more to get more reaction out of him we can print.

I am sure that if people started to abuse Notch as much as they abused this poor guy, he would leave the industry too.

There's a point where that stops becoming an excuse. You want to know why Notch doesn't get shat on on Twitter? Because he doesn't go around provoking people. He's something approaching an adult who can let shit slide off of him. Because when you're a public figure, that's what you have to learn to do. Especially when you function and operate in the internet. Fish's reactions were him trying to put out small waste-bin fires with napalm. Was Beer any better? No. Not by a long shot. And certainly all the anonymous douche bags who said anything negative to Fish aren't better, either.

Fish never saw that he was part of the problem. He was in a perpetual Dickwolves moment most of his now very short career. And rather than grow up and try to actually be better than those attacking him, he devolved into a spoiled brat who didn't get the perfect birthday party, and has to ruin it for everyone else.

 

[TornadoADV]

Person acts like a human being under constant duress, internet proceeds to gut him for it. Ironic.

 

[SuperfastJellyfish]

Given the sheer amount of shit I see tossed at Phil Fish on the internet on a constant basis, this outburst is wholly understandable. Childish and irrational to be sure, but also understandable.

You're like the only person who's talked about this subject that isn't dumb, gratz man. But yeah, everyone acts like a total mouth breathing idiot to Phil all the time and he can't take the stress. Sorry you're a piece of shit, internet.

 

[Arnoxthe1]

I know people will say "but the Dev was being an a**h***". And I will say,

"If you BEAT your dog, do not be surprised when it Bites you. If you constantly abuse a man verbally, do not be surprised when he curses you out."

I swear, some peoples children.

If he just cursed him out, that's OK. What's stupid is how childishly he acted about all this. If he wants to throw some abuse back, whatever. But to cancel development and not even think to just pass it on to someone else? Wow. Not to mention how much of a disservice this was to the other devs who wanted to keep working on Fez 2 but nevermind that. His feelings got hurt.

Code: I'll just pack my things and go!
Code: Fine!

 

[MammothBlade]

You don't, but what about other people? I don't enjoy or like it personally, but it's a loss for those who do.

To be blunt: Why would I care about what other people's opinions on video games are? Sure I do have a curiosity and I do enjoy discussing them, but I don't see why I would care enough about Fish or others who like him to mourn his loss from the video game industry as though I was a fan. It's a loss to them, but I don't see why it's a loss to me.

By that logic, if you don't give a toss about this guy or the games he's peddling, then why are you posting in a forum thread about him at all? Waste of time that could be spent playing games you enjoy.

Or perhaps you want a reason to care?

 

[Riobux]

You don't, but what about other people? I don't enjoy or like it personally, but it's a loss for those who do.

To be blunt: Why would I care about what other people's opinions on video games are? Sure I do have a curiosity and I do enjoy discussing them, but I don't see why I would care enough about Fish or others who like him to mourn his loss from the video game industry as though I was a fan. It's a loss to them, but I don't see why it's a loss to me.

By that logic, if you don't give a toss about this guy or the games he's peddling, then why are you posting in a forum thread about him at all? Waste of time that could be spent playing games you enjoy.

Or perhaps you want a reason to care?

Using the logic I have curiousity and do enjoy discussing about computer game news, why am I posting here?

You seem able to answer that.

 

[MammothBlade]

You don't, but what about other people? I don't enjoy or like it personally, but it's a loss for those who do.

To be blunt: Why would I care about what other people's opinions on video games are? Sure I do have a curiosity and I do enjoy discussing them, but I don't see why I would care enough about Fish or others who like him to mourn his loss from the video game industry as though I was a fan. It's a loss to them, but I don't see why it's a loss to me.

By that logic, if you don't give a toss about this guy or the games he's peddling, then why are you posting in a forum thread about him at all? Waste of time that could be spent playing games you enjoy.

Or perhaps you want a reason to care?

Using the logic I have curiousity and do enjoy discussing about computer game news, why am I posting here?

You seem able to answer that.

You're curious, yet you started out proclaiming that this was no loss to the games industry. That doesn't make any sense.

 

[Riobux]

You don't, but what about other people? I don't enjoy or like it personally, but it's a loss for those who do.

To be blunt: Why would I care about what other people's opinions on video games are? Sure I do have a curiosity and I do enjoy discussing them, but I don't see why I would care enough about Fish or others who like him to mourn his loss from the video game industry as though I was a fan. It's a loss to them, but I don't see why it's a loss to me.

By that logic, if you don't give a toss about this guy or the games he's peddling, then why are you posting in a forum thread about him at all? Waste of time that could be spent playing games you enjoy.

Or perhaps you want a reason to care?

Using the logic I have curiousity and do enjoy discussing about computer game news, why am I posting here?

You seem able to answer that.

You're curious, yet you started out proclaiming that this was no loss to the games industry. That doesn't make any sense.

I never said it was no loss to the game industry. I'm starting to get the impression you're reading too heavily into what you want to believe. I'm not as sinister as you're making me out to be. However, I'll go into more depth:

I'm assuming you see caring and apathy a similar way I do? That caring about things is not an on-and-off switch. It's a percentage scale. 100% you're infatuated to the point of swooning at every opportunity to discuss, praise and sometimes worship the game. 0%, you just couldn't care less. It's a chore to even listen about the news, let alone talk of it.

