Hitman Series Official Thread

[theshadowcult]

So does SE still own the license to Hitman?

Almost undoubtedly. Its quite rare for the publisher to leave the rights to the devs. Even games that are 20 years old are still locked in metaphorical vaults in the publishers storage and not allowed out to play. It's ONE of the reasons its takes so long for indie devs to get their hands on old game ips.

[nutcrackr]

I'm not that surprised, don't think it sold that well. I wish they didn't do the episodic stuff, but they probably wouldn't have got funding without it.

imo io should go back and make a new franchise with similar gameplay.

Hitwoman

[ThirdEye]

Hitzir

[Nagorak]

I'm not that surprised, don't think it sold that well. I wish they didn't do the episodic stuff, but they probably wouldn't have got funding without it.

imo io should go back and make a new franchise with similar gameplay.

Hitwoman

The series took a turn for the worse with Hitman Absolution. They had perfected the game with Blood Money and then for some reason just went off the rails trying to reinvent the game for a mass market, which made the game worse for their primary audience. Probably the episodic release didn't help with drawing people back in.

It's sad if this is the end of Hitman. I still remember the first game, as flawed as it was in some respects, it was still revolutionary for the time.

[Drexion]

Rumor: Io Interactive will retain Hitman rights, second season is still on the way


"..Square Enix announced its intention to sell developer Io Interactive..."
"But the situation may not be as dire as it seems: According to German site Gamestar.de .. the rights to the Hitman franchise will remain with Io, rather than Square Enix... Furthermore, work on the second season is already "halfway to completion," the site said, and it's "definitely" going to happen." (source)

[nutcrackr]

I find it hard to believe that SE would let the franchise go for cheap, so io will have to get pretty good sales to keep them afloat.

[Mangler]

We’re very excited to share this message from the Io-Interactive CEO, Hakan Abrak:

In its 19 years of history, Io-Interactive has brought you original and exciting entertainment; from Mini Ninjas and Freedom Fighters to gaming’s most notorious criminals Kane & Lynch and of course our beloved Agent 47. With our latest game, we have not only transformed Hitman, but also moved our entire studio into the AAA digital era. Our live product has disrupted the video game business and has received recognition and praise from press, community and our fans.

There are many tales of hope, dreams, hardship and joy within these walls. We have never strived for the expected or predictable. Instead, we are always in pursuit for what feels original and real. Our passion and determination has never been greater and so that is why we have decided it is not the time to stop as we have many more exciting and original tales to tell.

Therefore I am proud to announce today that IOI is now officially an independent studio. We have successfully concluded our negotiations with Square Enix and have agreed to a management buyout. Crucially, we will keep all of the rights to the Hitman IP.

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. 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.

I would like to say a big and sincere thank you to all of our players, community, friends in the media and everyone else connected to the studio for the messages of support that we have received in the last few weeks. I would also like to thank Square Enix; it has been a great family to be a part of and we are proud of what we have achieved together in the last eight years. IOI started as an independent studio and we will now return to those roots with an extremely passionate and talented team.

We are counting on the continued support of all our players; simply by having fun with everything we’ve released so far for HITMAN – and we want to encourage more of you to try our game. We have more details to come on our plans for that next week.

Thank you.

Hakan,
Io-Independent

http://www.ioi.dk/the-future-of-ioi/

[|MaguS|]

Just bought it on PS4 as well. Newegg had it on sale for $29.99 for the steelbook version that came with exclusive missions. Now I will get the best of both platforms!

[nutcrackr]

I think ioi will be looking for money quickly to keep themselves going as an independent studio. I predict remasters of their old games, most likely Blood Money. Unless they got funding from another investor, then it's all gravy.

My wishlist is for them to release the next Hitman game in one package, not episodic. I doubt that will happen though.

[Nagorak]

I'm glad to hear IO is independent (again?). I hope things work out for them.

To be honest, I wouldn't mind seeing another Freedom Fighters, although maybe it's sort of been done now in other games.

[Napoleonic]

Is there even a thread for hitman 2 game here?

I'm late but I tried the free version of hitman 2 and liked it, now just waiting for the next sale to buy the ridiculously expensive package.

Here hoping for the 3rd game.

[Napoleonic]

wow nobody replied hahahah

so the 3rd game is going to be epic exclusive I wonder how would that work with the whole premise for a game as a platform on it's own toward it's own predecessors that are on steam? can you play hitman 1 and 2 missions that are on steam via epic? and how long is this exclusivity last? still 1 year?

[Nagorak]

I've really enjoyed the new Hitmans. They went back to the Blood Money formula and the games were really good. Surprised no one here even talked about them?

As far as the Epic exclusive stuff, I don't know the answer, but I'll just pick it up in the Epic Store if necessary. I don't really care that much which launcher I need to use to start a game.

