Josef Fares Hints at Future Single-Player Game from Hazelight

Josef Fares, the visionary founder of Hazelight Studios and the creative force behind the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took the time to engage with fans, clarify past statements, and address criticisms surrounding his work. In response to a fan's accusation that he had declared the death of single-player games in earlier interviews, Fares set the record straight. He emphasized that he has never made such a claim and highlighted that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), one of Hazelight's most celebrated titles, was a purely single-player experience.

Image: comicbook.com

Fares further elaborated on Hazelight's future direction, stating that while the studio is known for its cooperative DNA, creating a single-player game in the vein of their previous projects is not off the table. "We're not excluding it," he affirmed, underscoring the studio's willingness to explore different gameplay styles moving forward.

Addressing criticism regarding the inclusion of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares responded to fans who questioned whether this choice promotes feminism or reflects a broader agenda. He reminded critics that Hazelight's past games have featured diverse 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 decision to cast two women as leads in Split Fiction sparked particular controversy.

Fares emphasized that the characters were inspired by his daughters and reiterated his focus on crafting strong storytelling and well-rounded personalities, rather than emphasizing biological traits. "I don't care what's between someone's legs—it's about crafting great characters," he remarked, underscoring his commitment to narrative integrity over demographic considerations.

Released on March 6th, Split Fiction has been met with widespread critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay mechanics and varied scenarios. Prior to launch, system requirements were shared to ensure players are well-prepared to dive into Hazelight's latest masterpiece.