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 wrongly accused him of proclaiming the death of single-player games. Fares clarified this misconception, highlighting that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), one of Hazelight's most lauded titles, was entirely single-player.
Image: comicbook.com
While Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative games, Fares confirmed that 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.
Fares 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 larger 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. Despite this history, the female leads in Split Fiction sparked controversy.
He explained that the characters are inspired by his daughters, emphasizing that his focus is on strong narratives and well-developed characters, regardless of gender. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," Fares 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 could easily check compatibility before experiencing Hazelight's latest creation.
