Josef Fares Hints at Possible Single-Player Game Future

Josef Fares, the visionary behind Hazelight Studios and the creative force driving the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took the time to connect with fans, addressing past statements and responding to critiques about his work. One fan pointed out that Fares had supposedly declared the end of single-player games in previous interviews. Fares quickly set the record straight, stating that he never made such a claim. He reminded fans that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), one of Hazelight's most acclaimed titles, is a quintessential single-player experience.

Image: comicbook.com

Fares went on to clarify that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, the studio remains open to exploring single-player games in the future. "We're not excluding it," he affirmed, showcasing Hazelight's willingness to experiment with different gameplay styles moving forward.

In response to criticism about the inclusion of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares addressed concerns that this choice was a push for feminism or indicative of an underlying agenda. He reminded critics of the diverse character pairings in Hazelight's past games, 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 varied representations, the decision to feature two women as leads in Split Fiction drew particular scrutiny.

Fares emphasized that the characters in Split Fiction were inspired by his daughters, underscoring his focus on crafting compelling stories and well-developed characters over their biological attributes. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he stated firmly.

Split Fiction, released today on March 6th, 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.