It’s one of those weeks. After Xbox pulling out of a publishing and funding deal for Project Fantasy – IO Interactive’s next game – the developer has regained full control of the IP and funding. That, however, means it’s readjusting its business to accommodate the ambitious RPG as well as future projects.
“Following the end of our external finance partnership on Project Fantasy, IOI has regained full ownership of the project and our IP,” the company’s official X account shared on 7th July. “We will continue to develop and fund it independently amongst our other projects.”
To find “a new balance for the long-term future of the studio”, it’s been announced IO Interactive will focus on the success of “internal core titles” instead of external projects and “mobile game derivatives”. While the studio’s (hugely successful) latest game, 007: First Light, isn’t explicitly mentioned, this message casts a shadow of doubt over a potential follow-up and partnerships with Amazon MGM Studios.
With Xbox funding vanishing and a renewed focus on internal IPs, IO Interactive is announcing it’s “making changes”, closing its Istanbul studio, and “starting a process to part ways with colleagues who have been a meaningful part of what makes IOI what it is”. The number of workers affected by these cuts hasn’t been revealed at the time of writing, though the studio already shared similar words regarding staff cuts last week, when it was revealed the RPG’s partnership was coming to an end.
A return to “core titles” heavily suggests Agent 47’s next game might be coming sooner rather than later. Last year, IO Interactive’s head Hakan Abrak confirmed more Hitman was planned, but whatever the next project assassin-centric project is might become a bigger priority under these new circumstances.
As for Project Fantasy, it’s been described as “a world and game built from the core to entertain players and expand for many years to come”, though we don’t know for sure whether it’s a huge MMORPG or something else.
