Josef Fares, the visionary behind Hazelight Studios and the creative force driving the cooperative adventure game Split Fiction, recently took the time to engage with fans, addressing misunderstandings and criticisms about his work. One fan accused him of proclaiming the end of single-player games, a claim Fares firmly denied. He highlighted that Hazelight's acclaimed title, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), was indeed a single-player experience, countering the notion that he dismisses this genre.

Image: comicbook.com

Fares emphasized Hazelight's commitment to exploring various gameplay styles, noting that while the studio is known for its cooperative games, the idea of creating a single-player game similar to their past projects is not out of the question. "We’re not excluding it," he stated, reflecting the studio's openness to future possibilities.

In response to criticisms about the choice of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares addressed concerns about the game promoting feminism or following an agenda. He reminded fans of Hazelight's history of diverse character pairings, such as the two brothers in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, the two men in A Way Out, and the male-female duo in It Takes Two. Despite this precedent, the decision to feature two women as leads in Split Fiction drew particular scrutiny.

Fares clarified that the characters were inspired by his daughters and stressed his focus on crafting compelling narratives and well-developed characters, rather than emphasizing biological traits. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he asserted.

Launched today, March 6th, Split Fiction has received widespread critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay mechanics and diverse scenarios. Prior to its release, system requirements were made public, ensuring players are well-prepared to immerse themselves in Hazelight's latest masterpiece.