IO Interactive emerged as one of Europe's most innovative game development studios, gaining prominence with its Hitman franchise. The series, which began with Hitman: Codename 47 in 2000, pioneered new approaches to stealth gameplay, physics simulation, and sandbox-style level design.
By the mid-2000s, IOI had established itself as a premier developer under the ownership of Eidos Interactive (acquired in 2004), which was later purchased by Square Enix. The franchise reached a creative peak with 2006's Hitman: Blood Money, a title that would serve as a standard-bearer for the series' most beloved qualities.
What distinguished the early Hitman games was their emphasis on player choice, sandbox environments, and the satisfaction of meticulously planning and executing the perfect assassination. These games positioned players as the calculating Agent 47, providing them with complex environments filled with opportunities, disguises, and methods to eliminate targets.
Christian Elverdam, who joined after the launch of Blood Money, recalls: "I vividly recall the first day I went to work and I, you know, that experience you get walking in the door and going, hey, I'm actually working here."
Despite the studio's expansion and diversification into other IPs like Kane and Lynch and Mini Ninjas, Hitman remained their flagship franchise and defined their creative identity. However, as the industry evolved, the studio would face pressures to adapt their core formula to changing market demands.
One notable aspect of IO Interactive's development was the gradual turnover of its founding team. By the time of our study:
This generational shift in talent created both challenges and opportunities for the franchise's evolution. New team members brought fresh perspectives, but maintaining the essence of what made Hitman special required careful guardianship of the series' core identity.
Industry Context: The mid-2000s were a period of significant consolidation in the gaming industry. Independent studios were frequently acquired by larger publishers seeking to expand their portfolio of intellectual properties. IO Interactive's acquisition by Eidos in 2004 followed this pattern, providing financial stability but also introducing new commercial pressures that would eventually influence creative decisions.
After the success of Blood Money, IO Interactive faced the daunting challenge of creating a successor for a new console generation. The development of Hitman: Absolution began during a period of changing industry trends, with major publishers pushing for more accessible, action-oriented experiences.