IO Interactive Expands into Third-Party Publishing with Leslie Benzies' Build A Rocket Boy

IO Interactive, the renowned developer of the Hitman series, has announced its foray into third-party publishing with the establishment of IOI Partners. The company's first major deal under this new division is with Build A Rocket Boy, the AAA game development studio founded by Leslie Benzies, a veteran of the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series. This partnership will see IO Interactive publish Build A Rocket Boy's upcoming action thriller, MindsEye. In an interview, IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak expressed his enthusiasm for this new venture, highlighting the company's experience in developing and publishing its own IPs, including the Hitman series. Abrak emphasized that IO Interactive is well-equipped to handle the challenges of publishing, having previously worked with platform holders and managed the distribution of its own titles. The company's approach to publishing will focus on providing marketing, distribution, localization, and customer support for MindsEye, without providing funding for the game's development. Abrak also stressed that IO Interactive will not be rushing to sign a large number of third-party projects, instead taking a focused approach to its publishing ventures. The partnership with Build A Rocket Boy marks an exciting new chapter in IO Interactive's history, as the company continues to expand its reach and explore new opportunities in the gaming industry.