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 incorrectly accused him of declaring the death of single-player games, a claim Fares vehemently denied. He pointed to Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), a purely single-player title and one of Hazelight's most successful games, as evidence to the contrary.
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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 addressed criticism regarding Split Fiction's two female protagonists. Some questioned whether this choice was a deliberate feminist statement or part of a larger agenda. Fares countered this by highlighting 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 casting of two women in Split Fiction sparked unusual controversy.
Fares explained that the characters were inspired by his daughters and stressed that his focus is on compelling storytelling and well-developed characters, regardless 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 beforehand, ensuring players were fully prepared to experience Hazelight's latest creation.
