IO Interactive has announced that the next chapter in the highly successful Hitman franchise has been delayed until March 2016. The stealth title had originally been pencilled in for release on December 8 for PlayStation 4, PC and Xbox One.
The studio said the delay will allow them to incorporate more content for the game at launch, as well as ensure gamers can enjoy the best experience possible out of the title. More details on Hitman’s release and content plans will be divulged next week.
"These few extra months will mean we can add more to the launch content of the game, more than we had originally planned," commented IO, "and then follow with a tighter frequency of updates, which ultimately will create a better game for everyone. And in the end, that’s what we’re all looking for."
Unlike previous instalments in the long-running series, Hitman will be released digitally and is to be supported by numerous content drops throughout the next year. While limited content will be available at launch, the game’s delay at least means we will be getting more bang for our buck—Hitman is positioned as a full-price game, after all—come release day.
Hitman features a more open game design than Hitman: Absolution, allowing players to explore a sandbox-like environment and get creative with their kills. IO has said that each stage packs around 300 NPCs into the mix, with levels themselves around six-seven times larger than those in Absolution.
Unlike the last instalment in the series, Hitman does not feature a checkpoint system. Instead, gamers can opt to save their progress at any point. Contracts mode also makes a return alongside a simplified version of Absolution’s Instinct mode.
Hitman has seen two films released to date in the shape of Hitman (2007) and Hitman: Agent 47 (2015). Both films were panned by critics, with the latest movie flopping at the box office. Check out the latest Hitman screenshots here.