Hazelight director Josef Fares has recently addressed the studio's relationship with EA and revealed that the team behind the critically acclaimed games It Takes Two and Split Fiction is already working on their next project. During an insightful interview on the Friends Per Second podcast, Fares, known for his candid remarks including the infamous "f*** the Oscars" line, discussed Hazelight's past achievements and future endeavors. Fans of Split Fiction, Hazelight's latest co-op adventure, will be pleased to know that the studio is already brainstorming early ideas for their next title.
Fares shared his approach to game development, stating, "For me, personally, every time a game is out, I’m kind of done with it. I’m kind of like, ‘OK, here’s the next thing,’" reflecting on his mindset post-Split Fiction. He emphasized that while Split Fiction has been the best-received game Hazelight has produced, his focus is firmly on the future. Despite the excitement surrounding their next project, Fares kept details under wraps, noting that work only began about a month ago. He assured fans that while it's too early to share specifics, the team is "very, very, very, very excited" about what's to come.
Hazelight has a history of collaboration with publisher EA over the past seven years, producing titles like A Way Out and It Takes Two, which have cemented the studio's reputation in the gaming industry. Fares clarified the nature of their relationship, stating, "EA is a supporter. We don’t pitch games to them. We say, ‘We’re going to do this.’ That’s it. They have zero, and I mean zero, thing to say about what we’re doing next." He praised EA as a positive partner, acknowledging their respect for Hazelight's creative autonomy despite the publisher's mixed reputation. Fares noted, "They respect us. They respect what we do. I’m very clear with them that they cannot interfere with what we do. Now, we have become one of their most successful studios."
Split Fiction has proven to be a resounding success for Hazelight, not only receiving high praise from critics, including a 9/10 from IGN, but also achieving impressive sales figures. The game sold 1 million copies within just 48 hours of release and reached 2 million copies in its first week, outpacing the sales of It Takes Two, which had sold 20 million copies by October 2024. As Hazelight continues to innovate in the co-op gaming space, fans eagerly await more news on their upcoming project, expected to be revealed in the next few years.
