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. One fan mistakenly accused Fares of proclaiming the end of single-player games, a claim he swiftly debunked. He highlighted that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), a critically acclaimed title from Hazelight, is a purely single-player experience.
Image: comicbook.com
Fares further elaborated on Hazelight's future projects, noting that while the studio is known for its cooperative gameplay, a return to single-player games akin to their past works is still on the cards. "We're not excluding it," he affirmed, signaling the studio's willingness to explore various gameplay styles moving forward.
Additionally, Fares addressed the controversy surrounding the choice of two female protagonists in Split Fiction. Critics questioned whether this move was a nod to feminism or indicative of a broader agenda. Fares countered this by pointing out Hazelight's history of diverse character pairings—from two brothers in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, to 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 stirred significant debate.
He clarified that the characters were inspired by his daughters and stressed his focus on crafting compelling narratives and well-developed characters, rather than focusing on their biological traits. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," Fares stated emphatically.
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 made available, ensuring players are well-informed about what they need to fully experience Hazelight's latest masterpiece.
