It’s no secret that the games industry has taken a beating over the last year-and-a-half, with a eye-watering number of layoffs, ballooning game development budgets, and a startling amount of studio closures, among other hurdles- so how exactly has IO Interactive ensured that its growth is as sustainable as it was rapid? In a recent interview, we posed those questions to IO Interactive Brand Director Jonathan Lacaille, while also talking about the developer’s inner workings, its ongoing work on multiple projects, and more. Scroll ahead to read our full conversation.

"One of our main concerns with growth is to prevent a “factory-like” feeling to settle in any of our studios, meaning that above a certain number of people in the same place, you would lose your sense of belonging."

IO Interactive has seen significant growth in recent years, with 300 employees spread across five studios all over the world, while you are also continuing to recruit more people. Can you talk us through what that process has been like? Specifically, how have you tried to balance growth on this scale with ensuring that things such as your internal way of working and your company culture do not get diluted?

One of our main concerns with growth is to prevent a “factory-like” feeling to settle in any of our studios, meaning that above a certain number of people in the same place, you would lose your sense of belonging. We have been operating with the concept of a Dunbar number, set at around 150 people, to make sure we do not overgrow past one studio’s critical mass. With this number of people per studio, we make sure that we keep things dynamic, we foster a human touch in how we work, which makes it easier to instill our values and work culture in every one of our studios.

On the other hand, the creation of studios across different countries means we are able to meet talent where they are and bring more diversity into our fold with people coming from various backgrounds.

Given IO Interactive’s expansions in recent years and your plans for continued growth, what are your views on the games industry’s widespread layoffs over the last 14-15 months? What steps have you taken to ensure that you avoid the pitfalls that so many companies in the industry have been facing?

There have been many changes in the industry during the past few years: the pandemic, the growth of streaming, the digital transformation, which is intensifying, but most importantly inflation as well as the rise of production costs to create video games. All those factors directly impacted the decision-making of every single studio, so, we are seeing the adjustments to the current market and the upcoming trends.

On our end, we are making sure that IOI grows steadily and organically, as we are now moving from one game to three with Project 007, Project Fantasy, and Hitman World of Assassination. Similarly to our philosophy in terms of growth for our studios, we remain responsible and cautious in how we plan for the future but with the goal to deliver to deliver the best experiences possible to our players.

What motivated the decision to branch out and open up studios in different cities around the world? What is the process like from a top-down level in terms of deciding which locations would be best suited to new offices for IO Interactive?

With our philosophy for growth regarding the number of people per studio, our main means of expansion is to open new studios across different locations. We used this as an opportunity to go where the talent is and to go to major hubs of the gaming industry in Europe. Our studios are located in cities that have welcomed major gaming studios which gives us access to a great pool of talent and great inspiration. With our studios located in different countries, we obviously also benefit greatly from the diversity it brings to our studio as a whole.

"We are making sure that IOI grows steadily and organically, as we are now moving from one game to three with Project 007, Project Fantasy, and Hitman World of Assassination. Similarly to our philosophy in terms of growth for our studios, we remain responsible and cautious in how we plan for the future but with the goal to deliver to deliver the best experiences possible to our players."

With the Hitman series on the backburner for the time being, Project 007 is the next IO Interactive game that many people have their eye on. Given that we are now approaching the four-year anniversary of the announcement that the game had entered development, can you give us an idea of how far away we are from maybe a formal reveal for the game?

We are excited to work on the most ambitious game in the history of our studio. We currently cannot share anything in terms of reveal, but we look forward to sharing more information in the future.

IO Interactive also announced Project Fantasy in February last year. As an online action RPG, it is sounding like an entirely different experience from anything we have seen from IO in the past. How did the concept for this project first come about, and what are the biggest learnings the studio is having to focus on for this completely new kind of project?

We are very proud at IOI of our capacity to create new IPs, and our history proves it is in our DNA, with Hitman as our first game and since the Kane and Lynch, Mini Ninjas, and Freedom Fighters. We have always wanted to explore new genres which will once again be the case with Project Fantasy.

So, in terms of learnings, it still is quite similar to what we have executed in the past and having the amazing and talented people at IOI working on the fantasy genre, we are looking forward to bringing players into this new journey.

With two confirmed upcoming projects and five studios around the world, what does the division of labour for Project 007 and Project Fantasy look like across the entirety of IO Interactive? Is there a clear demarcation in terms of which studio is working on which game, or is the company taking a more fluid approach and spreading out work as and where it is needed?

We take a very fluid approach to how we work on our games indeed. Each and every one of our studios is working on our different projects, for example the game director on Hitman 3 was working from Malmö, while the executive producer was based in Copenhagen. This gives us a lot of flexibility when recruiting new people as we can have them join us through one of our five locations.

"We take a very fluid approach to how we work on our games indeed. Each and every one of our studios is working on our different projects, for example the game director on Hitman 3 was working from Malmö, while the executive producer was based in Copenhagen. This gives us a lot of flexibility when recruiting new people as we can have them join us through one of our five locations."

