Josef Fares, the charismatic founder of Hazelight Studios, has sent the gaming community into a frenzy with a cryptic social media post hinting at the studio's next project. The subsequent official press release confirmed that this new title will be another cooperative experience developed in partnership with EA Originals, continuing the studio's acclaimed tradition of narrative-driven multiplayer adventures. Following the monumental success of It Takes Two, which sold over 20 million copies and won Game of the Year at the 2021 Game Awards, expectations are sky-high for Hazelight's next innovation in the co-op genre. The teaser suggests a brand new IP, distinct from their previous works, yet firmly rooted in the collaborative gameplay that has become their signature.
The initial tease came directly from Fares himself, who posted: "Getting a lot of questions about the next game. Here is a tease. It is a brand new IP called S ***N [a three-letter word followed by a seven-letter word]. Can't wait to show it soon." This simple yet tantalizing clue immediately sparked a wave of speculation and puzzle-solving across forums and social media. The studio then amplified the mystery by releasing an image of a cluttered desk folder adorned with sticky notes and doodles, each seemingly containing a piece of the larger puzzle. This visual teaser is a treasure trove for dedicated fans, inviting them to decode the studio's secrets long before any formal reveal.
Deciphering the Desk Clues
A closer look at the released image reveals several intriguing elements. In the bottom-right corner, a sticky note presents another word puzzle: "Final_final_3" and "_Mdown_13." The meaning is obscure, potentially referencing file versions, development milestones, or even in-game mechanics. More notably, the top-right corner features a doodle of stairs with the words "Mio Zoe" scribbled alongside. Many speculate this could be the names of the game's two protagonists, continuing Hazelight's focus on dual-character narratives. The top-left corner holds an acrostic poem that spells out 'Cooler,' constructed from the words: "Co-Op, Ouch(?), Legen-, Rad..." This playful note seems to celebrate and hint at the game's core co-op nature, with "Ouch" possibly suggesting challenging or perilous situations the players will face together.
Scattered across the image are doodles of squares and cuboids of varying heights. These geometric shapes could symbolize level design, puzzle mechanics involving perspective or scale, or even represent the two player characters themselves. The collective ambiguity of these clues has the community working overtime. On platforms like Reddit and Twitter, theories range from the plausible to the wildly creative, with fans dissecting every pixel for meaning. The collaborative effort to solve these puzzles mirrors the cooperative spirit of Hazelight's games themselves.
The EA Originals Partnership and Co-op Legacy
The confirmation of EA Originals as the publisher solidifies a successful partnership. EA Originals was also behind the publication of It Takes Two and Hazelight's earlier co-op hit, A Way Out. This reunion signals strong mutual confidence in the project. Hazelight Studios, under Fares' direction, has carved out a unique and beloved niche by forcing players to work together not just as a gameplay option, but as the fundamental, unavoidable core of the experience. Their games are designed from the ground up for two, weaving narrative and mechanics inseparably.
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A Way Out (2018): A prison-break drama where two players control separate characters, sharing the screen and their fate.
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It Takes Two (2021): A magical journey of a couple turned into dolls, requiring constant collaboration to navigate a fantastical household world.
This new game, currently teased for a release in the coming years, is expected to push this philosophy further. The "Cooler" acrostic and the emphasis on a "brand new IP" suggest Hazelight is experimenting with new themes, settings, or gameplay twists while doubling down on what they do best. The studio has proven it can make cooperation emotionally resonant and mechanically inventive, moving far beyond simple combat revives or shared puzzle solving.
Community Speculation and Anticipation
The response to Fares' initial word puzzle has been a spectacle of collective creativity. While the true title "S **N" remains unsolved, the community's guesses highlight the excitement and affection for the studio's work. Suggestions from fans have included everything from "Sun Dragon" and "Sea Siren" to more humorous guesses like "Sht Pigeon" and "Soft Cushion"—the latter being a testament to the playful, sometimes absurd, humor found in Hazelight's games. This engagement is a powerful asset, building immense anticipation through active participation rather than passive consumption of marketing materials.
As of 2026, the gaming landscape continues to evolve, but the desire for meaningful shared experiences remains strong. Hazelight's upcoming title enters a market more receptive than ever to innovative co-op design. With the clues pointing to a release in the foreseeable future, the puzzle-solving phase is just the beginning. The real test will be whether "S *N" can capture the same magic, emotional depth, and flawless cooperative integration that made It Takes Two a landmark title. If the studio's track record and these enigmatic teasers are any indication, players around the world have another unforgettable journey for two to look forward to.
This overview is based on reporting from GamesIndustry.biz, a reliable source for publisher partnerships and studio strategy, and it helps frame Hazelight’s next EA Originals co-op project as part of a broader trend where curated publishing labels back distinctive, narrative-driven multiplayer experiences—making Josef Fares’ “S***N” tease feel less like a one-off riddle and more like an early signal of another premium two-player release built for visibility and awards momentum.