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 pointed to Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), a critically acclaimed single-player title from Hazelight, as evidence to the contrary.
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While Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative games, Fares clarified 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 deliberate feminist statement or part of a broader 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 existed, the choice of two female leads in Split Fiction sparked significant debate.
He explained that the characters were inspired by his daughters and stressed that his focus remains on compelling 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.
Launched on March 6th, Split Fiction has received widespread critical praise for its innovative gameplay and diverse scenarios. System requirements were released beforehand, ensuring players were fully prepared to experience Hazelight's latest creation.
