Hazelight’s Future: A New Game on the Horizon
Hazelight Studios, the creative powerhouse behind the award-winning titles It Takes Two and Split Fiction, is already hard at work on its next project. In a recent interview, director Josef Fares shed light on the studio’s ongoing relationship with EA, calling them a “good partner” while expressing excitement about their future endeavors.
A Look Back at Split Fiction
Fares spoke candidly on the Friends Per Second podcast about the studio’s journey, emphasizing the importance of moving forward after the release of Split Fiction. “For me, personally, every time a game is out, I’m kind of done with it. I’m like, ‘Okay, here’s the next thing,’” he shared. This time, however, he acknowledges the unique reception Split Fiction has garnered, noting that it has been their best-received game to date. Despite the success, Fares is already focused on the future, stating, “I’m so fully-focused and excited on the next thing that we already have started.”
What We Know About the Next Game
While Fares was tight-lipped about specifics regarding Hazelight’s upcoming title, he did mention that the team has only been working on it for about a month. Known for their innovative approach to co-op gaming, Hazelight is expected to continue pushing boundaries, but fans will need to be patient. “There is a reason why I can’t talk about the next game; it’s because it’s quite early,” he said. “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.”
A Strong Partnership with EA
Hazelight’s collaboration with EA has spanned seven years and includes hits like A Way Out and It Takes Two. Fares clarified that Hazelight operates independently within this partnership, saying, “Here’s the thing, people don’t understand this: EA is a supporter. We don’t pitch games to them. We say, ‘We’re going to do this.’ That’s it.” He emphasized that EA has no say in the direction of Hazelight’s projects.
Despite EA’s reputation in the gaming industry, Fares has had a positive experience, stating, “With that said, I have to say, they’re a good partner. 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 messing up with other developers. With us, no. They respect us. They respect what we do.”
Split Fiction: A Resounding Success
Split Fiction has quickly established itself as another triumph for Hazelight, achieving remarkable milestones shortly after its release. In just 48 hours, the game reached sales of 1 million copies and soared to 2 million within a week. This impressive performance puts it on track to outpace the success of It Takes Two, which had sold 20 million copies as of October 2024.
In conclusion, as Hazelight continues to innovate and expand its portfolio, fans eagerly await further announcements about their new game. With a strong partnership with EA and a history of creating critically acclaimed titles, the future looks bright for this talented studio.
