You may be surprised to learn of the reaction of a certain Makoto Goto, Japanese indie game developer, to the news that Phil Fish has cancelled Fez 2 and left the gaming industry.
For those of you who don't remember, Makoto Goto figured in an infamous episode in the Q&A conference for Indie Game: The Movie. He was that developer who went up to ask Fish (and the other devs there) what they thought of Japanese games. Fish famously blurted out "your games suck"
This scene was one of the first that gained Fish notoriety and acrimony from many in the gaming community. Fish attempted to explain that he hadn't intended to be harsh, but simply answered the question as was requested of him.
What many of you may not know is that Goto harbors no ill will towards the incident, and the two talked to each other after the Q&A. In fact, in case you heard stories harsher than what actually happened, I'll share a reupload of that Q&A here:
When asked recently what he thought of the incident, this was Goto's response:
@PatrionDigital I was remembered everything at that time so real. After watching this, I want to make good game more than before.
— Makoto Goto (@SquashSesame) July 28, 2013
Jumping forward to a few hours ago, a little while after Fish announced his early retirement. Goto essentially pleaded with Fish not to quit and to continue working on Fez 2. He tells his story better than me, so you can read it below.
@HokutoAndy @PHIL_FISH No! Don't quit! Don't get out!! Mr.Fish! You are winner of GDC'12! I bought FEZ XBLA and Steam version! this is great
— Makoto Goto (@SquashSesame) July 30, 2013
@HokutoAndy @PHIL_FISH I enjoyed playing FEZ!! You have a talent! Please keep to make games! I look forward to next one of you!!
— Makoto Goto (@SquashSesame) July 30, 2013
@HokutoAndy @PHIL_FISH I have a daytime job. I make my game at night time. I need long time to make a game. I think I am a typical poor dev
— Makoto Goto (@SquashSesame) July 30, 2013
@HokutoAndy @PHIL_FISH Mr.Fish. You are my goal. I'd like to get success such as you by my game. I respect you. Please don't quit.
— Makoto Goto (@SquashSesame) July 30, 2013
@HokutoAndy @PHIL_FISH Please keep to challenge. We are game creator. We need to go beyond a lot of 'first time' and troubles. anytime!!
— Makoto Goto (@SquashSesame) July 30, 2013
@HokutoAndy @PHIL_FISH I am looking forward to your new game. I also have to finish to make my game at that time. And, let's go drinking!!
— Makoto Goto (@SquashSesame) July 30, 2013
Goto has a full-time job and works on games as a hobby under Global Game Jam. However, he continued to look to Fish as a hero and source of inspiration. These are all things I suspect that the people who hate on Phil Fish are not aware of, and never found out beyond that infamous comment. I hope Fish eventually changes his mind and decides to come back, if not for his critics and haters, for actual fans who want to keep playing his games. I don't think it has really dawned on everyone how much of a loss he is to gaming.
Source: Kinja – HokutoAndy
