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[daveo42]

This is pretty bad news in general since It seems like one of the only puzzle games this gen that made you actually think and work things out instead of "Press A" to win.

That being said, leaving social media and going dark would have probably been the only way to avoid all the shit it seems he took and then threw back at the community. When you are out there and people know who you are, you are going to get shit from someone. In Phil's case it was pretty much everyone because he would lose his shit and it helped fuel an internet hate machine.

Good luck Phil, with whatever you end up doing. Would have really enjoyed seeing Fez II.

 

[Spirit of Jazz]

Bipolar can be medicated.
There's no reason his words and actions should be excused because of that.
The guy can't help himself poking the hornet's nest. His twitter addiction has done this.

I take it you've never known somebody with bipolar dissorder? One of my best friends was heavily medicated, was supported by a whole lot of people, and did every single thing she could to try and contain her mental illness. That didn't help her, so please don't post this kind of ignorant, reductionist bullshit.

People aren't saying you should excuse everything he says, they're saying keep in mind he has a mental illness which means don't expect him to react well to internet trolls or bottom feeding hypocritical fuckwits like Marcus Beer who make a career of being a class A cunt and peoples desire to witness the drama they cause.

 

[TheSpoiler]

He's actually bi-polar, but yeah, you're right, "drama queen," same thing.

Stop slinging that around like it's some excuse. If anything, it's more insulting to the people who have it because people like you utilize it as a crutch.

 

[Stumpokapow]

This. There are some classic "if you have a mental illness, deal with it, it's not difficult" kind of responses in this thread.

People find it hard to comprehend how much mental illness actually affects you as a person, especially bi polar. You can't simply "man up"

It would be incorrect for people to suggest that he should simply deal with it however it is entirely reasonable for other people to point out that abusive behaviour brought on by mental illness is not acceptable, and does not need to be tolerated. I hope those who suffer find a support system and I recognize how difficult it is to seek it but that doesn't mean I am that support system in the mean time and it doesn't that support is limited to tolerance without pushing back.

A compulsive gambler can't simply stop gambling but that doesn't mean you loan them money and it doesn't mean that if they steal from you you write it off silently.

Phil Fish should be encouraged to get support from the closest people in his life. The rest of us shouldn't egg him on, but neither should we excuse the frankly hateful, hurtful, and self-centred way he's dealt with our peers or us.

The best thing we can do now is ignore him if he comes back; cover his games in a fair way, but systematically avoid giving him even a single bit of oxygen on any subject. If he can't respect people (and respect their time by avoiding throwing dramatic fits like this) then he doesn't deserve anything else.

Unlike some creators whose neuroses or personal failures directly influence their talent and capacity for creation, in Fish's case I see no connection at all. I highly doubt his mood being levelled out would negatively impact his ability to think up stuff in the future.

I hope he gets help, I hope he finds happiness, and whatever he does in life I hope he can overcome his issues to find success.

 

[D4Danger]

1.Make twitter private
2.Stop giving a fuck what faceless people on the internet are saying about you
3.If you suffer from some kind of mental illness, get fucking help.

I don't sympathize for someone who acts like an asshole and has a god complex and proceeds to have a meltdown because he can't log-off the internet for 10 minutes and just ignore the bullshit. We don't live in some fairytale land, when you are famous or semi-famous you are going to get bombarded with haters every day.

It's not like these people are physically pushing him around and calling him names to his face, it's on the internet. You know how you deal with that? You fucking ignore it. The people who get bullied day-day outside of the internet get my sympathy. The ones who go to school every day only to be met with shoves into the locker, beat down on the school yard and physical/mental abuse at home. The guy can solve all his problems by simply not reacting and ignoring the emails and tweets.

Did you even read the tweets you replied to? she's saying "nobody should suffer in silence" and you've basically said "he should shut the fuck up and ignore it".

you also seem to think the only form of bullying is physical which actually pisses me off

 

[StayDead]

I agree with the last one the most. Definitely.

The trouble is, he's acting the victim when he started it all.

 

[Kyari]

Given some of the public bullying and general being an asshole Phil has done over the years, I find this turn of events to be entirely hillarious.
The quality of his game has nothing to do with the fact that the man is a tool.

Are the people trying to claim that Phil shouldn't be getting bulled the same people that claimed he shouldn't have shamed that japanese developer at GDC?

 

[Deleted member 80556]

Bullshit.
You don't show utter contempt for people who paid money for your game and insult people without remorse and then accuse them of 'abusing' you for biting back. The bipolar thing doesn't excuse any of his behaviour.

Try and have a mental condition like that and have a bad day, and then have dozens of people insulting you.

