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Yeah, Fez Has a Release Date

The lengthy development of Fez has come to a close.

After years of development, a couple of re-designs and a few public gaffes later, Fez is finally done.

Designer Phil Fish announced last night on Twitter that Fez would be released via Xbox Live Arcade on a rather appropriate date: April 13. You’ll only be paying 800 Microsoft Points ($10) for it, too.

Fez was first revealed all the way back in 2007, and loosely had a release window several times, only to be delayed over and over again. The game was a source of controversy at this year’s Independent Games Festival, as Fez won for “Excellence in Visual Art” in 2008, which also came with $2,500, and the “Seumas McNally Grand Prize” this year, which came with a much bigger pot: $30,000. The rules on entering twice may change next year.

Fish also made waves around the same time for deeply criticizing Japanese video games during the Q&A session for Indie Game: The Movie, following a question from a Japanese designer in the audience.

In a few weeks, though, we'll have the best way to judge a designer: their game.

Patrick Klepek on Google+

236 Comments

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Porkellain

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Edited By Porkellain

I'm a PC gamer and I have a PS3 so whatever, anyway, don't think I'm buying this anytime in the future, you know, I still remember what he said about Japanese devs.

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bchampnd

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Edited By bchampnd

I completely understand a lot of people's sentiments about not wanting to support Fish because they dislike him and/or find his views offensive. On the other hand, taking such a stance and being consistent in this day and age seems almost impossible. Almost everything we consume is produced by large corporations engaging in work practices with which we'd probably disagree (exploitation of children, exploitation of migrant farmers, grossly underpaying workers in sweatshop-like conditions, etc...). I find one guy speaking his mind (even if what he said was an supported generalization - if he had given some reasons and backed up his statement I'd have no problem at all with what he said) less reprehensible than most of what goes on in this world. But hey, to each his own when it comes to decisions on how to spend money.

I'm intrigued by this game and will at least give the demo a shot. The concept seems interesting but I could see the novelty wearing thin after an hour and the game becoming boring once that happens.

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Matoyak

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Edited By Matoyak

@MormonWarrior said:

Did anybody not play L.A. Noire simply because the work conditions were awful at the developer?

I totally didn't buy that game because the work conditions were awful. Who the hell would if they knew their money would be used to support such stuff? o_O?! EDIT2: (Note that this assumes prior knowledge of the issues going down in that studio. I am not accusing people who bought it ignorant of said knowledge of anything)

EDIT: And that is in a whole 'nother LEAGUE compared to 'dude's a douche'. Which Fish seems to be. ~shrug~ Dunno one way or another, and regardless of whether he is or isn't, his douchy-ness isn't a bit enough issue to me to cause me to not purchase the game. May or may not buy the game, depends on the gameplay (of which I personally have yet to see.)

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Jackal888

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Edited By Jackal888

Fish now has to show & tell.

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Rumour

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Edited By Rumour

Xbox only?

Damn, I was hoping to have a look at this one. Maybe it will come to steam eventually.

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Sooty

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Edited By Sooty

Like 99% of these indie games I fail to see the appeal, also guy is an asshole, rage, hatred, etc....

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jmfinamore

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Edited By jmfinamore

After all these years of intrigue and I'm still not interested in Fez. I'm sure it will be good though, so that's nice.

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composite

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Edited By composite

I AM CONSUMER. I CHOOSE TO SPEND MY MONEY. I HAVE FUCKING REASON I WANT SPEND MONEY ON SOMETHING, AND NOT SPEND MONEY ON SOMETHING ELSE.

SO FUCKING WHAT.

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Krendol

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Edited By Krendol

Cool, but I'm still waiting on a release date for Spelunky.

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captain_clayman

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Edited By captain_clayman

two days before my b-day! sweeeeeeeeeeeet

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Amoveo

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Edited By Amoveo

I'll believe it when I play it.

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RockyHudson

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Edited By RockyHudson

I'm going to play this game, but I'm going to try as hard as possible to separate my knowledge of Fish from the experience.

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Hailinel

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Edited By Hailinel

@Veri7as said:

@Hailinel said:

Really? You'd call games like WarioWare, Fire Emblem, Odin Sphere, No More Heroes, Nier, the Touhou Project, and Super Goddamn Mario all ass?

Really?

That's what i'm saying.

Then you're going to need to do a better job of justifying your opinion.

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Veri7as

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Edited By Veri7as

@Hailinel said:

Really? You'd call games like WarioWare, Fire Emblem, Odin Sphere, No More Heroes, Nier, the Touhou Project, and Super Goddamn Mario all ass?