[Drexion]

Surprised no one here even talked about them?

From comments I've seen over the past few years around the gaming sphere, it seems they lost a lot of their playerbase when they implemented the always-online requirement into the games. Even in first world countries there are many people who still don't have reliable internet access.

(Last time I checked while there are a couple ways to play offline, it's missing campaign content, doesn't save progress, doesn't have challenges, doesn't have side content, doesn't unlock any items or give xp etc it's kinda pointless)

[the_sextein]

1

[the_sextein]

I've always been a fan of Hitman. I think 2016 and 2018 are good titles but they were designed around Square Enix episodic formula which forced them to design each mission with a thousand grindy completion elements that are not to my liking. I want to complete everything because I'm a completionist but I hate steam achievements and this game feels like it's full of them. Still I like the level designs and the multitude of options for taking out the target. I'm looking forward to Hitman 2020. I just wish they would leave all of the grindy achievements to steam and make the main campaign a little more focused and traditionally Hitman like.

[Mangler]

IO or Epic dun goofed.

Owners of the first two games were supposed to get maps from those games free, but on PC, that'll only work with Hitman 1.

In August 2020, IO Interactive said ahead of the start of Hitman 3 preorders that players will be able to import their progression and unlocks from Hitman 2, as well as locations from the previous two games, at no extra charge. "We want to make it a seamless process for our PC players to enjoy Hitman 3 on a different PC platform and continue to enjoy the benefits of our World of Assassination," the studio promised.

The statement seemed intended as a reassurance that making Hitman 3 exclusive to the Epic Games Store—which does not carry Hitman 2—would not be a problem for players who want continue their careers as high-flying assassins organically, from one game to the next. Today, however, IO changed direction on all that, saying in a pre-launch guide that Hitman 2 locations will only be available to PC players who purchase a separate access pack.

https://www.pcgamer.com/hitman-3s-epic-store-exclusivity-means-hitman-2-levels-wont-be-free-after-all/

Competition has made yet another pc version the inferior one.

[KAC]

Is this game worth boning. I have had it for a while but never indulged in it.

[Jet Black]

IO or Epic dun goofed.

https://www.pcgamer.com/hitman-3s-epic-store-exclusivity-means-hitman-2-levels-wont-be-free-after-all/

Competition has made yet another pc version the inferior one.

I have the free Epic version of Hitman, but don't own Hitman 2 anywhere. After reading their faq a few times I'm still not sure how this works as I see no Hitman 2 add on in the store. Originally I thought I could get all content by just buying Hitman 3, but am less interested now. I think waiting on Steam version may be the safe bet.

[twonha]

You'd think it'd be easier to just include Hitman 2 with Hitman 3 and be done with it - get some positive attention, too. But no, they had to go make things more difficult, more complicated, more convoluted. As if the disaster that is the separate purchasing options for Hitman 1 and 2 on Steam wasn't clear enough already.

I loved Hitman 2016 to death, played Hitman 2 extensively this month, and I'm a real fan of IO and their games. But this just sounds dumb.

Good thing I am late to most games - by the time I'm ready for more Hitman, it'll have launched on Steam already. Hopefully with its PS4 VR content, too.

[Eisberg]

Someone asked this of Tim Sweeney:

So I'm going to be curious. I'm one of the unfortunate souls scammed by IO at this point ( yes I will use this language) with Hitman 3 and "free upgrade". Tim Sweeney could you provide comments on 'why' I have to rebuy Hitman 1 and 2 instead of linking Steam copy?

And this is Tim Sweeney's response

Sorry, the team is looking into this with IO. It’s never Epic’s intent to create a situation where someone who owns a game on Steam would have to buy it again on Epic Games Store.

https://twitter.com/TimSweeneyEpic/status/1350545928931966976

Now I feel this is significant because I have seen Epic look into stuff before and it resulted in a change. For example, when the VR version of Operencia: Stolen Sun was announced, the developers only announced it for Steam and stated it would not be coming to Epic nor GOG. I contacted both Tim Sweeney and GOG about this situation, Tim Sweeney stated he'll get a team on it, GOG never responded. When the VR version came out, it was released on Epic at the same time as Steam, GOG still did not get it.

So now that Epic is on it, there is still a possibility all of this will be resolved in some way.

[the_sextein]

I didn't have an epic store account and I don't personally have a reason to have more than one digital game store on my PC. However, IOI is one of the last remaining independent PC game developers that still deliver games that require more than pointing and shooting with AAA quality.

My thoughts were if EPIC's cash handouts were going to help struggling independent studios remain independent from companies like EA and Microsoft than perhaps I should support the effort even if it's a minor hassle for me as a consumer.

