The Next Hitman Game is Reportedly “a little bit on hiatus”

IO Interactive has announced that the Hitman series will not be receiving a new installment or entry in the franchise any time soon. However, the studio claimed that it will continue supporting and updating the Hitman World of Assassination trilogy, but development is currently focused on the studio’s upcoming James Bond project. Hitman: World of Assassination is available now on all platforms.Additionally, IO recently told Eurogamer its plans with the trilogy via IO co-owner and chief creative officer Christian Elverdam.“We have such a wonderful platform where we can keep experimenting with what the formula can do and what people expect of itAnd then at some point, obviously, as any creative, it would be nice to then go in and say, ‘Okay, well, with everything we’ve learned, what would that be if we had to re-articulate a sandbox – what would that look like?’Right now a major, major new Hitman game: that’s a little bit on hiatus, as we’re building another agent fantasy that’s also taking up a lot of our time. But obviously we’ll come back to beloved Agent 47. He’s still very much in the heart of this company.” 

The game’s details via the studio:

The World of Assassination

We’re approaching these changes with a no compromises approach. We want to make absolutely sure that the experience of entering or enjoying the World of Assassination is simple and straightforward.

Let’s break it down. We’re streamlining the (many) offerings currently on the stores down to two products. These will replace existing ways to buy Hitman I, Hitman II, or HITMAN III.

Hitman: World of Assassination (approx. $70 USD or local equivalent)

Includes: Hitman III, plus Hitman I Game of the Year Access Pass and Hitman II Standard Access Pass.

Hitman: World of Assassination Deluxe Pack (approx. $30 USD or local equivalent)

Includes: Hitman III Deluxe Pack, Hitman III Seven Deadly Sins Collection, and Hitman II Expansion Access Pass.

That’s it. Those are the only two products that new players need to consider when buying any Hitman game digitally as of January 26, 2023.

Player-Friendly Flexibility

We want the experience for new players to be straightforward and concrete. We believe the above changes will achieve that. However, for existing players, who cover a huge matrix of different ownership combinations, we’re being a little bit more flexible—but still with a strong approach for simplicity.

The reason for this flexibility is that we know many of you own certain games or downloadable content but not others, and we don’t want to force anyone to (re)buy what they already own. We think that’s a good enough reason to still have a few options—but these options won’t be front and center for new players. The idea is to keep these details visible to those who might need them.

Steam Complete the Set

On Steam, we are going to implement ‘complete the set’ functionality for the three downloadable content packs included in the Hitman: World of Assassination Deluxe Pack (Hitman III Deluxe Pack, Hitman III Seven Deadly Sins Collection, and Hitman II Expansion Access Pass). This will mean you only pay an even split for whatever content you don’t own. For example, if you own two of the downloadable contents, you’ll only pay $10 for the remaining downloadable content, rather than having to pay full price for the full Deluxe Pack.

In-Game Story

On other platforms, we’ve added each individual downloadable content from the new Hitman: World of Assassination Deluxe Pack (Hitman III Deluxe Pack, Hitman III Seven Deadly Sins Collection, and Hitman II Expansion Access Pass) to the in-game store, again priced with an even split ($10 USD each). If you own some (but not all) of that content, you’ll be able to buy whatever you’re missing—at a new and reduced price.

Storefront Changes

An important detail that we want to be clear about amongst these changes, is that we’re removing the standalone Hitman I and Hitman II products from sale on all platforms. If you already own these games, you’ll still be able to access them in the exact same way that you do today. Of course, the majority of the content included in these games remains playable through Hitman: World of Assassination, with all of the improvements that were introduced with Hitman III.

On that note, and for extra clarity, Hitman III will remain available in its current standalone form through the upcoming Hitman: World of Assassination.

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