Josef Fares Hints at Possible Single-Player Game from Hazelight

Josef Fares, the visionary founder of Hazelight Studios and mastermind behind the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently addressed fans to clear up misunderstandings and counter criticisms surrounding his work. A fan accused him of previously stating the "death of single-player games," but Fares quickly corrected this, noting that he had never made such a claim. He pointed out that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), one of Hazelight's most beloved titles, was entirely single-player.

Image: comicbook.com

Fares went on to explain that although Hazelight is widely recognized for its cooperative roots, the studio remains open to experimenting with other gameplay styles in the future. "We’re not excluding it," he said, emphasizing Hazelight's willingness to explore diverse narratives and mechanics.

In response to criticism about the decision to feature two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares reminded detractors that Hazelight's past games have always included 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 casting of two women as leads in Split Fiction ignited particular controversy.

Fares stressed that the characters were inspired by his daughters and underscored his focus on crafting compelling stories and well-rounded personalities rather than basing decisions on biological traits. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he stated.

Released today, March 6th, Split Fiction has garnered widespread critical praise for its groundbreaking gameplay mechanics and dynamic scenarios. System requirements were disclosed ahead of the launch, ensuring players are equipped with the necessary details to fully immerse themselves in Hazelight's latest triumph.