Multiple Platforms Hitman: Absolution

Setzer Gabbiani

Dark Knight
Veteran
Joined
Apr 28, 2009
Messages
2,500
Location
Puerto Rico
Gil
395
hitman-blood-money-541x200.jpg

Hitman: Absolution was only formally announced yesterday, but we’re already hearing that the new tech powering it could “rival the best” in the industry.

In response to a forum thread criticizing the evolution of the franchise over past instalments, IO Interactive technical artist, Daniel Ben-Noon responded with the following statement:

“Well, kl2 [Kane and Lynch 2] was the “swan song” of glacier1. For all its flaws and hate the title gets I would still call it the pinnacle of what that engine technology founded in ‘94 could do. Environment fidelity, imho, way surpassing Army of Two which was also set in Shanghai.”

He continued to state that the studio was working to meet players’ expectations:

“Without being able to tell you where and how far we will take specific new games, the engine technology that is glacier2 easily has potential to rival the best. So while living up to you guys’ expectations is no small task, at least we are making some changes and improvements that can actually take us there.”

Hitman: Absolution was officially announced by Square Enix yesterday for release on PS3, 360 and PC sometime in 2012.

http://www.gamesector.net/2011/05/11/hitman-absolution-tech-could-rival-the-best-says-io/

 
This is the gameinformer post on this, as follows...




SquareEnix Officially Announces Hitman Absolution

Agent 47 is preparing another hit, in a game that developer IO Interactive says will mark a new chapter in the series. Publisher SquareEnix has just released a teaser trailer, emphasis on the "teaser," which shows little but what we can assume is Agent 47 affixing a silencer to a pistol and a snake curling around a gun. The title of the game, Hitman Absolution, been floating around the Internet for a while, after reports of a trademark filing from SquareEnix surfaced and a teaser image (which appears in the trailer below) was used in a viral marketing campaign.

However, the accompanying press release seems to suggest that this will be a fundamentally different experience than previous games in the series.

Game director Tore Blystad is quoted as saying, “For the first time we are taking Agent 47 on a personal journey which allows us to explore other parts of the Hitman fantasy. This is both a familiar and yet significantly different experience from other Hitman games; something our silent assassins will relish, as will all those new to the Hitman world.”

This is echoed later in the release, which states "Hitman Absolution combines much-loved classic gameplay with completely new features never seen before in the Hitman franchise."

The game is running on IO's proprietary Glacier 2 engine, and will be shown to the public at this year's E3 convention. Hitman Absolution will be released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.



GameInformer Post: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/...itman-absolution-with-new-teaser-trailer.aspx

Official Hitman site: http://hitman.com/

Why are there no responses here? :stang: This series kicks ass. I didn't even notice this thread, though, and made a dupe one on accident. :wacky: (Thanks again Rem)

This is a definite buy for me. :griin: Shame there aren't any other preview materials yet, though. Very sad for me, not so much for you obvious Hitman haters. :mokken:

Also, here is a post confirming it's release for 360, PS3 and PC from game informer: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/...itman-absolution-with-new-teaser-trailer.aspx
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I've never actually played the Hitman series before, depending on how the trailers go I may consider going and playing the PS2 (I assume it's not got any PS1 releases?) Hitmans and seeing how that goes, gauge whether to go for this 'Absolution' game :hmmm:
 
Potential Hitman: Absolution Box Art Revealed

hitman.jpg

A marketing survey for the just announced Hitman: Absolution has shown participants three possible examples of cover art for Agent 47′s return.
Whilst none of them bear the ‘Absolution’ handle, they instead carry the ‘Hitman: Subtitle‘ naming tradition that they’ve carried since Hitman: Codename 47 back in 2000.



My personal favorite is the third but what’s yours? Let us know in the comments below.

http://www.ripten.com/2011/05/15/potential-hitman-absolution-cover-images-revealed-brycew/
 
The third one looks like alot of renders they already have. The far left is a fresh take, though. :wacky: I wonder if any of these will actually get used, though?

