Josef Fares, the visionary founder of Hazelight Studios and the creative force behind the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took the time to engage with his fans, addressing misunderstandings and responding to criticisms about his work. Contrary to some fans' beliefs, Fares clarified that he never claimed single-player games were dead. He cited Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), a highly acclaimed title from Hazelight, as a prime example of their dedication to single-player experiences. This clarification underscores the studio's versatility and commitment to diverse gaming experiences.
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Fares elaborated that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, the studio remains open to revisiting single-player formats in future projects. "We’re not excluding it," he affirmed, indicating a willingness to explore different gameplay styles moving forward.
In addressing criticism about the casting of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares faced questions regarding the promotion of feminism or underlying agendas. He pointed out Hazelight's history of diverse character pairings, including two brothers in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, two men in A Way Out, and a male-female duo in It Takes Two. Despite this track record, the decision to feature two women as leads in Split Fiction stirred controversy.
Fares passionately defended his creative choices, revealing that the characters were inspired by his own daughters. He emphasized the importance of storytelling and character development over physical attributes, stating, "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters."
Split Fiction, released today on March 6th, has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its groundbreaking gameplay mechanics and diverse scenarios. Prior to its launch, Hazelight shared the system requirements, ensuring that players are well-informed about what they need to fully experience this latest masterpiece.
