New open world Hitman game to be revealed later this year says IO Interactive

The next Hitman game will be revealed later this year, developers IO Interactive have confirmed.

The game is well known to exist, but details have been thin on the ground.

IO Interactive confirmed that we'll find out more about the feature in response to a fan question on Twitter which read: "There's more info coming this year and we can't wait to share it!"

2012's Hitman: Absolution was savaged by critics and fans alike, but the series endures and plans are afoot for big changes.

Last year the studio revealed some details about the game, saying it will adopt "open, non-linear level design" taking place in "huge, checkpoint-free sandbox levels".

"Our aim is to create living, breathing, and believable levels which will allow gamers to play around with the AI to create those unique moments every fan of the Hitman franchise loves."

Contracts Mode – a mission editor which debuted in Absolution – will also return in the new game. They also stated that they have "removed [Agent] 47's magic pockets" in reference to his ability to holster a wide variety of large weaponry without showing any sign of it upon his person.

Last year the IP was expanded with the hugely successful Hitman Go mobile game, which captured the series' spirit in an unlikely board game style puzzle title.