On that note, I wonder what the "Collector's Edition" box will look like? :awesome:
 
I have a feeling the fourth will be the Collectors Edition one, I do like the first art though.

The second seems a little too action-y imo :lew:
 
Quick shots – Hitman: Absolution gets new screens ahead of debut trailer

Find new Hitman: Absolution shots after the break. If you’re at E3, you may want to be at Square Enix’s booth for just after 10:45am PST (6:45pm BST), as that’ll be when the game’s full proper trailer airs for the first time.

Hitman: Absolution launches in 2012 for PS3, 360 and PC.



http://www.vg247.com/2011/06/08/qui...w-screens-ahead-of-debut-trailer/#more-178440
 
This is one of the two E3 titles I'm interested in...the other being Tomb Raider. I haven't had any of the consoles for the previous games so I haven't played any of the older Hitman games...but I'm looking forward to this because I think it looks good.

The screenshots look awesome :awesome: I can't wait.
 
First Hitman Absolution trailer released

You’ve probably already seen this, but Square’s finally officially published the first trailer of Hitman Absolution. Check it below. The game’s out next year for PC, PS3 and 360.


http://www.vg247.com/2011/06/08/first-hitman-trailer-released/#more-178513

Update#1

Here are some high quality scans with some details in it.



http://gamenyusu.com/component/content/article/1-news/870-hitman-absolution-scans-.html

Also here is a gameplay video of Hitman: Absolution. Enjoy!

 
Last edited:
Hitman: Absolution videos dig into Agent 47′s “handler” Diana Burnwood

Square Enix has released two new videos for Hitman: Absolution which are part of the “The International Contract Agency Files” video series for the game which introduces its main cast. The first video focuses on Diana Burnwood, who is the “long-time handler” of Agent 47 and the video is also dotted with bits of art from comic artist Ben Oliver. The second video features and interview with Marsha Thomason, who plays Diana in Absolution, which was filmed on the set of the game’s capture sessions in Giant Studios. Game’s out this year for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.



 
Hitman: Absolution videos shows Agent 47 taking down criminal scum

Square’s released a video for Hitman: Absolution which finds Agent 47 at a Rosewood Orphanage in Chicago overrun with criminals. Having just killed his handler, Diana Burnwood, he is at the orphanage to fulfill her dying wish – she needed him to find someone for her. It just so happens that the criminals are looking for the same person too. Check it out below. The video was posted on March 15, but we must have missed it. Anyway, the ending is rather cool. Hitman: Absolution is out this year for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.


 
Hitman: Absolution gets a well-dressed 'Professional Edition' in Europe


Don't get too excited – we thought the image above revealed some kind of replica gun in a cool briefcase as part of the Hitman: Absolution "Professional Edition," but it's actually bonus in-game DLC. Oh well, no toy guns for us! Said DLC, the "Agency Gun Pack," comprises a Jagd P22G pistol, a UMP SMG and an SPS 12 semi-automatic shotgun.

The Professional Edition, announced for Europe today, also includes an art book, a making-of DVD, and a fancy clamshell box. We're due to get some kind of special edition in North America as well, but details haven't been announced yet.

Source: Square Enix Members
 
Hitman: Absolution – Agent 47 slips unnoticed into Hope, South Dakota

IO Interactive has sent over a Hitman: Absolution tease which reveals the first edition of Hope News times, the local newspaper for Hope, South Dakota.

hitman.jpg


The weekly publication reports the latest news town, and depicts a new chapter in the game. It’s posted below.

According to Square, the citizens of citizens are “heavily influenced by local legend Blake Dexter” and his company, Dexter Industries. When Agent 47 arrives in town, a bedlam of strange accidents and occurrences follow in his wake.

If you read over the paper, it has a few stories about the town’s inhabitants, pay particular attention to the “corrections section” if just for a bit of a smile.

The developer never said whether this would be one of the newspapers players would see upon completing a mission in Absolution, but it looks that way to us.

