Details Surface on Next Hitman Game

I wonder if you can choose when and where to go...

Developer IO Interactive sent out an open letter to fans today addressing the status of the next Hitman game. The studio indicated the game is being built for PC and next gen consoles (Xbox One, PS4) and the Glacier 2 engine which had been employed for Absolution will serve again as the engine for this sequel.

IO Interactive says players, "will experience a globetrotting Agent 47 at the prime of his career," and you will again be working with Diana and the ICA. The studio is also diving into previous Hitman games such as Blood Money and Contracts for inspiration to create the ultimate Hitman experience. IO interactive is also taking a new approach to level design which will be checkpoint free and non-linear. The studio promises levels to be bigger and better than ever as they strive to, "create living, breathing and believable levels," that feature various ways to achieve your objective.

Contracts mode will make a return as well allowing players to once again design their own "hits" and challenge players from across the world to beat their scores.

IO Interactive is also doing away with Agent 47's "magic pockets." No longer will players be able to carry around a small army's worth of weaponry. This likely means that rifles will no longer disappear when they are not equipped. However, with Absolution's gameplay allowing 47 to use improvised weapons, I don't see much use for anything more than my Silverballers and fiber wire.

Axes make great improvised weapons

This comes as some rather relieving news after reports about a week ago had indicated the next Hitman game was being canceled. The reports were however quickly addressed and Square Enix gave a statement saying the game was in fact not canceled.

It's very good to see the game is still in production and coming along well. Hitman Absolution was great and a tremendous improvement over the previous games in the series. I'm glad to see IO Interactive is taking steps to make the game more believable and yet keep that distinct Hitman style in the series. IO is promising more news in the future, so here's to hoping we see more before E3 in June!