In a statement to Develop, Square-Enix confirmed that almost half of IO Interactive’s staff has been laid off. What makes this news particularly depressing is that its staple title Hitman Absolution actually saw decent sales with 3.6 million units sold (and that’s only physical copies), but this wasn't enough to hit Square-Enix’s expectations.
The studio has cut production on all non-Hitman projects while attempting to refocus on the next Hitman game.
In a statement they said, “The studio will focus resolutely on the future vision for the Hitman franchise and is in pre-production on a new AAA Hitman project,” studio head Hannes Seifert said. “However, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel other studio projects and initiatives at IO and reduce the workforce in this studio, which will impact almost half of the employees currently at IO, as we make internal adjustments to face the challenges of today’s market.”
We will have to wait and see what's next for Hitman but after decent sales it's hard to see the franchise disappearing any time soon!