Hitman for Xbox One, PS4 has sandbox levels, no checkpoints

As part of an open letter released to fans today, Hitman series creator IO Interactive shared a host of new details about its new AAA Hitman game currently in development for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. In this new and untitled game, you'll play as a "globetrotting Agent 47 at the prime of his career." Supporting Agent 47 will be his longtime partner Diana Burnwood and the entire International Contract Agency (ICA).

According to IO Interactive, the new Hitman game will retain the "core" of the series, that is, being able to use a "wide range" of tools to take out a diverse group of targets at a global scale. The game will run on a form of the Glacier 2 engine, which powered 2012's Hitman: Absolution.

"We're packing in an extreme level of detail on the largest levels we have ever built for a Hitman game. We've adopted an open, non-linear level design approach to the game, ensuring the game will play out across huge, checkpoint-free, sandbox levels," the developer said. "Our aim is to create living, breathing, and believable levels which will allow gamers to play around with the AI to create those unique moments every fan of the Hitman franchise loves."

Contracts Mode, a mission-editor feature that allows players to create murder scenarios, will also return for the new Hitman game. Players will be able to create and build these challenges and then share them with the world through the Internet.

"You will also be glad to hear that we have removed 47's magic pockets," the developer said. "We believe that's all we need to say about that subject."

More details about the new Hitman game will be shared in the coming months, IO said.

In addition to the new Hitman game for Xbox One, PS4, and PC, Square Enix Montreal is working on Hitman-inspired mobile games for tablets and smartphones. A Hitman movie called Agent 47 is also in the works with Homeland's Rupert Friend playing the lead role, replacing Paul Walker, who died in a car crash last year.