IO and Square plan to release a new Hope News Times every Thursday and an accompanying screenshot from the game each Friday on the title’s official Facebook page and on the Barcode Society website.

So that’s something to look forward to.

Hitman: Absolution is slated for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 sometime this year.



http://www.vg247.com/2012/04/19/hitman-absolution-agent-47-slips-unnoticed-into-hope-south-dakota/#more-252286

Agent 47 dons law enforcement garb in new Hitman: Absolution screenshot

Making good on its promise to release a new Hitman: Absolution screenshot each Friday, IO Interactive and Square have obliged us today with a look at Agent 47 dressed as a law enforcement officer. The disguise he’s wearing should help him blend in a bit in Hope, South Dakota, the location in a game chapter which was teased yesterday. Have a look below. Still no date.



http://www.vg247.com/2012/04/20/agent-47-dons-law-enforcement-garb-in-new-hitman-absolution-screenshot/#more-252638
 
Last edited:
Hitman: Absolution videos introduce Benjamin Travis, Powers Boothe

Square has released a new video featuring Benjamin Travis, a new character in Hitman: Absolution. It’s the latest video from the ICA files series providing background information on the main cast. Travis, the new ICA handler voiced by Powers Boothe is featured in the video below as well as another video featuring Boothe along with Shannyn Sossamon who provides the voice of Jade.



http://www.vg247.com/2012/04/26/hit...uce-benjamin-travis-power-boothe/#more-254005

Update

New Hitman: Absolution shots once again set in Hope, South Dakota

It’s Friday, and Square has released a new set of Hitman: Absolution screenshots along with a new issue of Hope News times. Looks like the news is full of barbecue goings on and increased train traffic. Wondering what all of this has to do with Agent 47? Join the club. Game’s out sometime this year.



http://www.vg247.com/2012/04/27/new...e-again-set-in-hope-south-dakota/#more-254409
 
Last edited:
Hitman: Absolution trailer shows you the art of the kill

Square has released a new Hitman: Absolution video, which shows the various ways in which to dispatch of your enemies. Will you choose to use stealth, or go all in with guns a’blazing? Check it out below. Game’s out sometime this year on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.


http://www.vg247.com/2012/05/01/hitman-absolution-trailer-shows-you-the-art-of-the-kill/#more-254991


[h=1]Agent 47′s the culplrit behind a deadly “prank” in these Hitman: Absolution screens[/h] Square and IO have sent over two new screenshots for Hitman: Absolution. You’ll be familiar with one of these, as it was posted yesterday in the latest edition of the game’s Hope Times newspaper. Game’s out sometime this year on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. We really wish Square would announce a release date for this – soon.




http://www.vg247.com/2012/05/04/age...-these-hitman-absolution-screens/#more-256131
 
Last edited:
Major Hitman announcement coming on May 10

IO Interactive’s posted a picture on its official Hitman Facebook page confirming something major regarding Hitman: Absolution will be announced on May 10.

hitman.jpg


A huge picture posted along with the following line confirmed the news:

“Heads up! A MAJOR announcement is coming up on MAY 10th. Don’t miss this!”
The picture shows Agent 47 standing on top of a skyscraper with a sniper in hand. He seems to be looking down into the streets.

Hitman: Absolution is in development for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC and is scheduled to release later this year. You can view the teaser image below.

Thanks, Talkar.

124-585x600.jpg


http://www.vg247.com/2012/05/07/major-hitman-announcement-coming-on-may-10/#more-256514

Hitman: Sniper Challenge outed by Game Informer

An ad in the latest Game Informer has outed Hitman: Sniper Challenge, suggesting the spin-off is likely to be the big announcement teased yesterday from IO this coming Thursday.

hitman-absolution-2.jpg


The Sniper Challenge spin-off will be available to those who pre-order Absolution at GameStop.

It’ll offer a replayable sniper mission, an exclusive riffle with upgradeables that’ll in all likelihood be in Absolution and prizes for the best snipers. Those prize haven’t been detailed yet.

