Well this news is a bit shit.
Danish developer IO Interactive is in jeopardy as Square Enix plans to sell off the studio behind the entire Hitman catalogue. It would appear that although reception to last year’s episodic reboot/sequel was mostly good, it simply didn’t make bank, like a good hit from 47 should (geddit).
Seriously though, speaking via an investor’s note released today, Squeex highlights an “extraordinary loss” within the last financial year as a result of the proposed sale—despite recording record year-on-year profits in its latest financial results. The note claims the loss totals 4,898 million Yen, which translated to roughly £33.3 million/$43 million.
Here’s Square Enix’s full statement:
To maximise player satisfaction as well as market potential going forward, we are focusing our resources and energies on key franchises and studios. As a result, the Company has regrettably decided to withdraw from the business of IO INTERACTIVE A/S, a wholly‐owned subsidiary and a Danish corporation, as of March 31, 2017.
“This decision has resulted in booking of the extraordinary loss amounting to 4,898 million yen, including the disposition of the content production account related to the business and impairment loss of intangible assets, in the financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.
“As a result of this, the Company started discussions with potential new investors and is currently in negotiations to secure this investment. Whilst there can be no guarantees that the negotiations will be concluded successfully, they are being explored since this is in the best interests of our shareholders, the studio and the industry as a whole. Take from that what you will, but the wording there suggests IO—who, under Square Enix’s ownership, is currently working exclusively on the Hitman series—will be shuttered if a buyer is not ascertained.
Although he has been gaming since the Sega Mega Drive launched in 1990, he still sucks at most games. When not being trash he watches French horror films, drinks herbal tea and secretly loves the music of Taylor Swift.
