 Fez 's development cycle developed a reputation for its protracted five @-@ year length and public exposure . Nathan Grayson of <unk> likened the game 's rocky development process to " an indie Duke <unk> Forever " . <unk> reviewer Arthur <unk> wrote that the game was an " underdog darling of the indie game scene " for four years prior to its release . The game 's designer , Phil Fish , became renowned in a way unusual for game developers due to his prominence in Indie Game : The Movie , which released in 2012 . While the game was released to wide acclaim , Fish himself became known for his outspoken and <unk> public persona . 