Then you tell me you can't excuse his behavior. Come on, try and get into his place before judging him.

 

[Salsa]

The solution there beyond getting help is to stay far away from a medium that greatly facilitates aggressive behavior and a lack of nuanced communication and disseminates vitriolic statements to the public at-large.

Making his twitter account private is a start. Hopefully he'll keep it that way.

Ultimately this is my opinion on the whole thing. Whatever you personally think about what's going on here; it clearly wasn't doing HIM any good, so staying away, even if it ends up being just for a while, is likely a good thing.

 

[Minion101]

Remember when the doctors left bioware because of this behavior? THANKS INTERNET.

 

[Metallix87]

He's actually bi-polar, but yeah, you're right, "drama queen," same thing.

Being bi-polar doesn't dismiss any of his behavior. He can get medicated and lead a normal life like any person can.

 

[EmCeeGramr]

tiresomes.. yes, but people took it seriously, whereas I doubt everyone who was saying that to him was treating those insults in the same serious light.

basically dude gets told "you're a fagget fez sucks die in a fire", phil responds "well yeah but I got tons of money what did you do? choke on my dick"

it's just silly shit, no one was meaning anything and it all read like a random talk among people that are not trying to keep up any sort of respectable persona and are just guys on the internet. The only reason it was brought up for attention it's because the dude made a popular game, and apparently that means you need to change your opinions or attitudes towards shit, or something, idk.

He said "choke on my dick" because he won an award for Fez after people criticized him for already entering Fez into the same competition (and winning some runner up) like four years earlier despite previously saying that people shouldn't enter multiple times. and people said that was kind of lame.

 

[shuri]

He's going to team up with notoriously jobless Clifford B and together they will create the ultimate vortex of gaming industry attention whoring that might end humanity as we know it

Artistic Interpretation of the event:

 

[tsumineko]

Being bi-polar doesn't dismiss any of his behavior. He can get medicated and lead a normal life like any person can.

Phil has bipolar disorder and probably doesn't medicate himself well.

On the one hand I feel bad for the guy when he can't help himself. But on the other he should be taking care of himself with that illness.

Do you know how hard it is to "medicate yourself"? People sometimes never find the right medication to help their problem.

People really have no idea what Bipolar does, do they.

 

[Law Abiding Stranger]

I seriously think he is just laughing all the way at the responses and that he is a true troll.


Twitter is a very simple and effective mechanism.

Post stupid shit.
Let it spread.
Watch the aftermath.

 

[amr]

Stop slinging that around like it's some excuse. If anything, it's more insulting to the people who have it because people like you utilize it as a crutch.

Do you think bi-polar just means mood swings?

Manic depression is a serious mental illness.

 

[BlazingDarkness]

Do you think he looked up the phone numbers of everyone who bought his game and prank called them or something?

He gets mountains of abuse on Twitter, and sometimes he reacts. Get over it.

Get over what?
It's people in here kicking up a fuss, trying to defend Fish's behaviour.
Fish is not a victim.
I've no issue with his leaving the industry, the guy clearly can't work in such a public sector.

 

[Lettuce]

Who gives a shit!....really!?

 

[Uthred]

He's actually bi-polar, but yeah, you're right, "drama queen," same thing.

He's "actually" bi-polar? You know him personally? Or are you basing it on his own post?

 

[metalslimer]

Being bi-polar doesn't dismiss any of his behavior. He can get medicated and lead a normal life like any person can.

Well the medication doesnt let someone lead a completely normal life but it seems he is barely medicating at all

Edit: Stump aways puts it best

 

[Salsa]

He said "choke on my dick" because he won an award for Fez after people criticized him for already entering Fez into the competition for that award (and winning some runner up) like four years earlier despite previously saying that people shouldn't enter multiple times. and people said that was kind of lame.

The IGF is a joke, team meat got bullied out of participating because "they already got a deal on XBLA, they should leave a spot for other people". It aint as much about finding the next great indie game as it is just circlejerk, apparently. Can't remember reading his comment about people shouldnt be doing that but bleh, this whole thing is getting offtopic

 

[Northeastmonk]

One "professional" coming to the aid of another.

Don't you mean: white knight holding the flag for his band of merry men?

 

[Hagi]

you mean the troll lost. All people did was respond to his own, stupid bullshit he posted. If he didn't act like a Goddamned grade schooler all the time, this would be a non-issue.

Please lets not act like there aren't people who get their jollies from constantly poking the fire. It's okay to admit it, it's become a mainstay of the internet.

The guy is undoubtedly an asshole but people calling him a pussy/bitch/whiny twat for not being able to ignore the insults he has been bombarded with should recommend the same level of thought to those doing the bombarding.

Interesting how it's so hard to ignore one man but it's apparently easier to ignore hundreds of anonymous and non anonymous men and woman spread across several different outlets.

 

[Row]

Do you think bi-polar just means mood swings?

Manic depression is a serious mental illness.

so was it his condition that made him tell a guy to suck his dick?

what a convenient excuse out of every mishap

 

[pa22word]

Even though I feel bad for the people who purchased and enjoyed his game, I can't say I feel bad for the man himself here. He brought it on himself with his incessant petulant idiocy, and when said idiocy came back on him he couldn't take the heat for it then took his ball and went home.

There's an old saying about not liking the heat and staying out of the kitchen, but a more apt version of this for Fish was him going into the kitchen, setting fire after fire in said kitchen, throwing a fit when people got pissed at him for continuously starting said fires, then him storming out of the entire neighborhood when the criticism resulting from the fires got too much for him to handle.

Honestly, I wish the best for him, but I'm not going to sit here and pretend I'm sorry things ended up this way. The man has done nothing but reinforce his image as a petulant manchild since he first stepped into the limelight, and maybe some time on the downlow away from the public eye he'll take a hard look at himself and realize a lot of this was of his own volition, and grow the fuck up. Given everything we've seen out of Fish though, I highly doubt that.

 

[tci]

Did you even read the tweets you replied to? she's saying "nobody should suffer in silence" and you've basically said "he should shut the fuck up and ignore it".

you also seem to think the only form of bullying is physical which is so not the fucking case.

Spreading it public on the internet is not the way.

 

[Crayons]

Wow


I doubt that I will miss you.

What?

 

[Nowhere Man]

This is a publicity stunt, he'll be back.

I still haven't played Fez.

Spoiler

When will it be in a Humble Bundle?

 

[Metallix87]

Well the medication doesnt let someone lead a completely normal life but it seems he is barely medicating at all

My point was that he can't use a disorder he may have to excuse his behavior. That's not how this works. Either give up on Twitter and focus on your work or find the proper medication before interacting with fans and critics on a format like Twitter.

 

[TheSpoiler]

Do you think bi-polar just means mood swings?

Manic depression is a serious mental illness.

If you had read a post I made above, I really, really don't consider it to be just mood swings after what I experienced.

But even she says that blaming every single one of your issues on your manic depression when it's very possible for some to adjust is insulting.

I'm not saying that's what Fish is doing. But just saying "oh it's okay he's bipolar" is demeaning towards those who have it because it is a vast generalization.

Edit: What Stump says is spot on There's an issue of people assuming things on both sides, and none of us know what the extent is. Honestly, I think this discussion should end after Stump, because that dude said it best.

 

[sibarraz]

https://twitter.com/KazHiraiCEO/status/361258643951321088

Kaz nails it

 

[Jackpot]

I'm ok with this. Two assholes butted heads causing one to act out that in turn caused another to really act out and take his ball and go home.

 

[ConradCervantes]

That's a shame. Say what you will about the man's demeanor, but he made a hell of a game under some shitty circumstances, and I was really looking forward to the follow-up. Hopefully he picks it back up in the dark and unplugs all his social media outlets.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Please lets not act like there aren't people who get their jollies from constantly poking the fire. It's okay to admit it, it's become a mainstay of the internet.

The guy is undoubtedly an asshole but people calling him a pussy/bitch/whiny twat for not being able to ignore the insults he has been bombarded with should recommend the same level of thought to those doing the bombarding.

Interesting how it's so hard to ignore one man but it's apparently easier to ignore hundreds of anonymous and non anonymous men and woman spread across several different outlets.

The insults didn't begin until he started acting like an asshole. It's not like people were just picking on this guy on twitter from the get-go. So yeah, when you bring it on yourself like Fish so clearly did, it's tough to feel a whole hell of a lot of sympathy.

 

[Deleted member 80556]

They were probably also bi-polar before they got rich

But Fish probably hasn't had treatment, but you're right, I made the supposition that they had the treatment while being rich. Sorry.

Have you ever had bi-polar disorder? Please, I don't mean this to be attacking at all, but do some research. You don't "snap out of" mental illnesses.

I am not under the supposition that you can "snap out of it", if that's what you're trying to tell me.

Don't act like he's some homeless person who has absolutely no means of getting it.

Fish has the means to get help and medication.

People with these kind of problems might not even acknowledge they have a problem. He has the means, but if he feels he doesn't need it, he won't get the treatment at all.

 

[Jackson]

Do you know how hard it is to "medicate yourself"? People sometimes never find the right medication to help their problem.

People really have no idea what Bipolar does, do they.

I suffered anxiety a number of years, so yes I have some understanding of dealing with illnesses like that. You can't just snap out of it.

