Where would we be without loose-lipped actors and concept artists? Joystiq has spotted an actor's CV which suggests that Batman: Arkham Asylum developer Rocksteady is to take the Hitman reins from IO Interactive.
Mark Sloan spent some time last year doing motion capture for a "Hitman 5 videogame" at "Rocksteady Limited", according to his website.
Denmark's IO created the Hitman series and has developed all the games to date. It's owned by Eidos, which also has a close relationship with Rocksteady, publishing both Batman and its enjoyable 2006 FPS, Urban Chaos: Riot Response.
It would be a departure for the popular Hitman games, although IO is busy with Mini Ninjas and a Kane & Lynch sequel, and Rocksteady is currently enjoying a healthy buzz around Arkham Asylum's brutal stealth gameplay.
As much as I love the genre, I never really got into the Hitman series.
Maybe if there's enough buzz for this sequel, my interests may get sparked.
What's the other hitman out on 360 .. is it Blood Money?
Anyone played it, i might be tempted, it looks quite good.
Quote from: Failed on August 12, 2009, 04:14:45 PM
What's the other hitman out on 360 .. is it Blood Money?
Anyone played it, i might be tempted, it looks quite good.
I enjoyed Blood Money, very good game, with numerous ways of completing missions which is always a good thing. I'd only briefly played the previous games but got this for a £10 when Woolies was still around & i'm glad i did, good achievements too :)
Hitman 5 out Xmas 2011 "at the earliest"
Danish developer IO Interactive is hard at work on the next game in the popular Hitman series, Eurogamer has learned.
The PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 title will be released "at the very earliest Christmas next year", one source told us.
The claim was backed up by retail sources, who have indicated to Eurogamer that a release later in 2011 "will be most likely".
Rumour of a fifth game in the stealth-em-up series has been rife since the release of the last Hitman game, 2006's Blood Money.
In June last year Variety reported that a new Hitman film was in the works and contained story elements from Hitman 5, due to be released in late 2010. We know that the reported release date is incorrect.
In June 2009 an IO community manager said: "I can tell you that there is no way we will be basing a storyline for a new Hitman game on the story in a licensed movie. That's just not how we work so you shouldn't be concerned about that."
Earlier this week Hitman 5 posters popped up on the internet, setting fans' tongues wagging.
IO Interactive said the artwork "does not represent any new Hitman game", but we've been told they "likely" relate to the game.
The posters have since been removed.
Backing up our source's information is online retailer Play.com, which says Hitman 5 will be released on 28th November 2011.
Play had not responded to Eurogamer at the time of publishing.
In the four years since the release of Hitman 4, IO has put out third-person action game Kane & Lynch and cutesy third-person action game Mini Ninjas. Sequel Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is due out on 20th August in the UK.
Now the studio is working full throttle on bringing everyone's favourite bald-headed assassin back.
News of a new Hitman game should come as no surprise. The series has sold over seven million copies to date.
Indeed, in 2007 Eidos' then parent company Sci Entertainment said in its annual report: "We have invested significantly in the pipeline of products for 2008 and beyond and we are looking forward with much anticipation to the sequels to Just Cause and Battlestations: Midway, which are already in development, and new versions of world-leading franchises Tomb Raider and Hitman."
And then in 2008 SCi again mentioned the game, saying IO is "already working on a brand-new franchise along with the fifth Hitman game and a sequel to Kane & Lynch".
Square Enix told Eurogamer: "It's flattering to see so many fans are eager for another Hitman game. Unfortunately we have nothing to announce at this time."
'Brace yourself' for 'gob smacking' Hitman 5
There have been delays to the game, admits Agent 47 voice actor
David Bateson, the veteran actor who has voiced Agent 47 in every Hitman game to date, has told gamers to brace themselves for the as-yet-unannounced but "gob smacking" Hitman 5.
Asked by thegamingliberty what we can expect from the game, he said: "I have to plead the 5th Amendment on this one. I am under contract not to say anything. There have been delays. However, like I said earlier, if the artwork is anything to go by... brace yourself."
