Next-gen Hitman game confirmed, details revealed

IO Interactive has posted a news update on their website plotting the future of the Hitman franchise.

This is likely in response to a recent surge in Hitman speculation following the discovery that Square Enix Montreal cancelled work on an unannounced Hitman title, with that studio reportedly now focussed on a Hitman mobile game.

Series developer IO Interactive last had an outing with Agent 47 in 2012 with Hitman Absolution, which although not a terrible game, did not do well in the sales department.

In their latest update, IO Interactive revealed that they are indeed at work on a new AAA Hitman game for PC and next-gen consoles.

On paper, it sounds like they have learnt from the foibles of previous games and will be delivering a game that Hitman fans can really get behind:

In the next game you will experience a globetrotting Agent 47 at the prime of his career – the apex predator stalking his prey across the world, with the support of his long-term handler Diana Burnwood and the whole of the ICA.

The game concentrates on the core Hitman fantasy of using a wide range of tools to take out a diverse group of targets across expansive, exotic locations around the world.

We are building this game on the backbone of the Glacier 2 engine, using the best parts and what we have learnt through Hitman: Absolution and drawing inspiration from past titles like Contracts and Blood Money to fulfil the core Hitman fantasy.

That means we’re packing in an extreme level of detail on the largest levels we have ever built for a Hitman game. We’ve adopted an open, non-linear level design approach to the game, ensuring the game will play out across huge, checkpoint-free, sandbox levels.

Our aim is to create living, breathing and believable levels which will allow gamers to play around with the AI to create those unique moments every fan of the Hitman franchise loves.

Contracts Mode is back – you will be able to create and build challenges by experimenting with the large levels and possibilities within them. And of course, you can share them with the world and challenge your friends or foes to complete your hits. Your rules, your Contracts.

You will also be glad to hear that we have removed 47’s magic pockets. We believe that’s all we need to say about that subject.

Get ready for the slow steady creep of next-gen Hitman marketing – IO Interactive thanked fans for their dedication and promises more details in the coming months.