Is Split Fiction on Xbox? What Gamers Need to Know

Split Fiction — the co-op action-adventure from Hazelight Studios — has generated serious buzz since its release. If you're an Xbox player wondering whether you can jump in, the short answer is yes, but how you access it and what that experience looks like depends on a few important factors worth understanding.

What Is Split Fiction?

Split Fiction is a co-op only game developed by Hazelight Studios, the team behind It Takes Two and A Way Out. Like those titles, it's built entirely around two-player cooperative gameplay — there's no single-player mode. The game blends genres across its levels, shifting between sci-fi and fantasy settings as two writers get trapped inside their own story simulations.

Understanding the co-op structure matters because it directly affects how you can play it on Xbox, especially when it comes to who needs a copy.

Is Split Fiction Available on Xbox? 🎮

Yes, Split Fiction is available on Xbox. Specifically, it's released on:

• Xbox Series X|S (native version, optimized for current-gen hardware)
• Xbox One (via backward compatibility or a native release depending on publisher support — check current platform listings for confirmation)
• PC via Xbox app (for players in the Microsoft ecosystem using Game Pass or direct purchase)

The Xbox Series X|S version takes full advantage of current-gen capabilities, including faster load times and higher performance targets. Players on Xbox One may experience differences in resolution or frame rate targets compared to the Series X|S version.

Does Split Fiction Require Xbox Game Pass?

Split Fiction is not exclusively a Game Pass title — it's available as a standard purchase through the Microsoft Store. That said, availability on Game Pass can change, and it's worth checking the current Game Pass library if you're a subscriber, as Hazelight titles have historically appeared on the service.

If you're buying outright, you'll find it listed on the Xbox digital storefront. Physical editions may also be available depending on your region and retailer stock.

How Does the Friend's Pass Work on Xbox?

This is one of the most important features to understand for Xbox players. Split Fiction uses a Friend's Pass system — the same mechanic Hazelight used in It Takes Two.

Here's how it works:

The Friend's Pass is available as a free download from the Xbox store. Your co-op partner downloads it, you invite them, and they can play the full game with you at no cost. This applies to both online co-op and, on Xbox, local split-screen co-op where two controllers are connected to the same console.

This model makes Split Fiction significantly more accessible — only one person in the pair needs to own the game. That's a meaningful distinction compared to most multiplayer titles.

Cross-Play: Can Xbox Players Play With Friends on Other Platforms? 🕹️

Cross-play is supported in Split Fiction. An Xbox player can connect with a friend playing on PlayStation or PC. This matters for the Friend's Pass scenario too — if you own the game on Xbox, your friend can download the Friend's Pass on PS5 or PC and still join your session, and vice versa.

Cross-play expands who you can realistically team up with, which is relevant if your natural co-op partner plays on a different platform.

Local vs. Online Co-Op on Xbox

Split Fiction supports both local and online co-op:

• Local co-op: Two players on the same Xbox using two controllers. Both players share the same screen or use split-screen depending on the game's implementation.
• Online co-op: Two players connecting over Xbox Live from different locations. Standard Xbox Live requirements apply — a paid Xbox Game Core subscription (formerly Xbox Live Gold) may be needed for online play depending on how the game's online features are classified by Microsoft.

Local co-op on a single console uses one copy of the game and doesn't require the Friend's Pass — the second player simply uses a second controller.

Performance Considerations on Xbox

On Xbox Series X, the game targets smooth frame rates at high resolutions — the hardware is well-suited to Hazelight's engine and visual style. On Xbox Series S, you can expect the game to run well, though at reduced resolution targets compared to Series X, which is standard for that console's hardware profile.

On Xbox One, the experience will depend on whether you're on Xbox One S or Xbox One X, with the X offering better headroom. In all cases, the gameplay experience — mechanics, content, story — is the same across platforms.

What Shapes Your Specific Experience

A few variables determine how Split Fiction plays out for you specifically on Xbox:

• Which Xbox model you own — Series X, Series S, or One — affects visual fidelity and load speeds
• Whether you're playing locally or online — changes what both players need in terms of hardware and accounts
• Your co-op partner's platform — cross-play opens options but requires both players to be on compatible versions
• Game Pass subscription status — affects whether you pay upfront or access through a subscription
• Your internet connection quality — matters for online co-op stability and initial download time

The mechanics are consistent across these setups, but the practical experience of getting into a session — and how smooth it feels — shifts depending on where you and your partner are starting from.