Despite being under strict orders not to talk about the game, Bateson couldn't help mentioning it a second time.
"In all the years of Hitman, I have been overwhelmingly gratified and humbled by the sheer dedication to the Hitman franchise that the fans have expressed," he said.
"For all the kind things that have been said, I am truly thankful. That kind of dedication and appreciation of the game deserves repayment... with an even more gob smacking instalment in Hitman 5. I don't envy IO Interactive for the pressure they must under to deliver. I am utterly convinced they will."
Reports have claimed that Hitman 5 will see deadly baldy Agent 47 "at a low point" and trying to build himself back up psychologically and physically to reclaim his mantle as the world's most feared assassin.
Unfortunately, it's not expected to hit retail shelves until "Christmas 2011 at the earliest".
Always liked the idea of hitman but was never quite patient enough to play it tended to go in all guns blazing and die lots!!! in a way i hope IO hold on to it though as it was the one game they did well, although i did enjoy kane and lynch 2
Hitman 5 evidence grows (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-11-08-hitman-5-evidence-grows)
First Hitman 5 screenshot revealed
The first screenshot of Hitman 5 has hit the internet – and pointed towards a reveal at E3 in June.
An alternate reality game, played by members of the Hitman community at Hitmanforum.com (http://www.hitmanforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=53301), has led to the discovery of a number of images thought to be of Hitman 5.
Five images have been uncovered, four of which reference Toronto's CN Tower - the world's tallest building and freestanding structure – in some way.
Fans have speculated that the reference could mean Hitman 5 is set in Canada.
The final image to emerge, below, is thought to be a screenshot of a CGI movie.
Developer IO Interactive confirmed in a post on Hitmanforum.com that the ARG is over and the game will reveal itself at E3 in June.
Eurogamer was told, last summer, that a new and fifth Hitman game was being worked on and would be "most likely" released sometime this year.
There hasn't been a Hitman game developed from the ground up for PS3 and Xbox 360. The last game, Blood Money, was ported and upscaled from Xbox to Xbox 360.
(http://images.eurogamer.net/assets/articles//a/1/3/4/1/2/3/7/ss_preview_5534760462_6d5dbd3b0d_b.jpg.jpg)
sexy
Never got into this series, in all honesty - something about it just didn't click. Interesting teaser though.
Hitman: Absolution will be aimed at a wider audience than earlier, less forgiving entries in the franchise, developer IO Interactive has revealed.
Speaking in an interview with DigitalTrends this week, director Tore Blystad explained that the steep learning curve of previous titles in the series had limited their reach.
"The Hitman games of the past have been very hardcore," insisted Blystad. "Even though the fantasy of the Hitman universe has a very universal appeal, the games have been so difficult to play, that it's been more of an acquired taste.
"The biggest challenge that we had with this game was to make it much broader in every sense, so that it was easier to play and more accessible, but still retain a very strong, hardcore side as well. We don't want to alienate any of our fans who have been extremely loyal for so many years."
Elsewhere in the interview, Blystad discussed how the game's innovative AI technology will make for a more immersive experience.
"If you attack an enemy from any angle, than we're able to have them fight back, or continue on in a normal state if you ignore them," he explained.
"There are similar things in games like GTA or these bigger sandbox games, but it's on a much less granular level because we have a very strong focus on the abilities of the characters.
"You get so close to the characters in this game. They all have names, and they have all some kind of part to play in the story, so that they act as believable as possible is the most important thing for us. It's the most central part of the game."
Officially announced earlier this month, Absolution is due out on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 some time next year.
Hitman Absolution Conviction?
:o - just checkin'
Hitman Absolution footage leaked.
Appparently it's been cribbed from Danish TV. It's a slightly peculiar mashup of the E3 demo footage, which doesn't do a brilliant job of showing what's going on, but you can see that Codename 47 is still doing what he does best.
