Josef Fares, the founder of Hazelight Studios, urges the gaming industry to find a balance between triple-A innovation and double-A creativity, rather than imitating successful titles like 2025's Game of the Year, Expedition 33.
Promotion of Game Diversity
Fares warns against the tendency of publishers to only produce double-A games, following the success of Expedition 33. While acknowledging the masterpiece's impact, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining creativity and diversity in game development.
He believes that huge budgets often lead studios to play it safe, but highlights examples such as Naughty Dog, Rockstar, and Nintendo as triple-A developers that continue to innovate. Fares stresses the need for a mix of inventive double-A games and bold triple-A projects.
Encouraging Internal Innovation
Rather than replicating the formula of Expedition 33, Fares advocates for an approach where such successes inspire internal innovation within studios. This, he argues, allows for unique and experimental games to flourish even under large publishers like EA.
Fares stands by Hazelight Studios' distinct strategy, emphasizing that creativity at scale is achievable. His approach underscores the potential for both creative independence and successful large-scale production.
Industry Impact and Future Directions
- Josef Fares cautions against merely copying hit games like Expedition 33.
- He stresses the necessity of creative diversity in the gaming industry.
- Fares highlights triple-A and double-A balance as key to innovation.
- Naughty Dog, Rockstar, and Nintendo are examples of innovative triple-A developers.
- Fares champions internal innovation over strict formula replication.
