Agent 47 Will Return: IOI Confirms Next Hitman Entry After World of Assassination Update

Following Square Enix’s withdrawal from its Western studios, the future of IO Interactive once looked uncertain. Instead, the independent Danish developer emerged stronger, retained the Hitman franchise, rebuilt its footing, and secured one of the industry’s most coveted projects in 007 First Light. For long-time fans wondering when Agent 47 will step out of the shadows again, the studio has finally offered clarity.

During a recent interview with Variety, IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak confirmed that a new Hitman game is officially part of the studio’s long-term roadmap. The reassurance reinforces IOI’s commitment to the franchise that defined its identity long before it became a Bond custodian.

World of Assassination Comes First

Although the next standalone entry is on the horizon, Abrak made it clear that the studio’s immediate priority is to continue expanding Hitman: World of Assassination. The centrepiece of this evolution is a new co-operative multiplayer mode, which IOI believes embodies the natural progression of the series’ design philosophy.

The co-op mode is expected to be the studio’s primary focus throughout 2026 as the team refines its systems and ensures that it fits seamlessly within the franchise’s framework. Only once this milestone is reached will the conversation shift back toward shaping the next full instalment.

A Studio Confident in Its Legacy

Despite years of debate among fans over which Hitman titles stand above the rest, IO Interactive appears content with its creative history. Lead Level Designer Jacob Mikkelsen addressed the topic directly, stating that the studio has no regrets about any of the instalments released so far. In his words, he would not change a single thing about them.

This level of confidence suggests that the next game will draw on the strengths of World of Assassination, continuing IOI’s vision of interconnected sandbox design supported by deep systemic play.

Agent 47 Will Return, but Not Yet

While enthusiasm continues to build, the studio has offered no timeline or tease for Hitman 4. With IOI also simultaneously developing the aforementioned Bond game and Project Fantasy, the next chapter for Agent 47 will take time to surface. For now, fans will need to remain patient as the co-op mode becomes the studio’s primary focus. The one certainty, however, is that the world’s deadliest bald assassin is far from done.