Really?

That's what i'm saying.

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Hailinel

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Edited By Hailinel

@tourgen said:

Phil can sure run his mouth for someone who hasn't even released a real game. Maybe he's an obnoxious asshole to cover for the fact he has no real skills.

I wouldn't say he can even run his mouth effectively. He rage quit his personal Twitter account a few weeks ago because he couldn't handle the barrage of critics.

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coaxmetal

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Edited By coaxmetal

Bummer that it's XBLA, I was hoping i'd get to play it. Hopefully it will come to steam, or maybe PSN later.

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tourgen

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Edited By tourgen

Phil can sure run his mouth for someone who hasn't even released a real game. Maybe he's an obnoxious asshole to cover for the fact he has no real skills.

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teptom

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Edited By teptom

I look forward to playing this video game.

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Animasta

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Edited By Animasta

@Hailinel said:

@Veri7as said:

@TeflonBilly said:

@Veri7as said:

@TeflonBilly said:

@TheMasterDS said:

Can't wait to buy it. Also, fuck people attacking Phil Fish. Japanese Video Games as a whole are in a pretty dark place nowadays, I don't think he's wrong to point that out.

"Hi, we're Platinum Games and probably the best damn studio in a sea of shit at the moment making our games as Japanese as we can."

Fixed.

One game studio justifies a whole country of shitty developers?

Okay, how about From Software? Cave? Grasshopper Studios? Cavia? Atlus? Intelligent Systems? Vanillaware? Nintendo EAD?

It's just plain retarded by Phil Fish to make such a blanket statement that all Japanese developers suck.

Other than Atlus, and Demon Souls, all ass.

Really? You'd call games like WarioWare, Fire Emblem, Odin Sphere, No More Heroes, Nier, the Touhou Project, and Super Goddamn Mario all ass?

Really?

Cavia doesn't exist anymore don't bring them up it just makes me sad :(

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Juicebox

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Edited By Juicebox

Yeah, fuck Phil Fish.

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Hailinel

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Edited By Hailinel

@Veri7as said:

@TeflonBilly said:

@Veri7as said:

@TeflonBilly said:

@TheMasterDS said:

Can't wait to buy it. Also, fuck people attacking Phil Fish. Japanese Video Games as a whole are in a pretty dark place nowadays, I don't think he's wrong to point that out.

"Hi, we're Platinum Games and probably the best damn studio in a sea of shit at the moment making our games as Japanese as we can."

Fixed.

One game studio justifies a whole country of shitty developers?

Okay, how about From Software? Cave? Grasshopper Studios? Cavia? Atlus? Intelligent Systems? Vanillaware? Nintendo EAD?

It's just plain retarded by Phil Fish to make such a blanket statement that all Japanese developers suck.

Other than Atlus, and Demon Souls, all ass.

Really? You'd call games like WarioWare, Fire Emblem, Odin Sphere, No More Heroes, Nier, the Touhou Project, and Super Goddamn Mario all ass?

Really?

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Andorski

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@GoodKn1ght said:

Why is this guy a douche? I seem to be out of the loop....

  1. Gets asked about his thought on Japanese game development at GDC.
  2. Makes a joke towards one of the other devs on the panel (I think it was one of the Team Meat guys) by flat out saying current Japenese game development sucks.
    ** He then goes on to give an actual answer to the guy who asked the question. In short, he points to how Japanese development has lost touch with the majority of gamers compared to when they were the main game developers.
  3. Gaming community focuses solely on his joke and takes it seriously.
  4. Internet rages because, hey, its the internet.
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Andorski

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Edited By Andorski

PC release after it comes out on XBLA, right?

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Veri7as

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Edited By Veri7as

@TeflonBilly said:

@Veri7as said:

@TeflonBilly said:

@TheMasterDS said:

Can't wait to buy it. Also, fuck people attacking Phil Fish. Japanese Video Games as a whole are in a pretty dark place nowadays, I don't think he's wrong to point that out.

"Hi, we're Platinum Games and probably the best damn studio in a sea of shit at the moment making our games as Japanese as we can."

Fixed.

One game studio justifies a whole country of shitty developers?

Okay, how about From Software? Cave? Grasshopper Studios? Cavia? Atlus? Intelligent Systems? Vanillaware? Nintendo EAD?

It's just plain retarded by Phil Fish to make such a blanket statement that all Japanese developers suck.

Other than Atlus, and Demon Souls, all ass.