With this in mind, my level of care is low about John Fish. It was enough that I had no problem with saying "And nothing of value was lost" and reading a few comments, but not enough to expand (which I get the feeling, considering the feedback, I probably should of) nor to care about what brought him to that point. My level of care about discussing and sharing ideas in a polite and orderly fashion however is somewhere between 50% to 75%. I have been known in the past (although, I promise, not in this case) to say overtly offensive or outlandish things just to drag a conversation out of someone. However, how much I care is enough that I've posted about 10-12 times to this topic (including, not to blow my own trumpet too much, a really interesting conversation about personal values being attached to events and people, and how they differ to person to person, which I'll admit is very relevant to what you're asking but I hate repeating myself). I am happy to explain myself, mostly so I can discuss with others mine and their ideas so we may each learn from each other.

This is why I posted. To discuss. I hope you can relate.

 

[Headdrivehardscrew]

And none of that matters.

I can merrily go with 'artist' and be done with it quickly.

I love(d) Braid (we're not interacting much lately) and I really like Fez, even though it was pretty broken last time I played it.

See, much as you dismiss the points I've made, I am inclined to take your opinion and draw a smiley face on it - because, and that's what really matters, and the both of us seem to agree on, is that none of that matters or should matter. The invasive nature of Twatter, Fakebook and all the other nice-to-have must-have commodities have twisted us way more than TV, rock music or an abundance of sexual intercourse all whipped into one. The vast majority of us is an unnatural selection of uppity twats, intolerable gits and plain old wankers, even though the vast majority of us would want to disagree and, without much pondering or reflection, go straight for the throat.

I am simple, at times. I want more Beer. I want more Blow. I currently find myself not wanting anything Fish. I do hope he comes back to games or finds another artistic outlet. But I also do hope he finds a way to deal with fucking people and fucking life itself, as he's plain not the Salinger type. He needs help, he needs guidance, he needs coping mechanism to keep himself in check. But that is none of my business. I don't want to care about that until I have to or can do something about it. Fish ain't mine, and there's plenty more wacky fish in the sea swimming and skipping and skidding out of control all around me, much closer than that guy that made one fun game and doesn't get along with people all over mah interwebz.

Oh: I am eagerly awaiting The Enders Games movie, as, if I was to care about the personal lives and views and opinions of a lot of actors, directors, writers or other creative folks, I would find it extremely hard to enjoy the art they produce.

 

[thanatos388]

Well to be fair Marcus Beer is one of the biggest assholes around. Biased for the sake of being "edgy" (a douche). Yeah this is childish but really who cares? He told Beer to go kill himself, legally its wrong but I doubt there was any REAL malice intent, people use that insult all the time it was melodramatic at best. And comparing his whining to Adam Orth is just fucking unfair I mean seriously that must have been a poorly thought out fucking joke. The real question is why Fish gave any amount of shits over what Marcus fuckin Beer had to say. Ridiculous on both sides.

 

[health-bar]

people were looking forward to fez 2?

jeez this really is news.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

And none of that matters.

I can merrily go with 'artist' and be done with it quickly.

I love(d) Braid (we're not interacting much lately) and I really like Fez, even though it was pretty broken last time I played it.

See, much as you dismiss the points I've made, I am inclined to take your opinion and draw a smiley face on it - because, and that's what really matters, and the both of us seem to agree on, is that none of that matters or should matter. The invasive nature of Twatter, Fakebook and all the other nice-to-have must-have commodities have twisted us way more than TV, rock music or an abundance of sexual intercourse all whipped into one. The vast majority of us is an unnatural selection of uppity twats, intolerable gits and plain old wankers, even though the vast majority of us would want to disagree and, without much pondering or reflection, go straight for the throat.

I am simple, at times. I want more Beer. I want more Blow. I currently find myself not wanting anything Fish. I do hope he comes back to games or finds another artistic outlet. But I also do hope he finds a way to deal with fucking people and fucking life itself, as he's plain not the Salinger type. He needs help, he needs guidance, he needs coping mechanism to keep himself in check. But that is none of my business. I don't want to care about that until I have to or can do something about it. Fish ain't mine, and there's plenty more wacky fish in the sea swimming and skipping and skidding out of control all around me, much closer than that guy that made one fun game and doesn't get along with people all over mah interwebz.

Oh: I am eagerly awaiting The Enders Games movie, as, if I was to care about the personal lives and views and opinions of a lot of actors, directors, writers or other creative folks, I would find it extremely hard to enjoy the art they produce.

I just have to say, the first few sentences of your third paragraph are hilarious out of context. I think many people want more beer and blow in their lives, and less fish

OT: Dude's a dick, it's not rocket science to understand why people wouldn't want to give him money. I might play his game if it was given to me or something, but the way he slings insults he's managed to offend pretty much every gamer but the kind of hipster that thinks arty platformers are the best thing since Piss Christ.

Granted, I probably wouldn't play much of his game even if it were free, but that's because I really, truly despise "art games." They tend to use the "art" as a crutch and severely lack in actual gameplay.

 

[CarlsonAndPeeters]

Huh. I never even knew Fez II was in development...

Don't have strong feelings about Phil Fish either way, but he kind of worries me. Sounds like he might need medical help (I mean that in an entirely non-offensive way; I have depression and am a big supporter of drugs and therapy). Maybe getting out of games for the while is the best thing for him.