Josef Fares, the visionary behind Hazelight Studios and the creative force driving the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took the time to engage with fans, clarifying past statements and addressing criticisms about his work. A fan had accused him of proclaiming the demise of single-player games in previous interviews, but Fares was quick to set the record straight. He emphasized that he has never made such a claim and pointed to Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), one of Hazelight's most acclaimed titles, as a prime example of their commitment to single-player experiences.
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Fares further elaborated that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, the studio remains open to exploring different styles in the future. "We’re not excluding it," he affirmed, indicating a willingness to venture into single-player territory once again.
In response to criticism about the inclusion of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares addressed concerns about whether this choice was meant to promote feminism or reflect a broader agenda. He reminded critics of 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 these precedents, the decision to feature two women as leads in Split Fiction stirred particular controversy.
Fares clarified that the characters were inspired by his daughters and stressed his focus on crafting compelling stories and well-rounded characters, rather than focusing on biological traits. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he stated firmly.
Split Fiction, released today on March 6th, has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay mechanics and diverse scenarios. Prior to its launch, system requirements were shared to ensure players are well-prepared to immerse themselves in Hazelight's latest masterpiece.
