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[1-D_FTW]

Yeah it's not like this forum doesn't exist so that groups of people with zero published games who tell designers and publishers that they don't' know what they are doing on a regular basis.

Please. I'd like to think the majority of posters who like a little dash of hyperbole with their posts would still have enough sense to have some humility in that situation.

 

[ctrayne]

Pretty funny considering his game looks like a poor ripoff of Super Paper Mario and the guy himself looks like your typical hipster douchebag.

Now, now. No need to get personal. (not being sarcastic.)

 

[randomkid]

Reading twitter adds some more fun context and supports everyone's impressions that he was just mouthing off dumbly and thoughtlessly. I don't know how to quote twitter properly but the conversation goes:

PHIL FISH: im sorry japanese guy! i was a bit rough, but your country's games are fucking terrible nowadays.
Ricky Haggett: not *entirely* true. Pullblox/Pushmo is great! And Pixeljunk are in Japan..
PHIL FISH: well, you know, not ALL of them. just... a lot of them.

Also this fun exchange:

PHIL FISH: im sorry japanese guy! i was a bit rough, but your country's games are fucking terrible nowadays.
Josh Melnick: That's a little harsh. Do you think there is any chance for recovery or are they just gone?
PHIL FISH: everybody loves a comeback. i dig their aesthetics more than ours a lot of the times.

So patronizing! Haha.

Also a fellow panelist had this to say about the Japanese developer's reaction:

Danielle McMillen: I seriously can't get that japanese guy's sad face outa my head D:
Danielle McMillen: it was just the way you crushed the man's spirit was all!

But people are overreacting cuz he "got everyone thinking" and the media is of course reporting with "spin."

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

There's have been really great japaneses games this gen, both in the portable space and the console space. Surely Japan development suffered this years, for the reasons charlequin stated, but still their output is filled with quality, original games even in some of the most characteristic western genres this gen, like TPS had to compete with some really great japanese games (for me Vanquish is vastly superior to GoW, but even if you don't think like that you can't deny it's quality).

There's still terribly talented developers in Japan, Fish ignoring those facts and just being a douchebag in front of some guy that was seeking a well argumented answer is terrible.

 

[CO_Andy]

Japanese developers actually like being told their games suck --

Nagoshi recently provided a tip on how to inspire him as a creator. All you have to do is tell him that Japanese games suck.

In his weekly column in Famitsu this week, Nagoshi recalled conducting interviews with members of the overseas press during E3. He was repeatedly given the old line about Japanese games being no good. While he says that he kept his composure and responded to the questions, he was so mad that he wanted to get some Yakuza fist action going.

Link

 

[Fire Walk With Me]

Obviously he has never tried Star Ocean: The Last Hope.

 

[Sadist]

They should ask Fish which Japanese games he played.

 

[Skyrim]

Japanese developers actually like being told their games suck --

Link

well, looks like its all according to keikaku

 

[Emitan]

I would agree if Mario 64 DS and Sunshine didn't exist... It's still a good game though.

I don't think Mario 64 DS should count because it's a bad port of the best game.

 

[BocoDragon]

They should ask Fish which Japanese games he played.

Devil May Cry 4 and Gran Turismo 4 Prologue

 

[Phonomezer]

Took the words right out of my mouth. I saw the picture of him and it all clicked.

Pretty sure Fez has been in development since before Super Paper Mario was released.

 

[speedpop]

There are obviously many great games coming out of Japan from the likes of Platinum and Nintendo, but they are exceptions, not examples.

The same could be said for Western developers. There are always going to be "exceptions" and in this case it is about one person's love of peaches being another person's poison.

It still doesn't excuse the fact that Fish reacted like a dipshit, nor your reasoning that people are being upset due to nostalgia or something equally ridiculous.

 

[RelentlessRolento]

lol if you guys actually ever talked to Phil Fish this response is nothing to be freaked about.

