Split Fiction streamers uncover and conquer the secret Laser Hell stage, securing an invitation to Hazelight Studios. Discover how this challenge unfolded and what the acclaimed studio has planned following the game's remarkable success.
Split Fiction Keeps Delivering Unexpected Thrills
First Gamers to Beat the "Laser Hell" Challenge Win a Trip to Hazelight Studios
Following a triumphant launch last month, Split Fiction continues to captivate players with hidden surprises like the elusive Laser Hell stage. Though incredibly demanding, two streamers rose to the occasion and completed the challenge. As a result, the game's director personally rewarded them with a visit to Hazelight Studios.
Chinese streamers sharkOvO and E1uM4y shared their Laser Hell victory in a video on BiliBili. To find this hidden stage, players must input a specific sequence of button presses on the elevator in the Isolation level. Successfully entering the code sends the elevator to a platform stage swarming with lasers.
Completing the challenge unlocked a special video message from Hazelight founder Josef Fares. He congratulated the pair on their impressive feat, noting that even most of the game's developers struggled to finish the level. Fares then extended an invitation to visit Hazelight Studios in Sweden. Soon after the video surfaced, Fares acknowledged their achievement on Twitter (X) on March 19, stating: "Congrats to 'sharkOvO' and 'E1uM4y' for finishing the secret challenge 'Laser Hell' in #splitficton. VERY impressive! I will keep my promise and invite you both to Sweden for an early look at our next game. We'll be in touch!"
Hazelight Studios Begins Work on Their Next Project
In a March 17 interview on The Friends Per Second podcast, Fares discussed Hazelight’s partnership with publisher EA and confirmed that the studio has started developing their next game.
Fares reflected that Split Fiction's release felt distinct from his previous titles. "Personally, once a game is out, I'm usually ready to move on to the next project," he explained. "But this one has been especially meaningful. It's our most well-received game so far. While the entire team is thrilled, I'm completely absorbed and energized by the new project we've already kicked off."
Although Fares confirmed development is underway, he didn't disclose any specifics. "I can't discuss the next game yet because it's still in early stages," he said. "As you know, at Hazelight, our development cycles last three to four years. That means we'll be ready to share more before long. It's too soon for details, but I can say this: we are incredibly, incredibly excited here. We started working on this about a month ago."
Regarding Hazelight’s relationship with EA, Fares clarified, "Here's what people often miss: EA supports us. We don't pitch games to them." He added, "We simply tell them, ‘This is what we're doing.’ That's all. They have absolutely no say in what we create next."
Despite EA's mixed reputation among publishers, Fares stressed how strong their partnership has been. He acknowledged that others may have had negative experiences, but EA consistently respects Hazelight's creative independence. "Maybe they've had issues with other developers, but not with us. They respect our work and our process. I've made it clear they cannot interfere with our creative choices. Now, we've become one of their most successful studios."
First Game Update and 2 Million Sales in One Week
On March 17, Split Fiction received its first update, addressing various issues identified by the community since launch. The patch resolves problems like in-game mechanics behaving unexpectedly in certain scenarios, minor glitches during online play, and improvements to localization and subtitles across all supported languages.
In addition to the update, Split Fiction achieved a significant milestone, selling over 2 million copies within just one week. For context, Hazelight's 2021 Game of the Year winner, It Takes Two, reached 1 million sales several weeks after launch and grew to 20 million by October 2024.
Split Fiction is currently available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For the latest news and updates about the game, be sure to read our related article below.
