Introducing Mio and Zoe, the Co-op Protagonists – PlayStation.Blog

If you’ve ever delved into a game by Hazelight Studios, you’ll know that they have a knack for crafting characters with distinct personalities and rich backstories, setting you and a co-op buddy on engaging journeys you won’t soon forget.

Hazelight Studios continues this tradition with “Split Fiction,” set to launch on the PS5 on March 6. You and a partner will step into the shoes of two unpublished authors, Mio and Zoe, whose differences are as vast as the worlds they write about. They’re drawn into Rader Publishing Headquarters, enticed by the promise of a publishing deal, but things take a turn for the worse. Instead, they find themselves trapped in a simulation of their own stories, needing your help to escape. Let’s dive into their character details to help you decide which one you’ll want to play when the game drops!

Mio Hudson, a science fiction writer, is all about practicality. Raised in the city by her father, she’s been scraping by for a while now, driven not by fame but pure necessity. Her passion for sci-fi translates into stories set against neon-lit cityscapes, in rugged futuristic armament plants, and even aboard icy spacecraft.

In these simulations, expect Mio’s sci-fi love to manifest in some cool ways. Imagine her as a gravity-defying ninja wielding a deadly energy sword, or perhaps donning an exosuit that lets her control drones from afar, or maybe she’s dual-wielding laser guns encased in sleek, futuristic armor.

On the flip side, we have Zoe Foster, who’s a lively contrast to Mio. With her charismatic and hopeful nature, Zoe is an extrovert with a lot to prove to her family. She sees a book deal as her ticket to validation. Fantasy worlds are where she’s most comfortable, filling her works with tales of towns besieged by trolls, frozen forests, and the plight of the last dragons.

In the virtual realms of her creation, Zoe transforms into enchanting personas—a magical shapeshifter soaring as a fairy, heroic warrior sailing into battle on dragonback, or an adventurer gliding between floating isles with a magical kite.

Faced with such polar opposites, Mio and Zoe have to confront their divergent personalities, unlock hidden truths about themselves, and, ultimately, rely on each other to escape their simulated bindings. Their journey is one of friendship against the odds.

At The Game Awards last December, Josef Fares shared a personal tidbit: the characters’ names, Mio and Zoe, hold a special significance for him—they’re named after his own daughters!

So, here’s the conundrum for you and your co-op teammate: will you choose to play as the pragmatic Mio or the optimistic Zoe?

Hazelight Studios also brings back The Friend’s Pass, perfect for sharing the adventure with a friend online without them needing to own the game. They’re also planning to roll out crossplay functionality, making connection with friends smoother than ever, no matter the platform.

Mark your calendars—Split Fiction will be available on PlayStation 5 starting March 6, 2025. Just remember, playing the full game requires one of you to own it, along with a Friend’s Pass installation and an internet connection. Choose wisely and enjoy the journey!