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

Hazelight studio head Josef Fares has addressed his studio's relationship with EA and revealed that development on their next game is already underway. In a recent interview on the Friends Per Second podcast, Fares, known for his memorable "f** the Oscars" remark, discussed Hazelight's past, present, and future. Regarding the critically acclaimed Split Fiction*, he stated that while the team is incredibly pleased with its reception, they've already begun work on their next project.

He explained his post-release mentality, saying, "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… but I’m so fully-focused and excited on the next thing that we already have started." While he remained tight-lipped about details—citing the project's early stages (approximately one month into development)—he confirmed that the team is enthusiastic about their new endeavor. He emphasized Hazelight's typical three-to-four-year development cycle, suggesting a release window several years out. "There is a reason why I can’t talk about the next game; it’s because it’s quite early… Three or four years is not so far away. Then we’re going to talk more about it."

A Collaborative Partnership

Fares clarified Hazelight's relationship with publisher EA, emphasizing EA's supportive role rather than a dictatorial one. He stated, "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 praised their collaborative approach with Hazelight, stating, "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 as a leading developer. The game achieved impressive sales figures, surpassing 1 million copies sold within 48 hours and 2 million within a week, exceeding the early sales pace of its predecessor, It Takes Two (which reached 20 million copies sold by October 2024).