Josef Fares, the creative force behind Hazelight Studios, recently shed light on their upcoming game, Split Fiction, in an insightful interview with MinnMax. Reiterating Hazelight's steadfast commitment to their unique approach to game development, Fares firmly stated that the studio will continue to steer clear of live-service models and microtransactions. Furthermore, he emphasized that Hazelight has no plans to go public or be acquired by a larger corporation, focusing instead on crafting exceptional gaming experiences.
"We're not going public. No microtransactions. We focus solely on delivering great gaming experiences."
Delving into the specifics of Split Fiction, Fares revealed that the game's main narrative is designed to last approximately 12-14 hours, a duration similar to their previous hit, It Takes Two. For those looking to dive deeper, the inclusion of optional missions and additional content can extend the gameplay experience to around 16-17 hours.
While Hazelight is renowned for its cooperative gameplay titles, Fares hinted at the studio's openness to venturing into single-player territory in the future. He also disclosed that the budget for Split Fiction is double that of It Takes Two, yet the studio remains dedicated to providing a complete experience without the need for post-launch DLC. All features will be available to players right from the game's launch on March 6th, which will be available globally on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
With these details, Hazelight Studios continues to set itself apart in the gaming industry, prioritizing quality and player satisfaction over conventional monetization strategies.