Split Fiction Creator Josef Fares Hopes Hazelight Studios Pushes the Medium Forward

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As a seasoned gamer with a decade-long journey through countless worlds, virtual realms, and epic quests, I can confidently say that the gaming industry rarely takes my breath away like it did when I first heard about Split Fiction. The concept of two protagonists trapped in their own creations, navigating between sci-fi and fantasy worlds, is not just innovative, but it’s a testament to the limitless potential of storytelling in video games.

2021’s Game of the Year (GOTY) from TGA, “It Takes Two,” set a high bar for future games, particularly the latest creation by the developers, “Split Fiction.” This upcoming game was unveiled at The Game Awards. In “Split Fiction,” you follow the story of Mio and Zoe, two authors who get stuck in the contrasting realms they’ve written in their books. Throughout the game, these characters will traverse between these worlds to collaborate and find a way to break free.

I recently sat down for an exclusive chat with Josef Fares, the mastermind behind Hazelight Studios, to delve deeper into their upcoming game, “Split Fiction”. His enthusiasm for the project was palpable, and he emphasized how different this creation is compared to his past works. According to him, when a game is birthed from genuine passion, it’s easy for fans to spot that authenticity, which often leads to a warmer reception.

Split Fiction Attempts to Push the Boundaries Even Further Than It Takes Two

Characters from the “Split Fiction” series, Mio and Zoe, have crafted distinct worlds through their written works. Mio’s realm is a sci-fi landscape brimming with advanced technology and weaponry, while Zoe’s is a fantasy domain adorned with castles and dragons. The prospect of frequently traversing between these two contrasting realms promises intriguing gameplay opportunities. However, blending together disparate genres carries a financial risk. Fares emphasized that Hazelight Studios isn’t focused on the success or failure of other games in the market. Instead, their primary aim is to develop games they are enthusiastic about, and they hope that if they focus on quality, the rest will follow suit.

As a passionate gamer, I don’t focus on what sells or flops in the market. Instead, I pour my heart into games that ignite my creativity. In my view, the success of a game like “It Takes Two,” which has sold over 20 million copies, stems from the fact that players can sense our genuine passion and intuition behind it. We didn’t create it to follow trends; we made it because we love it, and I believe that authenticity resonates with people.

Hazelight Continues to Raise the Bar With Each Project

Fares clearly loves his job, a fact clearly seen in the projects he contributes to. Even Fares might not have foreseen the massive success of It Takes Two, as it has now sold over 20 million copies, establishing itself as one of the most successful cooperative games ever produced. Unlike other studios who might easily duplicate its success through sequels, Hazelight is focused on pushing boundaries and experimenting with new ideas instead.

I don’t believe our competitors are creating similar games, but personally, I’m not out to prove anything. Instead, I feel that we develop games we genuinely enjoy playing and that’s essentially where it all began. I strongly feel there’s a vast unexplored realm of creativity within this industry. I hope Hazelight can contribute to the advancement of this medium because I have such admiration for the gaming industry, so being part of its progress is rewarding.

Without a doubt, every game developed by Hazelight has introduced something unique, particularly in the cooperative genre. It appears that “Split Fiction” will continue this trend. As the release date for “Split Fiction” draws near, fans can anticipate seeing more of the game over the next few weeks and months.

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2024-12-14 22:57