A studio between two worlds – and an icon that won’t disappear
When a traditional studio suddenly takes on a completely new brand, fans immediately start speculating. IO Interactive is no different: Since the announcement of “007: First Light,” the question has been raised as to what this means for the future of Hitman. After all, Agent 47 has been the face of the company for over two decades, a character on whom much of its success depends.
With the Bond project, the Danes are entering new territory for the first time in a long time. But while development is picking up speed, there has been uncertainty about whether Hitman is now considered finished. An in-depth interview with Variety now sheds light on the matter – and shows that the two series are more closely intertwined than many people think.
“Hitman is our core business”: Why 007 does not mean the end
IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak chooses clear words in an interview with Variety: “Hitman has always been our flagship – and it will remain so.” This statement should come as a relief to fans worldwide. Although the focus is currently on “007: First Light,” the developers do not see it as a replacement, but rather as an expansion of their creative spectrum.
Abrak emphasizes that their work on Bond makes many things possible that previously seemed unthinkable in the Hitman universe. According to Abrak, the technical systems they are developing for 007 will eventually flow back into their in-house series. What’s particularly interesting is that the success of Agent 47 basically paved the way for the Bond project in the first place – not the other way around.
At the same time, the team is already working on improvements to the existing “World of Assassination.” A co-op mode is at the top of the list. Abrak sees this as a new level of gameplay that could expand and loosen up the precise stealth gameplay. These experiments, in turn, help the studio better understand what Hitman 4 could look like – even if nothing concrete is being revealed here yet.
After Bond comes Hitman 4: What fans can really expect
However, the most important news comes in the second part of the interview: Hitman 4 is not only likely, but firmly planned – albeit after the Bond cycle. IO Interactive makes it clear that it wants to finish “007: First Light” before the next era of Agent 47 begins.
The developers are well aware of how diverse the community’s expectations are. Some fans want a radical reinvention, while others want a return to the open sandbox maps of earlier installments.
Abrak speaks of “many strong opinions,” but also of how proud the team is of the trilogy so far. Much of what has been created there has led directly to the Bond project—and will flow back into Hitman once it is completed. Until then, however, IO Interactive is not letting Hitman gather dust.
The World of Assassination platform will continue to be maintained – including prominent guest appearances. The latest example: rap legend Eminem, who joins Bruce Lee and other icons who have recently enlivened the game. Such events not only keep the community active, they also show how relevant Hitman remains for the studio.
