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Square Enix CEO has high hopes for Hitman despite parting ways with creator

By Gabe Gurwin Published June 15, 2022

HITMAN - Elusive Targets: Reactivated

Earlier this summer, Japanese publisher Square Enix parted ways with developer IO Interactive, which is best known for creating the Hitman series. The split saw IO retain control of the Hitman series and the recent Hitman reboot, but despite Square Enix’s decision to drop the franchise, CEO Yosuke Matsuda still believes it can succeed.

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Matsuda explained that investing in subsequent seasons of the Hitman series wouldn’t have made financial sense for Square Enix despite the commercial success of the original release, and he hinted that this could be in part due to the company’s recent deal to produce games based on Marvel Comics properties. However, Matsuda acknowledged that Hitman still had legs if it could be properly funded, and so it opted to give IO Interactive control of the intellectual property when the two split.

“A decision had to be made in terms of our relationship with the Hitman team,” Matsuda said. “I wanted them to continue to develop the game, but I thought in terms of investing further in the game, it would be best if they worked with another partner other than ourselves.”

Since the split was made, IO Interactive wasted no time in producing — and re-releasing — content for the game. The “Elusive Targets,” which appeared as timed challenges in 2016, returned earlier in November so new players had a chance to take them out, as did the exclusive rewards given out for those who succeed.

“I love the game, and I believe the fans of Hitman think it’s only Hitman if it’s made by IO,” Matsuda said. “So I thought that was the best way for the game to continue, and that’s why we were supportive of the [management buyout] and of course didn’t mind if they continued to use the IP.”

Hitman is available now for

PlayStation 4

,

Xbox One

, and

PC

. Its “Game of the Year Edition” includes a new story campaign dubbed “Patient Zero,” which takes places on the existing Bangkok, Sapienza, Colorado, and Hokkaido maps. A successor to the game — either a second season or a full sequel — is also in the works, but IO is currently tight-lipped on a release date.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…

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"Players can be excited about some remakes, which will allow us to revisit some of the games we've created in the past and modernize them," he says, implying that it could pertain to games made before Odyssey. "There are worlds in some of our older Assassin's Creed games that are still extremely rich."

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Surfaced patent shows what an Xbox streaming console would’ve looked like

An Xbox Series X sits next to both Series S models.

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The patent, first spotted by Windows Central, gives us a more complete view of the device. We've previously seen the Keystone in the flesh. Microsoft Gaming head Phil Spencer is known for hiding teases and interesting collectibles on the shelf in his office. In a 2022 X (formerly Twitter) post congratulating Bethesda on Fallout's 25th anniversary, you can see a small white device on the top shelf that's actually a Keystone prototype. Xbox told Digital Trends that it was a version of the device made before it decided to "refocus our efforts on a new approach.”

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Wordle Today: Wordle answer and hints for June 28

Someone playing Wordle on a smartphone.

We have the solution to Wordle on June 28, as well as some helpful hints to help you figure out the answer yourself, right here. We've placed the answer at the bottom of the page, so we don't ruin the surprise before you've had a chance to work through the clues. So let's dive in, starting with a reminder of yesterday's answer.
Yesterday's Wordle answer
Let's start by first reminding ourselves of yesterday's Wordle answer for those new to the game or who don't play it daily, which was "ORDER." So we can say that the Wordle answer today definitely isn't that. Now, with that in mind, perhaps take another stab at it using one of these Wordle starting words and circle back if you have no luck.
Hints for today's Wordle
Still can't figure it out? We have today's Wordle answer right here, below. But first, one more thing: Let's take a look at three hints that could help you find the solution, without giving it away, so there's no need to feel guilty about keeping your streak alive -- you put in some work, after all! Or just keep scrolling for the answer.

Today’s Wordle includes the letter D.
Today’s Wordle uses two vowels.
Today's Wordle can refer to a large number of animals, particularly livestock like cattle or sheep, that are moving together in a group.