Josef Fares Hints at Possible Single-Player Game Future

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, clarifying past statements and addressing criticisms about his work. Amid accusations from a fan that Fares had previously declared the death of single-player games, he firmly denied ever making such a claim. He reminded fans of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), one of Hazelight's most acclaimed titles, which was a purely single-player experience.

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Fares went on to clarify that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, the studio is open to exploring different styles in the future, including single-player games. "We're not excluding it," he stated, emphasizing their willingness to innovate and experiment with various gameplay formats.

In response to criticism about the inclusion of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares addressed concerns that this choice might be promoting a specific agenda or pushing feminism. He pointed out Hazelight's history of diverse character pairings—from the two brothers in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, two men in A Way Out, to a male-female duo in It Takes Two. Despite this track record, the decision to feature two women as leads in Split Fiction has sparked significant controversy.

Fares passionately defended his creative choices, explaining that the characters were inspired by his daughters. He stressed his focus on crafting compelling stories 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," Fares asserted.

Split Fiction, released today on March 6th, has received 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.