IO confirmed yesterday it would have a massive announcement for this coming Thursday, May 10. It’s all but likely this is to be it.

Square had previously trademarked the Sniper Challenge name back in January.

Hitman Absolution launches later this year for PS3, 360 and PC.



http://www.vg247.com/2012/05/08/hitman-sniper-challenge-outed-by-game-informer/#more-256784


 
Last edited:
Retailers list Hitman: Absolution for September release

Various UK retailers are hosting place holders Hitman: Absolution, pegging it for September release – although one retailer doesn’t agree on the date. Zavi and HotUKDeals have all three versions landing on September 17, which is a Monday, while ShopTo has September 24 down as a place holder – which is also a Monday. Square has yet to announce a release window for the title, but it has been expected to land sometime in the fall for quite some time. Thanks, MCV.

http://www.vg247.com/2012/05/09/retailers-list-hitman-absolution-for-septemeber-release/

Hitman: Absolution US pre-order bonuses announced

Square Enix has outlined a number of pre-order bonuses for Hitman: Absolution, including exclusive weapons and suits.

20120510hmabsolution.jpg

Here’s the run down, courtesy of Gematsu:

  • Amazon – High Tech Suit and Bartoli Custom Pistol – The advanced High Tech suit provides Agent 47™ with 50% increased armor paired with the Bartoli Custom, an engineered precision weapon, complete with sight and silencer.
  • Best Buy – Public Enemy Suit and the Bronson M1928 submachine gun – The Original Assassin can dress in a stylish Public Enemy gangster suit armed with the Bronson M1928, a classic submachine gun with high fire rate and deadly stopping power.
  • Walmart – High Roller Suit and the Krugermeier 2-2 Pistol – The High Roller suit dresses Agent 47 in a fancy tuxedo discreetly outfitted with the Krugermeier, an accurate, reliable stealth weapon with a built-in silencer.
A ad in GameInformer suggests GameStop pre-orders will net something called Hitman: Sniper Challenge.

Officially, Hitman: Absolution has not been dated, but retailers expect it in September. We may get a firm date at the end of the countdown timer for Square Enix’s major reveal.



http://www.vg247.com/2012/05/10/hitman-absolution-us-pre-order-bonuses-announced/#more-257561

Hitman: Sniper Challenge official, launching next week

IO’s officially announced that Hitman: Sniper Challenge for PS3 and Xbox 360 will launch worldwide on May 15, after news of the stand-alone experience leaked this week.

hitman-sniper-challenge1.jpg




The standalone effort will form an exclusive bonus available only to those that pre-order Hitman Absolution; a code supplied at the time of pre-order will be redeemable via PS Store, Xbox Live and PC. Hitman: Sniper Challenge will not be available via any other means.


While the console version launches next week, the PC version will land on August 1.


In the US, this standalone experience is restricted to pre-orders placed through retailer GameStop, whilst the rest of the world will be able to pre-order through retailers of their choice.


Hitman: Sniper Challenge takes the form of a single rooftop level set in Chicago, with Agent 47 charged with assassinating a target from an adjacent building armed with a sniper rifle. The mark, arms boss Richard Strong Jr, arrives via helicopter at a rooftop party at which he’ll be present for 15 minutes; during this window of opportunity, players must take out both Strong and as many of his security team as possible.


Leaderboards will track the scores of a player’s friends list as well as at a national and worldwide level to introduce a competitive edge, while score multipliers for headshots and completing various challenges will bump on the base score.


As is befitting of Agent 47, there are options to take out lone security agents unnoticed. By waiting to take the shot until a target is stood near the edge of the building, an open lift shaft or an ornamental pond the evidence can be concealed, further increasing the score potential as players attempt to gain the elusive “Silent Assassin” rank. Performing well will unlock a special edition “Agency Sniper Rifle” for use in Hitman Absolution.


Hitman: Sniper Challenge will be IO Interactive’s first experience to be powered by the Glacier 2 game engine and the team believe it to be representative of the quality of its sibling title, Hitman Absolution.


