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Hitman Dev: We Listen, But We "Won't Be Dictated To"

Here's the problem with listening to the fans: you can't listen to all of them.

I.e., you can't make everyone happy. This is the problem facing developer IO Interactive concerning their new project, Hitman: Absolution. Fan feedback has already started to flow, and some of it is highly critical; many long-time followers are accusing the designers of "dumbing down" the new entry. In response, here's what IO's Tore Blystad told VG247:

"There's always people in the office checking up (on comments from fans), especially on the Hitman forums. We want to probably know what they're thinking, and we want to make a game that people like, not just a game we like and no-one else cares about.

We'll listen to them, but we won't be dictated to by the fans because we also have so many segments of fans that we could listen to one group say, 'the game has to be more difficult than any other Hitman.' Well, that's going to be hard for us to pull off if you make a game of this magnitude."

Many complain about the new Instinct mode, which lets Agent 47 spot his foes through walls. It also seems we may be missing the trademark map screen, and the ultra-linear approach has other fans grumbling. It has been a while since we've seen Hitman so the ardent followers are understandably anxious for a new adventure. And the bottom line is, it has to be great. Added Blystad:

"It has to be great. There's no option. Everybody in the team and in the studio is focused on this, it's the most important thing for us."

Related Game(s): Hitman: Absolution

Tags: hitman absolution, io interactive, hitman sequel

8/18/2011 10:49:19 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (38 posts)

maxpontiac
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 11:14:35 AM
Reply

That is actually smart of them.

I am not sure the exact percentage of people who post on forums vs those who actually bought the game, but the number can't be that big.

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Jdogtoocool
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 4:17:28 PM

The same as everywhere else lol maybe 30% at launch?

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Karosso
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 11:57:06 AM
Reply

WTF? You can see through walls?
Are new gamers that lame, that they can't play a game without shortcuts? First was Driver, with the stupid car switcheroo, now Hitman will let you see through walls... Can they just leave these franchises alone and give their games a new name or something?

"Winter is Coming" It truly is :(
Last edited by Karosso on 8/18/2011 11:58:01 AM

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BTNwarrior
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 12:10:17 PM

well in the old games you could see everyone on the map if you looked so this seems like it might actually make it harder to track down your target

plus imagine shooting someone through drywall, though I'm not sure that they have added that ability
Last edited by BTNwarrior on 8/18/2011 12:11:11 PM

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Lotusflow3r
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 12:56:53 PM
Reply

It sounds nothing like a Hitman, the fans are protesting and he can't face facts.

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Beamboom
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 1:13:49 PM

.. Especially if it's extremely linear cause Hitman never was that, was it? Not that I recall?

I don't remember much of it but I do have this scene in my head where I was supposed to infiltrate a large posh estate, and I wondered if I should sneak in through the back door dressed as a server or act as a flower delivery boy going through the main gate? And furthermore, those two approaches resulted in very different challenges once inside?

Last edited by Beamboom on 8/18/2011 1:15:47 PM

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Clamedeus
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 1:28:40 PM

Correct BeamBoom, you could approach each scenario differently.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 4:50:49 PM

Yeah I remember that scenario, I also remember it making me do something games don't anymore. It created this bizarre effect in my head called "thinking"

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SixSpeedKing
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 5:14:15 PM

Lol world, that's awesome.
I agree it actually made you use this thing we have in our heads. Something not too many games do nowadays.
Last edited by SixSpeedKing on 8/18/2011 5:17:31 PM

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Beamboom
Friday, August 19, 2011 @ 4:10:52 AM

... Well if *that* is taken away then this is no Hitman game: Its what the entire game was all about!
Last edited by Beamboom on 8/19/2011 4:13:14 AM

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Lawless SXE
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 1:19:38 PM
Reply

I'll reserve judgement until I know more about it.

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Jalex
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 2:56:25 PM
Reply

I'm not sure why anybody would be grumbling about an 'ultra-linear' approach. As far as I know, the only level shown has been the introductory one, which I believe the developers have stated is more structured than the rest of the game (just like the first missions of the last two titles).

Instinct mode admittedly has me a little worried, but I trust IO enough to give them the benefit of the doubt.

I've said this before and I'll keep saying it:
As long as achieving Silent Assassin is still doable in each mission, 'Absolution' remains a day-one purchase for this long-time 'Hitman' fan.

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Jdogtoocool
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 4:03:16 PM
Reply

Never played the hitman series but my reasoning is this: why keep bringing this classic franchise back if you're not gonna listen to the fans 100%? I'd rather just start a new but similar franchise if I'm going to try to appeal to a wider audience, or at least announce that it's going to be a complete reboot of the series...

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WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 4:54:09 PM

I agree with you, but to answer your question (not that you were asking me) I'd say they want the sales that name recognition will bring so they don't have to spend money on a branding campaign. New IPs are risky, so they think wrongly that they can get old fans and new by jamming a new game into an old name.

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Jdogtoocool
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 7:04:34 PM

Probably but look at mortal kombat; name recognition + positive review scores equals success

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WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 8:37:28 PM

MK was a rare game whose makers understood that classic gameplay would make it great instead of new gameplay.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 4:45:38 PM
Reply

Well, this has just become a no-buy. Dumbing down will not be tolerated.

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Claire C
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 5:13:51 PM
Reply

Hard to complain when it's so far out. I always like stealth so I'll keep an eye on it.

