Hitman: next game will take 'fresh perspective' on Agent 47
Hitman: Absolution only just came out this week, but developer IO Interactive is already talking about the next game in its series, currently in development at new studio Square-Enix Montreal, leaving IO free to pursue a mysterious new project. Get the chatter below.
Speaking with OPM, Hitman: Absolution's director Tore Blystad likened the IP's move to a new studio to the cyclical format that Call of Duty follows, "It’s like with Treyarch and Infinity Ward.
"You have an IP that has been developed. They will feed off each other, as well as some things that stand out. I think with these big franchises it takes a long time to develop just one game. If you can, work a little bit in parallel at least and help each other out”.
On the nature of the new Hitman project, Blystad continued, "We’ve been talking about these similarities to some of the big movie franchise like Aliens, where everyone’s doing it their own way. Every time someone gets their hands on a franchise they do something different. So rather than doing the same thing again you get another take on the character from a fresh perspective.
“There’s a lot of these problems you encounter with these sort of productions, some of them are really fundamental problems, or they have a big effect on the game – like how you do a mechanic for instance. If you change a mechanic too much then the whole gameplay will be modified”.
However, Blystad is sure that such changes won't damage the reputation of the franchise, as IO and Square-Enix Montreal wil remain in contact throughout development, “Well there are talks between us and of course it has to be somewhat in sync but it’s the first time you could say Hitman has gone out of the house.
"Luckily it’s with someone we know. Some of the key developers came from IO and have been working on previous games so it’s not like it’s in completely new hands”.
Finally, Blystad confirmed that IO is moving on to a new project, but wouldn't be moved on what it is.
What's your take on a new studio getting to grips with the Hitman IP? Let us know below.