IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak Discusses James Bond, Dispatch, and GTA 6

In a recent interview, IO Interactive's CEO, Hakan Abrak, discussed the studio's current projects, including the highly anticipated James Bond game. With the studio's 25th anniversary of Hitman, Abrak expressed his desire to create a buzz around the game. He also mentioned that the studio is busy with several projects, including Hitman and James Bond, and that they are excited to showcase their work at the Xbox Partner Preview. The studio is set to unveil a new trailer for the James Bond game, featuring an Aston Martin hypercar, which is expected to be launched commercially next year. Abrak also addressed concerns about licensed content, stating that they have ensured the car will be available in the game for its lifetime. The studio has also partnered with Eminem for an Elusive Target mission in Hitman, which Abrak described as an amazing experience. The success of Hitman: World of Assassination has been a significant factor in the studio's growth, with over 85 million players and 25 million copies sold. Abrak attributed the game's success to its single-player game-as-a-service model, which allows for a small but highly specialized team to support the game. The studio has also established partnerships with Xbox and Steam, and is excited about the potential of handheld gaming. Abrak emphasized the importance of flexibility and adaptability in game development, stating that it's no longer about having the most powerful engine or best graphics, but rather about creating a game that can be played on multiple platforms. The studio's approach to team management involves keeping team sizes small and allowing employees to work on projects that interest them. Abrak also discussed the studio's financial situation, stating that they are fully independent and funded by the success of Hitman. The James Bond game is also fully funded by the studio, and Abrak expressed his pride in the game's progress, stating that it is complete and playable from start to finish. The studio is aiming for a spring release next year. Abrak also commented on the delay of GTA 6, stating that it's a welcome development for the industry, as it will bring new players into the market. The studio's approach to game development involves taking learnings from other successful games, such as Dispatch, and applying them to their own projects. Abrak also discussed the importance of keeping veteran employees engaged and happy, allowing them to work on projects that interest them. The studio's experience with Square Enix has been positive, but Abrak believes that independence has been beneficial for the studio, allowing them to make their own decisions and take risks.