Josef Fares, the creative force behind Hazelight Studios and the mind behind the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took to social media to engage with fans and clarify some misconceptions about his earlier statements. Addressing a fan's accusation that he had declared the demise of single-player games, Fares firmly denied ever making such a claim. He highlighted that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), one of Hazelight's most acclaimed titles, was a purely single-player experience, underscoring his studio's versatility.
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Fares went on to explain that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, the possibility of creating a single-player game akin to their past projects is not ruled out. "We’re not excluding it," he assured, indicating the studio's willingness to venture into different gameplay styles in the future.
In response to criticisms regarding the inclusion of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares addressed concerns about whether this choice was meant to push a feminist agenda. He reminded critics that Hazelight's previous games have featured diverse character pairings—from two brothers in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, two men in A Way Out, to a male-female duo in It Takes Two. Despite these precedents, the decision to have two women lead in Split Fiction sparked notable controversy.
Fares emphasized that the characters in Split Fiction were inspired by his own daughters, and he stressed that his primary focus is on crafting compelling narratives and well-developed characters, rather than their biological attributes. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," Fares stated passionately.
Released today, March 6th, Split Fiction has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay mechanics and diverse scenarios. Prior to the launch, system requirements were shared to ensure that players are fully prepared to immerse themselves in Hazelight's latest masterpiece.
