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

Hazelight Studios founder and director Josef Fares recently offered a candid update on the future of his acclaimed development team, while also addressing the studio’s ongoing relationship with EA. Known for delivering unique co-op experiences like *It Takes Two* and *Split Fiction*, Hazelight continues to carve its own path in the gaming industry—on its own terms.

In a recent episode of the Friends Per Second podcast, Fares reflected on his creative process after launching a new title. He made headlines in the past with his memorable “f*** the Oscars” moment at the Game Awards, and now he’s shifting focus toward what comes next. While *Split Fiction* has become Hazelight’s most successful game to date, Fares says the team is already exploring early concepts for their next project.

“For me personally, every time a game is out, I’m kind of done with it. I’m like, ‘OK, here’s the next thing,’” Fares shared when discussing his mindset after releasing *Split Fiction*. “This one has been extra special—it’s our best-received game so far. But honestly, everyone’s super happy, and I’m already fully focused and excited about the next thing we’ve started working on.”

While fans are eager to learn more, Fares was tight-lipped about details regarding Hazelight’s upcoming title. With development only kicking off around a month ago, there’s still very little to share—at least for now.

“There’s a reason I can’t talk about the next game—it’s still quite early,” Fares explained. “You know, at Hazelight, we don’t work on a game for more than three or four years. And since that’s not too far away, we’ll eventually reveal more. Right now, it’s way too early—but just know this: we’re extremely excited here. Very, very excited. And we started working on it about a month ago.”

A Creative Partnership Built on Trust

Hazelight has collaborated with EA on multiple titles over the past seven years, including *A Way Out*, *It Takes Two*, and most recently *Split Fiction*. Despite EA’s controversial reputation among some developers and players, Fares insists the partnership has been smooth and respectful.

“People don’t understand this: EA is a supporter,” Fares clarified. “We don’t pitch games to them. We simply say, ‘We’re going to do this,’ and that’s it. They have zero—literally zero—input into what we choose to develop next.”

Fares acknowledged that many may find it hard to believe, especially given EA’s history with other studios. Still, he emphasized that Hazelight maintains full creative control.

“With that said, I have to say they’re a good partner,” he continued. “Nobody believes me. Whatever I say, people just respond with, ‘Yeah right. It’s EA.’ Look, I don’t know what EA does with other developers. Maybe they mess things up elsewhere. But with us? No. They respect us. They respect our vision. I’m very clear with them—they cannot interfere with our creative direction. And now, we’ve become one of their most successful studios.”

Split Fiction: A New Benchmark for Success

*Split Fiction* has quickly become a standout success for Hazelight—not just critically, but commercially as well. The game earned high praise from critics (earning a 9/10 from IGN) and saw impressive sales numbers shortly after launch. Within just 48 hours, it sold over 1 million copies, and reached 2 million units sold in only one week—marking an even faster start than *It Takes Two*, which had surpassed 20 million copies by October 2024.

As Hazelight looks ahead, fans can rest assured knowing that the studio remains committed to innovation, creative freedom, and delivering unforgettable co-op experiences—no matter how long it takes to bring the next vision to life.