Hitman has difficulty just for hardcore
Hitman: Absolution features a difficulty level designed specifically for veteran fans of the series, and will reward those who play the game as if they were playing past entries in the franchise.
This difficulty level - and associated achievements/trophies - require the gamer play in true stealth assassin style, Danish developer IO Interactive has revealed.
Lead producer Hakan Abrak said to get the stealth assassin-related achievements you'll need to do a number of things: "We will get into more details at a later point, but obviously it's linked to the playing style," he explained.
"It's more pacify your enemies, be undetected, maybe solve the challenges in a smarter way. That will probably give you a stealth assassin achievement."
The live Hitman: Absolution gameplay demo shown to press sees Agent 47 sneaking about a library, stealthily killing cops and assuming a disguise before escaping into a packed city street.
Absolution has come in for some stick from fans of the popular series for apparently ditching the hardcore stealth gameplay of previous games - in past Hitman games players would often try to kill only the "mark" assigned to Agent 47.
But, according to Abrak, the Absolution demo was choreographed to show off Absolution's new features - and should not be taken to indicate a drastic shift in direction.
"We have a lot of difficulty levels in the game as well," he said. "Rest assured, the hardcore fans that like to have replayablity value in the game or want to have this stealth assassin - you know, I'm the ultimate stealth assassin - that playing style, those achievements, are very much in the game.
"There's a huge replayability value in it and we have some features in the game I cannot speak about that will enhance this and make this easier, and heighten the replayability value for the hardcore players as well."
Does the hardcore difficulty level have a special name?
"Yeah, it has a very special name," Abrak teased. "And I'm pretty sure it's going to please the hardcore fans. I can't say what it is."
Glad they aren't pandering too much to the 'new' casual crowd.
Smexy
Why Hitman Absolution may not be the Hitman game you want. Or a Hitman game at all (http://www.gamesradar.com/preview-why-hitman-absolution-may-not-be-hitman-game-you-want-or-hitman-game-at-all/?page=1)
What was that word, Neato... smexy??
Again, I've not been particularly attracted to this series, but what's being presented so far is making this game look more and more interesting.
Sweet
I haven't played a hitman game since... like.. 10 years ago? I vaguely remember sneaking into some manor dressed up as a waiter or something? Probably should play some of the new ones ;D
lol essentially thats all of them ;D
Hitman: Absolution Professional Edition Boasts Extra Firepower
Hands up who likes having their games packaged in a clamshell box. Don't know what one is? Neither did we until we saw the Hitman: Absolution Professional Edition, which shoves some rather desirable little extra goodies into its clamshell packaging that actually looks suspiciously like a slipcase.
Square Enix has unveiled the lovely special edition today, which comes with a premium hardcover artbook with a foreword from Game Director Tore Blystad, an exclusive behind the scenes 'making of' DVD and the obligatory DLC pack, which lumps together a bunch of extra weapons.
The Agency Gun Pack DLC comes with the Hitman: Absolution Professional Edition, adding the Agency Jagd P22G pistol for silent assassins and the Agency HX UMP SMG and Agency SPS 12 semi-automatic shotgun for not so silent assassins. Incredibly loud assassins...
Hitman: Absolution will be launching later in the year. Check out the limited Professional Edition below.
(http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/news/360_Hitman_Prof_UK.jpg)
Hitman: Absolution gets November release dateSpin-off pre-order bonus called Sniper Challenge will be available next weekSquare Enix has revealed that Hitman: Absolution will be released globally on November 20, while a spin-off pre-order bonus, the Hitman: Sniper Challenge, will be available from May 15.
The announcement comes amidst retailer speculation that the shooter would be appearing some time in September.
The confirmation was attached to the official announcement of Sniper Challenge, a standalone experience available exclusively for pre-order customers that was leaked last week.
"Agent 47 is the best in the business so it seemed appropriate to create the best pre-order reward possible for our fans," said Jon Brooke, brand director of the Hitman franchise. "Hitman: Sniper Challenge is a way of thanking customers and giving them a taste of Agent 47's skills from the moment they pre-order the game."
