Josef Fares, the visionary behind Hazelight Studios and the cooperative adventure game Split Fiction, recently took time to engage with fans and address some misconceptions about his previous statements. One fan had accused him of proclaiming the end of single-player games, a claim Fares firmly denied. He reminded fans that Hazelight's acclaimed title, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), was indeed a purely single-player experience, proving his commitment to diverse gaming formats.
Image: comicbook.com
Fares elaborated that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, the possibility of developing a single-player game similar to their past projects remains open. "We're not excluding it," he affirmed, indicating the studio's willingness to explore various gameplay styles moving forward.
In response to criticism about the choice of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares addressed concerns about whether this decision was driven by a feminist agenda or broader political motives. He pointed out Hazelight's history of diverse character pairings—from the two brothers in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, to the two men in A Way Out, and the male-female duo in It Takes Two. Despite this track record, the decision to feature two women as leads in Split Fiction drew significant attention and controversy.
Fares clarified that the characters in Split Fiction were inspired by his own daughters, emphasizing his focus on creating compelling narratives and well-developed characters over any specific biological attributes. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he stated passionately.
Released on March 6th, Split Fiction has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay mechanics and diverse scenarios. Prior to its launch, system requirements were made available, ensuring that players are well-informed about what they need to fully experience Hazelight's latest masterpiece.
