Only for the latest game, for now.
Warner Bros. has announced that it has entered into an agreement with Io Interactive to publish Hitman, and will release Hitman: The Definitive Edition on May 18.
Last year, Square Enix withdrew its ownership of Io, but the Danish developer retained the Hitman license.
Warner Bros.’ announcement currently only concerns the existing first season of the latest Hitman game, but with the announcement of a new Hitman game on the horizon, this could indicate a future relationship too.
“Working with a partner like WBIE means that the team at IOI can stay focused on what we’re good at, making games”, said Io CEO Hakan Abrak.
Hitman: The Definitive Edition will be released for PS4 and Xbox One (with Pro and X enhanced versions) and will include the entirety of Season 1, the Game of the Year Edition content, Summer Bonus episode, Blood Money Requiem pack, and an Io 20th Anniversary Outfit bundle.
The latter bundle adds extra outfits for Agent 47 themed after Io’s other IPs – Freedom Fighters, Kane & Lynch and Mini Ninjas.
Hitman took an unconventional episodic approach in its 2016 incarnation – one that proved controversial, but that ultimately proved successful. We called the final episode, Hokkaido “vintage Hitman at its most creative“.
Joe Skrebels is IGN’s UK News Editor, and he cannot wait to see those Kane and Lynch costumes. Follow him on Twitter.