Josef Fares, founder of Hazelight Studios and visionary behind the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently connected with fans to address misconceptions and critiques about his work. A fan claimed Fares had previously dismissed single-player games, but he firmly denied this, noting that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), a critically acclaimed Hazelight title, was entirely single-player.
Image: comicbook.com
Fares elaborated that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, a single-player project similar to their earlier works remains a possibility. "We’re keeping the door open," he said, signaling the studio’s willingness to experiment with diverse gaming formats moving forward.
Fares also tackled criticism about the dual female protagonists in Split Fiction, with some questioning if the choice was a nod to feminism or a larger agenda. He countered by highlighting Hazelight’s history of varied 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—noting that the focus on two women in Split Fiction stirred unexpected debate.
He stressed that the characters draw inspiration from his daughters, emphasizing his commitment to compelling narratives and rich character development over superficial traits. "I focus on creating authentic characters, not their biology," Fares asserted.
Launched today, March 6th, Split Fiction has earned widespread praise for its groundbreaking gameplay and diverse scenarios. System requirements were released in advance, ensuring players are ready to experience Hazelight’s latest triumph.