“Creating Hitman: Sniper Challenge has been very good for us in terms of putting the new engine through its paces as [Glacier 2] hasn’t previously shipped [anything], so it’s good to reach that milestone,” IO Interactive producer Luke Valentine told VG247 today.


“[Sniper Challenge] has a lot of depth, because you could complete it in one minute or you could spend weeks perfecting your score,” Valentine explained. “What we’re trying to establish is that we can cater to people either with limited time or with a lot of time, both with the main game and Sniper Challenge.”


First shots are below. Expect a hands-on with Sniper Challenge on the site tomorrow.


Square Enix has confirmed this afternoon that Hitman Absolution will release globally on November 20 for PS3, 360 and PC.




http://www.vg247.com/2012/05/10/hit...ally-a-thing-launching-next-week/#more-257696

Hitman Absolution confirmed for Nov 20 global release

Square Enix has announced this afternoon Hitman Absolution will launch globally on November 20.


hitman-absolution-21.jpg

The game was announced last May for PS3, 360 and PC.


The date announce came as part of a wider announcement for Hitman: Sniper Challenge, also announced this afternoon.


Sniper Challenge will be the first game to ship using Absolution’s new engine Glacier 2 on PSN and XBL next week for pre-orders.


Watch for a lot more on Absolution before E3.

http://www.vg247.com/2012/05/10/hit...or-november-20-worldwide-release/#more-257720

Update

Hitman: Sniper Challenge – new video, play impressions

Following Hitman: Sniper Challenge announcement yesterday, we go hands-on with IO Interactive’s exclusive pre-order bonus. Written impressions, new footage, video interview and new shots also inside.

sniper2.jpg



Few publishers can hope to enjoy the prolonged longer term sales of a FIFA, Call of Duty or Zumba Fitness title. Most must look to a big bang approach, making as much noise as possible leading up to launch in order to score impressive short term sales success, which can then be built upon through positive word of mouth and the periodic release of downloadable content.

In recent years, this desire to raise awareness of upcoming titles has led to increasingly regular deals being struck between publishers and retailers that result in retailer-specific pre-order content: a plastic figurine, here; time-limited exclusive DLC, there. The retailer, able to boast an exclusive – albeit slight – variation on other retailers’ offerings, promotes the title more heavily than it otherwise might, which in-turn leads to increased sales and so everyone wins.

Everyone, that is, except the consumer, who would actually quite like it if all of the parts of the game they’re paying money for were in one place; not scattered to the four winds and across half-dozen retailers. However, for the most part it seems unlikely that these trinkets, virtual or otherwise, do much to actively incentivise those that had no intention of pre-ordering in the first place.

Instead, it seems more realistic to surmise that these offers simply capture the attention of the avid fans that are going to pre-order a game based on other factors; a pre-existing passion for the franchise, a well-orchestrated marketing campaign or perhaps even glowing previews in the specialist press.

IO Interactive is attempting a different approach. The Danish developer is offering those that pre-order Hitman: Absolution a stand-alone game-play experience in the form of Hitman: Sniper Challenge and whilst in the US this offer is limited to behemoth retailer GameStop, PAL territories will have a much greater choice of where to shop.

Bald ambition

The development of Hitman: Sniper Challenge is important for a number of reasons, not least because when it launches for PS3 and 360 on Tuesday May 15 it will be accessible some six months prior to Hitman: Absolution’s recently confirmed worldwide release of November 20; this contrasts sharply with most pre-order bonuses that are only useful once the game they accompany has launched.

Moreover, Sniper Challenge will offer a first run-out of IOs new Glacier 2 game engine and, as such, is representative of the quality Hitman: Absolution. This isn’t a taster piece or companion app developed for Facebook, Flash or smart phone, this is a polished product with art assets, voice work and game-play concepts from the final game, developed by members of IO’s core team and into which a substantial amount of time and effort has been invested.

