Remember when Square Enix split with IO Interactive? While it may not be a good look at first, the split was an amicable one, and IO is now flourishing with the new Hitman games and will be making a James Bond game.
And here’s another proof of how the relationships between the two companies are still okay- Square Enix is making another Hitman mobile game.
Square Enix Montreal made Hitman Sniper and the Go series of puzzle games on mobile. At the Square Enix Presents Spring 2021 showcase, they revealed a new follow-up to Hitman Sniper of sorts, currently under the working title Hitman Sniper Assassins.
Hitman Sniper Assassins teaser trailer gave some little tidbits of what to expect. The voice of handler Diana Burnwood returns, but you’re not playing as Agent 47 this time.
And there’s an emphasis on co-op too. The two visible agents in the teaser trailer are from Hitman 2, where there was a two-player co-op mode called… Sniper Assassin.
IO Interactive also clarified that their involvement with Hitman Sniper Assassins is mostly on the lore aspect- how the game fits in the Hitman universe. Though Hitman Sniper Assassins isn’t part of the World Of Assassin (Hitman 2016, Hitman 2, Hitman 3) trilogy. IO remains an independent studio and retains all rights to the Hitman IP.
It’s interesting to see Square Enix is still interested in making Hitman games, even if it is a mobile spin-off. And a weird surprise to see too.
Expect to see Hitman Sniper Assassins (or whatever the final title will be) releasing on iOS and Android later this year.
Square Enix Montreal is also making a new Space Invaders game for mobile.