Hazelight Praises EA as a 'Good Partner' While Starting Development on Next Game

Hazelight Studios, known for creating innovative co-op games, has officially started working on its next project. Director Josef Fares recently appeared on the "Friends Per Second" podcast, where he discussed Hazelight’s future and confirmed that the studio has already begun developing a new game.

The Next Game Has Already Begun!

Fares stated that while Split Fiction has been a critical and commercial success, he is always focused on the next project.

"Personally, every time a game is out, I move on. I always look ahead to the next thing." - Josef Fares

He acknowledged that Split Fiction has been the best-received game Hazelight has ever made, but he also revealed that the team started working on a new game about a month ago. However, he refrained from sharing any details about the game's title, genre, or concept, as it is still in the early stages of development. Hazelight typically spends three to four years on game development, meaning fans will likely have to wait a few years before hearing more details.

EA as a 'Good Partner'

Hazelight has collaborated with EA for the past seven years, delivering successful games like A Way Out and It Takes Two. While EA has a mixed reputation as a publisher, Fares emphasized that Hazelight’s relationship with them has been positive.

"People don’t understand this: EA is a supporter. We don’t pitch games to them. We just say, ‘We’re going to do this,’ and that’s it. They have zero, and I mean zero, influence on what we choose to develop."

Many perceive EA as an interfering publisher, but Fares clarified that Hazelight retains full creative freedom.

"Nobody believes me, but EA is a good partner. I don’t know what they do with other developers, but with us, they respect our work and don’t interfere. Now, we’ve become one of their most successful studios."

Split Fiction's Massive Success

Hazelight’s latest game, Split Fiction, has been an overwhelming success, selling 1 million copies within 48 hours and reaching 2 million copies in just a week. This rapid sales pace surpasses the studio’s previous hit, It Takes Two, which had sold over 20 million copies as of October 2024.

While Hazelight’s next game remains a mystery, fans can expect another exciting and creative co-op experience. With the studio’s strong track record of engaging storytelling and innovative gameplay, anticipation for their next project continues to build. Until then, fans will eagerly await more details on what Hazelight has in store next.