Co-op adventure game Split Fiction, which was released earlier this month, is already making waves in the gaming world by breaking multiple world records just days after its launch.
Developed by the talented team at Hazelight Studios—famous for the award-winning It Takes Two (2021)—Split Fiction has quickly become a record-breaking sensation. Within its first few days, the game set three impressive world records:
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Most Played Local Co-op Video Game on Steam
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Most Sold Local Co-op Video Game within 48 Hours of Release
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Most Sold Local Co-op Video Game within One Week of Release
Released on March 6, Split Fiction saw an immediate surge in popularity, shattering the studio’s previous records. In its first 24 hours, the game saw 197,434 concurrent players on Steam and sold over 1 million copies in just the first two days. This rapid success further solidifies the game’s place in history as a major co-op gaming milestone.
Hazelight Studios, based in Stockholm, Sweden, is renowned for its innovative games that emphasize storytelling and cooperative gameplay. The studio was founded by Josef Fares, whose earlier works include Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013) and A Way Out (2018). Split Fiction continues this tradition, blending science fiction and fantasy in a unique and compelling narrative.
In Split Fiction, players take on the roles of two aspiring writers, Zoe (voiced by Elsie Bennett) and Mio (voiced by Kaja Chan), who are invited to a large publishing company. However, they soon discover that they have been trapped in a machine designed to steal their ideas. To escape, they must navigate the intricacies of their own stories and work together to overcome a series of creative challenges.
Zoe is a lively, optimistic fantasy fiction writer, while Mio is a more serious and sullen science fiction author. As the game progresses, players not only help the characters tackle various obstacles but also delve into their personal struggles. The gameplay experience focuses heavily on collaboration, requiring players to work together to solve puzzles and complete challenges.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Split Fiction is the game’s replay value. Each character has distinct skills and abilities, encouraging players to swap roles and experience the game from a new perspective. This ensures that each playthrough feels fresh, even for those who have already completed the story.
The game also offers two co-op modes: local co-op and online co-op. Local co-op allows players to share the screen and play side by side, offering a classic couch co-op experience that doesn’t require an internet connection. For those separated by distance, the online co-op mode allows players to team up with friends regardless of their physical location.
Another standout feature of Split Fiction is its Friend’s Pass system. This innovative feature allows players who own the game to invite a friend to play alongside them—without requiring the friend to purchase the game. Only one player needs to own a copy of the game, making it more accessible and allowing players to split the cost. This system is a welcome change for many, offering a more inclusive gaming experience.
Split Fiction is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with cross-platform play enabled, so players can enjoy the game together regardless of their chosen platform.
In conclusion, Split Fiction has not only broken records but also set new standards for cooperative gameplay, blending an engaging narrative with innovative features. Its success in the first few days of release shows that players are embracing this exciting new co-op adventure, and it seems poised to make an enduring mark on the gaming world.
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