Hitman 3’s roguelike Freelancer mode has been delayed again

IO Interactive has delayed the release of Hitman 3’s Freelancer mode for a second time.

Originally scheduled to launch this spring before being pushed to the second half of the year, it will now arrive as a free update on January 26, 2023.

Freelancer is a single-player mode featuring roguelike elements, strategic planning and a customisable safehouse.

Announcing Freelancer’s previous delay in May, IO said the ability to spend more time developing the mode was “a luxurious decision” for it to be able to take, made possible by the game’s strong commercial performance.

“Hitman 3 has been a success and with that, we’re able to give our team that extra time to tighten the bolts and make sure that the mode is as close to our ambitions as possible,” the studio said.

On Tuesday, IO suggested the latest delay was the result of the project having grown in scope.

“We’ve decided to push beyond our original scope for launch and include almost all locations from the World of Assassination from day one,” it said. “We’re continuing to work on making the launch experience as frictionless as possible for all players.”

Prior to launch, IO plans to hold a Freelancer closed technical test. Details on the test, including how to gain access, will be announced on October 27.

Further reading

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Hitman studio IO’s James Bond game may not be out until at least 2025

A recent financial report warns of relatively low revenue for the next two financial years

A financial report published by IO in August suggested the studio’s James Bond game, Project 007, may not be released before March 2025.

It’s been claimed that IO is also working on a “dragon-themed” game that’s said to be an Xbox exclusive.