“We had a prototype of [Sniper Challenge] some time ago; around 18 months ago, I think,” explains IO producer Luke Valentine. “It came about as a result of some downtime for one our level designers and a programmer; they built this grey-box rooftop and we had a leader board in place. The mechanics were there and it became popular internally, so the idea was already established, from that point on we really only considered this route of making it a standalone [experience].”

Those basic mechanics are predicated on a timed score attack challenge with worldwide, national and friends-list leader boards. At the start of Sniper Challenge, Agent 47’s long-time Agency handler, Diana Burnwood, introduces the terms and requirements of this latest contract: to assassinate the head of an arms manufacturer and eliminate as many of his security personnel as possible, this unusually bloody massacre is attributed to the client wishing to “send a message”.

The target is attending a lavish rooftop party, which has allowed IO to introduce a crowd of civilians to complicate proceedings as well facilitating a number of opportunities to use environmental kills or send bodies inconspicuously tumbling off the building, essential for achieving the coveted Silent Assassin rating.

The base score is enhanced by a number of round-specific factors, including headshots, kill streaks, time remaining and bullets used. To encourage repeat play, score modifiers earned by completing challenges in one play-through remain unlocked in subsequent play-throughs, permanently increasing the score bonus.

A number of rewards are available for achieving high scores, such as controlled breathing, an extended magazine clip or faster reload times, all of which further contribute to the ability to reach higher scores further down the line. The leader board aspect is key to the appeal of Sniper Challenge and an integrated message centre ensures players are kept informed of how their friends are performing.

After several play-throughs of Sniper Challenge its appeal is evident, even in offline mode; as Agent 47 sits cross-legged, surveying the rooftop through a sniper scope and planning the order and timing in which to eliminate targets, the experience offers a taste of what it’s like to step into the shoes of this calculating, methodical and consummately professional anti-hero. A delicate squeeze of the trigger slows time and allows the perfect shot to be lined up, which requires a leading of the target in order to find its mark, and firing the sniper rifle delivers a satisfying crack and propels the target off their feet.

AI is occasionally foolish, refusing to take cover even after 47’s stealthy assassination attempts have been rumbled, but taking out isolated targets one at a time and finding creative ways to hide the evidence without being able to get up close and personal is eminently satisfying.
Hitman: Sniper Challenge is IO Interactive’s response to the notion that pre-ordering has become a messy affair for consumers and in recognition of the idea that pre-orders are perhaps a tougher sell than they used to be. By offering a game-play experience months before the launch of Hitman: Absolution, IO and Square Enix are offering fans the chance to delve into Agent 47’s world and for Hitman debutants to discover if they have a hidden flair for spilling virtual blood.

Dissenting voices tempted to cry foul that Hitman: Sniper Challenge is only available to those that pre-order a full-price game would do well to consider that what this effectively amounts to is a polished slice of game-play for free. It’s a bold move to stoke greater interest in an IP that already has a proven quality track record, but as Valentine succinctly sums-up, “Why do something boring when you can do something cool?”

Hitman: Sniper Challenge is available on PS3 and 360 from May 15 and August 1 on PC. It can only be obtained via a redeemable code issued by retailers upon the pre-order of Hitman: Absolution, which launches worldwide on November 20.





http://www.vg247.com/2012/05/11/hitman-sniper-challenge-new-video-full-play-impressions/#more-258014
 
Last edited:
Hitman: Sniper Challenge – 8 minutes of 47 sniping action

Square’s scrapped an embargo on gameplay footage for Hitman: Sniper Challenge ahead of its general availability for Hitman Absolution pre-orders tomorrow. Watch Clay snipe snipe below the break and see how pathetic my high score is compared to his. Show-off.

Sniper Challenge launches for pre-orders on PSN and XBL tomorrow, with it coming to Steam on August 1. Absolution launches on November 20 for PS3, 360 and PC.


http://www.vg247.com/2012/05/14/hitman-sniper-challenge-8-minutes-of-47-sniping-action/#more-258459




 
Back
Top