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!

Hitman: Absolution Contract Mode

In Hitman: Absolution, you won't be restricted to assassinating but you'll be able to put hits out yourself in the new Contract Mode. This new challenge will allow players to customize a contract in which they select the target or targets, the level, and which weapons the player is allowed to employ in their assassination. You can also customize witness specifications and designate a time limit for the contract as well. Once the contract is created, you can share it online with the world or challenge your friends directly to complete your contract.

You can also browse through other players contracts which have been uploaded. Completing a contract awards you with a unique type of currency, depending on your performance, which can be used in contract mode to purchase weapons or other features to include in you contract to make it even more challenging and diverse. The currency used in contract mode can also be earned throughout the campaign, likely by completing challenges. Hitman: Absolution will come pre-loaded with several contracts that you can use to get started or draw inspiration from.

IO Interactive's Contract challenge is an awesome idea and will undoubtedly add great value to Agent 47's new adventure. Designing ways for people to be killed should provide endless fun. Hitman: Absolution is set to release on November 20, 2012 for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Hitman: Absolution sniper challenge revealed with other pre-order bonuses

IO interactive and Square-Enix teased earlier this week that they'd be making some big announcement related to Hitman: Absolution on May 10 but it seems someone spilled the beans. Hitman: Sniper Challenge is being made available for those who preorder Hitman: Absolution. Not much is known but the picture that spoiled it all came from Gameinformer magazine; it states, as Agent 47 you can engage in a "replayable sniping mission" and customize an "exclusive rifle". As of now it sounds like the game is composed of a single mission and up-gradable rifle - doesn't sound very promising. However there are some other pre-order bonuses you can get your hands on depending on where you get the game from.

Amazon is offering a suit simply called the "High Tech Suit" which increases Agent 47's armor rating by 50%. Also included will be the Bartoli custom pistol, a powerful handgun equipped with a suppressor and sight that will no doubt come in use if you want to be stealthy.

If you pre-order the game at Best Buy, you will get the "Public Enemy Suit" and agent 47 will resemble a gangster worthy of the name John Dillinger. You can also equip 47 with the Bronson m1928 to really fit the role and mow down some bad guys if you get into a tight fix.

Last but not least, a Walmart pre-order nets you the "High Roller Suit" which will let you kill in style with this sharp looking tuxedo. You'll also get the Krugermeier 2-2 pistol, another deadly stealth firearm equipped with a silencer. It's also a great accessory to go with that tux.

So who will you be ordering from now that you know what you can get. I have to say I'm leaning toward Best Buy or Amazon but I also like the bald James Bond look 47 is sporting in the high roller suit. Also, what do you think of this sniper challenge bonus that has also been revealed? Do you think there will be more levels or just the one repayable one described in the article.

Agent 47 gets his hands dirty in new Hitman: Absolution screens

The front page of the most recent issue of the Hope News Times (the local newspaper featured in the game) features two pictures shows the results of Agent 47's dirty work. The article on the paper details the senseless death of a man named Gavin LeBlonde who met his demise after coming into contact with a chain-link fence that had been hooked up to a 'mega-voltage generator'. Sheriff Skurky of Hope Minnesota assures the public that the situation 'is no laughing matter' and sounds like he's on the case and determined to catch the culprit. Will he get in Agent 47's way?

Reading the article, you can see IO-interactive has chosen to continue the occasional comedic quirks that have always been present in Hitman. The title of the article evokes a chuckle almost mocking the death of this Gavin Leblonde and similar elements can be seen in the other newspaper stories.

New Hitman Absolution Trailer Details the art of the Kill

Deadly assassin, Agent 47 doesn't mind getting his hands dirty. In a new trailer, 47 shows off a slew of new tricks and tactics players can employ throughout the game. While some players will go for a stealthy approach donning disguises and sneaking past enemies, the narrator of the trailer suggests you can take out all who stand in your way if you wish. Normally in stealth based games, going all out usually punishes players but it seems in Absolution, it may actually be encouraged. This allows players to experience missions in different ways each time they play them and mix up their tactics. Hitman Absolution looks like it'll be offering a more developed melee combat system, along with improvised weapons and tactics entirely new to the game. At one point, Agent 47 uses a toy to distract a guard or at another point he's seen throwing a syringe at an enemy's face. With all of 47's new abilities, it seems the possibilities are endless, see for yourself in the trailer below.

Aside from showing off all 47's new abilities, the trailer highlights some of the great graphical improvements the game has undergone since it's predecessor. At one point you can actually see the pores on 47's face and his coat and tie move naturally with his movements. Hitman Absolution looks to be shaping up into a fine sequel for the series and is suspected to be released this year.

Two New Screenshots from Hitman: Absolution

Our favorite bald assassin seems to be up to his usual activities in these two new screenshots. I'm sure we can all assume he wasn't invited to this little get-together and he has more sinister motives. Apparently the barbecue was arranged by Mason McCready; likely 47's target. If you look closely, there is a type of logo painted onto the wall. It reads 'Cougars' with some illegible text under it. Could this be a possible gang? Guess we'll have to wait to find out. Hitman: Absolution currently has no release date but is expected to be released this year.