Josef Fares Hints at Future Single-Player Game

Josef Fares, the visionary behind Hazelight Studios and the creative force driving the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took to social media to engage with fans and clarify past statements that have stirred controversy. Amid accusations that he had declared the end of single-player games, Fares set the record straight, asserting that he never made such a claim. He reminded fans of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), a beloved Hazelight title, which was exclusively a single-player experience.

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Fares went on to discuss the studio's future directions, noting that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, the possibility of developing a single-player game similar to their previous works remains open. "We’re not excluding it," he affirmed, underscoring Hazelight's willingness to experiment with different gameplay formats moving forward.

Addressing criticisms regarding the choice of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares confronted concerns about whether this decision was meant to promote feminism or advance a specific agenda. He pointed out the diversity in character pairings across Hazelight's portfolio—from two brothers in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, to two men in A Way Out, and a male-female duo in It Takes Two. Despite these varied representations, the casting of two women as leads in Split Fiction has drawn particular attention and criticism.

Fares clarified that the protagonists were inspired by his own daughters, and his focus remains on creating compelling narratives and robust characters, rather than emphasizing physical attributes. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he stated emphatically.

Split Fiction, released on March 6th, has garnered widespread acclaim for its innovative gameplay and diverse scenarios. Prior to its launch, Hazelight shared detailed system requirements, ensuring that players are well-prepared to immerse themselves in this latest masterpiece from the studio.