When Hazelight Studios released the game Split Fiction, it wasn't just another co-op action-adventure game; they had created something that blurred the boundaries of storytelling and gaming, bringing players into a multitude of worlds with surprises around every corner. For Danny Chong, who was part of 3dsense's first Visual Effects and Animation cohort (DVE01), working on this project was not just another job; it was a career milestone that showcased his talents to the world.
As a Senior Animator at Hazelight Studios, Danny’s extensive skills brought to life both the fluid gameplay sequences and the cinematic storytelling, which made Split Fiction a truly distinctive piece of fiction, a boundary that pushed the co op title in modern-day gaming.
Featured Video: Split Fiction Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer by Electronic Arts
Pushing the Boundaries of Co-Op Play
Hazelight is well known for redefining the co-op experience genre, and Split Fiction continues that legacy. With the ability to have split-screen adventures and other online features, the game is more inviting to players who can pair up with a co-op partner and embark on a wild and unexpected journey.
Danny’s role was certainly valuable and unique: as part of a relatively small animation team, he worked tirelessly on full-game animations for both gameplay and cinematics. “Hazelight’s size means animators are involved all across disciplines,” he says. “One day you’re refining combat moves, the next day you’re staging dance battles that tie into the narrative.”
A Sci-Fi Adventure Fueled by Imagination
At its core, we see Split Fiction as a sci-fi tale driven by the world of fantasy. The narrative follows the leading characters Mio and Zoe as their stories are born from their own imaginations. Players will face everything from cyber ninjas to evil kitty villains and cool hoverboard tricks, as well as some stunning moments.
Danny linked with the game’s director, Josef Fares, who is always open to creative ideas and willing to navigate unexpected plot twists, which keeps the team inspired. As he said, “It’s a thrill to animate the sequence which can swing from heartfelt drama to over-the-top action,” Danny quoted.
Danny Chong, 3dsense Visual Effects & Animation Alumni
Friend’s Pass: Sharing the Full Experience
One of Hazelight’s signature features is the Friends Pass, which allows individual users to invite their friends to play the entire game online without owning it. It’s part of Hazleight’s mission to make co-op player experiences easy to access and fun.
From Danny’s point of view, the mechanics, physics, and gameplay have added another layer of challenge. “We made sure that the animations worked seamlessly for both local and online features, all across every applicable platform account,” he noted. Now, this required rigorous testing to maintain consistency in every scenario.
Small Team, Big Impact at Hazelight
Working with Hazelight Studio is not something that should be taken lightly, especially when you are collaborating with the renowned gaming brand, EA Originals, and Electronic Arts Inc. - you know that’s the real deal. Danny tells the culture to be highly collaborative and highly hands-on. Unlike the studios, which are pretty huge, Hazelight’s small size means that animators can have an effect on the entire game experience.
That working culture and norms were the best suited for Danny’s versatility. “We have worked on gameplay that goes for 15 minutes per sequence, so that the animations had to convey the player’s intent.” Also, he added that “at the same time, we have delivered over 2.5 hours of countless shots, including cinematics, often in collaboration by linking with external partners.”
Photo: Hazelight Studio
Mio & Zoe: Characters Who Break the Mold
Talking about the leading characters, Mio and Zoe, who are embracing the freedom and imagination of the Split Fiction. They’re constantly pushed into unexpected twists, which drive the player’s emotions, forcing them to adapt, laugh, and sometimes even break free from their expectations.
Animating them was the biggest highlight for Danny, “They aren’t static archetypes, they’re characters which grow, surprise you, and make you feel more connected.” You get to see them in the most persuasive action, heartfelt, subtle, and in the most calming moments, even with the most absurd challenges, like a dance battle against an evil kitty.
Redefining Co-Op Action Adventures
It won’t be wrong to say that the co-op is more than just an action-adventure. Split Fiction is a playground for players and creators. It’s known to push cooperative action titles that strive on variety, from high-speed chases on Cyberpunk-inspired bikes to the quirky world of fantasy that brings surprises at every turn.
Danny suspects this is why Hazelight’s games resemble: “We aren’t afraid of mixing genres, breaking rules, or throwing players into the Split Fiction, which more feels like they’ve been pulled from someone’s own stories.”
Photo: Hazelight Studio
From 3dsense to AAA Studios: Danny’s Journey
Danny credits 3dsense for laying the basic foundation for this evergreen career. What he said was truly compelling for us and our experts. “The lecturers brought a real industry experience and set expectations early.”
Danny’s career has played a pivotal role in the success. From Ubisoft Singapore to DICE, and now Hazelight, Danny’s strong adaptation has been the key to success. At Ubisoft, he not only contributed to the co-productions with defined parameters, but what he gained from the Frostbite was the creative control to explore more dimensions. At Hazelight, he knows how to balance and execute with the right storytelling technically.
Danny’s Advice for Future Animators
Sure, there is plenty of advice on which students and newcomers can follow to get what they need, but among them, Danny’s tips are certainly distinctive, which are:
- Stay curious: Learn from outside the box. Even with basic rigging or VFX knowledge, it makes you a stronger teammate.
- Be open to constructive criticism: Sure, be proud and happy of your work, but also, you should be glad to hear what others say about your own work.
- Keep practising: As per the phrase “practice makes perfect”, you need to keep on refining it until it sharpens.
From Classroom to Split Fiction
Danny's journey has demonstrated how a strong foundation at 3dsense Media School can lead to the creation of stunning visuals in the global game industry. His remarkable work on Split Fiction pushes the boundaries of the co-op title, demonstrating how powerful collaboration, adaptability, and passion can be for storytelling.
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