Josef Fares, the visionary founder of Hazelight Studios and the creative force behind the cooperative adventure Split Fiction, recently took the opportunity to engage directly with fans, addressing misconceptions and responding to criticisms about his work. Contrary to some fans' beliefs, Fares clarified that he has never claimed the demise of single-player games. 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.

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Fares emphasized that while Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay, the studio remains open to exploring different styles, including single-player games. "We’re not excluding it," he stated, underscoring Hazelight's willingness to innovate and adapt in the future.

In response to criticism about the choice of two female protagonists in Split Fiction, Fares addressed concerns about whether this decision was driven by a feminist agenda. He reminded critics of Hazelight's history of diverse character pairings, including 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 feature two women as leads in Split Fiction drew particular scrutiny.

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

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 experience Hazelight's latest masterpiece.