Josef Fares, the visionary behind Hazelight Studios and the creative force driving the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took the time to engage with fans, clarifying past statements and addressing criticisms about his work. A fan had accused him of proclaiming the demise of single-player games in previous interviews, but Fares was quick to set the record straight. He emphasized that he has never made such a claim and reminded fans of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), one of Hazelight's most acclaimed titles, which was a purely single-player experience.
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Fares went on to explain that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay DNA, the studio remains open to the idea of crafting a single-player game similar to their past projects. "We’re not excluding it," he affirmed, underscoring Hazelight's willingness to explore various gameplay styles in the future.
In response to criticism about the inclusion of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares addressed concerns about whether this choice was meant to promote feminism or reflect a broader agenda. He pointed out that Hazelight's previous games have featured diverse character pairings—two brothers in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, two men in A Way Out, and a male-female duo in It Takes Two. Despite these precedents, the decision to cast two women as leads in Split Fiction stirred particular controversy.
Fares clarified that the characters were inspired by his daughters and stressed that his priority lies in creating compelling stories and well-developed characters, rather than focusing on their biological traits. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he stated firmly.
Released today, March 6th, Split Fiction has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay mechanics and diverse scenarios. Prior to its launch, system requirements were shared, ensuring that players are well-informed about what they need to fully immerse themselves in Hazelight's latest masterpiece.
