Split Fiction's Josef Fares Says Publishers Should "Really Trust The Developer"
"I don't expect everybody to be like me, but that's me with my extreme confidence."
Game developer Josef Fares is known for being outspoken, and he's continuing that theme in a new interview. Speaking to the BBC, Fares said publishers need to "step up and really trust the developer." But at the same time, Fares said developers themselves have to "have a clear vision and stick with what they believe in."
Fares admitted that what he says might not apply to everyone. After all, he runs his own studio, Hazelight, and his company is independently owned. "I am a --what do you say?--a different breed," he said.
Overwatch 2 x LE SSERAFIM | Gameplay Trailer Helldivers 2 - Borderline Justice Warbond Gameplay Trailer World of Tanks - Peaky Blinders Battle Pass Special Trailer Reflections of Stealth GUILTY GEAR STRIVE: DUAL RULERS - Official Non-Credit Anime Opening Trailer FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves|Chain Reaction |Official Full Main Theme Song Trailer FINAL FANTASY XIV - Patch 7.2: "Seekers of Eternity" Trailer SILENT HILL f | Official Reveal Trailer Atomfall's Exciting Take On The Post-Apocalyptic Genre Atomfall Preview, Best Games of 2025 So Far | The GameSpot Show Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 3 - Official Announcement Trailer PowerWash Simulator 2 | Official Announcement Trailer
Please enter your date of birth to view this video
By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
As an example of sticking to his guns, Fares said when he directed his first game, 2013's Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, he received feedback that the game was "super bad" in early tests. However, Fares stood his ground and said, "They're wrong, they're wrong; because I know it's great."
Fares said his mantra is that if a developer feels passionate and inspired about what they're making, then "people love it as well."
"I don't expect everybody to be like me, but that's me with my extreme confidence," he said. "We're sticking to the vision of what we believe in. Stick with the vision, go with it."
After making Brothers will Starbreeze, Fares started Hazelight and has released three more games, including A Way Out (2018), It Takes Two (2021), and Split Fiction (2025). They're all co-op-only games, and this has become the calling card of Hazelight. Split Fiction is apparently off to a good start, having sold 2 million copies in a week and receiving rave reviews, including a 10/10 from GameSpot.
Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com
Join the conversation