‘Hitman’ Studio Goes Indie, IO Interactive’s Retains Rights To Game

As one of the most revolutionary titles in the current generation, Hitman is most likely IO Interactive’s most impressive work to date. So when it was announced that Square Enix was selling off the studio, fans of the game were horrified. Fortunately, it would seem that these fears are unfounded as the studio has since decided to go full indie while retaining full rights to the game.

In a statement released last Friday, the studio’s CEO, Hakan Abrak noted how they have been delivering quality games to consumers for over 19 years. Now that the studio is fully independent, Gamezone notes how this could have been the best outcome in what might have been a disastrous incident.

“This is a watershed moment for IOI. As of today, we have complete control over the direction for our studio and the Hitman IP – we’re about to forge our own future and it’s incredibly exciting,” the statement reads. “We are now open to opportunities with future collaborators and partners to help strengthen us as a studio and ensure that we can produce the best games possible for our community.”

As to how IO managed to gain its independence, the statement also noted how the studio successfully negotiated its own buyout. This marks an end to a stressful development that gamers feared would lead to the cancellation of Season 2 of Hitman.

On that note, there are no new details regarding the next season of the hit episodic game, Tech Times reports. The studio previously said that the development process was still going strong and there have been no changes as to the release. IO also promised that it will be releasing new details about the game’s progress and if there are going to be any changes now that the studio is fully independent.