Split Fiction PS5 – Release Date, Gameplay Guide

Split Fiction launched on March 6, 2025, as the latest co-op action-adventure from Hazelight Studios, the developer behind It Takes Two. Published by EA under the EA Originals label, the title serves as a spiritual successor to the studio’s previous award-winning partnership game, requiring two players to navigate alternating sci-fi and fantasy worlds through mandatory split-screen multiplayer gameplay.

By May 6, 2025, the game had sold over 4 million copies across all platforms, earning critical acclaim for its innovative dual-reality mechanics and narrative-driven cooperative design. Built using Unreal Engine 5 by an 80-person team, the adventure follows protagonists Mio and Zoe—sci-fi and fantasy writers respectively—who become trapped inside their own stories and must cooperate to escape with their memories intact.

What Is Split Fiction on PS5?

When and Where Can You Play Split Fiction?

Like its predecessor, Split Fiction adheres to a simultaneous multi-platform launch strategy. The title debuted globally on March 6, 2025, with regional unlock times varying by location—08:00 PST in Los Angeles and 16:00 GMT in London, for example.

Platform Availability and Physical Copies

Beyond digital storefronts, physical PS5 copies are available directly through Hazelight’s official store, with worldwide shipping and backward compatibility for PS4. A Nintendo Switch 2 port followed on June 5, 2025, expanding the player base beyond initial launch platforms.

How Does Split Fiction Gameplay Work?

The game operates as a true co-op only experience presented in permanent split-screen. Players control Mio and Zoe simultaneously, coordinating on platforming challenges, environmental puzzles, and action sequences that blend each character’s creative domain.

Mechanics and World Design

Levels shift abruptly between sci-fi scenarios—such as escaping a supernova, navigating cyber cities, or engaging in robo-parking sequences—and fantasy set pieces involving dragon encounters, sandshark rides, and “evil kitty” combat encounters. Players must master ever-changing mechanics and abilities specific to each level to progress, with the split-screen format ensuring both participants remain engaged in the action regardless of their current environment.

Technical Implementation

Development commenced immediately following the release of It Takes Two in 2021, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 to power the visual distinction between the game’s contrasting aesthetic styles. An 80-person team at Hazelight Studios constructed the experience over approximately four years.

Who Created Split Fiction and How Has It Performed?

Director Josef Fares helmed the project, maintaining Hazelight’s partnership with EA under the EA Originals publishing label. The studio announced the title at The Game Awards (TGA) 2024, followed by a comprehensive story trailer during PlayStation’s State of Play in February 2025.

Commercial Reception

Within two months of release, Split Fiction had sold over 4 million copies, matching the rapid commercial trajectory established by It Takes Two. The game received critical acclaim across all platforms, with reviewers highlighting the seamless integration of disparate gameplay genres and the mandatory cooperative design philosophy.

What Is the Release Timeline for Split Fiction?

1. December 2024: The Game Awards 2024 — Josef Fares and Hazelight Studios reveal the game publicly for the first time.
2. February 2025: State of Play — Story trailer debuts, introducing Mio, Zoe, and the Friend’s Pass system.
3. March 6, 2025: Global Launch — PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC versions release simultaneously with staggered regional unlock times.
4. May 6, 2025: Sales Milestone — Cumulative sales surpass 4 million copies across all platforms.
5. June 5, 2025: Platform Expansion — Nintendo Switch 2 version launches.

What Details Are Confirmed Versus Uncertain?

Why Does Split Fiction Matter for PS5 Gamers?

Split Fiction represents a continuation of Hazelight Studios’ commitment to mandatory cooperative gaming, a design philosophy that rejects single-player accessibility in favor of genuine social interaction. Following the massive success of It Takes Two, which demonstrated substantial market demand for high-production co-op experiences, the PS5 version leverages the console’s hardware capabilities to maintain stable split-screen performance across visually disparate sci-fi and fantasy environments. For those interested in the cast, the Killing Eve rollista offers a comprehensive look at the actors involved.

The game’s commercial performance—selling 4 million copies within two months—indicates that the cooperative-only niche contains significant mainstream appeal. For PS5 owners, the title offers a distinct alternative to single-player narrative experiences or competitive multiplayer modes, requiring communication and coordination as core mechanics rather than optional enhancements.

What Have the Developers Said About the Project?

Mio and Zoe clash initially but must bond like a “buddy movie” after a machine traps them in their stories.

— PlayStation Official Description, February 2025 State of Play Trailer

Director Josef Fares presented the initial reveal at The Game Awards 2024, emphasizing the game’s dual-world premise and the studio’s continued focus on split-screen cooperative gameplay. The development team, comprising 80 employees, began work on the project immediately following the completion of It Takes Two in 2021, with character names selected to honor Fares’ daughters.

What Should PS5 Players Know Before Purchasing?

Split Fiction delivers a polished cooperative experience that demands exactly two participants for its sci-fi and fantasy narrative campaign. Fans of Hazelight’s previous work will recognize the mechanical variety and split-screen presentation, while new players should prepare for the mandatory co-op requirement. With crossplay support, physical edition availability, and the Friend’s Pass system reducing the barrier to entry for player pairs, the PS5 version stands as the definitive console experience for this particular cooperative adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions