IO Interactive, the Danish developer behind the Hitman franchise, has announced its oft-rumoured online fantasy RPG project – but the jury’s still out on whether it’ll come to PS5. To be clear, this title has been a source of speculation for several years now, although originally it was believed that Microsoft would publish the game on Xbox on PC. However, there’s no mention of any target platforms (or, indeed, publishing partners) in the studio’s blog post.
“Now we are sharing with all of you that we are embarking on a new adventure,” the message reads. “One that expands our creativity, our capabilities, and in some sense our identity. We are building a new world, a new IP – an online fantasy RPG. A world and a game built from the core to entertain players and expand for many years to come. It feels familiar, yet at the same time IOI is going on a journey unlike any we have been on before.”
The studio mentions that development will be shared across its many teams, including those in Copenhagen, as well as Malmo and Barcelona. “All studios take part in making all our games, including this new endeavour,” it adds. “People from all over the world with diverse personalities and skillsets are coming together to forge a new beginning.”
It concludes that it’s at the “start” of its journey, suggesting development is still very much in its infancy. This is one of those announcements designed to drive recruitment, much like with IO Interactive’s other upcoming James Bond title. In the meantime, we’ll try and get confirmation on whether Microsoft is publishing this game, or if it’s even targeting PS5 at all.
[source ioi.dk]
Comments 23
In this age, with the relevance they have and after what the studio suffered with Square Enix would be idiotic from them to use a publisher on PC (or in general) so if MS publishes it's because MS paid them for it.
Maybe they changed their policy, but I understand at some point mid last Gen Xbox changed its policy so that they would own any game IO they finance and publish. If so, it’s very unlikely this will come to PlayStation.
It would be a bit odd, though, that if this was the case, Xbox would just green light IOI doing a blog reveal. So… I’d say this is 75% likely Xbox exclusive (assuming the Microsoft publishing rumor is true.)
Tbh I'm more interested in what they do with there Bond game. After the great work they did with Hitman, it'll be interesting to see what they can do with the IP.
@Tharsman the end of the 360 era they changed it I think. As Insomniac made Sunset Overdrive & Microsoft published it but Insomniac still own the IP.
The announcement has all the hall marks of a live service game and so I'm not exactly excited for it.
Talented devs, but Suicide Squad confirms that even the most talented of devs can die on the sword of a live service model.
I guess well see when they have more to share.....
Oh no, don't tell me we'll miss "generic fantasy live service".
Can't say I'm not dissapointed about it. I know IO can make whatever the hell they damn please but I can't help but feel their talents are better used elsewhere.
Hell, a Hitman live service tarkov-like would have been more interesting.
I switched off ,when I read online
@cragis0001 they didn’t use to have that policy during the 360 era, hell they didn’t even own Gears of war until after the xbox one launched.
Most publishing deals signed earlier in the Xbox one Gen, or before launch, we’re not owned, but later, tiles like Ori became xbox property even if the studio itself was not acquired.
@Titntin anyone that is early in production right now that still decides to make their game an exclusively live service game, deserves the failure that is coming to their way.
It’s cool if service is a side element that can be ignored (who buys Resident evil games for the mercenaries content?) but exclusively service?
My hopes of a Freedom Fighters remake/remaster/sequel get dimmer by each passing year
Playstation are publishing that Ronin game and that's exclusive so I'd expect the same with this game if its true that Microsoft are the publishers. With it being online and live service its probably being built with gamepass in mind but will end up failing.
@Tharsman Yeah, I agree. I hope they see how such games are being recieved and stear clear of the pitfalls. Another good dev making an ambitious Rpg is to be applauded, so I do hope it turns out good
Immediately lose interest with the term "online" rpg. Not interested in supporting any further attempts to suck people into a live service model.
If its not announced for PS why we talking about it on this site then seems redundant.
An online fantasy game is unlikely to appeal to me, but I'm curious to see what they can do with it. The Bond game they're working on is probably more my kind of game.
Oh no. Where ever will playstation fans get a fantasy RPG in these trying times?
Crap, I like this developer. If it's good game, hopefully it makes it way to ps5.
Fantasy RPG = yaaaay
Online = nooooo
Love Hitman games but their other games kane&Lynch and Mini ninjas just haven't been as good. Atleast it's not exclusive Hitman
What happened with that Bond game? Haven't really heard anything new since they announced it.
The fact that IO are developing it makes it worth checking out.
I've actually been craving a good fantasy game
But if its built with F2P and GP in mind nah
@thechetearly @KundaliniRising333 @tallythwack Yeahhh I lost interest soon as I read the online bit.
Plenty of other exciting games coming out in 2023 alone to keep me entertained for many years to come.
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