IO Interactive may be busy with 007 First Light and its fantasy project, but the studio has made it very clear that Hitman is far from finished.

Speaking with The Game Business, IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak reassured fans that the studio fully intends to return to Agent 47 in the future. While there hasn’t been a brand-new Hitman game for several years, Abrak explained that this is not because the franchise has been forgotten. Instead, IO Interactive simply has not had the time or space to properly rebuild, expand, and innovate the series while working on other major projects.

IO Wants to “Upgrade, Invent, and Innovate” Hitman Again

Abrak said the team is looking forward to getting back “into the weeds” with Hitman, adding that the studio “cannot wait” to return to the engine room and continue improving the franchise.

That wording is important, because it suggests IO Interactive does not want to simply repeat what it already achieved with the World of Assassination trilogy. The studio seems interested in taking time to rethink systems, upgrade technology, and find new ways to evolve the sandbox stealth formula.

For fans of Agent 47, that should be very reassuring. Hitman remains one of the most unique stealth franchises in gaming, and IO clearly understands how much value the series still has.

007 First Light Comes First

For now, IO Interactive’s main focus is 007 First Light, which launches on May 27, 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version planned later in the year.

The game tells an origin story for James Bond, showing a younger and less refined version of the character before he fully becomes the iconic 00 agent. Given IO’s experience with stealth, disguises, gadgets, and creative mission design, many players see 007 First Light as a natural fit for the studio.

Still, even with Bond taking center stage, Abrak’s comments make one thing clear: Agent 47 will return when the time is right.

Hitman’s Future Still Looks Strong

There is currently no official announcement for the next Hitman game, and fans should not expect anything immediate while IO focuses on Bond and Project Fantasy.

But the message from the studio is clear enough. Hitman is not being abandoned, and IO Interactive is already thinking about how to make its eventual return feel fresh, ambitious, and worthy of the franchise.