[Update] Hitman’s future is uncertain as Square Enix to withdraw its business from IO Interactive

Update: According to IO Interactive, the developer has started discussions with potential new investors and is currently in negotiations to secure this investment. Let’s hope this works out and the studio is saved. It looks like Square Enix made this decision due to the latest Hitman game’s low sales.

Today, Square Enix issued a rather shocking statement regarding IO Interactive. According to the publisher, they’ve decided to “withdraw from the business of IO Interactive, a wholly-owned subsidiary” of Square Enix. While the legal language is confusing, this means that Square Enix won’t invest in the developer anymore. Without investors, studios die. IO Interactive are known for making games like Hitman so the future of that franchise also hangs in the balance.

Last we heard, IO Interactive was working on Hitman: Season Two so that project may be put on hold until the developer finds another publisher or investor. It’s unclear whether the studio is up for sale too. We’ve reached out to IO Interactive and Square Enix for comment and shall update this story as soon as we know more.