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NLCanada
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 5:16:28 PM
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just watched your video on youtube, chubby. Give me a break, XBOX 360 exclusives? Gears, Halo, Forza, Splinter Cell, Alan Wake, Fable, Crackdown, Fear, Dead Or Alive, Dead Rising and not to mention 95 % of multi plats run smoother on the 360. Fan BOY VALLEY.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 5:22:17 PM

lol, dude you signed up to a PS3 site to make a lame point about 360 by adding some poorly received, old exclusives to his list and call names. I think YOU are the fanboy. You even made an avatar thinking you might be able to stick around and poison this place. Nice touch but you won't be around long.

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NLCanada
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 5:45:33 PM

ohh yeah, and mass effect. Another great game.

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Clamedeus
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 6:21:34 PM

Ben doesn't even look chubby, he looks like he can strangle a moose with one arm.

I also love when xbox people state the same games over and over..

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Claire C
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 6:25:20 PM

Fanboys are lame. Go away fanboy.
Last edited by Claire C on 8/18/2011 6:27:31 PM

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Codeez
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 8:37:36 PM

Hey, I don't go to your house and P*** on your walls. Go away. BTW, how about them Maple Leafs? Pshh.....Go Canadiens!

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Beamboom
Friday, August 19, 2011 @ 3:59:11 AM

Why can't we greet guys from "the other side" by being better than them, and not run straight behind the defence wall and fire up the cannons?

A majority of the multiplats *do* play better on the 360. That's just a state of fact.
Just about every single person amongst us who enjoyed ME2 has mentioned how happy we are that franchise came to us too and how we wish we had the first ME as well. That's a fact too.

I love my PS3 and would choose that over a 360 anytime. At the same time, I understand those who choose different.
But the damn fanboyism of *both* sides I would very much like to be without.

I wish you welcome, NLCanada. I never mind to hear from those who see things from another perspective, a different point of view.
Just tread a bit more careful. This is after all a Sony lair, and you'll get further with your opinions by playing your cards a bit more subtle. The assassin approach. :)
Last edited by Beamboom on 8/19/2011 4:04:28 AM

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Codeez
Friday, August 19, 2011 @ 10:03:35 AM

Beamboom: By saying he's from the "other side" are you assuming that we are fanboys as well? I like to consider myself neutral. I own a wii, ps3, and a 360, and I love each one. What I do not appreciate is his direct attempt at an insult towards Ben. I, and I'm sure others at this wonderful website, can withstand conflicting opinions, but a personal attack on anyone shouldn't be tolerated.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 5:20:07 PM
Reply

You have to read between the lines, this is basically saying "The fans have such differing requests we'll read them in case someone has a fantastic idea we can steal, but otherwise we're dumbing this thing down no matter what you say."

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Claire C
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 6:27:02 PM

We hardly know anything though. Should we atleast wait and see and not assume toooo much? o.O
Last edited by Claire C on 8/18/2011 6:28:56 PM

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WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 7:06:35 PM

Nope, we should expect the worst and thus be pleased with any concessions at all to the old fanbase.

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main_event05
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 9:03:21 PM

The old mechanics weren't broken. I wish Devs would learn just because you're making a new game you don't ALWAYS need new features. Just update the story and you'll be fine.

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Cuetes
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 5:43:37 PM
Reply

This a bad decision on this developer. They should look to Infamous 2 as an example, you don't kiss arse but you do need to listen. Just one question, if your not going to be dictated to by fans (who actually buy your games) who will you listen too? I'm guessing stock holders, and I'm sure dumbing down games so as to make them more accessible was their idea.
That being said I won't be buying this anyway so it's not to big of a deal to me.

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main_event05
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 6:24:06 PM
Reply

Thank you Microsoft for catering to a brain dead demographic.

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Claire C
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 6:28:16 PM

Microsoft?

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main_event05
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 7:49:17 PM

Effing Microsoft

I stand by the statement that ever since MS started making consoles, the quality of gaming has declined.

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BikerSaint
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 7:54:13 PM

Clare,
I might be wrong but I thought he was either taking a dig at NLCanada's post, or maybe of that whole M$ & developers dumb-down games mentality(in general), due to the 360 being the console of lesser discabilities.

Edit: Well since I see that MainEvent just responded before I posted mine, I see it was my 2nd choice, LOL....

"And I agree"
Last edited by BikerSaint on 8/18/2011 7:56:40 PM

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FxTales
Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 10:32:14 PM
Reply

Then what was the point of establishing a way for people to leave feedback if they weren't going to listen in the first place...

This game had an incredibly successful formula. The point is to add to the foundation not to detract.

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Mogreen
Friday, August 19, 2011 @ 3:25:18 AM
Reply

Obviously IO is having problems, so they should break and finally give us loyal fans OUR FREEDOM FIGHTERS 2. Been waiting forever.

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___________
Friday, August 19, 2011 @ 3:28:30 AM
Reply

listening to "fans" is not always a good idea.
remember what happened when they did that for assassins creed?
so many people bitched that the originals cut scenes after a target was assassinated were too long.
which they wernt, they were the best part of the game!
they were a chance to offer a different side to the story, have the characters plead their case.
now there pretty much gone!
tbh this looks like splinter cell conviction to me!
a great well designed open fun game, but much more geared to action then stealth.
it needs the branching storyline and gameplay choices of deus ex human revolution.
but i doubt will be getting it, it just looks like a linear story, this is how its set, and whether you go in guns playing the game like gears 3, or a proper hitman title will make no difference.
not saying it looks bad, i loved conviction!
BUT it just does not look like a hitman game!

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