“Hitman (2016)” Will Be Episodic Release

Like a "Final Fantasy VII Remake?"

By Bryan Smith on January 14, 2016 at 11:37pm

Square Enix announced that "Hitman (2016)" will now be an episodic game.

Io-Interactive today released further details for HITMAN™ which launches on March 11th for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC.

A change to the release structure, sees HITMAN become a truly episodic AAA game experience, with a major live component. Where players will perform contract hits on powerful, high-profile targets in exotic locations around the world.

Starting with a Prologue Mission and a Paris location on March 11th, followed by the next location, set in Italy releasing in April and then Morocco releasing in May. From there HITMAN will deliver regular monthly content updates, including three additional locations; Thailand, the US and Japan until the season concludes in Japan later in 2016. With weekly live events and additional planned content in between the monthly updates.

Hannes Seifert, Head of Io-Interactive, discussed the idea of going episodic.

We decided to take the full leap and publish HITMAN as a truly episodic game experience. Part of that decision is for that little bit of extra time to ensure every location we release is at the quality level fitting for a HITMAN game. But the main driving reason is that this will allow us to create a living game that will expand and evolve over time and establish a foundation for the future – this is the first game in a storyline which will continue and expand with future Hitman games. Hannes Seifert

Square also announced how the first part (at the very least) will be priced.

A new Intro Pack now contains Prologue and Paris levels and will release at the new price of $15 (or local equivalent). Each subsequent location will be priced at $10 as an add-on item to the Intro Pack*. Alternatively, players can buy the Full Experience up front for $60. This includes all of this year’s content as it’s released, and guarantees them not to miss any live or bonus content.

Square stated that the disc version of the game will release near the end of the year. There will also be betas for the game for PlayStation 4 (Feb. 12) and PC (Feb. 19). This episodic approach may be similar to "Final Fantasy VII Remake," though how they will approach the remake is unknown.

Source: Square Enix Press Release