Josef Fares, the head of Hazelight Studios, recently provided crucial insights into the highly anticipated game, Split Fiction, during an interview with MinnMax. Reaffirming his commitment to a player-centric approach, Fares stated that Hazelight will continue to steer clear of live-service models and microtransactions. He also firmly dismissed any notions of the studio going public or being acquired by a larger corporation, emphasizing their dedication to creating exceptional gaming experiences without external pressures.
"We're not going public. No microtransactions. We focus solely on delivering great gaming experiences."
In terms of gameplay, Fares revealed that Split Fiction will offer a core narrative experience lasting approximately 12-14 hours, a duration comparable to their previous hit, It Takes Two. For those looking to dive deeper, the inclusion of optional missions and additional content extends the total playtime to around 16-17 hours, ensuring a rich and engaging journey.
While Hazelight has built its reputation on cooperative gameplay, Fares did not rule out the possibility of venturing into single-player territories in the future. He also shared that the development budget for Split Fiction is twice that of It Takes Two, yet the studio remains steadfast in its decision to forgo post-launch DLC. This means all features will be available to players from the moment the game launches.
Mark your calendars—Split Fiction is set to launch globally on March 6th, available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Get ready to immerse yourself in another unforgettable adventure from Hazelight Studios.