Josef Fares, the celebrated founder of Hazelight Studios, known for titles like A Way Out, It Takes Two, and Split Fiction, is a prominent figure in the modern gaming industry. While Fares gained notoriety for his outspoken remarks at the Game Awards, his contributions extend far beyond a single viral moment.
In a recent interview, Kaja Chan, the voice and motion capture performer for Mio in Split Fiction, discussed her hopes for BAFTA Games Awards recognition for the acclaimed platformer. The conversation also touched upon her experience collaborating with Fares.
“He’s such a character. He’s an incredible person,” Chan described. “So, he’s the ‘F the Oscars guy,’ but he’s actually really grounded. He’s down-to-earth, so welcoming, so loving, and incredibly passionate. He knows how to lift the spirits of an entire room, and as soon as he walks in, it’s like the temperature goes up in a really good way. What that means is, when we’re doing motion capture, we lock in. But also, as soon as things get serious, he’s like, okay, you know, who can I show some love to? And then he’ll dive into the ground or he’ll be like, oh, you want chocolate? You want chocolate? You want chocolate? And you know, he makes sure everyone’s fed.”
“It’s like you have to, you have to buckle up for the rollercoaster that is working with Josef,” she continued. “But he’s lovely and charming. And I think the success of Hazelight, of Split Fiction, of It Takes Two, and of each of their other extraordinary titles, is down to the strength of his ambition, the clarity of his vision, and the optimism and encouragement he gives to his team. Everyone just blindly follows him into battle, basically, and it’s because of the power of his vision and his, you know, he’s very persuasive, let’s put it that way.”
Hazelight is in contention for further accolades at the upcoming BAFTA Games Awards. Regarding their future projects, the studio has recently commenced motion capture work for their next title, suggesting that news from Fares and his team may not be far off.