Split Fictiondirector Josef Fares has stated that he’s already working on his next game. The sci-fi and fantasy cooperative adventure has enjoyed major success since its release in March, garnering glowing reviews andreaching 1 million copies sold in just two days. Fans are already eager to see what’s next for Fares and his team atHazelight Studios, which was already renowned forA Way OutandIt Takes Two, though we may have to wait a while until we learn anything about their upcoming projects.
In a video podcast fromSkill Up’sFriends Per Second, Fares discussed the success ofSplit Fictionand the direction he plans to take Hazelight in the future. Fares stated:
“… every time a game comes out, I’m kind of like, ‘I’m done with it,’ you know. … ‘now it’s the next thing.’ But this has been a bit extra special. I would say that [Split Fiction’s] been the best-received game we have done. But to be honest, everybody’s super happy, but I’m so fully focused and excited on the next thing that we have already started.”
He went on to add that himself and the rest of the Hazelight team are open to discussions on how to progress and want to stick with their vision, before teasing: “Just wait until what we do next. I know it sounds cocky, but that’s how confident we feel about what we’re doing next.”
Check out Fares' comments at the 41:15 timestamp in the video below.
Hazelight’s Split Fiction & It Takes Two Have Been Major Successes
The Games Have Redefined The Co-Op Gaming Genre
Hazelight’sIt Takes Twowon Game of the Yearat The Game Awards back in 2021, beating out the likes ofMetroid DreadandRatchet & Clank: Rift Apartin what many considered a surprise win for Fares and the team. The game is generally considered to be one of the best couch co-op experiences on modern platforms, with aMetacriticscore of 88.
Split Fiction’s Friend’s Pass Is Something All Co-Op Games Should Have. Here’s How It Works
Games can be expensive nowadays, but thankfully, the devs behind Split Fiction have come up with a way to make co-op gaming more affordable.
Split Fictionalso received critical acclaim at launch, with its ownMetacriticscore narrowly beating outIt Takes Twowith an impressive 91. InScreenRant’s own review, we gave the game a perfect score of 10/10, noting: “Hazelight continues to evolve and improve with each game it’s produced, and Split Fiction is its best masterpiece yet.”
Our Take: What We Want To See From Fares Next
Hazelight Has A Reputation To Live Up To
With three games now under its belt and critical successes all around, Hazelight has big shoes to fill for its next game, and Fares is already determined to up the ante with his next release. Co-op games allow developers to uniquely touch players by immersing them into the story:we don’t play the game, we become part of it, and grow closer to each other as a result.Fares wants to continue to emphasize player connection in the future, suggesting that we can expect more co-op games to come down the line.
Passion and creativity are central to Fares' creative processes, so whatever Hazelight has in store, fans can rest easy knowing a unique game packed with story and great mechanics is in the works.We want to see more releases that tug at our heartstrings and lead us to reflect on not only the games, but on the people we play them with.Hazelight certainly plans to deliver on that experience, ifSplit Fictionis anything to go by.
