With Hitman: Freelancer promising to be the last substantial content update for the now eight year-long run of the World of Assassination trilogy, it's understandable to wonder if there will be a Hitman 4 release in the future. Thankfully, while IO Interactive hasn't announced its plans for Hitman 4 yet, the developer has assured fans that the franchise isn't concluding any time soon. There's tons of potential to push the game's universe even further based on how the latest installment ended, but Hitman: Freelancer will be the last new Hitman game for a while.
IO Interactive has released its past four main Hitman titles two years apart, but the developer has recently shifted focus to a brand-new franchise. The studio is currently working on a new game tentatively titled Project 007, so Agent 47 will take a backseat to James Bond for the time being. Still, the genetically-enhanced killer is destined for a monumental comeback.
What IO Interactive Said About Hitman 4
IO Interactive actually stated its commitment to the franchise before Hitman 3 was even released. The developer's co-owner Christian Elverdam told Game Informer on December 31, 2020, that he felt good about walking away from the franchise after concluding the World of Assassination trilogy with Hitman 3. Elverdam reassured fans that while Agent 47 will be on hiatus for the time being, it's not the end of the Hitman series "at all." In the same interview, CEO and co-owner Hakan Abrak stated:
I think, moving forward, IO should not necessarily be mentioned as ‘The Hitman studio IO Interactive,’ but first and foremost, people should think about IO Interactive as IO Interactive first, creators of different IPs and a place of creativity where Hitman is definitely one of our children, but there are going to be more children in the future. And one of them is 007.
While it's nice to see the developer moving into new territory, the release and reception of Hitman: Freelancer has made it clear players are still anxious to live out their Agent 47 fantasies. Knowing the company still values the world of Hitman and wants to make games like Hitman 4 in the future is likely reassuring to many players, and it is something which was also made abundantly clear during the ending of Hitman 3.
How Hitman 3's Ending Teases Hitman 4
The beginning of Hitman 3's ending see Agent 47's handler, Diana Burnwood, seemingly betray the title's long-time protagonist and turn him over to The Constant (Arthur Edwards). Setting up Agent 47 turns out to be a ploy to get him to kill The Constant so that Diana can assume the position herself. The final mission orders Agent 47 to find and take out Edwards. Players have the choice to kill him or wipe his memory, which results in the same conclusion. From there, Agent 47 appears to walk away from his life as a murderer-for-hire, but his work is far from over.
Want to watch Hitman 3's ending scenes for yourself, including Hitman 3's secret ending (which is actually a callback to the original game)? Check them all out in the compilation video from Games From Mars on YouTube below!
Hitman 3's epilogue picks up a year after Arthur's assassination and shows one final conversation between Agent 47 and Diana that plays out as a cutscene. He says, "I chose this path because I can. There will always be people like them, So there will always be people like us." Diana responds with, "No one is untouchable," which brings a smile across 47's face and makes him say, "It's good to be back." This final Hitman 3 ending scene sets up Agent 47 and Diana as rogue agents, no longer with The Agency but operating under their own rules and jurisdictions.
A new chapter of Hitman, likely titled Hitman 4, will be released eventually at some point in the future, with Agent 47 and Diana now working together as equal partners, as opposed to their past handler-and-tool relationship. IO Interactive hasn't announced exactly what it has planned for the franchise after the launch of Hitman: Freelancer, but Agent 47 is by no means decommissioned. Just don't expect Hitman 4 to come out before Project 007's release.
Sources: Game Informer, Games From Mars/YouTube
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Hitman 3
- Franchise:
- Hitman
- Platform:
- Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
- Released:
- 2021-01-20
- Developer:
- IO Interactive
- Publisher:
- IO Interactive
- Genre:
- Third-Person Shooter, Stealth
- ESRB:
- M
- Summary:
- The conclusion to the mainline Hitman franchise, also known as the World of Assassination trilogy, Hitman 3 sees the return of professional hitman Agent 47 as he hunts down those in control of the shadowy organization known as Providence. Players will traverse the world as they take contracts to annihilate targets any way they see fit, via guns blazing or through perfect stealth sequences. As a benefit, those who own Hitman 3 can play through the entirety of Hitman 1 and 2 to experience the entire trilogy in one seamless experience.
- Expansion Packs :
- Seven Deadly Sins Act 1-7
- Prequel:
- Hitman 2
- How Long To Beat:
- 8 Hours
