Hitman: Absolution

[GamerMan316]

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.

[nCogNeato]

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.

[Failed]

What's the other hitman out on 360 .. is it Blood Money?

Anyone played it, i might be tempted, it looks quite good.

[GamerMan316]

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 

[GamerMan316]

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."

[GamerMan316]

'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".

[ASYLUM NINJA]

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

[GamerMan316]

Hitman 5 evidence grows

[GamerMan316]

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, 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.

[nCogNeato]

sexy

[nCogNeato]

[zerosum]

Never got into this series, in all honesty - something about it just didn't click. Interesting teaser though.

[sambo]

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.

[nCogNeato]

Hitman Absolution Conviction?

[zerosum]

  - just checkin'