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Enigma_2099

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Edited By Enigma_2099

so how much for the PSN version?

oh... what?

@TurboMan said:

No Caption Provided

... because I remembered I didn't give a s***... about the game, OR Fish.

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deactivated-5d7bd9e4bef30

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@Veri7as said:

@TeflonBilly said:

@TheMasterDS said:

Can't wait to buy it. Also, fuck people attacking Phil Fish. Japanese Video Games as a whole are in a pretty dark place nowadays, I don't think he's wrong to point that out.

"Hi, we're Platinum Games and probably the best damn studio in a sea of shit at the moment making our games as Japanese as we can."

Fixed.

One game studio justifies a whole country of shitty developers?

Okay, how about From Software? Cave? Grasshopper Studios? Cavia? Atlus? Intelligent Systems? Vanillaware? Nintendo EAD?

It's just plain retarded by Phil Fish to make such a blanket statement that all Japanese developers suck.

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Veri7as

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Edited By Veri7as

@TeflonBilly said:

@TheMasterDS said:

Can't wait to buy it. Also, fuck people attacking Phil Fish. Japanese Video Games as a whole are in a pretty dark place nowadays, I don't think he's wrong to point that out.

"Hi, we're Platinum Games and probably the best damn studio in a sea of shit at the moment making our games as Japanese as we can."

Fixed.

One game studio justifies a whole country of shitty developers?

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ironscimitar

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Edited By ironscimitar

Look forward to not playing it.

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deactivated-5d7bd9e4bef30

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@TheMasterDS said:

Can't wait to buy it. Also, fuck people attacking Phil Fish. Japanese Video Games as a whole are in a pretty dark place nowadays, I don't think he's wrong to point that out.

"Hi, we're Platinum Games and probably the best damn studio out there at the moment making our games as Japanese as we can."

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GoodKn1ght

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Edited By GoodKn1ght

Why is this guy a douche? I seem to be out of the loop....

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@bko said:

@crustwheel said:

Wait why is the date "rather appropriate"? Hitler's birthday isn't until the 20th.

The irony of comparing a guy who spoke his mind to Hitler is just mind-blowing. I know most gamers don't know shit about history unless it's the Video Game Crash of 83, but jesus christ, gain some perspective and stop making a fool of yourself.

Ich bin ein Phil Fish!

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Sooty

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Edited By Sooty

@TheMasterDS said:

Japanese Video Games as a whole are in a pretty dark place nowadays

No they're not. Just one of the most notable developers from that country are. (Square)

I'm sure if people look back over the last few years, Japan has been responsible for some damn good games; including the fighting game resurgence.

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Hailinel

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Edited By Hailinel
@TheMasterDS
Can't wait to buy it. Also, fuck people attacking Phil Fish. Japanese Video Games as a whole are in a pretty dark place nowadays, I don't think he's wrong to point that out.
By insulting and humiliating a Japanese developer that had just complimented him during a Q&A;? Also, this isn't just related to his comments on Japanese devs. Fish has a history of being a prick.
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TheMasterDS

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Edited By TheMasterDS

Can't wait to buy it. Also, fuck people attacking Phil Fish. Japanese Video Games as a whole are in a pretty dark place nowadays, I don't think he's wrong to point that out.

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bko

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@crustwheel said:

Wait why is the date "rather appropriate"? Hitler's birthday isn't until the 20th.

The irony of comparing a guy who spoke his mind to Hitler is just mind-blowing. I know most gamers don't know shit about history unless it's the Video Game Crash of 83, but jesus christ, gain some perspective and stop making a fool of yourself.

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Edited By Little_Socrates

I'll be playing. I want to know if Phil Fish delivers. Always interesting, occasionally offensive, but I really want to see this game.

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deactivated-5d7bd9e4bef30

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@Skald said:

I think C418 (the guy who did the music for Minecraft) said it best:

A bit saddened at all the hate towards FEZ. I guess Phil did get a bit overboard on his twitter account. However, consider this.

Behind FEZ is also the programmer of it, renaudbedard, who is such an amazing guy. He's always fun to hang around.

And then there's Disasterpeace with the insanely amazing soundtrack of course. And don't forget BeeMickSee and his top notch sound design.

And then there's the amazing animations from Paul Robertson,adamatomic and Annabelle Kennedy.

So phil_fish made the design and art for FEZ, but there's also this team of great people. Even if you don't like Phil, they are loveable.

Then those people should make a video where they surround Phil Fish and stomp the shit outta him because his behavior is gonna cause them a loss of money. I know I'd pay for that.

