You can kiss goodbye to any hopes of a Mini Ninjas sequel. A spokesperson for Square Enix Europe has told Games Industry International that Danish developer IO Interactive has had all of its projects cancelled and its workforce cut in half as it refocuses on the Hitman franchise. In the process, former production manager Hannes Seifert has been named the studio head.
“We are making significant changes at IO Interactive as we align our business against a changing and challenging market,” the publisher said. “The studio will focus resolutely on the future vision for the Hitman franchise and is in pre-production on a new AAA Hitman project. However, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel other studio projects and initiatives at IO Interactive and reduce the workforce in this studio, which will impact almost half of the employees.”
IO Interactive spent a large chunk of the current generation experimenting, producing the aforementioned family-friendly platformer and two controversial Kane & Lynch games. However, it will now focus its attention solely on Agent 47 and crew, alongside Square Enix Montreal, who is supposedly working on a new game in the Hitman series, too. Naturally, our thoughts go out to all of those affected by the layoffs.
Comments 3
I really hope this group doesn't get run into the ground because of the stupidity of Square Enix. Three million sellers and each considered a 'failure' by SE and the next Deus Ex is an i device game. Tells you all you need to know about that company right now.
It's a tough market out there. The only game of theirs I've played is Kane and Lynch 2. It wasn't very good.
Well, the first Kane and Lynch games was quite OK. I mean it had a nice feeling, like you were really there.
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