Square Enix Drops Hitman Developer - But Keeps the Series Alive

In a bizarre move, Square Enix has dropped the Hitman franchise and withdrew from the business of Io Interactive, to the tune of 4.989 billion yen - $43million in costs incurred from divesting from the series. Danish company Io Interactive - who still own the rights to Hitman - are set to find a new publishing partner to continue the franchises success. According to sources, layoffs and cutbacks at Io Interactive that resulted in multiple job losses may have been a factor in the decision of Square Enix to shed the partner.

Hitman - as its name suggests - involves playing as an assassin, Agent 47, a sought-after gun for hire. The game involves killing targets and the more ingenuity and stealth used, the greater the reward. Special weapons and cash prizes are showered down on 47 if you complete the hit in a clever way. The first game was released across platforms in 2000 subtitled Codename 47 and since then 5 sequels (and a trilogy compilation of the first 3 games) and 2 mobile games have been developed.

Agent 47 is available for hire across other gameplay platforms. A mobile game entitled Hitman Go, which featured turn-taking gameplay in a puzzle format was released in 2014. And, Hitman: Sniper was released across mobile devices in 2016 allowing players to attempt first person sniping. Despite divesting from the official series, and allowing Io Interactive to continue creating Hitman, Square Enix will continue to create the Hitman mobile game series, so new instalments should be expected in keeping with the storyline and gameplay of the originals.

Hitmans gaming popularity can be seen elsewhere: as Hitman slot games even exist, with the opportunity to win cash reflecting the cash prizes and rewards that Agent 47 himself receives. Players can continue their affection for the brand across a variety of non-stealth based gameplay. Casumo casino even offer a huge balance bonus for fans to get a headstart trying to amass a Hitman's salary playing their official Hitman slot game. The deposit bonus is worth up to £1,200 and 200 free spins. This is a clear example of how diversifying Hitman's gameplay options to more sectors can expand the fanbase and increase the longevity of the franchise.



The Hitman series is so popular it has franchised out into another avenue aside from the stealthy video game: the silver screen. A film adaptation, Hitman hit cinemas to poor reviews in 2007 despite doing well financially with a $99 million gross on a $24 million budget. The sequel (of sorts) Hitman 47, released in 2015, also received negative reviews yet also fared well financially making $82 million worldwide against a $35 million budget. Film analysis would probably indicate that Hitman fans dont care for a haughty plot as long as they can indulge in the stealthy shooter they know and love.

The latest Hitman game release came out in six episodic instalments throughout 2016. The game even got fans involved in the gameplay as Square Enix offered a choice: the Hitman could either kill Gary Cole or Gary Busey. The winner of the online poll would lend their name and likeness to the game in order to become Agent 47s target. Busey won and was included in the final versions of the game. Cole also appears in a cameo capacity. The jet-setting series travelled across 6 countries of the globe for the Hitman to conduct his assassinations, and ended on a note worthy of a sequel.



Indeed, the second series of gameplay episodes had been commissioned for a 2018 launch (and the third was even promised), and Io Interactive are seemingly still on the hunt for a development company to assist in creating the game and buying them in order to do so. With Square Enix shedding Io Interactive yet allowing it to retain the rights to Hitman implies that the move was purely a business decision to aid a possibly ailing company. The rights to Hitman would be a very enticing offer for potential buyers and with Square Enix intent on keeping the mobile version of the game, it seems as though keeping Hitman alive would be in everyones best interests.

So with its obvious market value and popularity the game scores 88.25% on GameRankings - why would Square Enix divest and how long before another developer swoops in to assist the next version of Hitman gameplay?