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Protonguy

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Edited By Protonguy

Great artists and creators are often flawed people with strange views on the world. It's the way they're 'broken' that contributes to them creating unique amazing things. I don't know if Fez is amazing yet (it certainly looks amazing to me), but if you deny yourself experiences because they were developed by someone you see as unsavoury or a jackass you're just robbing yourself. Assholes are everywhere and they're making stuff you're using right now. They're going to exist regardless, you (and the world) may as well get some benefit from them.

Look to the art, not the artist.

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Edited By recroulette
@Skald said:

I think C418 (the guy who did the music for Minecraft) said it best:

A bit saddened at all the hate towards FEZ. I guess Phil did get a bit overboard on his twitter account. However, consider this.

Behind FEZ is also the programmer of it, renaudbedard, who is such an amazing guy. He's always fun to hang around.

And then there's Disasterpeace with the insanely amazing soundtrack of course. And don't forget BeeMickSee and his top notch sound design.

And then there's the amazing animations from Paul Robertson,adamatomic and Annabelle Kennedy.

So phil_fish made the design and art for FEZ, but there's also this team of great people. Even if you don't like Phil, they are loveable.

Thanks for this. 
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Dimil0c0

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Edited By Dimil0c0

I dont see what you guys see. I will probably end up buying it but i am not impressed

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@dvorak said:

@Humanity said:

Are there any trailers of Fez where it's not just a 360 rotation shot? I realize I haven't ever seen actual gameplay so I don't even know what you do in this game - I'm guessing platforming but whats the goal?

You just kind of chill out and walk around apparently?

It's a puzzle platformer. Perspective is used to change what you can jump on and interact with. The rotation stuff is to show off how it's 3D in reality, but the game is played in 2D. Also it's arty as fuck.

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Edited By zor

*watches trailer* OMG the camera spins... what an amazing game...

Anywho, that is a bad trailer, considering that it doesn't tell you about the gaming world (beside spinning it), what you do in that world (if i didn't read up on the game, i wouldn't know for sure that it was a platformer), or who the characters are. I might pick up this game, not because of that horrible trailer, but if i hear good things about it from other people on this site.

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PerfidiousSinn

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Edited By PerfidiousSinn

It only costs $10 (instead of the standard $15) and isn't being forced into the Summer of Arcade?

I don't believe it.

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I'm actually pretty excited to see how this turns out. Might have to disappear from the internet for a few days while I form my own opinion on it.

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@Skald said:

I think C418 (the guy who did the music for Minecraft) said it best:

A bit saddened at all the hate towards FEZ. I guess Phil did get a bit overboard on his twitter account. However, consider this.

Behind FEZ is also the programmer of it, renaudbedard, who is such an amazing guy. He's always fun to hang around.

And then there's Disasterpeace with the insanely amazing soundtrack of course. And don't forget BeeMickSee and his top notch sound design.

And then there's the amazing animations from Paul Robertson,adamatomic and Annabelle Kennedy.

So phil_fish made the design and art for FEZ, but there's also this team of great people. Even if you don't like Phil, they are loveable.

And Phil should have thought about that before he acted like a complete ass (Japanese incident is far form the only reason to hate the guy), causing people to react this way. Too bad for the other guys, but this is the man promoting the game, and as such will be judged by how he presents himself as well.

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crustwheel

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Edited By crustwheel

Wait why is the date "rather appropriate"? Hitler's birthday isn't until the 20th.

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makari

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Edited By makari

I wonder if it will win less awards after release than it did while in dev.

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dvorak

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Edited By dvorak

@Humanity said:

Are there any trailers of Fez where it's not just a 360 rotation shot? I realize I haven't ever seen actual gameplay so I don't even know what you do in this game - I'm guessing platforming but whats the goal?

You just kind of chill out and walk around apparently?

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aurahack

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Edited By aurahack

@Skald said:

I think C418 (the guy who did the music for Minecraft) said it best:

A bit saddened at all the hate towards FEZ. I guess Phil did get a bit overboard on his twitter account. However, consider this.

Behind FEZ is also the programmer of it, renaudbedard, who is such an amazing guy. He's always fun to hang around.

And then there's Disasterpeace with the insanely amazing soundtrack of course. And don't forget BeeMickSee and his top notch sound design.

And then there's the amazing animations from Paul Robertson,adamatomic and Annabelle Kennedy.

So phil_fish made the design and art for FEZ, but there's also this team of great people. Even if you don't like Phil, they are loveable.