Editing IO Interactive (section)

=== Management buyout, further ''Hitman'' games, ''Project 007'' (2017–present) ===
Seifert announced in February 2017 that he had left IO Interactive to return to his home country of Austria to pursue an unannounced project.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-02-23-io-interactive-names-new-studio-head |title=IO Interactive names new studio head |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=23 February 2017 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141010/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-02-23-io-interactive-names-new-studio-head |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Hakan B. Abrak, also formerly production director for the studio, took over his duties, becoming [[chief executive officer]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gamasutra.com/view/news/292308/IO_Interactive_studio_head_leaves_Hitman_dev_after_seven_years.php |title=IO Interactive studio head leaves ''Hitman'' dev after seven years |first=Chris |last=Kerr |date=23 February 2017 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140153/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/292308/IO_Interactive_studio_head_leaves_Hitman_dev_after_seven_years.php |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/agent-47-is-bald-because-hair-was-just-too-difficult-504594.phtml |title=Agent 47 is bald because hair was just too difficult |first=Jordan |last=Devore |date=26 May 2018 |website=[[Destructoid]] |access-date=22 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922203515/https://www.destructoid.com/agent-47-is-bald-because-hair-was-just-too-difficult-504594.phtml |archive-date=22 September 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2017, Square Enix announced that they had withdrawn funding from IO Interactive and would begin negotiating with potential investors that would want to purchase the studio.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/11/15623158/io-interactive-square-enix-split-hitman |title=Square Enix drops Hitman developer IO Interactive |first=Samit |last=Sarkar |date=11 May 2017 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831213743/https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/11/15623158/io-interactive-square-enix-split-hitman |archive-date=31 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Several jobs were cut at IO Interactive shortly following that announcement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-05-23-jobs-lost-at-io-interactive-as-square-enix-searches-for-buyer |title=Jobs lost at IO Interactive as Square Enix searches for buyer |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=23 May 2017 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142911/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-05-23-jobs-lost-at-io-interactive-as-square-enix-searches-for-buyer |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/23/15680104/hitman-io-interactive-layoffs |title=Hitman studio IO Interactive cuts down on staff |first=Allegra |last=Frank |date=23 May 2017 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140827/https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/23/15680104/hitman-io-interactive-layoffs |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 June 2017, IO Interactive announced that it had performed a [[management buyout]], as a result of which they became independent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/io-interactive-becomes-an-independent-studio-retains-hitman-ip/ |title=IO Interactive becomes an independent studio, retains Hitman IP |first=Sean |last=Cleaver |date=16 June 2017 |website=[[MCV (magazine)|MCV]] |access-date=22 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922203518/https://www.mcvuk.com/io-interactive-becomes-an-independent-studio-retains-hitman-ip/ |archive-date=22 September 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-06-16-io-interactive-is-now-independent |title=IO Interactive is now independent |first=Matthew |last=Handrahan |date=21 June 2017 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143754/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-06-16-io-interactive-is-now-independent |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Square Enix retained a minor financial stake in IO Interactive.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_stW6JvB4SI |title=The Fall & Rise of Hitman (Documentary) |author=Noclip |author-link=Noclip |date=29 July 2019 |website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=26 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211130535/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_stW6JvB4SI&feature=applinks |archive-date=11 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The buyout also included the [[intellectual property]] (IP) for ''Hitman'' and ''Freedom Fighters'', but lacked that of ''Kane & Lynch'' and ''Mini Ninjas''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-11-13-io-interactive-targets-more-hitman-and-more-control |title=More Hitman, more control: IO Interactive on its newfound independence |first=Matthew |last=Handrahan |date=13 November 2017 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143654/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-11-13-io-interactive-targets-more-hitman-and-more-control |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/hitman/hitman-io-interactive-freedom-fighters |title=Io Interactive still have the rights to Freedom Fighters |first=Dustin |last=Bailey |date=13 November 2017 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162224/https://www.pcgamesn.com/hitman/hitman-io-interactive-freedom-fighters |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/io-interactive-boss-talks-hitmans-future-reveals-kane-lynch-were-lost-in-the-divorce-from-square-enix |title=IO Interactive boss talks Hitman's future & reveals Kane & Lynch were lost 'in the divorce' from Square Enix |author=VideoGamer.com Staff |date=13 November 2017 |website=VideoGamer.com |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162114/https://www.videogamer.com/news/io-interactive-boss-talks-hitmans-future-reveals-kane-lynch-were-lost-in-the-divorce-from-square-enix |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Yosuke Matsuda, [[President (corporate title)|president]] and chief executive officer of Square Enix at the time, stated that the company's decision to divest itself of IO Interactive, alongside ''Hitman'', was made because they felt like the series needed to go on, but would be in better hands with another partner or with IO Interactive itself.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-11-22-its-not-hitman-without-io-why-square-enix-set-the-franchise-free |title="It's not Hitman without IO": Why Square Enix set the franchise free |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=22 November 2017 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143321/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-11-22-its-not-hitman-without-io-why-square-enix-set-the-franchise-free |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/26/square-enix-share-their-reasons-for-dropping-hitman-studio-io/ |title=Square Enix share their reasons for dropping Hitman studio Io |first=Dominic |last=Tarason |date=26 November 2017 |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140823/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/26/square-enix-share-their-reasons-for-dropping-hitman-studio-io/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> IO Interactive's associate director, Eskil Mohl, said that, when Square Enix decided to withdraw from the studio, they were already working on ''Hitman 2'', and the job cuts were a necessary step to make sure that the studio would remain viable without Square Enix's backing; Mohl felt that this helped harden the studio to make ''Hitman 2'' a stronger game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hitman-2-developer-talks-about-its-painful-breakup/1100-6462849/ |title=Hitman 2 Developer Talks About Its Painful Breakup With Square Enix |first=Eddie |last=Makuch |date=28 October 2018 |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=29 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029075405/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hitman-2-developer-talks-about-its-painful-breakup/1100-6462849/ |archive-date=29 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

