Back in March, Square Enix announced that Hitman Absolution, among other Eidos games, had failed to sell as well as expected. Then, earlier this morning, Hitman developer IO Interactive announced that they’ve been hit with lay-offs.
“We are making significant changes at IO Interactive as we align our business against a changing and challenging market,” the studio said in a statement sent to Develop Online.
“Hannes Seifert, formerly Production Director for 3 years at the studio, will take over the position of Studio Head at IO. The studio will focus resolutely on the future vision for the Hitman franchise and is in pre-production on a new triple-A Hitman project.
“However we have taken the difficult decision to cancel other studio projects and initiatives at IO and reduce the workforce in this studio, which will impact almost half of the employees currently at IO, as we make internal adjustments to face the challenges of today’s market.”
The statement added that IO are working on finding new jobs for the affected staff, either internally at other Square Enix studios or by contacting other companies.
