In 2009 Square Enix became the owners of IO Interactive, a Danish studio that's best known for its most recent success with the episodic Hitman game, but now a statement from the former has revealed that they are withdrawing from business with the studio.
"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," the press release says. "This decision has resulted in booking of the extraordinary loss amounting to 4,898 million yen, including 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."
At the moment it's unclear what this means for the Danish studio and its staff, as well as what will happen to the Hitman IP and the future of the franchise.
"As a result of this the Company started discussions with potential new investors and is currently in negotiations to secure this investment," the statement adds. "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."
Are you sad to see this split?