Split Fiction Dev Calls EA a 'Good Partner' as Hazelight Begins Work on Next Game

Hazelight director Josef Fares has addressed his studio's relationship with EA, confirming that development on their next game is underway. The creator of the infamous "f** the Oscars" line discussed Hazelight's past, present, and future in an interview on the Friends Per Second podcast. Regarding the critically acclaimed Split Fiction*, Fares stated the team is already generating early concepts.

He explained his post-release mentality: "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.”

A Tale of Two Studios: Hazelight and EA

Fares clarified Hazelight's collaborative relationship with EA, emphasizing the publisher's supportive role over the past seven years. He stated, “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. They have zero, and I mean zero, thing to say about what we’re doing next.”

Despite EA's sometimes controversial reputation, Fares described a positive partnership, adding, “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 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's success further cemented Hazelight's position. Critical acclaim (including IGN's 9/10 review) translated into impressive sales figures: 1 million copies in 48 hours and 2 million in a week, surpassing the initial sales pace of its predecessor, It Takes Two (20 million copies sold by October 2024).