Split Fiction’s Boss Warns Against AA Games Dominating the Industry
Developer Sandfall’s RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, emerged as one of the standout titles of 2025. With a budget reportedly under $10 million, a compact development team, and a price tag below $70, some are viewing it as a potential model for “AA”-style projects that can achieve success. While Expedition 33 has set a precedent, Hazelight’s Josef Fares expresses a desire for the AAA sector to thrive, cautioning against a complete shift towards smaller-scale, lower-budget games. “After the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, there’s talk of AA games taking over. But I can’t imagine a world without AAA titles,” he stated. “I crave those blockbuster experiences. You can’t create something like GTA on a $10 million budget. We need both.”
Fares emphasized the importance of maintaining a diverse gaming landscape, warning against the notion that “AA is the new norm” or that “indie is the new trend.” He urged publishers not to fixate solely on successful titles like Expedition 33, cautioning, “We shouldn’t forget that many AA games released in 2025 went unnoticed.”
When discussing the relationship between budget and risk, the interviewer pointed out that larger investments often lead to more conservative decision-making, as stakeholders seek returns. Fares disagreed, citing Naughty Dog’s reputation for innovation despite high budgets, along with similar practices at Rockstar and Nintendo. “You can create a big AAA title while still taking creative risks,” he noted. However, he acknowledged that once budgets exceed $100 million, the stakes become daunting, leading to increased caution. “It’s understandable, but history shows it can be done.”
Hazelight’s own budgets have increased over time, with Split Fiction nearly doubling the budget of It Takes Two, yet they still identify as a AA studio. Alexandre Amancio, known for his work on Assassin’s Creed Unity and Revelations, recently critiqued AAA development, suggesting that simply adding more personnel won’t solve its issues. He proposed that the future of AAA might lie with smaller teams.
Currently, Hazelight is developing a new game, though details remain under wraps. All of their previous titles have focused on co-op gameplay, with Brothers featuring a unique co-op mechanic in a single-player format. Fares confirmed that co-op will always be integral to Hazelight’s identity but left the door open for future explorations into single-player experiences. “You never know what the future holds. It’s possible we could venture into single-player, but it would be in a way that reflects our unique style. It won’t be your typical single-player game,” he said.
