Split Fiction is the latest game from Hazelight — the same studio that made other great co-op titles such as It Takes Two and A Way Out. While many might hear the word co-op and think of games like Call of Duty, where you play online with friends, or Borderlands, which allows you to play through the same experience as your co-op partners, Split Fiction and other Hazelight titles have a different definition of co-op. These games require you to play through the game with a friend via in-person or online split-screen.

Thanks to the unique design of Hazelight's titles. I think that it would be important for other studios to recognize the success and follow up with their own co-op titles for players who want more of that experience.

Players long for connection

It shows in the games we play

The COVID pandemic separated many people and kept us apart for upwards of two years. While some went out, many stayed inside and isolated themselves. This created a longing for connection, and it is based on a study done by VGInsights. The study, released in 2024, showed a rise in co-op titles released on Steam over the years. The number released in 2018 and 2019 was about average, with around 380 new co-op titles released yearly. In 2020, this number jumped to 647 and has been rising ever since. 2023 saw the largest number of co-op titles released at an astounding 799. The study states, "Covid saw a peak in co-op game interest as catching up in the real world was swapped for social gaming sessions."

Another study by MIDiA Research released back in 2023 also showcases the popularity of co-op titles. The study focused on various game types, with couch co-op being included. It revealed that around 24% of adults aged 25 to 34 prefer couch co-op titles. This number was 22% in adults aged 20 to 24. This does not include games that include online co-op, but I imagine the results would be higher with this included.

Follow what's popular

You might get places

You might think, just because a study found that more co-op games have been released since 2020, that players haven't been enjoying them. Think again. As of writing this, R.E.P.O, a game designed to be co-op, is the top-selling game on Steam. Split Fiction, the title this article is based on, is number six on the top-sellers list. Helldivers 2 — a game designed to have players group up together and fight intergalactic threats, has been on the top-sellers list for 61 weeks. That is more than a year. Even It Takes Two, Hazelight's last title before Split Fiction, has found its way back to the top-sellers list.

While it is true that not every co-op title that gets made explodes in popularity, the ones that do have players latching onto them for long periods of time. I believe that one of the main issues is that indie developers create a majority of co-op games. If larger studios were to start crafting more co-op titles, we would see a bigger rise in popularity and more titles on the list.

The accolades matter

Hazelight has won multiple titles

If Hazelight has proven anything with the release of three different strictly co-op titles, it is that players are interested. Not only have each of these games received high marks for their unique playstyle and mixing of genres, but they have won the developer multiple awards. This includes the prestigious Game of the Year award.

Hazelight's first title, A Way Out, won multiple awards at NAVGTR in 2019. It also won Best Game Direction in 2018 at the Game Awards. After this, It Takes Two, went on to win multiple titles at the BAFTA Awards in 2022, even more awards at NAVGTR in 2022, and even won Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, and more at the Game Awards. All of this shows that fans are hungry for a solid co-op experience. While Split Fiction has not had the chance to win awards, many journalists, streamers, and YouTubers have given the game great reviews. Some have even said that it is a perfect 10. More companies should follow this craze with their own takes on the co-op experience. After all, competition breeds innovation.

Let's keep this train going

Based on multiple studies, the interests of gamers, and the accolades games in the genre have received, it is clear that more developers should dive into the world of co-op and create more heartfelt experiences that gamers can experience together. Some of the best moments I, and many people I know, have had are when we were experiencing a story together side by side. This would be a great way to introduce a new generation to the world of gaming by giving them games that they grow up caring about and can experience with their best friends.