Hitman 3 has "more surprises to come," teases developer IO Interactive

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Expect an announcement later this year

A screenshot of the back of Hitman character Agent 47's head.
(Image credit: IO Interactive)

Hitman 3 might've launched well over three years ago at this point, but developer IO Interactive has "more surprises to come to the game."

Speaking to GamesRadar+ in a new interview, IO Interactive chief development officer Veronique Lallier touched on the current state of the Hitman franchise. It turns out that adding Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor to Hitman 3 as a temporary Elusive Target was a huge hit, causing a significant spike in active players for the three-year-old game.

Lallier says Hitman 3 has a maintained its player count at a "steady line" since McGregor's debut a matter of weeks ago, which is even more impressive considering McGregor was available as an Elusive Target for just three days in late June. Elusive Targets are, as their name suggests, extremely rare, and McGregor was no exception. 

It might not come as a surprise, then, to learn that IOI isn't done with Hitman 3 by any means. Lallier teases that, after new Elusive Targets like McGregor and the roguelike Freelancer mode last year, the developer still has "more surprises to come to the game," and right now they're pencilled in for a reveal later this year.

Elsewhere in the new interview, Lallier told GamesRadar+ that the developer's new Project Fantasy is a "vibrant" game that will hopefully innovate in the online RPG space, while switching to Project 007 after years working on the Hitman games felt "organic," because it was close to the studio's "DNA."

Take a look at our new games 2024 guide for an overview of all the new titles that'll probably be with us well before both of IO Interactive's new projects.

Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.