Unforgettable Moments in Gaming: Josef Fares’ Impact
When it comes to legendary moments in gaming history, Josef Fares’ passionate outburst at The Game Awards 2017 is hard to forget. With his now-iconic declaration, “F* the Oscars!”*, the world saw a creator who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. But beyond the viral moment, Fares is a visionary who has transformed cooperative gaming with titles like Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, A Way Out, and the award-winning It Takes Two. In this blog, we explore the life, career, and influence of Josef Fares—a Lebanese-Swedish game designer who brought cinematic storytelling to the gaming industry.
From Beirut to Sweden: A Journey of Resilience
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1977, Josef Fares grew up amid the turmoil of civil war. At just 10 years old, he and his family fled to Sweden in search of safety and a new beginning. Settling in Örebro, Fares faced the challenges of adapting to a new culture while carrying the weight of his past experiences. These struggles would later shape the themes of family, perseverance, and human connection that define his games.
Growing up alongside his brother, Fares Fares—now a renowned actor known for his roles in Westworld and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story—Josef developed a deep passion for storytelling. Their close sibling bond would later serve as the emotional foundation of his debut game, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. Today, at 48 years old, Josef Fares has cemented his legacy as both a filmmaker and game developer, amassing a net worth of $20 million—a reflection of his success across both industries.
A Cinematic Start: Fares’ Film Career
Before revolutionizing the gaming industry, Josef Fares was a celebrated filmmaker in Sweden. His debut film, Jalla! Jalla! (2000), was a comedic yet heartfelt take on cultural identity and relationships, quickly becoming a commercial success. He followed up with Kopps (2003), a quirky action-comedy, and later shifted to a more intense narrative with Leo (2007), further cementing his reputation for blending humor with deep emotional themes.
Fares’ films often explored cultural clashes, family bonds, and personal identity—concepts that would later define his storytelling in video games. However, despite his success in cinema, he felt constrained by the limits of traditional filmmaking. His solution? To push narrative boundaries by bringing cinematic storytelling into the interactive world of gaming.
A Bold Move: From Director to Game Designer
In 2013, Josef Fares made an unexpected yet groundbreaking shift in his career, teaming up with Starbreeze Studios to create Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. This puzzle-adventure game was a storytelling triumph, weaving an emotional tale of two siblings embarking on a perilous journey. What set it apart was its innovative control scheme—players controlled each brother with a different side of the controller, creating a tactile experience that reinforced the emotional connection and eventual separation between them. This clever design choice was more than just gameplay innovation; it was storytelling through mechanics, a hallmark of Fares’ unique approach to game design.
Breaking New Ground: A Storytelling Success
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was met with critical acclaim, earning numerous awards and proving that Fares’ cinematic storytelling could seamlessly translate into the world of interactive media. The game’s emotional depth and innovative mechanics resonated deeply with players, solidifying Fares’ place in the gaming industry. Encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response, he fully embraced his new passion for game development.
Hazelight Studios: Crafting Cooperative Experiences
Riding the momentum of Brothers, Fares established Hazelight Studios in 2014 with a bold vision: to create games designed to be played together. The studio’s first project, A Way Out (2018), was a groundbreaking prison break adventure that required cooperative gameplay. With no single-player option, players had to rely on each other to progress, reinforcing the game’s core themes of trust, teamwork, and human connection. This fresh approach to co-op storytelling set Hazelight apart, proving that Fares was once again redefining how narratives could be experienced in gaming.
A Filmmaker’s Touch: The Success of A Way Out
Fares’ filmmaking background was unmistakable in A Way Out, with its cinematic cutscenes, character-driven storytelling, and dynamic split-screen presentation. The game’s unique cooperative-only design resonated with players, leading to a commercial success that saw over 3.5 million copies sold. This achievement solidified Fares as a trailblazer in the cooperative gaming space.
It Takes Two: Game of the Year and Beyond
If A Way Out was a daring experiment, It Takes Two was its masterstroke. Released in 2021, this cooperative action-adventure platformer tells the story of a married couple on the verge of divorce who are magically transformed into dolls. To return to their normal lives, they must navigate a whimsical yet perilous world, working together to mend their fractured relationship.
The game was an instant success, celebrated for its seamless blend of inventive gameplay mechanics, heartfelt storytelling, and deeply integrated cooperative elements. Its critical and commercial triumph culminated in winning Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021—a groundbreaking achievement for a game designed exclusively for co-op play.
Beyond its gameplay, It Takes Two captured the essence of real-life relationships, emphasizing communication, trust, and teamwork. Its success reinforced Fares’ belief that cooperative gaming could be a powerful medium for storytelling, further proving his innovative vision.
An Unfiltered Persona: Love Him or Hate Him
Outside of his games, Josef Fares is just as well-known for his bold personality. His infamous “F* the Oscars!”* moment at The Game Awards 2017 turned him into an internet sensation, showcasing his unfiltered passion for gaming. But Fares’ outspoken nature isn’t just about theatrics—it reflects his deep commitment to pushing the boundaries of what video games can achieve.
He has openly criticized industry practices like microtransactions and formulaic game design, choosing instead to focus on cooperative storytelling and innovation. While his blunt approach has earned him both devoted fans and vocal critics, there’s no denying his impact on the industry.
Legacy and the Future
As of 2025, with a net worth of $20 million and a portfolio of critically acclaimed games, Josef Fares continues to push the boundaries of interactive storytelling. Hazelight Studios remains at the forefront of cooperative gaming, with fans eagerly awaiting the studio’s next project.
Fares’ journey—from a young immigrant in Sweden to a filmmaker and now a visionary game designer—stands as a testament to the power of storytelling across different mediums. In an industry often criticized for prioritizing profits over creativity, his work is a bold reminder that video games can be both emotionally resonant and groundbreaking.
As he continues to reshape the landscape of cooperative gaming, one thing is certain: Josef Fares isn’t done making waves yet.