Two days ago I pre ordered Hitman 3 for it's release a week later. Now it looks like to me that someone at IOI either made incorrect assumptions or EPIC's lawyers sold some snake oil to IOI. After Sweeny's response I'm leaning on an honest oversight on IOI's part.

Either way if the result of taking free handout cash from EPIC means that gamers who purchased Hitman 2018 have to purchase it again in order to get the full trilogy install then I will be forced to return the game for a refund.

I'm sure children are throwing tantrums across the net over this but I'm not really upset since it looks like a mistake to me. The money isn't a big deal either but I don't want to support anti consumer practices that could result in intentional behavior like this in the future.

Hopefully they will figure something out before launch because Hitman 3 was going to be my "go to" game for the next 3 weeks while beta testing the classic Baldur's Gate beta patch on the side. I'd hate to have to wait a year after console release just so IOI could get some cash from EPIC.

I really like Hitman 2016 and 2018. They are not as good as the originals in some ways but they are better than the originals in others. All in all I think they are solid games and I figure Hitman 3 will be more of the same regarding the last two hitman games. Also, IOI announced that they will be adding RTX effects to the game later on in the year which should be great.

[Nagorak]

Hopefully it is all an honest mistake. I wonder why Hitman 2 wasn't sold on Epic? Seems really weird to me. But, either way, since the games log in to some server online it seems to me your progression/achievements should be able to be imported cross-store. Personally I don't actually care whether that stuff is imported or not. I got the classic achievements once to say I did it, not for bragging rights.

I really like Hitman 2016 and 2018. They are not as good as the originals in some ways but they are better than the originals in others. All in all I think they are solid games and I figure Hitman 3 will be more of the same regarding the last two hitman games. Also, IOI announced that they will be adding RTX effects to the game later on in the year which should be great.

I honestly think the recent Hitman games are better than all of the other ones with the exception of possibly Blood Money. All the levels are solid, with multiple ways to approach the assassinations. There are no crap infiltration levels like in OG Hitman 2 or Absolution, no frustrating lack of saves (OG Hitman), or generally crap mechanics (Absolution).

OG Hitman and OG Hitman 2 were arguably more revolutionary, but if we're grading on just overall gameplay/enjoyment the newer versions get the nod, IMO. Still don't understand how we got the weird regression in gameplay that occurred with Absolution compared to Blood Money and Contracts.

[the_sextein]

IOI was published by Eidios software until Hitman Blood Money. Square Enix purchased IOI's Hitman IP and as a result the game got better graphics and extremely dumbed down gameplay with absolution. It was square Enix's goal to make Hitman more mainstream for more profit by creating an action game and leaving the stealth elements in the past. Square got a new CEO shortly after absolution. Hitman 2016 was a compromise made between IOI and Square Enix's new CEO however it failed to sell up to square Enix's expectations and they were dropped immediately after. The episodic launch of Hitman 2016 was square enix's way of releasing all of it's new titles at the time as well.

IOI went to warner bro's for Hitman 2018 and I think some licensing issue between them is what kept it from being sold on the EPIC game store. IOI went independent for this release and they have a new 007 James bond game coming out soon. Hopefully they can stay in business on there own.

I agree with you for the most part regarding the newer games. They have great level design and alot more advanced AI and scripted kills. I still feel that the original games had more satisfying kills that didn't require any kind of scripted sequences outside of accidents in blood money. Overall I think the new games are great though.

[the_sextein]

Looks like they are going to sit down on their day off and fix this issue. Good on them.

https://twitter.com/IOInteractive/status/1350899132966318084

[twonha]

Looks like they are going to sit down on their day off and fix this issue. Good on them.
https://twitter.com/IOInteractive/st...99132966318084

That's great. Here's hoping this message gets as much traction as the previous message. (Spoilers: it won't. )

[the_sextein]

[yt]Z29ORu6_p34[/yt]

2 days to go, hope it delivers a satisfying conclusion.

[the_sextein]

Well, the reviews are out and it did well. This is the highest rated Hitman title ever from what I gather. One of the best games to come out this year so far.

https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hitman-3-review-perfect-execution/1900-6417632/

https://www.pcgamer.com/hitman-3-review/

https://www.ign.com/articles/hitman-3-review

https://www.gameinformer.com/review/hitman-3/hitman-3-review-a-killer-conclusion

[Jet Black]

Having not gotten into the rebooted Hitman stuff, would it be worth jumping right into Hitman 3 and watching "the story so far" bit, or would it make sense to just play the free copy of Hitman 1 reboot I have on Epic instead (to keep me busy)? Like I need more games to keep me busy... lol

[the_sextein]

Hitman 2016 GOTY is free when you pre order Hitman 3 and Hitman 2018 is going to be 80% off for the next 10 days.

