The obvious star ofSplit Fictionis its level design, but there is even more to celebrate about the new co-op game from Hazelight Studios.Split Fictionjumps back and forth between sci-fi and fantasy worlds, which gave its developer room to play around and experiment with a variety of mechanics. It’s a strong evolution from its predecessor,It Takes Two, but the mechanics aren’t the only thing aboutSplit Fictionthat deserves praise.
Setting the fun mechanics and gameplay aside,Split Fictiondemonstrates how co-op games are still an untapped resource for compelling stories. Hazelight Studios has continued to take its own unique approach to every new project, but the studio’s biggest standout trait of all is making players feel like they have been put first over profits.Split Fictionoffers a bold adventure, but Hazelight Studios' embrace of creativity and putting players above corporate interest should be the new industry standard for co-op games.
Split Fiction Continues Hazelight Studios' Player-First Mentality
The Friend’s Pass Returns
Over the years, the Friend’s Pass has become a defining feature of Hazelight Studios games. Its premise is simple: only one person needs to own the game in order for both players to experience it. With this approach alone, Hazelight Studios is essentially cutting its profits in half. Of course, there are going to be players who both happen to own the game, but it’s a bold risk that has worked wonders for the developer.The embrace of the Friend’s Passalready shows where Hazelight Studios' priorities are, but the good will toward gamers hasn’t stopped there.
How to Enable the Friend’s Pass
The Friend’s Pass has become a defining feature of Hazelight Studios games.
Side-Stepping Common Multiplayer Trends
WhenSplit Fictionwas announced at The Game Awards last year, the trailer featured a voiceover from director Josef Fares as he explained what the game was all about. Near the end of the trailer, Fares boldly proclaims, “no loot boxes, no microtransactions, no bull****.” Leading up to the game’s release,Fares has continued to be vocal about foregoing microtransactions.
His bluntness regarding such trends has been really refreshing for a lot of gamers who continue to find themselves in a landscape that often fills multiplayer titles with in-game purchases. While games likeFortniteandOverwatch 2use microtranscations as a way to fund their free-to-play approach, there are major titles,like theCall of Dutyfranchise, that feature in-game purchases on top of paying full price. This has frustrated a lot of gamers for years now, and Hazelight Studios has demonstrated that studios can still make great sales with just a one-time purchase.
Split Fictionhas sold one million copies in its first 48 hours, beatingIt Takes Two’s record.
Hazelight Studios Doesn’t Plan to Change Any Time Soon
In a recent interview with MinnMax, Fares revealed that outside companies have voiced interest in buying Hazelight Studios, but he quickly stated, “Hazelight is not for sale” and will continue to stay out of the stock market. Acquisition can be really difficult to pass on, especially if a larger company is offering a massive price, which makes it that much more clear that Fares and Hazelight Studios simply aren’t interested in that world right now.Hazelight Studios continues to improve its formula, and being bought by a larger company may destroy any further innovation.
Right now, it looks likeHazelight Studios is happy with where it’s at, and that’s exciting. So far, the developer’s model has been able to give players games that are not only fun, but reassure fans that their experience is being put first.
