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Hitman Has Been Delayed Until March 2016, Release Format Adjusted
IO Interactive’s return to the Hitman universe is going to take a few months longer. The developer and publisher Square Enix have announced a delay out of 2015.
IO says that the extra time will allow for more content in the initial release. Hitman will be released digital-first, as IO plans to add more content along the way.
The delay allows the developer to front load more of the game, rather than spreading it out across an extended release cycle. “We’re going for a new release model where we put out a good chunk of the game when it begins and then release the remaining locations over time,” IO writes. “We want to make absolutely sure you all get the best possible experience when you join, so we’ve made the difficult decision to move the initial release date to March 2016. These few extra months will mean we can add more to the launch content of the game, more than we had originally planned, 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.”
For more on Hitman, check out our recent coverage. Hitman is planned for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.
[Source: Square Enix]
Our Take
While IO Interactive has provided some clarity around its original release plans, front-loading more of the content and delivering updates in a more concise format is going to be an easier sell to consumers. It also means that a retail version might be along sooner (if not alongside a digital release).
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