New James Bond Game Teased As A 'Hitman Spinoff'
Put the Martinis on standby because some insider intel worthy of 007 himself has revealed some interesting details on the new James Bond game. IO Interactive is sending the world's most famous MI6 agent back into the field with a mysterious game simply referred to as Project 007... for now.
While the '90s and '00s were made up of truly amazing Bond titles like GoldenEye 007, Nightfire, and Everything or Nothing, the franchise has since limped home with disappointing entries like Quantum of Solace, Blood Stone, and Legends.
It's no real surprise that the rights have since been handed over to IO, however, fans have spotted a trend.
Why is the new James Bond game like a 'Hitman spinoff'?
If you aren't familiar, IO Interactive is the developer behind the long-running Hitman series. In particular, IO has had newfound success with the World of Assassination trilogy that reinvented the franchise in 2016. Although there are only a handful of details about what to expect from Project 007, a new job listing has hinted at a Hitman-style shooter.
The official IO site is looking for an AI Programmer to work on this "wholly original Bond story" where "players will step into the shoes of the world's favourite Secret Agent to earn their 00 status in the very first James Bond origin story". If you're sold, IO promises the lucky candidate will "be part of the team implementing our very own cutting-edge AI tech". As the listing reminds applicants, "Few AAA companies rely on their own AI technology, but at IO Interactive we have created a brand-new AI framework ready to be implemented across multiple projects".
So where do Hitman and Agent 47 come into this? Further down in the listing, the specifications say that the ideal candidate will have experience working with "3rd person action games" and "console programming experience". Hitman has become known as one of the best third-person stealth series out there, so it makes sense that IO is sticking with what it knows.
What else do we know about the new James Bond game?
The tantalising tease of a James Bond origin story could easily be swapped out for a Hitman arc, however, it will be great to learn how 007 earned his stripes. Remembering the runaway success Martin Campbell had with Casino Royale, IO could be due a rewatch of the 2006 spy thriller.
Last month, IO Studio Director Hakan Abrak hyped the potential of Project 007 spinning off into a trilogy of games - which is another nod to Hitman. In the same article, we covered how Bond overlord Barbara Broccoli spent years searching for the studio that's "worthy" of bringing 007 back to consoles. Bond has been disavowed since 2012, so there's a lot riding on his return.
We're excited to see what IO has planned for Project 007, and remembering that Hitman 3 had an Untitled Goose Game Easter egg, we're guessing there will at least be a homage to Agent 47 in the upcoming Bond bonanza. Even if it's only a Hitman spinoff in spirit, who knows what the future of Bond, James Bond, holds?