Josef Fares Hints at Possible Single-Player Game Future

Josef Fares, the visionary behind Hazelight Studios and the creative force driving the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took the time to engage with fans, clarifying past statements and addressing criticisms about his work. Amidst discussions, one fan wrongly accused him of claiming the death of single-player games in earlier interviews. Fares quickly corrected this misconception, emphasizing that Hazelight's acclaimed title, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), was indeed a single-player experience.

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Fares went on to elaborate that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative focus, the studio remains open to the possibility of crafting a single-player game similar to their previous works. "We’re not excluding it," he affirmed, underscoring Hazelight's willingness to experiment with various gameplay styles moving forward.

In response to critiques about Split Fiction's choice of two female protagonists, Fares addressed concerns regarding whether this decision was a nod to feminism or indicative of a broader agenda. He reminded fans that Hazelight's previous games have featured diverse character pairings—from the two brothers in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, to the two men in A Way Out, and the male-female duo in It Takes Two. Despite this history, the decision to cast two women as leads in Split Fiction stirred controversy.

Fares clarified that the characters in Split Fiction were inspired by his own daughters, and he stressed his focus on creating compelling narratives and well-developed characters over their physical attributes. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he stated firmly.

Launched today, March 6th, Split Fiction has garnered widespread critical acclaim, praised for its innovative gameplay mechanics and diverse scenarios. Prior to the release, system requirements were shared, ensuring that players are well-informed about what they need to fully immerse themselves in Hazelight's latest masterpiece.