 

[Karkador]

You know how there are groups trying to do away with internet aliases, and force people to use their real identities to act more responsibly online?

It seems this is just another exhibit of why that wouldn't actually work; people only seem to double-down on their mistakes.

 

[ULTROS!]

To be honest, I though this game was related to Tiny Tower!

 

[nincompoop]

I don't think Mario 64 DS should count because it's a bad port of the best game.

You misspelled "worst"

 

[botty]

Looks like Phil has been wearing that hipster scarf a bit too tight.

 

[Mael]

Pretty sure Fez has been in development since before Super Paper Mario was released.

Pretty funny considering that the game is no longer in print for longer than SPM has been in dev and Fez is still not out...
Japanese devs and their long dev time...

 

[LiK]

They should ask Fish which Japanese games he played.

i bet he owns a DS

 

[The_Darkest_Red]

lol if you guys actually ever talked to Phil Fish this response is nothing to be freaked about.

So his classless and unprofessional jerk move would be forgivable if we were more familiar with his arrogant and obnoxious personality?

Or are you just saying we wouldn't be so surprised (and have a huge thread about it)?

 

[Riposte]

"PS2 style" games is such a silly phrase. A cop-out even. All genres have progressed since the PS2. However the strides people want to talk about the most involve taking control away from the player (either literally or through simplification, e.g. motion controls, QTEs, cinematic set pieces). Skyrim is arguably a "Xbox style" game given its strong similarities to Morrowind. No one wants to make that argument, because it is a dumb one. Just like calling Bayonetta a PS2 style game would be.

 

[zkylon]

im sorry japanese guy! i was a bit rough, but your country's games are fucking terrible nowadays.

Oh wow, man, that's terrible lol

 

[Heavy's Sandvich]

I won't buy fez now.

 

[hym]

I don't understand how an otherwise smart person can conclude that the origin of developers is a defining factor for the quality of games they make. Sounds to me like he will be apologizing for the "they just suck" comment soon enough.

I find it hard to judge Japanese games because very often I'm simply not their target audience and all the aspects in the game that make cultural connections are either lost or misinterpreted.

I loved Catherine, greatly disliked Final Fantasy XIII.

 

[kenta]

Why are you still talking about 5 year old games?

I'm restricting myself to talking about the games I have experience with. I'm saying I have generally stopped buying/playing Japanese games, was challenged on it, and was providing examples

 

[Phonomezer]

Pretty funny considering that the game is no longer in print for longer than SPM has been in dev and Fez is still not out...
Japanese devs and their long dev time...

Fez is made by like, 2 people.

 

[cilonen]

God damn, I fucking hate the Indie scene so much sometimes. Just keep making your gimmicky flash game platformers and leave the real games to people who have actual talent.

This, so very much this. I hope his shitty 8-bit wannabe hipster platformer bombs hard.

 

[Leckan]

Why can't it be that game suck or this game is great instead of this country's games suck and this country's games are great?

 

[Sadist]

Devil May Cry 4 and Gran Turismo 4 Prologue

Hehe

 

[BocoDragon]

lol if you guys actually ever talked to Phil Fish this response is nothing to be freaked about.

I personally get that it was just an off the cuff comment from a strong personality.. I'm just interested in debating the point itself, not crucifying him.

 

[Emitan]

You misspelled "worst"

No, SM64 is the best 3D Mario.

 

[Phoenix Fang]

I wasn't interested in Fez but was going to check the demo when it comes out but with tis douch bags comment, I won't even be doing that.

 

[MuddyDonut]

I'm restricting myself to talking about the games I have experience with. I'm saying I have generally stopped buying/playing Japanese games, was challenged on it, and was providing examples

Your examples involved sequels to long running series and one new IP from a Japanese dev that you loved, yet you continue to be dismissive...

 

[Hot Coldman]

Fez is made by like, 2 people.

So was Super Meat Boy...

