(Image credit: EA)
Split Fiction, the latest release from the creators of the game of the year sensation It Takes Two, has just hit shelves two weeks ago. Yet, two astute players managed to conquer an ultra-secret challenge level hidden within the game. In response, Josef Fares, co-founder of Hazelight and director of the game, extended an invitation to fly them to Sweden for an exclusive preview of his next venture.
The enigmatic level, known as Laser Hell, is a testament to the creativity still thriving in the gaming world. Its discovery reaffirmed that unearthed secrets can still capture the thrill for players and developers alike.
Accessing this hidden realm required entering a cryptic binary code into an elevator—so elusive that one successful YouTuber remarks it wasn’t even present in the game’s visible code. How the original duo discovered it remains a mystery.
China’s renowned speedrunners, E1uM4y and Sharkov, first tackled this intricate platforming challenge filled with rapid lasers and daunting abysses. Despite practicing with my girlfriend on It Takes Two ahead of diving into Split Fiction, we can only marvel at such skill. Want to see it in action? A different team’s daring feat can be found on YouTube.
Upon triumphant completion, they are greeted with a video message from Fares himself. In a heartfelt note, he acknowledges: “Wow, amazing! You have to understand that there are barely people on our team that can make it. It took us a lot of time to finish it. And I’m telling you that this is a crazy, crazy achievement that you have done.”
Fares playfully teases those observing the triumph on YouTube: “And I’m not talking to you guys who are looking at this on YouTube. If you see this on YouTube, you should go to the game. It’s a really hard challenge. But for those of you who are actually in the game seeing this video, I am super amazed.”
The grand reward for E1uM4y and Sharkov is the opportunity to preview Hazelight’s forthcoming game. Fares adds: “I’m going to say one thing,” he continues, “If you see me in real life, somewhere, and you can prove to me that you actually did this challenge, I can promise you, the first one to do that, I’m going to fly you to Sweden and show you footage of our next game.”
True to his word, his tweet celebrates their achievement: “Congrats to ‘sharkOvO’ and ‘E1uM4y’ for finishing the secret challenge ‘Laser Hell’ in Split Fiction. Very impressive! I will keep my promise and invite you both to Sweden for an early look of our next game. We’ll be in touch!”
Their hard-earned privilege is one to be envied, but it’s gratifying to see such rewards bestowed upon genuine enthusiasts. While you’re visiting, take some time to explore our selection of the best co-op games available now!