If you’ve ever set foot in a game crafted by Hazelight Studios, you’re already familiar with their knack for creating characters that stick with you. They come alive, each with distinctive personalities, backstories, and driving forces that lead to memorable gaming moments as their tales unfold.
Hazelight is continuing this tradition in their latest offering, Split Fiction, set to hit the shelves on March 6 for the PS5. Step into the shoes of two unpublished authors, Mio and Zoe—two individuals as different as night and day. Their journey begins when they are drawn to Rader Publishing Headquarters by the allure of a potential deal. However, this promise takes a disastrous turn, trapping them within a simulation of their own stories. Your mission? Help them escape. In this article, we’re going to explore their characters, giving you a sneak peek at who might just become your favorite when you pick up the game.
Meet Mio Hudson. She’s a science fiction writer. Reserved, decisive, and a realist, she’s a true introvert. Growing up in the city with her dad, she’s struggled to make ends meet for years. For Mio, the goal of writing isn’t about fame or recognition—it’s purely for survival. Her passion for the sci-fi genre is evident in her works that span neon-lit cyberpunk landscapes, harsh futuristic factories, and the vast, cold expanse of outer space.
Inside the simulation, this love for sci-fi translates into her abilities. Picture a gravity-defying ninja with a lethal energy sword, an exosuit that controls drones, or dual-wielding laser blasters—all part of Mio’s futuristic combat prowess.
On the flip side, there’s Zoe Foster, the fantasy fanatic. She’s charismatic and empathetic, with an optimistic streak and extroverted nature. Hailing from the countryside, Zoe is determined to show her family she’s not a failure. For her, landing a publishing deal is the solution to her problems. Her stories revolve around fantastical themes—escaping towns overrun by trolls, battling ancient forests amid an ice age, and safeguarding the last dragons from extinction.
In the simulation, Zoe transforms into a magical shapeshifter, flying as a fairy, brandishing a mythical sword from atop a dragon, or gliding through islands with the aid of a magical kite.
Mio and Zoe, though starkly different in their personalities, must confront their differences. Together, they unravel their hidden truths and discover that the key to escaping their simulated prisons lies in teamwork and the strength of friendship.
Revealed during The Game Awards in December, creator Josef Fares shared that the names Mio and Zoe hold personal significance—they’re his daughters’ names!
And now, the critical decision you and your co-op partner face: who gets to play Mio, and who becomes Zoe?
In keeping with Hazelight’s tradition, Split Fiction includes The Friend’s Pass*. This beloved feature allows a player who owns the game to invite a friend to join the adventure online without them having to pay a dime. Crossplay is also on the horizon, promising seamless gameplay with friends, no matter your platform of choice.
Mark your calendars—Split Fiction is set for release exclusively on the PlayStation 5 this March 6, 2025.
*Note: The Friend’s Pass requires installation of the pass, a stable internet connection, and an applicable platform account. One player must own the full game for the co-op experience.