 

[LiK]

Fez is made by like, 2 people.

Cave Story is made by ONE

 

[Prodigal]

Totally agree with him. For everyone in this thread not buying a copy of Fez because of what he said, I'll add another one on to my purchase!

 

[water_wendi]

Guy sounds like a moron and ill make sure not to purchase any games this guy deals with.

 

[1-D_FTW]

So his classless and unprofessional jerk move would be forgivable if we were more familiar with his arrogant and obnoxious personality?

Or are you just saying we wouldn't be so surprised (and have a huge thread about it)?

I took that quote to mean he's a mega a-hole and the quotes are mild for the guy. He was saying if we only knew.

 

[Orayn]

I'm restricting myself to talking about the games I have experience with. I'm saying I have generally stopped buying/playing Japanese games, was challenged on it, and was providing examples

On a certain level, what you're saying has merit. Japanese games are usually designed for consumers whose tastes are very different from yours. However, it would be wise to recognize this as a matter of preference rather than couching it in terms of innovation versus stagnancy, since developers everywhere are prone to doing both, just in different ways.

 

[geebee]

Another arrogant ignorant indie developer.

I was going to buy Fez, but fuck that.

I was looking forward to Fez, but after this I'll just listen to the soundtrack somewhere and skip this asshole's game.

 

[Mael]

Fez is made by like, 2 people.

Cave Story is made by ONE

I'll add to that, that I played Cave Story on 2 different platforms already while I'm still waiting (well not anymore I don't give my money to douchebags if I can help it) on Fez.

 

[Phonomezer]

Can we get this? Or other on-site reports? I don't like that this is one report is the source that has sparked this huge debate. This could be blown out of proportion or it's not enough outage.

Either way, We need more info.

Indeed, I'm pretty sure people are just conjuring up images of him standing up and the panel, pointing and yelling at the poor, brave gentle Japanese developer and making them cry.

Need video, the comment has been misconstrued to the point of annoyance now.

 

[PsychoSoldier]

Phil Fish to world: "I am an asshole"

Thanks for letting us know Phil. Your game could literally be the best thing ever and I still wouldn't buy it. I like supporting indie games but I'd always rather buy a slightly lesser game from someone who isn't a jackass rather than buy the best game ever from an asshole.

 

[Why would you do that?]

You misspelled "worst"

So what if it's the worst port of the best game. It was the only port.

 

[The Emperor]

Apparently the poor Japanese Dev didn't sit back down but left the room

 

[Castor Krieg]

Oh man, GDC is going down the toilet if that comment didn't cause a strong response from the crowd, etc. You got a d-bag developer, kick his ass out. FFS, there are many other artists that you can feature at GDC.

 

[Mael]

Totally agree with him. For everyone in this thread not buying a copy of Fez because of what he said, I'll add another one on to my purchase!

You better have plenty of cash ready...

Indeed, I'm pretty sure people are just conjuring up images of him standing up and the panel, pointing and yelling at the poor, brave gentle Japanese developer and making them cry.

Need video, the comment has been misconstrued to the point of annoyance now.

That doesn't change anything even if he said it in the most polite manner while offering the guy 500 000 bucks for apology.

 

[inner-G]

Once he puts out a good game, then he can talk crap.

His game isn't all that exciting, I don't even know why these is so much interest in it.

He obviously doesn't have the talent of a Japanese developer, so I'm not really surprised that he is doing whatever he can to get coverage.

 

[AzaK]

We´ll see how Fez turns out then.

This. But I'll have to rely on reviews and opinons of others because I ain't buying it.

 

[KTallguy]

Aside from a few bright spots, I would say that more than half of the content coming from Japanese game developers IS crap. A lot of the bad games are ones that you've never heard of though.

However on the western side you have tons of shitty games as well. Just not as many porn-adv bs games.

He could take some lessons in humility though. I wonder if there is a recording of the talk somewhere.