Home > News > Hazelight Praises EA as 'Good Partner' Amid Next Game Development

Hazelight Praises EA as 'Good Partner' Amid Next Game Development

Mar 24,25(3 months ago)

Hazelight director Josef Fares has taken the opportunity to clarify his studio's relationship with EA while also announcing that the team behind the successful games It Takes Two and Split Fiction is already hard at work on their next project.

Fares, famously known for his outspoken comment, “f*** the Oscars,” shared insights into Hazelight’s past, present, and future during an interview on the Friends Per Second podcast. For fans of their latest critically acclaimed cooperative adventure, Split Fiction, Fares mentioned that the team is beginning to brainstorm early concepts for their next game.

Reflecting on his approach after releasing Split Fiction, Fares stated, “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.’ This has been a bit extra special. I would say that it’s been the best-received game we have done, but to be honest, everybody is super happy, but I’m so fully-focused and excited on the next thing that we already have started.”

Play

While Fares kept details about Hazelight's upcoming project under wraps—mentioning that work began only about a month ago—he assured fans that the studio remains committed to its signature co-op gaming style. However, he cautioned that it may be a few years before more information is available.

“There is a reason why I can’t talk about the next game; it’s because it’s quite early,” Fares explained. “You do know, at Hazelight, we don’t work on [a] game more than three or four years. Three or four years is not so far away. Then we’re going to talk more about it. It’s way too early, but just know this: we are very, very, very, very excited here. Very excited, and we started working on this a month ago-ish.”

A Tale of Two Studios

Over the past seven years, Hazelight has collaborated with publisher EA on multiple titles. Despite EA's sometimes controversial reputation, Fares emphasized that the publisher has had “zero” influence over the games Hazelight chooses to develop.

“Here’s the thing, people don’t understand this: EA is a supporter. We don’t pitch games to them,” he clarified. “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.”

Fares went on to praise EA as a partner, acknowledging that while the publisher may have its critics, his experience with them has been positive. “With that said, I have to say, they’re a good partner,” he added. “Nobody believes me. Whatever I say, they’re like, ‘Yeah, yeah. It’s EA.’ Look, I don’t know anything about what EA are doing. Maybe they’re f***ing up with other developers. With us, no. 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 not only cemented Hazelight's status as a leading developer but has also achieved remarkable commercial success. It received high praise from critics, with IGN awarding it a 9/10 in their review. Additionally, the game sold 1 million copies within the first 48 hours and reached 2 million copies sold within a week. These figures indicate that Split Fiction is already surpassing the sales of its predecessor, It Takes Two, which had sold 20 million copies by October 2024.

Discover
  • Messy Academy 0.18
    Messy Academy 0.18
    Step into the world of Messy Academy, an 18+ adult visual novel that delivers an emotional rollercoaster like no other. Immerse yourself in a school life packed with comedy, drama, and romance, all centered around the unconventional yet intriguing theme of diapers. While the game embraces adult cont
  • Snowball Fight 2 - hamster fun
    Snowball Fight 2 - hamster fun
    Step into the frosty excitement of *Snowball Fight 2 - hamster fun*, where winter thrills meet adorable chaos! Take on the mischievous gophers in an epic snowball showdown, reliving the joy of classic snowball battles with a fun-filled twist. As the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved casual ga
  • Peru Dating Contact All
    Peru Dating Contact All
    If you're searching for genuine connections in Peru or around the globe, Peru Dating Contact All is your go-to matchmaking app. Whether you're hoping to find true love or simply expand your social circle, this trusted platform has been helping users connect since 2011. Designed with user safety in m
  • Nova tv movies and tv shows
    Nova tv movies and tv shows
    Are you tired of endlessly scrolling through streaming platforms, hoping to stumble upon the perfect movie or TV show? Your search ends with the Nova tv movies and tv shows app—a free, all-in-one solution packed with unlimited entertainment. Whether you're into timeless classics or the latest binge-
  • DEEEER Simulator: Modern World
    DEEEER Simulator: Modern World
    Experience the whimsical and hilarious world of DEEEER Simulator: Modern World! Step into the hooves of a DEEEER with a flexible neck and antlers as your weapon, where your DEEEERsonality truly shines. Roam the city streets freely—whether you're looking to cause some lighthearted mischief or simply
  • Venge.io
    Venge.io
    Step into the electrifying world of Venge.io, a fast-paced multiplayer shooter where you can go head-to-head with up to three other players across four intense maps. Your mission is clear: dominate the battlefield by capturing objectives, racking up points, and unlocking powerful abilities to outsma