We have seen quite a few fun collaborations between IO Interactive and stars like Sean Bean and Dimitri Vegas in recent years. Is that something we can expect to see more of in the years to come, even with projects beyond Hitman?

Those collaborations have been a lot of fun to work on, allowing us to bring new and unexpected content to our players. We create narratives that suit those celebrities’ public persona and find ways to bring them within the World of Assassination. We of course villainize them to fit the storyline of our Elusive Targets and to have a reason Agent 47 has been contracted to eliminate them. Combined with the creative freedom we offer to our players to complete their objectives; it always makes for an entertaining game experience.

Sean Bean is the perfect example of a celebrity Elusive Target with his numerous on-screen deaths and of course the very different ways he has been taken down, which explains a lot of the enthusiasm for him to return to the game.

Also, we are changing the ways to access the Elusive Targets this year as we are introducing them in our Free Starter Pack meaning everyone can play it for free and the Elusive Targets are available on all systems. So, with new players coming in and given the feedback from the community for the return of The Undying, we have been looking at other Elusive Targets and one may arrive sooner rather than later as we recently shared on our social media channels.

Speaking of Sean Bean and future projects, might we perhaps see him in Project 007? He does have some experience with the James Bond IP…

He currently has his hands full with Agent 47, so he would have to get out of his crosshairs first!

Deus Ex to Mankind Divided

Deus Ex was a revolutionary game when it was originally released way back in 2000. Its complex web of mechanics and interesting narrative themes paved the way for systemic game design for years to come, and a lot of that still stands true for Mankind Divided which is the latest entry in this long-running franchise. Of course, there’s a night and day difference between the visual fidelity of both games – and a simple side by side comparison is all that’s needed to see the graphical leap in all its glory. Mankind Divided has amazing weather effects, superb lighting and reflections, and lifelike animations while the original feels clunky and borderline unplayable by modern standards.

Ghostwire: Tokyo

Ghostwire: Tokyo might not be developer Tango Gameworks’ best work to date, but it certainly impresses with its rendition of modern day Tokyo. Everything from the dark alleys to the weirdly empty roads and neon lit shops lining the streets feature striking amounts of detail, which is further helped by generous use of ray tracing in the lighting department. Turning it on immediately increases the accuracy and resolution of reflections, and indirect lighting is also simulated more effectively than before – making for an even more immersive experience all around.

Showstopper- Hitman 2016

This was the first ever modern Hitman level to be released, and the fact that it has found its place on this list speaks volumes about its tight design. Taking place in a fashion show in Paris, this level serves as a perfect beginner puzzle to those well versed with the basics of Hitman. You need to get access to a restricted area to kill one target, and you need to separate a roaming target from his personal bodyguard to dispatch him without arousing any suspicion. There are plenty of ways to do that – you can disguise yourself as the bartender to spike one of the target’s drinks, you can swap places with a model to get an easy ticket to the upper floors, or maybe disguise yourself as one of the security guards in the fashion show. You can also make the assassination look like an accident by dropping a chandelier on top of your target while he’s walking down the ramp. Or you could just let go of all that and try a Suit Only run once you’ve got your bearings.

Hitman World of Assassination has two editions – the Standard version costs $70 and includes Hitman 3, Hitman 1 Game of the Year Access Pass and Hitman 2 Standard Access Pass. The Deluxe Pack contains Hitman 3’s Deluxe Pack and the Seven Deadly Sins Collection, and the Hitman 2 Expansion Pass for $30. If you already own Hitman 3, the Deluxe Pack is your go-to option for all the DLC.

Along with World of Assassination, Hitman Freelancer is also live. This rogue-lite mode sees Agent 47 targeting different Syndicates, assassinating members and eventually battling the boss. You can purchase and find weapons and bring them back to the Safehouse. As you gain Mastery, more areas in the hideout begin to open up. Learn more about it here.

As reported by user DarkDetective on the Install Base Forum, Hitman 3 over-performed against expectations within its first year. On Twitter, they revealed the game’s budget was about DKK 155 million (roughly $22.5 million), and it continued selling well in the second year due to Steam and Game Pass releases. Revenue has been higher than expected thanks to the Game Pass deal, thanks to the minimum guarantee and performance bonus.

Fiscal year 2023 revenue is expected to fall between DKK 450 to 500 million ($65.5 to $72.8 million), with profits before tax coming in at around DKK 250 to 300 million ($36.4 to $43.6 million). IO Interactive management is looking at revenue and profit drops in the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years due to the lack of releases. This is in line with previous statements that Project 007 and its unannounced project (rumored to be Project Dragon, a fantasy RPG for Xbox) aren’t releasing until at least April 2025.

The developer plans to diversify its line-up through new platforms like mobiles and seek opportunities for publishing other studios’ titles. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming year.

Meanwhile, Hitman World of Assassin and Freelancer launch on January 26th.

