Josef Fares, the creative force behind Hazelight Studios and the acclaimed cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently addressed fan questions and criticisms surrounding his work. One fan accused him of previously declaring the death of single-player games, a claim Fares vehemently denied. He cited Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), a purely single-player title and one of Hazelight's most successful games, as evidence.
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Fares clarified that while Hazelight is known for its cooperative games, a future single-player title isn't out of the question. "We’re not excluding it," he stated, emphasizing the studio's willingness to explore diverse gameplay styles.
He also responded to criticism regarding Split Fiction's two female protagonists. Some questioned whether this choice was a statement on feminism or part of a broader agenda. Fares countered this by pointing out the diverse pairings in Hazelight's previous games: two brothers in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, two men in A Way Out, and a male-female duo in It Takes Two. While these precedents exist, the choice of two female leads in Split Fiction sparked significant debate.
Fares explained that the characters are inspired by his daughters, emphasizing that his focus remains on strong storytelling and well-developed characters, irrespective of gender. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he stated.
Released on March 6th, Split Fiction has received widespread critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay and diverse scenarios. System requirements were released pre-launch, ensuring players were fully informed before experiencing Hazelight's latest creation.