Hazelight Studios’ Next Big Leap: Single-Player or Co-Op?

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As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my excitement over Hazelight Studios‘ latest co-op masterpiece, Split Fiction. This Swedish powerhouse in gaming has once again proven their knack for crafting intriguing narratives that seamlessly blend innovative gameplay mechanics with captivating dual protagonists. In many ways, Split Fiction surpasses its predecessors, demonstrating the studio’s unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries in storytelling and game design.

Over time, Hazelight Studios has consistently refined their own ideas, and “Split Fiction” might just represent the pinnacle of their achievements. Having demonstrated that they can achieve the same level of greatness as their previous game, “It Takes Two”, many are now curious about where the studio will go next. Following “Split Fiction”, Hazelight Studios faces a challenge, but exploring new territory with a single-player project could be the path to continued success.

Hazelight Studios May Find Even More Success With a Dive Into Single-Player Waters

The Case For a Single-Player Hazelight Game

  • More room for experimentation
  • Opens Hazelight Studios to a larger audience

To date, Josef Fares, the founder of Hazelight Studios, has primarily focused on creating cooperative narratives, with his previous work including the game “Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons” produced alongside Starbreeze Studios. However, while co-op gaming remains a significant part of Fares’ creative DNA, he has hinted that a single-player project may also be in the works. In a conversation with Fall Damage, Fares expressed, “A single-player game from Hazelight isn’t out of the question, but it will be executed in our unique style,” suggesting that more innovative work is on the horizon.

Before forming Hazelight Studios, Josef Fares worked in film as a director.

From their debut game, “A Way Out,” experimentation has always been the cornerstone of each project at Hazelight Studios. With three robust cooperative games now under their belt, it seems a logical next step for the team to explore the single-player realm. Deviating from expectations and redefining their own formula is a recurring practice for this developer, so delving into single-player territory would merely be continuing that tradition.

Switching focus to a single-player project for their next venture would allow Hazelight Studios to broaden their audience significantly. While Split Fiction has garnered an impressive player base, the potential could be exponentially increased with a standalone storyline. Not every gamer enjoys or is equipped for cooperative play; therefore, a single-player game might serve as an introduction to what Hazelight Studios truly offers – a valuable untapped market.

In the vibrant city of Stockholm, Sweden, Hazelight Studios was established back in the year 2014. Later, they unveiled their creation titled “A Way Out” to the world in the year 2018.

The Case Against a Single-Player Hazelight Game

  • Co-op has become a central part of the developer’s identity.

The main concern with Hazelight Studios possibly venturing into single-player storytelling is that it might not seem authentic to their style, given their focus on cooperative gameplay. Since co-op games are the core of their creative process, deviating from this could be too drastic a shift. However, their true strength lies in their creativity, which has always been the driving force behind their work. Therefore, while a single-player title might carry significant risk, Hazelight Studios has demonstrated that they thrive on challenges.

Regardless of what else Hazelight Studios might announce in the future, the assurance from Josef Fares that he would create a single-player game “in the Hazelight style” is an exciting indication that the studio’s unique identity will take center stage. So far, Split Fiction has been one of the most compelling games this year, and it’ll be fascinating to see what other experiences Hazelight Studios has in store for players.

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2025-03-13 16:06