Little did we know, that was the beginning of Hazelight Studios rise.
It feels right that Hazelights next game,Split Fiction, was revealed atthe Game Awards 2024.
Its technology lets users play out their stories in a simulation, but something goes horribly wrong.
Zoe and Mio, the sister duo at the heart of ‘Split Fiction’Electronic Arts
Theyre four and two, so its not personality-wise, Fares says.
Thats just because I love my daughters, and it felt so natural.
There are two women as the main characters.
Plus, Mio and Zoe are really cool names.
Dont you think so?
The game is an action platformer where two players each control Zoe and Mio.
The way their separate abilities synergize together to solve the puzzles is incredibly satisfying.
There was also a huge amount of variation that was (pleasantly) overwhelming.
Its hard to say, Oh, this is from that game or that game.
However, we love to give homage to games that we love.
So theres definitely going to be references to [other] games.
InSplit Fiction, the concept is taken one step further with its side stories.
[Players] dont think about this when you snowboard, he explains.
Youre going to say, This has to feel like a snowboarding game.
Most gamers arent aware ofhow much work it takes behind the scenes to make these mechanicsfeelgood.
Nobody thinks about the amount of time it takes.
If you look at a game likeDevil May Cry, of course its going to feel great.
Because thats the only thing [the developers] have to work on, he says.
For us, we only work on a mechanic for one level.
We have a level where you have combat for like, 10 minutes, and thats it.
But as a player, you expectgoodcombat, you know?
Nintendo regularly holds their own directs, and Sony has created its own called State of Play.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the transition too.
He says that theres a palpable energy within the room because of the audience.
Its way more fun to showcase something where theres an audience there.
Its different than just having a showcase, he says.
I tell him about Februarys busy release calendar and all of the games coming out during that month.
Yeah, but theyre notthisgame, he jokes.
Every other game should get out of the way of this one.
