“Hazelight Director Josef Fares Claims Our Upcoming Game Surpasses Split Fiction”

Hazelight Studios: Pioneering Couch Co-Op Gaming

Renowned for its exceptional couch co-op titles, Hazelight Studios is setting new standards in the gaming industry. Their latest release, Split Fiction, has rapidly ascended the ranks to become one of the standout games of 2025, garnering multiple nominations at prestigious events such as The Game Awards, the DICE Awards, and the Golden Joystick Awards.

Insights from Josef Fares

In a recent interview with The Game Business, co-founder and director Josef Fares shared insights into the studio’s ambitious projects and future aspirations. Expressing a fervent belief in the team’s capabilities, Fares confidently stated, “I feel extremely confident of everything we’re doing. I can easily say that our next game is better than Split Fiction.”

The Culture Behind Success

The foundation of Hazelight’s success lies in the strong culture established since their first hit, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. Currently home to a dedicated team of 80 professionals, Hazelight’s commitment to team cohesion has been instrumental in their creative journey, with Fares promoting a distinctive approach that emphasizes a “F*** s*** up mentality, without f***ing up.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9WyRvP53_Q

Split Fiction’s Josef Fares on Clair Obscur success, AI fears and EA’s reputation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9WyRvP53_Q)

Unleashing Creativity

Fares attributes the studio’s creative dynamism to a unique method of fostering innovation among developers: “People put a lot of limitations on themselves, and it’s mainly coming from their mind. Once you stop listening to that, things will start happening.” He elaborates that by guiding team members away from restrictive thinking, they can cultivate an environment rich in limitless possibilities, leading to groundbreaking game designs.

Commercial Triumphs

Hazelight’s strategic focus on artistic integrity is reflected in its commercial achievements.Split Fiction launched with an impressive 4 million copies sold, while their previous title, It Takes Two, exceeded sales of 20 million copies by March 2025. These figures were achieved not by succumbing to industry trends or incorporating excessive microtransactions, but by prioritizing what is best for the game.

Fares emphasized, “Every decision, every single decision, taken by Hazelight will be based on what we feel is great for the game. We’re not going through data thinking what will sell or not sell. If you lean too much on either creativity or business, it’s going to be detrimental to the game.”

Navigating the Future with AI

Addressing the emerging topic of Artificial Intelligence in gaming, Fares shared critical thoughts on generative AI. He pointed out, “If [an AI tool] is helpful to get your vision out there, I don’t see why we shouldn’t look into it. But generative AI poses challenges.” He reflected on the evolution of AI technologies, citing Midjourney, and questioned their long-term effectiveness in game development.

“You can have an AI generate a game concept, but ultimately, who knows what the future holds? I don’t foresee AI taking over the creative process. At the end of the day, a human vision is irreplaceable, ” Fares concluded.

Hazelight Studios continues to be a beacon of creativity and success in the gaming landscape, as they challenge norms and redefine what it means to create immersive gaming experiences.

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