It Takes Two Director Defends EA Games, Says Publisher Is Criticized More Than It Deserves
It is hard to deny that Electronic Arts, or EA Games, has long carried a negative public image within the video game community. From controversial business models that players often describe as overly monetized, to creative decisions that spark backlash from various groups, EA frequently finds itself at the center of criticism. Even when the company releases well-received titles, praise often seems short-lived compared to the recurring waves of backlash whenever new controversy arises.
Recently, an interesting perspective emerged from Josef Fares, founder and studio head of Hazelight Studios, during an interview with The Game Business. Fares has worked closely with EA Games as a development partner, with EA acting as the publisher for all of Hazelight’s major titles, including A Way Out, It Takes Two, and Split Fiction, all of which have received critical acclaim and major industry awards. Unsurprisingly, he is well aware of the negative sentiment many players hold toward EA.
From Fares’ point of view, EA Games employs many talented and passionate people who genuinely care about making games. Based on his own experience, he stated that EA has consistently shown respect for Hazelight’s creative process, resulting in what he described as an excellent working relationship. Because of this, he believes EA Games is often unfairly targeted and criticized more than it deserves. He also pointed out that other companies make mistakes as well, yet EA tends to be singled out as the industry’s villain more frequently than others. Ultimately, Fares emphasized his belief that EA is a publisher that truly loves video games.
This opinion offers a rare inside look from a developer who has worked closely with EA over multiple successful projects. Hazelight Studios, while operating as an independent developer, has benefited from EA’s publishing support through initiatives aimed at funding and promoting indie studios. Notably, all Hazelight titles have remained fully premium games, with no intrusive monetization, and Fares confirmed that EA has never interfered with the studio’s creative decisions.
