Stockholm, Sweden — Hazelight Studios, the Swedish game development studio behind critically acclaimed titles like *A Plague Tale* and *The Saboteur*, has been named the winner of the 2025 Export Prize for the Cultural and Creative Industries by the Swedish government. The award, announced today, recognizes the studio’s global impact in gaming and its role in positioning Sweden as a leader in interactive entertainment. According to the Swedish Ministry of Culture, the prize highlights Hazelight’s success in exporting high-quality cultural products while fostering innovation in the creative sector.
The announcement comes as Sweden continues to invest in its cultural exports, with the government emphasizing the economic and cultural value of the gaming industry. Hazelight’s win underscores the growing recognition of Swedish game studios as key players in the global market, a trend that has seen increased government support for the sector in recent years.
Josef Fares, creative director of Hazelight Studios, did not immediately respond to requests for comment but has previously spoken about the studio’s commitment to storytelling and artistic integrity in gaming. The Export Prize, worth approximately SEK 500,000 (around $47,000 USD), will be used to further expand Hazelight’s international reach and support new projects.
“The Export Prize for the Cultural and Creative Industries is a testament to Hazelight Studios’ ability to combine artistic vision with commercial success. Their work is not only entertaining but also culturally significant, and we are proud to support their continued growth.”
Why Hazelight Studios’ Win Matters for Sweden’s Gaming Industry
Hazelight’s victory is part of a broader trend of Swedish game studios gaining international acclaim. The country has long been a hub for game development, home to studios like Mojang (creators of *Minecraft*) and Avengelyd, but Hazelight’s recognition marks a shift toward narrative-driven, artistically ambitious games. According to Aftonbladet, the prize reflects Sweden’s strategy to leverage cultural exports as a driver of economic growth, particularly in sectors like gaming where Sweden has a competitive edge.
The Export Prize is awarded annually to companies that have demonstrated exceptional success in exporting Swedish cultural products. Past winners include SVT (Sweden’s public broadcaster) and Sony Music Sweden, but Hazelight’s win is notable for its focus on interactive media—a sector that has seen rapid expansion in recent years. The Swedish Games Industry Association (SGIA) estimates that the gaming industry contributes over SEK 15 billion annually to Sweden’s economy, with exports accounting for a significant portion of that revenue.
For Hazelight, the prize comes at a pivotal moment. The studio has faced challenges in recent years, including layoffs and restructuring, but their continued success with franchises like *A Plague Tale*—which has sold over 5 million copies worldwide—demonstrates resilience. The Export Prize will provide critical funding to support their next projects, including the highly anticipated *A Plague Tale: Requiem*, which has been in development for years.
Who Is Josef Fares, and How Did Hazelight Rise to Global Prominence?
Josef Fares, the creative director of Hazelight Studios, is a key figure in Sweden’s gaming renaissance. Born in Sweden to Lebanese parents, Fares began his career in the film industry before transitioning to game development. His work on *The Saboteur* (2009) and *A Plague Tale* (2019) has earned widespread praise for its cinematic storytelling and emotional depth, setting Hazelight apart in an industry often dominated by action-oriented titles.
Fares has spoken openly about the challenges of balancing artistic vision with commercial success, particularly in a market where indie games often struggle to compete with AAA titles. The Export Prize, he has suggested in past interviews, will allow Hazelight to invest in technology and talent without compromising their creative standards. “We want to make games that matter, not just games that sell,” Fares told Sveriges Radio in 2023.
The studio’s rise is also tied to Sweden’s broader gaming ecosystem. Stockholm and Gothenburg have become magnet cities for game developers, thanks to government incentives, strong educational programs, and a culture that values innovation. Hazelight’s headquarters in Stockholm benefits from this environment, with access to top-tier universities like KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University’s game design programs.
How the Export Prize Will Shape Hazelight’s Future
The SEK 500,000 prize is not just a financial boost but a symbolic endorsement of Hazelight’s place in Sweden’s cultural landscape. The funds will be allocated toward several key initiatives, according to the Swedish Ministry of Culture:
- International Expansion: Strengthening Hazelight’s presence in key markets like North America, Europe, and Asia, where demand for narrative-driven games is growing.
- Technological Innovation: Investing in new tools and engines to enhance the studio’s ability to produce visually stunning and immersive experiences.
- Talent Development: Supporting internships and partnerships with Swedish universities to nurture the next generation of game developers.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Aligning with Sweden’s broader environmental goals by adopting eco-friendly practices in game production.
Beyond the immediate benefits, the prize also signals a growing recognition of gaming as a legitimate cultural export. In an era where digital media increasingly shapes global storytelling, Hazelight’s work represents Sweden’s ability to compete on the world stage. The government’s decision to highlight the studio in this context reflects a strategic shift toward valuing cultural exports alongside traditional industries like automotive and industrial design.
What Happens Next for Hazelight and Sweden’s Gaming Sector?
With the Export Prize in hand, Hazelight Studios is poised to accelerate its ambitions. The studio has already begun teasing new projects, including a potential spin-off from the *A Plague Tale* universe. Industry insiders suggest that the prize could also open doors for partnerships with international studios and publishers, further solidifying Hazelight’s global footprint.
For Sweden, the award reinforces the country’s reputation as a hub for creative industries. The government has set ambitious targets to double the value of cultural exports by 2030, and gaming is a critical component of that strategy. As Hazelight continues to innovate, other Swedish studios may follow suit, leveraging similar government support to expand their own international reach.
The next major milestone for Hazelight will likely be the release of *A Plague Tale: Requiem*, which has been in development since 2021. The studio has not yet announced a definitive release date, but industry speculation suggests it could arrive in late 2025 or early 2026. The Export Prize funds may play a role in ensuring the game meets the high standards set by its predecessors.
Key Takeaways: Hazelight’s Win in Context
- Global Recognition: Hazelight becomes the first Swedish game studio to win the Export Prize, highlighting the growing influence of interactive media in Sweden’s cultural exports.
- Government Support: The prize underscores Sweden’s commitment to fostering innovation in the creative industries, with a focus on sustainability and international growth.
- Industry Impact: The award could spur competition among Swedish studios, encouraging more investment in narrative-driven and artistically ambitious games.
- Economic Value: Gaming now contributes over SEK 15 billion annually to Sweden’s economy, with exports playing a key role in this growth.
- Future Projects: The funds will support Hazelight’s upcoming titles, including *A Plague Tale: Requiem*, and potential new IP.
The Swedish government will host an official ceremony to present the Export Prize to Hazelight Studios later this year. Details on the event, including the date and location, will be announced in the coming months. In the meantime, fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see how the studio leverages this recognition to shape the future of gaming.
For updates on Hazelight’s projects and Sweden’s cultural export strategy, follow:
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