Sniper Challenge will unlock on Xbox Live and PSN on May 15, and August 1 through Steam.
Quote from: nCogNeato on May 30, 2012, 01:38:21 PM
More bad-assery, looking good. 8)
Have to say that the pre-order incentives are kinda weak with this one. For some reason, getting a different "suit" doesn't make me want to drop everything and rush to a pre-order. Sniper challenge might be interesting, but I'm sure it's not vital and may grow lackluster after a few rounds.
Hitman: Absolution's 'Contracts' Mode Unveiled (http://www.xbox360achievements.org/news/news-12539-Hitman--Absolution-s--Contracts--Mode-Unveiled.html)
Hitman Absolution : Tools of the Trade Trailer
Achievements (http://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/hitman-absolution/achievements/)
Really does look outstanding!! 8)
Quote from: Smithk4 on November 16, 2012, 05:22:07 PM
Really does look outstanding!! 8)
Yep, i'm very much looking forward to playing this. :)
Hitman: Absolution Online Pass No Longer Required For Contracts
Square Enix has binned the online pass code required to play Hitman: Absolution's asynchronous Contracts mode, meaning that it's now completely free for anyone, even those who purchase a copy of the game used.
The publisher has essentially had second thoughts regarding the online pass for Contracts, deciding that it made more sense to ensure the mode was available to everyone.
"We’re so excited that Hitman: Absolution is launching next week! In particular, we’re looking forward to all of the amazing ways players can challenge each other in the innovative CONTRACTS mode â€" where you get to call the shots," IO Interactive stated on its Hitman: Absolution blog. “We’d actually planned to have this mode accessible via a code in the game’s box, but we really want to make it available to anybody that plays the game â€" so we want to take a new approach.â€
You'll be able to access the online pass for Contracts via the in-game menu where you'll be able to grab it for free, or you can still use the code bundled in the game box with new copies. Hitman: Absolution is out tomorrow worldwide.
Quote from: GamerMan316 on November 19, 2012, 03:07:16 PM
Hitman: Absolution Online Pass No Longer Required For Contracts
Well done, Square Enix.
Deus Ex Is Everywhere… Even In Hitman Absolution DLC
(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2012/11/hitmandeusex530.jpg)
Siliconera has learnt of some of the downloadable content headed to Hitman Absolution. This will be in the form of additional suits and guns, which will give Agent 47 new outfits and weapons to use during his missions.
The DLC will include an Adam Jensen-inspired Deus Ex suit with a Deus Ex gun, a Public Enemy suit with a a Bronson M1928 submachine gun, a High Roller suit with a Krugermeier 2-2 Pistol, and a High Tech suit with a Bartoli Custom Pistol.
Three of the suits and weapons mentioned above were offered as pre-order bonuses for Hitman Absolution at various retailers in North America, but the Deus Ex suit and gun are new. I suppose Sarif Industries are in demandâ€"even Wei Shen from Sleeping Dogs wants their products (http://www.360df.org/forum/index.php?topic=670.msg81027#msg81027).
[Siliconera (http://www.siliconera.com/2012/11/19/deus-ex-is-everywhere-even-in-hitman-absolution-dlc/)]
Quote from: GamerMan316 on November 19, 2012, 03:07:16 PM
Hitman: Absolution Online Pass No Longer Required For Contracts
Now available for free.
(http://download.xbox.com/content/images/d192abf6-e27b-46f2-8f1c-2685bcb7d587/1033/banner.png) (http://marketplace.xbox.com/Product/Contracts-Pass/d192abf6-e27b-46f2-8f1c-2685bcb7d587?cid=SLink)
Extend your Hitman Absolution experience with the Contracts Pass. Contracts is an innovative new online game mode that allows gamers to create and share their own custom hit challenges within Hitman Absolution. Before buying this item, please check if you have a valid Contracts Pass code included with your copy of Hitman Absolution.