Hazelight's Josef Fares Says Single-Player Game is Possible in the Future

Josef Fares, the visionary founder of Hazelight Studios and the creative force behind the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took the opportunity to engage with fans, addressing past statements and responding to criticisms about his work. In a notable interaction, a fan accused Fares of proclaiming the demise of single-player games in earlier interviews. However, Fares was quick to dispel this notion, clarifying that he never made such a claim. He reminded fans of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), a critically acclaimed title from Hazelight that offered a purely single-player experience.

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Fares went on to explain that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay DNA, the studio is open to exploring other styles, including single-player games. "We’re not excluding it," he affirmed, underlining Hazelight’s willingness to venture into diverse gameplay formats in the future.

Additionally, Fares addressed the controversy surrounding the inclusion of two female protagonists in Split Fiction. Some fans questioned whether this choice was intended to promote feminism or reflected a broader agenda. In response, Fares pointed out Hazelight's history of featuring diverse character pairings, such as 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 drew particular scrutiny.

Fares firmly stated that the characters were inspired by his daughters and emphasized his commitment to crafting strong, well-rounded characters over focusing on biological traits. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he asserted.

Released on 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, ensuring that players are well-informed about what they need to fully experience Hazelight's latest masterpiece.