One of the cool things about this is it combines all 3 games into one game. Anything you unlock in Hitman 1 can be used in Hitman 3 and vice versa. Another cool thing is that the older games benefit from all of the engine improvements from the Hitman 3 engine. So the new RTX lighting effects could very well upgrade all 3 games to the new standard when they upgrade the graphics later this year. Personally, I'd buy all 3 of them. Like old Hitman games, the story isn't a big deal but the quality of the last 3 games are all similar in terms of art style, level design ect. and they are pretty cheap now with consistently fun gameplay.

[Jet Black]

I know it's been talked about in the thread, but I still don't understand how that works for people who don't own Hitman 2. I purchase Hitman 3 on Epic and Hitman 2 on Steam will be 80% off? I don't even see Hitman 2 on Epic.

Edit: Okay, I think I found the info myself. It seems that H1 and H2 are DLC within Hitman 3, so I wouldn't see any discount until actually opening the game and purchasing the DLC inside. Wish I knew what 80% off was, though. Is it 80% off of $60 or $30?

[the_sextein]

I'm not sure either. They have two versions. Hitman 2 basic has 6 missions and Hitman 2 gold has the 6 missions plus 2 bonus missions. I already own the gold version so mine will transfer over in a couple weeks but IOI hasn't said what the two different versions are going to cost, only that they are 80% off.

[Jet Black]

At least I won't have to preorder. I like the 10 days from release so I can at least understand what's up. I'm wondering how those first missions will work and if the story is all there etc. Seems like a lot of hours playing all 3 at once.

[Sundance Kid V2]

I know it's been talked about in the thread, but I still don't understand how that works for people who don't own Hitman 2. I purchase Hitman 3 on Epic and Hitman 2 on Steam will be 80% off? I don't even see Hitman 2 on Epic.

Edit: Okay, I think I found the info myself. It seems that H1 and H2 are DLC within Hitman 3, so I wouldn't see any discount until actually opening the game and purchasing the DLC inside. Wish I knew what 80% off was, though. Is it 80% off of $60 or $30?

i have the exact same scenario...

[KAC]

I got the free Hitman. Will bone and see if it is worth punching through the rest.

[Jet Black]

I took the plunge. Figured that getting H1 for free and H2 at a discount, the package was a pretty good deal. Picked it up from Greenman Gaming for a slight discount and that discount basically covered the cost of the basic version of H2 (gold version was more than 2x the basic version!). H2 DLC was going for about $10 CAD so maybe $6-7 USD, which is pretty decent for an entire game.

Another reason I picked this up is the list of releases for 2021 looks kinda uninteresting for a while. Not until Gotham Knights is there a for-sure buy for me and that is summer I believe.

[Exposed]

So I'm a bit confused by the purchase options. I've never played any of the recent Hitman series, so I plan on starting from Hitman 1 to Hitman 3.

So buying Hitman 3 gets me Hitman 1 GOTY for free, but I need to buy Hitman 2 separately. But what the hell is this cluster****?

https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/all-dlc/hitman-3?sortBy=releaseDate&sortDir=DESC&pageSize=30

3 different options for Hitman 2. I'm assuming the most expensive option Hitman 2 Gold addon is what I need? It includes the expansion content, or is that yet another purchase if I wanted to play all of Hitman 2?

Confusing as ****!

[Jet Black]

I just bought the standard Hitman 2 content for the campaign. I think the gold gives some side stuff that isn't necessary. I'll have enough content without gold, but it's up to you. I agree, I don't understand that bullshit at all.

OMFG, I didn't even buy the right version. I got the Hitman 3: Hitman 2 Expansion which sounded right, but that is just the extended stuff and not the base game. That one is called Standard. If I go ahead and get gold now I'll have wasted money. Sent a request for a refund. Very poor wording on this.

[Sundance Kid V2]

I just bought the standard Hitman 2 content for the campaign. I think the gold gives some side stuff that isn't necessary. I'll have enough content without gold, but it's up to you. I agree, I don't understand that bullshit at all.

OMFG, I didn't even buy the right version. I got the Hitman 3: Hitman 2 Expansion which sounded right, but that is just the extended stuff and not the base game. That one is called Standard. If I go ahead and get gold now I'll have wasted money. Sent a request for a refund. Very poor wording on this.

there is way too many versions. I read thru it all... had to do a double check a few times.

Not going to buy it... will wait till super cheap. If it comes to steam I'll pick it up there.

[Jet Black]

**** Epic. I contacted them and requested a refund, and they refused because I played more than 2 hours of the game (despite having not touched the DLC yet). I ended up purchasing the Standard edition on top of the Expansion, which was actually more expensive than just buying gold. I sent them a complaint and we will see what happens. At this point I just want them to grant me the gold edition and be done with it. Such an awful sales page.

Here is a screenshot for anyone else trying to figure this **** out.