Josef Fares Hints at Possible Single-Player Game in Future

Josef Fares, the visionary behind Hazelight Studios and the creative force driving the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took the time to engage with fans and address some misconceptions and criticisms related to his work. A fan had accused Fares of proclaiming the end of single-player games in previous interviews, a claim he firmly denied. He pointed to Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013), a critically acclaimed title from Hazelight, as evidence of his commitment to single-player experiences.

Image: comicbook.com

Fares also elaborated on Hazelight's future direction, stating that while the studio is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, exploring a single-player title similar to their past works remains a possibility. "We're not excluding it," he affirmed, underlining the studio's willingness to venture into different gameplay formats.

In response to feedback about the choice of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares addressed concerns that this decision might be driven by a feminist agenda or broader political motives. He highlighted Hazelight's history of diverse character pairings, from the two brothers in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, to the two men in A Way Out, and the male-female duo in It Takes Two. Despite this track record, the decision to feature two women as leads in Split Fiction drew particular scrutiny.

Fares clarified that the characters were inspired by his own daughters, emphasizing his focus on crafting compelling narratives and well-developed characters over their physical attributes. "I don’t care what’s between someone’s legs—it’s about crafting great characters," he stated passionately.

Split Fiction, released on March 6th, has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay mechanics and diverse scenarios. Prior to its launch, system requirements were made available, ensuring that players are well-informed about what they need to fully experience Hazelight's latest masterpiece.