Hitman 3’s Freelancer mode has been delayed, but new map brought forward

videogameschronicle.com:

Hitman 3’s upcoming Freelancer mode has been delayed, but in better news the release of a new map for the game has been brought forward.

Providing an update on the game’s second year of content on Thursday, IO Interactive said Freelancer has been moved from its previously scheduled spring launch window to the second half of 2022.

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

The move to delay the mode was described as “a luxurious decision” for IO to be able to make, 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.

While Freelancer’s arrival has been delayed, IO said it is bringing forward the release date of new map Ambrose Island to July 2022.

“This new map will have an intriguing narrative for Hitman fans, as it takes place before the events of Hitman 3 and fills in a few gaps from the World of Assassination storyline.”

Before then, the game’s next content update will arrive via a patch scheduled for release on May 24. It will include new Featured Contracts, new and reactivated Elusive Targets, and fresh unlockables.

Crytek announced this week that development of Crysis 4 is being led Mattias Engström, who was recruited from IO, where he was most recently game director for Hitman 3.