Hitman delayed to March 2016

As has been the story of this new generation, Hitman has been delayed. Previously scheduled to release on December 8, 2015, it will now release in March 2016.

Hitman is said to be "the biggest venture" IO Interactive has undertaken, and the delay will ensure "you get the best possible experience when you join," the developer said on the blog.

"These few extra months will mean we can add more to the launch content of the game, more than we had originally planned, and then follow with a tighter frequency of updates, which ultimately will create a better game for everyone. And in the end, that’s what we’re all looking for," the developer explained, justifying the delay.

"The playable area and density of our locations goes beyond anything we’ve built before. We’re striving to create a series of living, breathing worlds in those locations and we get pretty obsessed about every detail that you’ll experience."

Although the size of Hitman is unlike anything IO Interactive has worked on before, the game will employ a release model in which a "sizable chunk" will be made available at launch, with remaining locations release over time.

"Moving a launch date is never an easy decision, we know it’s frustrating to have to wait a bit longer for the game, but we truly believe it will mean we can deliver a better launch and overall experience," IO Interactive concluded, promising to share mroe details next week about the full release schedule and scope of Hitman.