Josef Fares, the visionary behind Hazelight Studios and the creator of the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took the opportunity to engage directly with fans, clarifying past statements and addressing criticisms about his work. One fan had accused him of proclaiming the end of single-player games, a claim Fares firmly denied. He reminded fans that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), one of Hazelight's most acclaimed titles, was indeed a single-player game.
Image: comicbook.com
Fares elaborated that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, the studio remains open to creating single-player experiences. "We're not excluding it," he stated, emphasizing Hazelight's willingness to explore various gameplay styles in the future.
Moreover, Fares addressed the controversy surrounding the inclusion of two female protagonists in Split Fiction. Some fans questioned whether this choice was intended to promote feminism or reflected a broader agenda. Fares countered this by pointing out the diversity in character pairings across Hazelight's titles, including 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 feature two women as leads in Split Fiction drew particular scrutiny.
He clarified that the characters in Split Fiction were inspired by his daughters and stressed that his focus is on crafting compelling narratives and well-developed characters, rather than their biological traits. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," Fares affirmed.
Launched today, March 6th, Split Fiction has received widespread critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay mechanics and diverse scenarios. Prior to its release, system requirements were made public, ensuring that players are well-informed about what they need to fully experience Hazelight's latest masterpiece.
