Square Enix drops Hitman developer IO Interactive

Shikamo

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Shikamo on 11 May 2017

Square Enix is currently in the process of negotiating with potential investors to buy Hitman developer IO Interactive.

Square Enix has withdrawn from IO Interactive, the Danish studio behind the Hitman series. The company revealed the sudden move in a note to investors [PDF].

“To maximise player satisfaction as well as market potential going forward, we are focusing our resources and energies on key franchises and studios,” the publisher said before announcing its “withdrawal” from the Danish developer’s business.

The withdrawal actually came in effect beginning March 31, which would explain why we haven’t heard a beep about a new Hitman season. Square Enix is now negotiating with potential investors to secure the studio’s future.

IO Interactive began working with Square Enix after the publisher bought the studio’s parent company, Eidos, in 2009. The future of the Hitman IP, as well as other IO-developed franchises, remains a big mystery. Square Enix will likely keep ownership of the IP, which would leave IO to create its own.

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vivster on 11 May 2017

At least they're not just closing it.

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SnakeDrake on 11 May 2017

Thanks Marvel.

But seriously if SE was the one to implement the episodic release of Hitman ( Which I think hurt the sales) then it's SE to blame.

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ktay95 on 11 May 2017

Hey VGChartz wanna buy them?? I'm sure if we all chipped in a few hundred thousand each we might be able to get them.

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Nautilus on 11 May 2017

Its all Square fault for wanting to do this in a episodic form.From what I have heard, the game itself is good, its just this episodic nature that ruined it.

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Chazore on 11 May 2017

So we have EA demoting Bioware staff and now SE ditching IO...

Not looking good for the publisher side of things.

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malistix1985 on 11 May 2017

Would be missed if they would be closed but this is a very talented studio so I am sure if they decide to ditch this developer they will be purchased by another big company. Hitman was an excellent game and they have a good track reckord with their games.

Will be following the faith of this company closely.

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