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Hitman Delayed So Devs Can Deliver More Content At Launch

John-Shepard 10 Comments

You'll have to wait longer but you'll get more content out of the gate.

Developer IO Interactive has confirmed the delay of its latest Hitman installment; the anticipated game has been pushed from December 2015 to March 2016.

As the new entry will be a digital offering, it will first release with some content, and then the team will deliver more episodes after the launch. However, it seems they weren't going to have enough content ready to go for the launch, as the developer said in a statement:

"These few extra months will mean we can add more to the launch content of the game, more than we had originally planned, and then follow with a tighter frequency of updates, which ultimately will create a better game for everyone. And in the end, that’s what we’re all looking for."

IO concluded by saying that "moving a launch date is never an easy decision" and while it's frustrating for the fans, the studio wants to "deliver a better launch and overall experience." Previously, IO went on record saying Hitman shouldn't be called an "episodic release," as it implies future content will cost the player additional money. Thankfully, that's not how this title will be structured.

Even so, I'm betting some would much rather see a full and complete product once it's available to purchase. Right?

Related Game(s): Hitman

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IO Interactive: Expect Hitman Support To Run For 3-4 Years

Ben-Dutka 8 Comments

What should you expect from the new Hitman effort?

Well, previously, developer IO Interactive allayed fears by saying that despite the episodic release, there will be no microtransactions . They also said that you'll get every piece of content through the main story arc when you spend your $60.

That was a definite relief. Now, Executive Producer Hannes Seifert explains more of their plans , starting with how they're treating Hitman as more of a platform as opposed to a single installment. So, as opposed to a bunch of sequels, this one game would go strong for several years, like the new Rock Band experience.

Said Seifert:

"We'll see how that turns out. But we have a vision at least 3-4 years ahead of us. And that's where we're going to see how it really works out."

Seifert added that the new episodic model was at least partially inspired by the online mode Contracts found in 2012's Hitman: Absolution . That mode turned out to be "unbelievably, surprisingly successful," as nearly 40 percent of all players tried it. In Contracts, players could create limited-time assassination missions, and then proceed to share them with friends. You can do this in the new Hitman as well.

This project is shaping up quite nicely, wouldn't you agree?

Related Game(s): Hitman

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Latest Hitman Confirmed, Expect More Details “This Year”

Ben-Dutka 3 Comments

The iconic bald assassin is gearing up for his first next-gen stealth adventure!

Developer IO Interactive has confirmed the new entry, which was first mentioned about a year ago. The next-gen effort will feature "a globetrotting Agent 47 at the prime of his career" and it's in development for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

On the official Twitter page for the series, they say we can expect more information later but we know a few things: The game will run on a version of the Glacier 2 engine that powered 2012's Hitman: Absolution , and IO has said they're "packing in an extreme level of detail on the largest levels ever built for a Hitman game."

And yes, that means they've embraced the open-world non-linear design that just about all developers are starting to use these days. More realism will be in place as well, as the team will "remove 47's magic pockets." There's no doubt it'll be one of the most anticipated new titles of the generation but we wanna see some gameplay!

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Next-Gen Hitman Has “Checkpoint-Free, Sandbox Levels”

Ben-Dutka 6 Comments

IO Interactive is currently working on a next-gen Hitman , and the developer was recently good enough to share some pertinent information .

In an open letter to fans of the franchise, IO talked about their plans for the upcoming sequel, which will be coming to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Currently untitled, the iconic protagonist Agent 47 will be at the "prime of his career," and long-time partner Diana Burnwood will be involved as well.

Perhaps most important for the fans, the designer says this fresh installment will be true to the core of the series. We'll have a "wide range" of tools that will render our opponents useless, and we'll be able to experiment with a variety of weapons and tactics. The game will utilize the Glazier 2 engine, which powered 2012's well-received Hitman: Absolution . Then came some interesting info concerning the environment and gameplay, which we weren't expecting:

"We're packing in an extreme level of detail on the largest levels we have ever built for a Hitman game. We've adopted an open, non-linear level design approach to the game, ensuring the game will play out across huge, checkpoint-free, sandbox levels. Our aim is to create living, breathing, and believable levels which will allow gamers to play around with the AI to create those unique moments every fan of the Hitman franchise loves."

Checkpoint-free sandbox levels? Really? Wondering how that will work… Anyway, Contracts Mode will return, along with the mission editor feature that lets players create their own assassination scenarios. Lastly, IO says they've "removed 47's magic pockets" and series followers probably know exactly what that means. But to return to the game's overall structure, do you think a "checkpoint-free sandbox" format works for Hitman ?

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