IO Interactive confirmed shortly after the split that all profits from 2016's ''Hitman'' would from that point go directly to the studio.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/hitman/hitman-denuvo-removed-io-profits |title=Hitman is no longer Denuvo-protected; all profits from the game now go to the devs |first=Kirk |last=McKeand |date=20 June 2017 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140502/https://www.pcgamesn.com/hitman/hitman-denuvo-removed-io-profits |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In August that year, the studio confirmed that another ''Hitman'' game was in development.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-08-io-interactive-confirms-that-theres-a-new-hitman-in-the-works |title=IO Interactive confirms that there's a new Hitman in the works |first=Matt |last=Wales |date=8 November 2017 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612231830/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-08-io-interactive-confirms-that-theres-a-new-hitman-in-the-works |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2018, IO Interactive partnered with [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] (WBIE) to distribute a ''Definitive Edition'' of 2016's ''Hitman'', which was released in the following month.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/4/17197174/hitman-definitive-edition-release-date-io-interactive-warner-bros |title=Hitman getting new 'Definitive Edition,' thanks to Warner Bros. |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |date=4 April 2018 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612135919/https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/4/17197174/hitman-definitive-edition-release-date-io-interactive-warner-bros |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/hitman-developers-team-up-with-warner-bros-to-release-new-definitive-edition |title=Hitman Developers Team Up With Warner Bros. to Release New "Definitive Edition" of Hitman |first=Matt |last=Kim |date=4 April 2018 |website=[[USgamer]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141848/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/hitman-developers-team-up-with-warner-bros-to-release-new-definitive-edition |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2018, IO Interactive announced ''[[Hitman 2 (2018 video game)|Hitman 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hitman-2-announced-for-november-see-the-first-trailer/ |title=Hitman 2 announced for November, see the first trailer |first=Christopher |last=Livingston |date=7 June 2018 |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180610095435/https://www.pcgamer.com/hitman-2-announced-for-november-see-the-first-trailer/ |archive-date=10 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike 2016's ''Hitman'', ''Hitman 2'' does not feature an episodic release format.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/hitman-2/hitman-2-reveal-trailer |title=Hitman 2 will release this year and is not episodic |first=Ali |last=Jones |date=7 June 2018 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |access-date=7 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608225527/https://www.pcgamesn.com/hitman-2/hitman-2-reveal-trailer |archive-date=8 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Published by WBIE, ''Hitman 2'' was released in November that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/7/17438514/hitman-2-release-date-announcement |title=Hitman 2 announced, coming this November |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |date=7 June 2018 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=7 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180607182754/https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/7/17438514/hitman-2-release-date-announcement |archive-date=7 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 January 2019, IO Interactive opened a subsidiary studio, IOI Malmö, in [[Malmö]], Sweden.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/725893/IO+Interactive+reveals+brand+new+studio+in+Malmo/ |title=IO Interactive reveals brand new studio in Malmö |first=Sergio |last=Figueroa |date=16 January 2019 |website=[[Gamereactor]] |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116194321/https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/725893/IO+Interactive+reveals+brand+new+studio+in+Malmo/ |archive-date=16 January 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> IO Interactive continued its partnership with WBIE and, by October 2019, had turned it into a multi-IP deal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-10-warner-bros-partners-with-io-interactive-for-new-game |title=Warner Bros partners with IO Interactive for new game |first=Rebekah |last=Valentine |date=10 October 2019 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=11 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010225956/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-10-warner-bros-partners-with-io-interactive-for-new-game |archive-date=10 October 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2020, IO Interactive announced ''[[Hitman 3]]'', the conclusion to their World of Assassination trilogy, which was released on 20 January 2021 for Windows computers and current and next-gen consoles, with IO publishing the game themselves.<ref name="Hitman 3 announcement">{{Cite web|date=11 June 2020|title=Announcing Hitman 3|url=http://www.ioi.dk/announcing-hitman-3/|access-date=11 June 2020|website=IO Interactive|language=en-US|archive-date=2 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802190207/https://www.ioi.dk/announcing-hitman-3/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2020, the company announced ''Project 007'', an original [[James Bond in video games|''James Bond'']] video game, working closely with licensors [[MGM]] and [[Eon Productions]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/hitman-developer-announces-new-bond-game-project-007 |title=Hitman Developer Announces New Bond Game, Project 007 |first=Joe |last=Skrebels |date=19 November 2020 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=19 November 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119140855/https://www.ign.com/articles/hitman-developer-announces-new-bond-game-project-007 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-11-19-hitman-developer-io-reveals-fresh-project | title = Hitman developer IO is making a James Bond game | first = Tom | last = Phillips | date = 19 November 2020 | access-date = 19 November 2020 | website = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-date = 19 November 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201119141134/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-11-19-hitman-developer-io-reveals-fresh-project | url-status = live }}</ref> IO studio director Hakan Abrak said they had spent about two years in preparing a pitch to the ''Bond'' license holders, knowing that the current rights holders, [[Barbara Broccoli]] and [[Michael G. Wilson]] were dissatisfied with the amount of violence in past ''Bond'' video games. IO's Bond will be a wholly original character and not use any of the film actors' likenesses, and Abrak anticipates that this game would be the start of a trilogy of ''Bond'' games.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.vg247.com/2021/01/26/io-bond-trilogy/ | title = IO reckons its Bond game could be start of a trilogy | first = Alex | last = Calvin | date = 26 January 2021 | access-date = 26 January 2021 | website = [[VG247]] | archive-date = 26 January 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210126145309/https://www.vg247.com/2021/01/26/io-bond-trilogy/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Abrak expected that the game would require them to double their current staff of 200 employees to 400 by the time the first ''Bond'' game is released.<ref name="ign bond 2021">{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/hitman-developers-james-bond-wont-be-based-on-any-previous-actor | title = Hitman Developer's James Bond Won't Be Based on Any Previous Actor | first = Jordan | last = Oloman | date = 26 January 2021 | access-date = 26 January 2021 | website = [[IGN]] | archive-date = 26 January 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210126153915/https://www.ign.com/articles/hitman-developers-james-bond-wont-be-based-on-any-previous-actor | url-status = live }}</ref>

