Three and a half years after its initial release, It Takes Two has hit an impressive milestone, with over 20 million copies sold. This cooperative adventure, developed by Hazelight Studios, has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide, continuing to rise in popularity long after its initial launch.
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First released in March 2021, It Takes Two is a couch co-op game available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, with a later release on the Nintendo Switch in November 2022. The game’s strong start saw over one million units sold within its first month, and the momentum hasn’t slowed down since. By March 2024, the game had already reached 16 million copies sold, but the continued success has seen it surpass the 20 million mark—a feat that highlights how word-of-mouth recommendations and critical acclaim have driven its ongoing popularity. Regular discounts on platforms such as the PlayStation Store have also helped maintain sales growth.
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Upon release, It Takes Two garnered widespread praise, with Hazelight’s unique approach to co-op gameplay being a central factor in its success. The game received high marks from critics, including a 9/10 from IGN, where it was described as “a truly joyful trip you really need to take together.”
The accolades didn’t stop there. The game won multiple awards, including The Game Awards 2021’s Game of the Year, Best Family Game, and Best Multiplayer Game. It also claimed a BAFTA for Multiplayer Game and Original Property, along with many other prestigious awards including the Steam Awards 2021’s Better With Friends award, the Golden Joystick for Best Multiplayer Game and two DICE Awards for Game of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Game Design.
A film adaptation of It Takes Two is currently in development, with Amazon Studios securing the distribution rights in April 2022. The film will follow the core premise of the game, where a married couple who are considering a divorce, May and Cody, find themselves transformed into dolls after their daughter’s tears. To return to their bodies, they must navigate a whimsical and challenging world, learning to work together along the way.
The screenplay is being written by Sonic the Hedgehog writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller, with Hazelight Studios also heavily involved. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is attached as a producer, along with Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Dmitri M. Johnson, and Dan Jevons, with speculation that Johnson may take on an acting role as well. The film is being produced as a joint effort between Hazelight Studios, dj2 Entertainment, Seven Bucks Productions, and Amazon MGM Studios, with plans for it to be released as a Prime Video Original.
In a December 2022 interview with comingsoon.net, the film’s writers discussed the challenge of adapting a video game with such varied gameplay. “That’s the challenge with any sort of action-heavy movie, including It Takes Two,” Casey explained. “How to incorporate some of those special gameplay elements in a way that feels movie-like instead.”
Miller added that they’re working closely with the game’s creator, Josef Fares, to ensure the film captures the essence of the story and gameplay. “Hazelight made it hard on us because there’s too much good stuff from the game,” Miller shared. “So it is kind of like there’s a bit of triage of ‘oh no, well we can’t fit all this in. What’s the best stuff to keep?’ You try to think of if there are ways that you can meld one level with another level so that fans of the game will get it, they’re like, ‘oh, I see, they combined these two things.’”
Despite the difficulties, the team is determined to bring the magic of It Takes Two to the screen while staying true to its unique blend of action and heartfelt storytelling. Unfortunately, updates on the film have been scarce, with the last major news coming from the writers’ interview at the end of 2022. However, given the game’s continued success and its compelling storyline, it’s likely that new developments for the film are on the horizon.
This ongoing success is a clear testament to Hazelight Studios’ dedication to creating engaging co-op experiences. The studio, led by Josef Fares, is known for its unique focus on cooperative gameplay, as seen in their earlier title A Way Out. With fans eagerly anticipating Hazelight’s next project, Fares recently teased that a new game is in the works. Taking to social media, Fares revealed that Hazelight’s upcoming project will be “a brand-new IP called S*** ******N”, continuing their tradition of co-op adventures, with more details expected soon—possibly in November to coincide with the studio’s 10th anniversary.
As It Takes Two continues to captivate players and with the promise of a film adaptation currently in the works at Amazon Studios, it’s clear that Hazelight Studios is just getting started. All eyes are now on what the talented team has planned next, and if their track record is any indication, it’s bound to be another innovative gaming experience.
Hazelight Studios’ ability to consistently deliver fresh, cooperative adventures has made them a standout in the gaming world. With It Takes Two reaching this incredible milestone, of 20 million sold units, months after the announcement that A Way Out has reached 9 million sold units—as of June 2024, the anticipation for their next project continues to build.
Experience the magic of It Takes Two by purchasing the game on Amazon today. You can buy the game for the Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, or PC.