Josef Fares Hints at Possible Single-Player Game from Hazelight

Josef Fares, the visionary behind Hazelight Studios and the creative force driving the cooperative adventure game Split Fiction, recently took the time to connect with fans, clarifying previous statements and addressing the criticisms leveled against his work. A fan had accused Fares of proclaiming the demise of single-player games in past interviews. However, Fares firmly denied ever making such a claim, reminding fans that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), one of Hazelight's most acclaimed titles, was indeed a purely single-player experience.

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Fares elaborated on Hazelight's future direction, noting that while the studio is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, the possibility of creating a single-player game similar to their earlier projects remains open. "We’re not excluding it," he affirmed, emphasizing the studio's willingness to explore various gameplay styles moving forward.

In response to criticism over the inclusion of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares addressed concerns that this choice might be pushing a feminist agenda. He pointed out the diversity in Hazelight's previous character pairings—from two brothers in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, to two men in A Way Out, and a male-female duo in It Takes Two. Yet, the decision to feature two women as leads in Split Fiction drew particular attention and debate.

Fares made it clear that the characters in Split Fiction were inspired by his daughters, underscoring his focus on crafting compelling stories and well-developed characters over mere biological attributes. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he stated, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and character development in his work.

Released on March 6th, Split Fiction has garnered widespread critical acclaim, celebrated for its innovative 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 experience the latest masterpiece from the studio.