In a recent interview with IGN, Hakan Abrak, the CEO of IO Interactive has said that even though they are now mostly focused on their new IP which is the upcoming 007: First Light, their Hitman franchise is still very much alive. So if you’re a fan of the Hitman games and have been wondering about the future of the series, rest assured as it’s far from over and will definitely continue in newer ways.
“The Hitman series is definitely not done,” Abrak stated. “We’re not done with Hitman. IO has been synonymous with Hitman, despite the other IPs we have done. We absolutely are proud, grateful, and happy with Hitman. But obviously doing another new IP, Project Fantasy, and doing Bond, it takes a lot of our resources and time. But as you saw, we announced the Hitman co-op, which is a big dream of mine. And they will be maybe in different shapes, but they will definitely be more Hitman in the future.”
Besides assuring all fans of the Hitman series of games, the CEO also said that although the upcoming James Bond title will have a distinct flavor of it’s own, the game is going to have a little bit of the Hitman DNA in it too. As we can guess from the recent trailer, First Light is definitely going to have stealth based missions which were a huge part of the Hitman series so it’s only natural that some of it’s core tenets will make their way to the Bond game as well.
“And it’s a game that plays differently. It’s emphasizing more action, for sure. And the structure of Bond is more like it’s breathing more. Like there are more linear parts where you have the spectacle moments and exotic vehicles. And then we also give space in Bond to open up a bit and breathe a bit. So you have definitely glimpses of IO Interactive, as you would know from Hitman games as well, but it’s more front foot. It’s less of an analytical mind, chess play, where you sit and meticulously plan. All the clockwork things in Hitman where if you do this or do this, where Bond is more impulsive, more reckless sometimes. It’s more like he’s just taking things and acting and handling it more as they arise.”
Meanwhile, IO Interactive has also confirmed that a co-op mode based on the Hitman games is in the works, along with bringing actor Mads Mikkelsen in Hitman: World of Assassination as an Elusive Target. The new additions will surely spark more life into the game and help keep the series alive for both new and older players alike.
