Josef Fares Net Worth: How Much Money Does Hazelight Studios Founder Make?

When you think of video games, the first images that come to mind might be high-octane battles, vast open worlds, or maybe even a plumber smashing bricks with his head. But for Josef Fares, it’s all about connection, emotion, and, most importantly, playing together. If you’ve ever yelled at a friend over a puzzle in A Way Out or had a heart-to-heart while playing It Takes Two, you’ve felt his impact firsthand.

Josef Fares is a Swedish-Lebanese game designer and film director whose unique blend of storytelling and gameplay has made him a beloved, if occasionally polarizing, figure in the gaming world. With a net worth of $20 million and a portfolio that includes Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, A Way Out, and the critically acclaimed It Takes Two, Fares has redefined what cooperative gaming can be. But what makes this guy tick? Let’s dive into his story.

From Civil War to Swedish Suburbs

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1977, Josef’s early life was marked by chaos. Civil war was tearing the country apart, and at age 10, his family made a life-changing decision to flee to Sweden. Settling in Örebro, a city that might not ring a bell unless you’re really into Swedish geography, Josef grew up balancing two cultures, two worlds. This background, a mix of displacement and cultural clash, would go on to influence much of his storytelling—whether it’s the bond between brothers or a couple on the brink of divorce learning to communicate again.

It’s also probably why his games hit so damn hard on themes of family, connection, and perseverance. The guy knows a thing or two about making things work against the odds.

From Big Screen to Small Screen

Before he was breaking our hearts (and maybe a few controllers) with his games, Josef was making waves in the Swedish film industry. His directorial debut, Jalla! Jalla! (2000), was a hit, mixing humor and heartfelt moments to explore themes of cultural identity and relationships. It was followed by Kopps (2003), a movie about bored cops who stage crimes to keep their jobs—imagine if Super Troopers had a Swedish cousin.

His films, often starring his brother Fares Fares (because why not keep it in the family?), were about people struggling to connect across cultural divides. Sound familiar? That same DNA would eventually seep into his games, where emotional narratives and the bonds between characters are front and center.

From Director to Developer

In 2013, Fares made a move that had a lot of people scratching their heads. He pivoted from films to video games, teaming up with Starbreeze Studios to create Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. Here’s the twist: instead of the usual “one character, one controller” deal, players controlled two brothers at once—one with each analog stick. It was awkward, sure, but that was the point. You were supposed to feel the struggle of guiding two characters at once.

And then, in true Josef Fares fashion, he ripped your heart out with an emotional gut-punch that left players staring at their screens in stunned silence. Critics loved it. Players loved it. And Josef? He was just getting started.

Hazelight Studios: Where Innovation is the Only Rule

After the success of Brothers, Josef founded Hazelight Studios in 2014, a place dedicated to making co-op games that aren’t just about shooting things with your buddy. Their first project, A Way Out (2018), was a prison break story that could only be played cooperatively. Online or split-screen, you needed a partner. And not the “cover me while I reload” kind of partner—more like the “let’s talk through our issues and work together” kind.

The game wasn’t perfect, but it was bold, different, and, most importantly, fun. And Josef’s confidence was off the charts. At The Game Awards 2017, he went viral for his unfiltered rant against the Academy Awards, memorably yelling, “F*** the Oscars!” while Geoff Keighley looked on in horror (and maybe a little admiration).

Love him or hate him, you can’t ignore him.

It Takes Two: Love, Dolls, and Marriage Counseling

In 2021, Hazelight released It Takes Two, a co-op action-adventure platformer about a married couple on the verge of divorce who are magically transformed into dolls. It’s as wild as it sounds—there are talking books, sentient squirrels with war trauma, and a level where you basically perform marital therapy by platforming through emotions.

But here’s the thing: it worked. It worked so well that it snagged Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021, proving that co-op games can deliver emotional, engaging stories without resorting to the usual tropes. One minute, you’re arguing about how to flip a switch, the next you’re having deep conversations about sacrifice and love.

And that’s Josef’s magic. He makes you care. He makes you feel.

The Unfiltered Genius

One of the reasons people love Josef Fares (or love to hate him) is his total lack of a filter. He’s the kind of guy who will call out the industry’s nonsense without batting an eye. During interviews, he’s as likely to drop F-bombs as he is to wax poetic about the future of gaming as an art form.

In an industry where developers often play it safe, Josef’s energy is a breath of fresh air. He’s not interested in microtransactions, battle passes, or squeezing every last dollar out of players. He just wants to make games that people connect with—preferably with a friend on the couch next to them.