Sometimes good news comes alongside the bad, and today is just such a time.
IO Interactive announced that they would set about working on a brand new addition on perhaps its most recognized series, the Hitman franchise. Another appearance from the barcoded baldy is always a good thing. So the bad? Hitman is the only IP the studio is planning to work on for the forseeable future. No more Kane and Lynch, no more Mini Ninjas, and no series is being planned. Meaning they won't be needing a good deal of staff, so IO has made the decision to let a number of them go.
A statement issued to GamesIndustry International explains: "The studio will focus resolutely on the future vision for the Hitman franchise and is in pre-production on a new AAA Hitman project. However we have taken the difficult decision to cancel other studio projects and initiatives at IO and reduce the workforce in this studio, which will impact almost half of the employees currently at IO, as we make internal adjustments to face the challenges of today's market."
Half. At last count, IO had somewhere around 200 employees, meaning that about a hundred are now out of job. That's quite a lot of staffers. IO was sympathetic to their plight, and was willing to provide a reccomendation for all those let go, should other companies offer them employment.
"For those affected, we are extremely grateful for the hard work which they have contributed, and where it's possible and appropriate to relocate staff to open positions at other studios within the group, we will try to do so. We are also reaching out to other companies for outplacement opportunities. We sincerely wish them well in their future careers. If you are part of a company that is looking for additional development talent, please contact us directly at info@ioi.dk."
That would mean that there's a lot riding on a new Hitman title, as it's all that will keep IO alive. The last Hitman title the studio produced, Hitman: Absolution, was quite well received. It currently has an average rating of 80 between all three versions at metacritic.
We'll keep you posted as more information comes to light about this new title.
