Fans of the stealth assassination series can finally breathe a sigh of relief: Hitman 4 is officially confirmed to be in development. However, the bad news is that Agent 47's next solo outing is still a long way off, as developer IO Interactive has other pressing priorities to address first.
The Roadmap: Bond, Co-op, Then Hitman 4
In a recent interview with Variety, IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak laid out the studio's busy schedule. The primary focus remains the upcoming James Bond game, 007: First Light, which is scheduled for launch on March 27, 2026. Alongside this major project, the team continues to support the live-service platform Hitman: World Of Assassination, which has received consistent updates since 2021, including a VR version and a Nintendo Switch 2 port earlier this year.
Abrak explicitly promised that World Of Assassination will not be the last Hitman game. 'So of course there will be more Hitman,' he stated. 'But right now, I think we need to get to the other side of this year.' He indicated that 2026 will bring more news on a planned co-operative mode for Hitman, an ambitious addition to a franchise traditionally built for solitary play.
Co-op: A Controversial New Direction for the Silent Assassin?
The co-operative mode was first announced in June 2025, but a concrete release date remains elusive. While updates are promised for 2026, its launch could slip beyond that window. Abrak is a strong believer in the concept, arguing it will be a 'really, really good extension to the universe' that introduces interesting new mechanics and combinations to the sandbox assassination gameplay.
Only after this co-op project is delivered will IO Interactive turn its full attention to the next mainline sequel. 'We will, after that, be talking about the next Hitman — because, of course, there’s going to be a next Hitman,' Abrak confirmed.
IOI's Packed Slate Means a Patient Wait
Even assuming a late 2026 release for the co-op mode, Hitman 4 may not immediately leap to the top of the queue. The Danish studio is also working on Project Fantasy, a mysterious multiplayer title described as 'extremely ambitious and really cool and is something else than a gun in a suit.'
For now, Hitman: World Of Assassination players have a limited-time mission to enjoy. Until the end of December, rapper Eminem has hired Agent 47 to assassinate his alter ego, Slim Shady, in another of the game's celebrity-themed events. This ongoing support highlights IO's commitment to its current platform, even as plans for the future slowly take shape.
In summary, while the confirmation of Hitman 4 will delight the franchise's dedicated following, the path to its announcement is clearly mapped out: First Light first, then co-op, then the next chapter for Agent 47.
