IO Interactive Used Hitman Tech, Daniel Craig’s Likeness to Pitch New Bond Game
Copenhagen, Denmark – December 13, 2023 – IO Interactive, the studio behind the critically acclaimed Hitman series, revealed it utilized its existing game engine and even superimposed Daniel Craig’s head onto Hitman’s Agent 47 to demonstrate its vision for the upcoming James Bond game, 007 First Light, during the pitch process. The revelation came during an interview with IGN, offering a glimpse into the creative strategy behind securing the license.
The studio showcased a playable slice of gameplay set in sapienza – a location from Hitman – featuring the virus-laden caves beneath the compound, receiving positive feedback for its potential. IO Interactive emphasized its intention to deliver a “360 experience” for the Bond franchise, expanding beyond customary shooting and cutscenes to incorporate the character’s social skills, charm, and ability to overcome obstacles through non-violent means.
“I think what they saw in us and what we are also conveying is our angle would be to try to deliver a 360 experience where it’s not necessarily about only shooting and cut scenes – there’s certainly that in our game as well – but it’s also being able to explore the part of the Bond fantasy where he is in social spaces where he is using not only his fisticuffs,but also his charms and bluff and figuring out different ways in those social spaces to overcome the obstacles or get what he wants,” stated an IO Interactive representative.
The move to leverage existing technology and demonstrate a clear understanding of the Bond character proved successful. Hitman is frequently enough described as being conceptually similar to Bond, albeit with a higher degree of violence.
007 First Light is slated for release next year with a standard edition priced at $69.99 / €69.99 / £59.99 and a deluxe edition at $79.99 / €79.99 / £69.99.source ign.com