Hazelight's Josef Fares Says Single-Player Game is Possible in the 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. A fan had accused him of proclaiming the end of single-player games in previous interviews, but Fares was quick to set the record straight, emphasizing that he has never made such a claim. He highlighted that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), one of Hazelight's most acclaimed titles, was indeed a single-player experience.

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Fares went on to explain that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, the studio remains open to the idea of developing a single-player game similar to their past projects. "We're not excluding it," he affirmed, underscoring Hazelight's willingness to explore various gameplay styles in the future.

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

Fares emphasized that the characters in Split Fiction were inspired by his daughters and reiterated his focus on crafting compelling stories and well-rounded characters, rather than focusing on biological traits. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he stated firmly.

Released today, March 6th, Split Fiction has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay mechanics and diverse scenarios. Prior to its launch, system requirements were shared to ensure players are well-prepared to immerse themselves in Hazelight's latest masterpiece.