IOI Barcelona, based in [[Barcelona]], Spain, was announced in April 2021. The studio is to assist IOI on its active projects, including further ''Hitman'' entries and the ''Project 007'' game.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/379989/Hitman_and_Project_007_developer_IO_Interactive_opens_Barcelona_studio.php | title = Hitman and Project 007 developer IO Interactive opens Barcelona studio | first = Chris | last = Kerr | date = April 16, 2021 | access-date = April 16, 2021 | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-date = 16 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210416150845/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/379989/Hitman_and_Project_007_developer_IO_Interactive_opens_Barcelona_studio.php | url-status = dead }}</ref>

In February 2023, IO Interactive announced ''Project Fantasy'', this new IP is set to be an online fantasy RPG, a departure from IO's ''Hitman'' games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Project Fantasy |url=https://ioi.dk/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=ioi.dk |language=en}}</ref>

IOI Brighton, in [[Brighton]], England, was announced by the company in July 2023. The studio initially will support IO's ''Project 007'', ''Project Fantasy'' and ''Hitman''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/hitman-developer-io-interactive-has-opened-a-studio-in-england/ | title = Hitman developer IO Interactive has opened a studio in England | first = Tom | last = Ivan | date = July 6, 2023 | access-date = July 6, 2023 | work = [[Video Games Chronicle]] }}</ref>

==== Partnership with Build A Rocket Boy ====
In 2024, IO Interactive introduced IOI Partners starting with the publication of MindsEye, a AAA title from [[Leslie Benzies]]'s Build A Rocket Boy. IOI is responsible for the game's marketing and distribution and ''MindsEye'' serves as a demonstration of the [[Everywhere (video game)|Everywhere]] platform. Hakan Abrak, CEO of IO Interactive, mentioned that the game is well along in its development.<ref name=jm/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Kat |date=2024-10-16 |title=Hitman Dev IO Interactive Teaming With Ex-GTA Producer's Studio to Publish MindsEye |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/hitman-dev-io-interactive-teaming-with-ex-gta-producers-studio-to-publish-mindseye-working-on-plans-to-announce-release-date |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>