Split Fiction Director Stands by EA, Acknowledging Everyone’s Flaws

Electronic Arts has often faced criticism from gamers, but Josef Fares, the founder of Hazelight Studios, recently defended the company during an interview. The director of Split Fiction highlighted that there are “a lot of great people at EA” who genuinely appreciate Hazelight’s contributions and allow them creative freedom. True to his outspoken nature, Fares remarked that “there’s not a publisher in the world that hasn’t f****d up now and then.” Despite EA’s notorious reputation, having been labeled “Worst Company in America” by Consumerist in 2012 and 2013, Fares feels that “EA is getting more sh*t than they deserve.” The reasons for gamers to criticize EA are extensive, with fans of BioWare and franchises like Titanfall and Battlefield voicing their frustrations over the company’s management. Recently, EA has faced backlash for canceling highly anticipated games and implementing mass layoffs. However, Fares pointed out that EA isn’t alone in these practices, stating, “I mean, come on, Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony, everybody’s done something that’s not good.” He emphasized Hazelight’s “great relationship” with EA, acknowledging that while the company has made its share of mistakes, it’s not unique in that regard. This partnership has proven beneficial for Hazelight, as Split Fiction significantly surpassed EA’s sales expectations upon its release last year. Nonetheless, EA’s reputation is likely to face further scrutiny, especially with the proposed sale to a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund raising concerns about potential changes in the company’s culture and content.