 

[op_ivy]

Wow, this comment:

"Phil, I don’t know if you’re reading this, and a part of me hopes you aren’t because of these jerks trying to hurt your feelings, but here goes.

You are without a doubt the greatest creative mind this industry has ever seen. Every word you’ve ever spoken has been laced with the water of hearty truth, and you’re not afraid to speak your mind just because some online trolls deem it unsuitable. The industry simply wasn’t ready for a man of your claliber, and, if this recent debacle is any indication, I doubt that they ever will be.

You rock, man. Fez was the greatest game I have ever played, and ever day that goes by from this point forward, I’ll always retain a small glimmer of hope that you die you pathetic fucking manchild. Fez was insanely derivative and a pretty poor offering besides. You are one of the most unpleasant people it has ever been my displeasure to share a planet with. The gaming industry and Canada would be better places if you just fucking hanged yourself already you childish, arrogant cunt.

Suck my dick.

Choke on it."

That took a quick turn.

hahaha. oh wow.

 

[Nivert]

The hate he gets is embarrassing for the gaming community at large.

 

[Killthee]

 

[BlazingDarkness]

I take it you've never known somebody with bipolar dissorder? One of my best friends was heavily medicated, was supported by a whole lot of people, and did every single thing she could to try and contain her mental illness. That didn't help her, so please don't post this kind of ignorant, reductionist bullshit.

People aren't saying you should excuse everything he says, they're saying keep in mind he has a mental illness which means don't expect him to react well to internet trolls or bottom feeding hypocritical fuckwits like Marcus Beer who make a career of being a class A cunt and peoples desire to witness the drama they cause.

Yes I know somebody who has bipolar.
My point is that it's not fair for people to defend his behaviour when he does nothing to help himself in the situation. He adores the attention, thus I've no reason to sympathize with the man.

 

[Yes Boss!]

Nah, this is him just setting the stage to make a grand comeback.

Hopefully when he does everybody ignores him.

 

[Oersted]

Phil Fish is the victim of some pretty intense bullying, and a lot of people here seem to revel in that fact. Many are engaging in victim blaming. I suppose some of you feel that making a video game means you should be held to a higher standard than other people for some reason?

Clearly the guy is emotional and a bit unhinged. Is that also a good reason for people to mistreat him? Do you actually want people to suffer because they weren't polite to bullies?

Here are some tweets by Sophie Houlden

Phil Fish had all the attention. He could have talked about his mental disorder. He could have explained himself. He could have apoligized. He could have quit Twitter.

 

[Lunzio]

Do you know how hard it is to "medicate yourself"? People sometimes never find the right medication to help their problem.

People really have no idea what Bipolar does, do they.

It's honestly frustrating how much people are unaware of with mental illness.

Also...
The disorder is not an excuse for his actions, if anything, it's a warning that if you don't let him be, things may turn worse for him.

 

[King Allant]

https://twitter.com/KazHiraiCEO/status/361258643951321088

Kaz nails it

lol, who ever is making those tweeted are awsome

 

[Rolf NB]

Congratulations on that smear campaign, Microsoft. Happy now?

 

[I H8 Memes]

I swear the guy is a low grade sociopath. He practically non stop says stupid arrogant shit and talks down to nearly everyone he interacts with then acts surprised that people dont like him and attack him at every opportunity. Not saying anyone deserves it, but some people shouldnt be surprised when it happens.

Bye Phil. And trust me no one wants you to come back and claim this was some kind of homage to Andy Kaufman.

 

[Salaadin]

 

[Cipherr]

So it's our fault as gamers because a mentally unstable person can't deal with internet bullshit? Makes sense.

Right, this is super annoying. First of all, Im not one of the people who tweeted this guy anything. I was done with him when he went with the stupid "Japanese gaming" thing a while back.

Back then I had these same posters flinging crap at me for not buying his game because I didn't like some of the stuff he said. Now I get to be blanket blamed for the guy having a meltdown when it was clear from way back when that he had issues.... By the same damn people who told me I was overreacting to his antics to begin with.

Whatever.

The dude obviously has issues, and Im not going to say mental illness is something people should shrug off, but I'm not an idiot; All the antagonizing the guy did regularly was clearly an accelerant to the type of ignorant internet trolls that apparently drove him to early retirement. I cannot fathom/understand why he thought or figured that frequently being so unnecessarily abrasive, or matching the lunacy of internet trolls was ever going to help the situation. The way he carried himself publicly absolutely had something to do with how he was treated. I cannot believe anyone would pretend otherwise.

 

[PsihoPerihelion]

Grow up, asshole.

 

[Can Crusher]

What a baby.