The Hitman 6 aka Hitman 2015 release date has been set for December 8th, 2015 (worldwide), for the digital version of the game on PlayStation 4, Xbox One & PC. A physical disc version will also be released sometime in early 2016. Officially titled simply “Hitman”, it is an open-world off & online expansion of “Hitman: Absolution“; but marks an all-new game in the series that takes the franchise in some new directions.
Check out 15 minutes of “Hitman 2015” gameplay footage in this “Showstopper” Mission Walkthrough video.
The Hitman 2015 video above focuses on the core Hitman experience – creative stealth gameplay, disguises, hiding in plain sight and the choice and freedom of approach that is the hallmark of the series. Featuring the Parisian “Showstopper” mission set in Paris, the playthrough aims to give fans insight into the mechanics of Hitman while not spoiling the game.
In Hitman 6, players are given a completely open-world to explore with complete freedom that is more freeform and less linear than Hitman: Absolution, the goal being to make every mission akin to a hunk of “Swiss Cheese”. In other words, these “Swiss Cheese Levels” will offer missions that are plenty & varied, with holes all over the place offering for the largest amount of variety that the series has seen yet.
Whereas Hitman: Absolution (the last game in the franchise, the fifth core-entry, released in 2012 for Xbox 360, PS3, PC & Mac) featured 30 to 40 NPC’s (non-playable characters) to interact with, Hitman 2015 will feature over 300 NPCs! All of whom have their own routines & personalities, and whom can be assassinated or interacted with in a multitudes of ways, and how you interact with them will change the game.
Levels in Hitman 6 will be much, much grander than the last game. Levels are reportedly six or seven times larger than the biggest levels in Hitman: Absolution, and the game structure will be closer to that of Hitman: Blood Money, than Hitman: Absolution; which should satisfy hardcore fans who were somewhat disappointed with the approach of the last game.
Hitman 2015 will also present players with a living world that constantly evolves via online updates. Instead of offering Paid DLC, Expansion Packs or Season Passes, Hitman 6 will only cost $60 and all additional Downloadable Content will be free!
The newly added Targets & Missions; and all-new content will be released on a regular basis. Additionally, some missions will only happen at certain times, and some of this content will be entirely missable. Which means you may have only one chance to assassinate a certain target, before he disappears for good (never to be seen again). This will keep players engaged and on their toes, as well as truly allowing fans to feel involved in the world unlike ever before. Essentially offering Hitman as a “service”.
Check out this introduction to the world of Hitman 6.
Hitman will see players perform contract hits on powerful, high-profile targets in exotic locations around the world, from the highly fashionable Paris and sunny coast of Italy to the dust and hustle of the markets in Marrakesh in this creative stealth action game.
“This is a true Hitman fantasy, a highly challenging, thinking person’s game where creativity is rewarded,” said Christian Elverdam, Creative Director of longtime Hitman series developer Io-Interactive. “You have the power and intelligence of Agent 47 at your fingertips and it is your choice whether to use brute force or orchestrate a genuine masterpiece of assassination.”
Gameplay focuses on taking out targets in huge and intricate sandbox levels with complete freedom of approach. Where to go, when to strike and who to kill – it is all up to you. And for the first time Hitman will lead with a digital release inviting players into a world of assassination.
“This is new ground for Hitman, coming out digital first enables us to do something new, bold and exciting,” said Hannes Seifert, Studio Head at Io-Interactive. “We are building a live, expanding and evolving world of assassination where we continuously develop the game, listening closely to the players as we release new locations, missions and hits as soon as they are ready – where $60 and not a dollar more gets you full access to the experience.”
Hitman will begin on December 8th, evolving and deepening over time, with this initial storyline concluding in 2016.
“This game marks a new direction for the studio,” continued Seifert. “With Hitman, we are not only embracing our core fans in a new way by bringing them closer to the development than ever before but we are also laying the foundation for a very exciting future by embracing what a live environment can offer a title like this. It is only the beginning for us and for Hitman.”
Give a look at this intense CG trailer for Hitman 2015.
I really like the way IO Interactive is going to offer all additional content as free, and allow certain missions to be timed & missable. A very cool idea!
I think this will really keep players engaged.
Although I hate it when they do the whole “name reboot” and simply self-title it. So confusing. Are we supposed to refer to it as “Hitman 6”? Or “Hitman 2015”? You can’t just say “Hitman”. Gah!
Are you excited about the new Hitman? (:P)