New Hitman game coming from Square Enix Montreal

Square Enix is opening a new Montreal studio, which will open in 2012 and staff 150 people. The new studio's first project will be a new Hitman game, to release after Hitman Absolution.

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Square Enix is rapidly expanding its Canadian operations. Eidos Montreal, the studio responsible for Deus Ex: Human Revolution, is expanding. One hundred new positions are being filled at the studio, as it prepares not only the next Thief game, but a new "AAA" project as well.

In addition, the company is also opening Square Enix Montreal, a second studio for the Square Enix Group, which will open in 2012 and staff 150 people. The new studio's first project will be a new Hitman game, meaning gamers can expect a follow-up to Hitman Absolution (pictured above) in the not-too-distant future.

Square Enix notes in its announcement that "two studios will now be working on future Hitman games," confirming IO Interactive remains dedicated to its own Hitman project. Is Square Enix looking at Activision's Call of Duty model? The popular FPS series has a new release every year thanks to rotating development duties by Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer, and Treyarch. Given Square Enix's desire to "expand the vision for the Hitman franchise," it appears the company is planning on aggressively releasing sequels for that franchise.

If you're interested in working for either of these companies, Eidos Montreal and Square Enix Montreal have their job listings available online.

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
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    November 21, 2011 9:30 AM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, New Hitman game coming from Square Enix Montreal.

    Square Enix is opening a new Montreal studio, which will open in 2012 and staff 150 people. The new studio's first project will be a new Hitman game, to release after Hitman Absolution.

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      November 21, 2011 9:40 AM

      I have a feeling that Hitman Absolution will be awesome.

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      November 21, 2011 10:00 AM

      I wanna get it!!!

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      November 21, 2011 10:34 AM

      I wish they'd do another Deus Ex, I really kinda liked that game.

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        November 21, 2011 4:28 PM

        Oh they will. I have no doubt.

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        November 21, 2011 6:01 PM

        Considering they specifically cited Deus Ex as a main contributor to their good performance this quarter, I think we're getting more.

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      November 21, 2011 10:47 AM

      How long before Square attempts another stab at creating an american rpg branch, ala Secret of Evermore. With their initiative to go COD with FF, that wouldn't surprise me.

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      November 21, 2011 1:20 PM

      "as it prepares not only the next Thief game"...

      New Thief game... Hell, it's about time^^

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        November 21, 2011 4:02 PM

        the idea of the guys behind DX:HR making the next Thief game is very exciting. can't wait!!!

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          November 21, 2011 4:21 PM

          DX, Thief and Hitman are all being made by separate groups of people.

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            November 21, 2011 6:01 PM

            I'd imagine there is some overlap in the Thief and DX groups.

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      November 21, 2011 3:37 PM

      I'm mad at Eidos for having prevented Io from making another Hitman game for so long. They went so far to market Kane & Lynch as a huge action franchise, even starting up a movie license (the movie STILL isn't out yet; imdb says 2013), for what was a universally panned video game, which also ended up stirring up the whole controversy where Gamespot fired Jeff Gerstmann ( http://www.shacknews.com/article/50134/report-gamespots-gerstmann-fired-due ), and people suspected that Eidos was pressuring CNET with removing their page takeover ad contract with Gamespot.

      Then they released Mini Ninjas in 2009, which reviewed okay, and Kane & Lynch 2 in 2010, which was a mediocre follow-up to a mediocre game.

      And now that Square Enix's earnings are no longer driven by the Final Fantasy franchise, and Deus Ex: Human Revolution ended up carrying the company for the fiscal year, NOW the Hitman franchise is suddenly something to invest in? Insulting. Kane & Lynch was a disposable popcorn action movie plot back when it was released in 2007, and did not deserve the financial backing it received. Hindsight is 20/20, but back in 2007 when the first game was released to grumbling reviews, I was baffled at Eidos' stance of "This is a marquee franchise! We're going all-in, with a movie, and sequels!"

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        November 21, 2011 7:07 PM

        I actually quite liked K&L2, they really nailed the atmosphere in a way I haven't seen anyone else successfully achieve. Gameplay was eh, but it was passable at least.

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          November 22, 2011 3:24 AM

          Same here, atmosphere is great, they need to tighten up the actual game though. I hope they make a third one, it has potential.

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        November 22, 2011 3:33 AM

        [deleted]

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          November 22, 2011 8:31 AM

          Which went about the Same as Kane and Lynch. IO makes Hitman games, everyone loves them but says "make something that isn't Hitman," so they do, and it's all "FROM THE MAKERS OF HITMAN," then it isn't good, and everyone says "I can't believe the makers of Hitman made this shit. They should stick to what they know," so they make more Hitman.

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      November 21, 2011 4:08 PM

      Hmmm, same people that made Deus Ex:HR....I actually have hope for this.

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      November 21, 2011 5:47 PM

      Those are some pretty screenshots. I wonder what engine it uses.

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      November 22, 2011 1:30 AM

      whoa awesome

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