Josef Fares, the visionary behind Hazelight Studios and the mastermind of the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took the time to engage with fans and address various criticisms and misconceptions about his work. In a candid discussion, Fares clarified that he has never proclaimed the demise of single-player games, contrary to what some fans believed. He highlighted that Hazelight's acclaimed title, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), was a testament to the studio's capability in delivering a compelling single-player experience.
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Fares emphasized that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, the studio remains open to the possibility of returning to single-player projects. "We’re not excluding it," he stated, expressing Hazelight's willingness to explore diverse gameplay styles moving forward.
Addressing the backlash regarding the choice of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares faced questions about whether this decision was driven by a feminist agenda. He countered these criticisms by pointing out the diversity in Hazelight’s previous character pairings—from the two brothers in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, to the male duo in A Way Out, and the male-female partnership in It Takes Two. Despite these varied representations, the decision to feature two female leads in Split Fiction stirred significant debate.
Fares, however, was clear in his intentions, noting that the characters were inspired by his own daughters. He stressed his focus on creating compelling narratives and fully developed characters, dismissing any notion that biological traits should dictate storytelling. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," Fares asserted.
Split Fiction, which hit the shelves today, March 6th, has already garnered widespread acclaim for its groundbreaking gameplay mechanics and the richness of its scenarios. Prior to its launch, Hazelight shared detailed system requirements, ensuring that players are well-informed about the hardware needed to fully experience their latest creation.
