Josef Fares, the creative force behind Hazelight Studios and the mind behind the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took the time to engage with fans and address misunderstandings and criticisms about his work. A fan accused him of claiming the death of single-player games in past interviews, but Fares swiftly clarified that he has never made such a statement. He highlighted that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), one of Hazelight's most acclaimed titles, was indeed a single-player experience, debunking the myth.
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Fares went on to explain that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative focus, the idea of creating a single-player game similar to their past projects is still on the table. "We’re not excluding it," he affirmed, underscoring the studio's willingness to explore different gameplay styles in the future.
In response to criticism surrounding 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—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 has stirred particular controversy.
Fares emphasized that the characters were inspired by his daughters and stressed that his priority is crafting compelling stories with well-rounded characters, not their biological attributes. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he stated emphatically.
Released today, 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 shared, ensuring that players are well-informed about what they need to fully experience Hazelight's latest masterpiece.
