IO Interactive, the creators of hitman, have announced that they are working on a new fantasy RPG. is codenamed “Project Fantasy”. Few details about the game were shared beyond some general ambitions for what IO Interactive wants to pursue in a game like this which is a first for the studio, but we do know that it will be an online RPG.
In a post announcing the new game, IO Interactive began by recounting the growth of the Hitman series over time, as it expanded to include three main games and a lot of additional content added later. While a fantasy RPG is very different from the Hitman series, IO Interactive suggested that its learnings regarding community interactions and creating an “ever-expanding world” will be applicable to this new fantasy game.
“Now we are sharing with all of you that we are embarking on a new adventure,” said IO Interactive. “One that expands our creativity, our capabilities and, in a sense, our identity. We are building a new world, a new IP, an online fantasy RPG. A world and game built from the core to entertain players and expand for many years to come. It feels familiar, but at the same time IOI is embarking on a journey unlike any we’ve been on before.”
It is inspired by the books of Fighting Fantasy, where players work together on a fantasy quest led by a master of the game. The idea that a “diverse group of individuals with different skills and strengths can work together and become more than the sum of their parts” inspired the developer. IO Interactive also confirmed that all of its studios, from Copenhagen and Malmö to Barcelona, are developing it.
The developer went on to say that this type of game is something the team has wanted to do for a long time. Some influences were also shared on what drove individual developers to make a game like this, which should be relatable to those who have been piqued by news of a new fantasy RPG.
A release window for the Project Fantasy game has yet to be announced and neither have the platforms. However, its Senior Combat Designer listing indicates a console and PC release, so that’s a start.