Freelancer sees Agent 47 taking mission chains to take down different Syndicates. Choose a Syndicate, identify its lower members and then work your way up to a Showdown with the head honcho. You can find and purchase weapons and tools during Contract Missions or complete challenges to earn the same (along with more payout).

You also earn Mastery, which unlocks more levels in the Safehouse, along with options like a wardrobe for disguises, a shooting range, and other customization options. If you fail in a Showdown, the campaign begins again – choose another Syndicate and repeat.

Hitman Freelancer goes live on January 26th for all platforms. For more details, head here.

Only two editions can be purchased going forward. Hitman World of Assassination will cost approximately $70 and includes the base game, Hitman 1 Game of the Year Access Pass, and Hitman 2 Standard Access Pass. There’s also the Hitman World of Assassination Deluxe Pack for approximately $30, which includes Hitman 3’s Deluxe Pack and Seven Deadly Sins Collection, along with the Hitman 2 Expansion Access Pass.

To further accommodate players, IO Interactive is offering a “complete the set” option on Steam. So if you own Hitman 3’s Deluxe Pack and Seven Deadly Sins Collection but not the Hitman 2 Expansion Access Pass, you only need to pay $10 for that. Each of these will also be available via an in-game store for $10 each, allowing you to purchase the remaining content for a reduced price.

Hitman 1 and 2 will no longer be available to purchase digitally, but current owners can still access them. You can also still play Hitman 3 in its current state through Hitman World of Assassination. The latter’s release coincides with the new Freelancer mode, which is free for Hitman 3 owners. Head here for more details on the same.

Agent 47 starts in the Safehouse, which is pretty barren from the beginning. Nevertheless, it grows over time and serves as the center of operations for selecting targets, starting disguises, guns, and more. In a campaign, players must choose four Crime Syndicate leaders. Pick the Syndicate, identify the lower members in separate contract missions and take them down. This will lure out the leader for a Showdown.

The first Syndicate Showdown requires two contract missions. The second requires three, the third requires four, and the last Showdown requires five completed contract missions. After each Showdown, the difficulty rises.

Different Syndicate types reward different play styles. They have different challenges to complete that provide more payout. Completing these also unlocks more Freelancer tools. Failing a mission will cause you to lose half your currency and all the weapons brought with you. The campaign doesn’t fail, but territories will be alerted to your presence and on guard. Failing a Showdown fails the current campaign, and one must start again from the beginning.

Weapons and tools can be purchased from suppliers and discovered on missions. Guns with rarity can be returned to the Safehouse and placed on the gun rack for later use. Contract missions begin in random starting locations, which could be safe or deep in hostile territory. Several individuals are present – Couriers, who have currency for buying weapons and tools; Suppliers, who sell them; and Safes, which are worth a visit “if you can crack them.”

Completing contract missions also grants Mastery. This unlocks the upper levels of the Safehouse, new interiors, a wardrobe for starting disguises, a shooting range, and more. More Mastery also unlocks more customization items for the Safehouse, changing the inside and out in unique ways.

After the first mission, you receive a reward crate with three randomized items, which may help with the additional objectives. When it’s time for a Showdown, you’ll have an Intel Board that indicates the target’s Agenda, Tell, and Look. This will help in identifying them. Using the Suspect Camera, you’ll need to examine different suspects, compare them with the description, and tag them as suspects and non-suspects.

Assassins can also appear during a Showdown, hiding in plain sight and protecting the target. However, they may also be in other places, so it’s best to be cautious. Once the Showdown is complete, you’ll receive a reward crate that gives a randomized weapon or item. The chance for better items increases with more campaign progress. You also unlock Prestige Objectives for adding an extra layer of difficulty to missions for even more currency.

Hitman 3: Freelancer goes live on January 26th, 2023. Stay tuned for more details on its closed technical test shortly.

Roguelike mode Freelancer was announced earlier this year, and IO Interactive has now provided further details on its launch, and the road leading up to it. Previously set to launch in the second half of 2022, Freelancer will be added to Hitman 3 as a free update on January 26, 2023. The developer reveals that the scope of the mode has existed beyond its original ideas, and is now set to include “almost all locations” from the World of Assassination trilogy right off the bat.

Before that, IO Interactive is also releasing a closed technical test for the mode, the primary purpose of which is to stress test servers, and to get a better idea of how players will behave in order to make adjustments and balance changes to the mode’s economy and progression mechanics.

“From customising the safehouse, to eliminating syndicate leaders and unlocking mastery, you’ll be able to try the core elements of the mode,” the developer writes. “But we’re keeping some things under wraps too!” The closed technical test is set for sometime in November- the specifics on when it will begin, how players can access it, what content it will feature, and how long it will let players play will be revealed in a second “Road to Freelancer” post coming later this month.

Several more of these posts will also be published by IO Interactive in the lead up to the mode’s launch early next year, with one coming in November, and more arriving in December. Meanwhile, the roadmap for Hitman 3’s monthly update for October will be revealed on October 6.

Hitman 3 is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC, as well as the Nintendo Switch (via the cloud).