Editing IO Interactive (section)

=== Acquisition by Eidos Interactive, further ''Hitman'' releases (2004–2006) ===
On 3 March 2004, Eidos Interactive announced that they were acquiring IO Interactive for {{GBP|23&nbsp;million|link=yes}} in cash and stock, plus another {{GBP|5&nbsp;million}} linked to the studio's performance in the following four years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/eidos-acquires-hitman-developer-as-profits-rise |title=Eidos acquires Hitman developer as profits rise |first=Rob |last=Fahey |date=4 March 2004 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=22 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922203243/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/eidos-acquires-hitman-developer-as-profits-rise |archive-date=22 September 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/eidos-announces-results-and-acquisition-of-io-interactive/1100-6090628/ |title=Eidos announces results and acquisition of Io Interactive |first=Justin |last=Calvert |date=4 March 2004 |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142605/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/eidos-announces-results-and-acquisition-of-io-interactive/1100-6090628/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The deal closed on 31 March that year.<ref name="Berlingske Business" /> At the time, IO Interactive was Europe's 10th largest video game developer, with 140 staff members employed at their offices.<ref name="Berlingske Business" /> The sale was primarily negotiated by founding member Flösser.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.business.dk/diverse/portraet-flygtningen-og-forretningsmanden-floesser |title=Portræt: Flygtningen og forretningsmanden Flösser |language=da |trans-title=Portrait: The refugee and businessman Flösser |date=4 March 2004 |website=[[Berlingske Business]] |access-date=14 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714164427/https://www.business.dk/diverse/portraet-flygtningen-og-forretningsmanden-floesser |archive-date=14 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The first game to release under Eidos Interactive's management was ''[[Hitman: Contracts]]'', the third game in the ''Hitman'' franchise, which was announced and released in April that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hitman-contracts-update/1100-6093118/ |title=Hitman: Contracts Update |first=Ricardo |last=Torres |date=7 April 2004 |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143712/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hitman-contracts-update/1100-6093118/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The game was developed in about nine months, from concept stage to console submission, but was under the influence of [[Crunch (video games)|"crunch time"]] throughout the entire development.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/25/killing-them-softly-the-hitman-story-part-2 |title=Killing Them Softly: The Hitman Story, Part 2 |first=Luke |last=Reilly |date=24 February 2013 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612145928/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/25/killing-them-softly-the-hitman-story-part-2 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Contracts'' received positive reception.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/17/hitman-contracts-2 |title=Hitman: Contracts |first=Douglass C. |last=Perry |date=16 April 2004 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612151356/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/17/hitman-contracts-2 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_hitmancontracts_ps2 |title=Hitman: Contracts |first=Kristan |last=Reed |date=15 April 2004 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612231243/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_hitmancontracts_ps2 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The next game, ''[[Hitman: Blood Money]]'', was announced shortly afterwards, in November 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2004/11/05/hitman-blood-money-announced/ |title=Hitman: Blood Money announced |first=James |last=Ransom-Wiley |date=5 November 2004 |website=[[Engadget]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142137/https://www.engadget.com/2004/11/05/hitman-blood-money-announced/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Released in May 2006,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news130406bloodmoney |title=Hitman: Blood Money dated |first=Tom |last=Bramwell |date=13 April 2006 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612235305/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news130406bloodmoney |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> the game was praised by critics and retrospectively multiply referred to as the best game in the ''Hitman'' series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/reinstall-hitman-blood-money/ |title=Reinstall: Hitman: Blood Money |first=Tom |last=Francis |date=10 February 2013 |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141042/https://www.pcgamer.com/reinstall-hitman-blood-money/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-18-hitman-blood-money-retrospective |title=Hitman: Blood Money retrospective |first=Phill |last=Cameron |date=18 November 2012 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612233834/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-18-hitman-blood-money-retrospective |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>