Hitman Absolution

Hitman: Absolution is a stealth game being developed by IO Interactive and published by Square Enix.^[1] It is the fifth entry in the Hitman game series, and will run on IO Interactive's proprietary Glacier 2 game engine. The developers have confirmed thatAbsolution will be easier to play and more accessible, but will retain hardcore aspects.^[3] The game is currently slated for a November 20, 2012 release.

Contents   [hide]  1 Gameplay 2 Synopsis 2.1 Plot 2.2 Cast 3 Development 3.1 Soundtrack 4 Marketing 4.1 Pre-order bonuses 5 Reception 5.1 Controversy 6 References 7 External links

[edit]Gameplay

The game will take place in the United States,^[4] and will feature an online option.^[5] In addition, the game will feature "instinct mode" which will allow 47 to predict enemy patrol routes, much like the 'sonar vision' that was featured in Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction, 'eagle sense' in Assassins Creed: Revelations and 'detective mode' inBatman: Arkham Asylum.^[6] Hitman is known for allowing players to create their own narratives within the sandbox levels; for Hitman: Absolution, developer IO Interactive has enlisted Hollywood talent like Vivica Fox, Powers Boothe and Shannyn Sossamon to help tell Agent 47's latest story.

[edit]Synopsis

[edit]Plot

The first in-depth trailer for the game shows Agent 47 storming a safehouse, and confronting Diana while she is showering. 47 is "betrayed by those he once trusted and now hunted by the police, he suddenly finds himself at the center of a dark conspiracy and must embark on a personal journey through a corrupt and twisted world, in his search for the truth". At least one portion of the game will be set in Chicago, and the game will take place in the United States. Hitman: Absolution is set at the end of the timeline. Confirmed plot details include series protagonist Agent 47 assassinating his former International Contract Agency handler Diana Burnwood early in the game^[7] and the antagonist is Blake Dexter, a new character to the series. The character will be voiced by Keith Carradine.^[8]

[edit]Cast

• David Bateson as Agent 47.^[9] William Mapother has provided the motion capture work for 47.
• Keith Carradine as Blake Dexter, the main antagonist.
• Marsha Thomason as Diana Burnwood (previously voiced by Vivienne McKee), Agent 47's former handler.^[10]
• Powers Boothe as Benjamin Travis, the head of ICA. He was later stated to be the secondary antagonist.
• Shannyn Sossamon as Jade, Travis' personal secretary.
• Vivica Fox as Lasandra Dixon (Head Assassin Nun)^[11]

[edit]Development

Though plans to continue the Hitman franchise were first announced in 2007,^[12] it was not until May 2009 that Eidos confirmed the game was in development.^[13] Certain plot details for the game were rumored in 2009, stating that the game's story would lead Agent 47to a low point from which he would have to rebuild himself.^[14] On 20 April 2011, Square Enix filed the trademark for the name Hitman: Absolution in Europe, leading sites to speculate that it would be the name of the fifth Hitman game.^[15] On 6 May 2011, a teaser trailer^[16] was released, confirming the title: Hitman Absolution. The trailer briefly showed Agent 47 attaching a suppressor and a rattlesnake coiled around his signature Silverballer pistol.^[17] It has been reported the game will be a "familiar and yet significantly different experience from other Hitman games."^[18] On 9 October 2011, a full gameplay trailer entitled "Run for Your Life" was released.^[19]. Hitman: Absolution is a shooter/stealth game said the team on gametrailers.com. David Bateson will reprise the role of Agent 47 in Hitman Absolution, after it was revealed last year that IO Interactive dropped the long-serving voice actor. Square Enix confirmed the news, shortly after the above video of Bateson announcing his return found its way online. The video was on a USB key given to a fan by IO Interactive community manager Nick Price.

Bateson's return was a struggle, with IO Interactive initially asking him to audition for a role he'd served since 2000 and Codename 47. Then, around this time last year, the developer confirmed Bateson's absence from Absolution. This sparked a number of online petitions pleading for him to be reinstated as 47, including one that received over 3,500 signatures.

IO Interactive's brand director Jon Brooke revealed the developer brought back Bateson after a change of heart, saying that on reflection the developer was "just playing hard to get."

Bateson will finally return as the dapper, bald assassin on November 20, when Absolution releases worldwide for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. Square Enix is adding the final touches to Hitman: Absolution which will release on November 20 worldwide.

[edit]Soundtrack

The original soundtrack for the game is composed by Peter Kyed and Peter Peter, replacing the game's previous composer, Jesper Kyd.^[20]

[edit]Marketing

The Professional Edition of Hitman Absolution features Professional Clamshell packaging for the game, a Hitman art book, making of DVD and the "Agency Gun Pack" DLC.^[21]

Hitman: Sniper Challenge, a standalone experience is available to people who pre-order the game at selected retailers. A code supplied at the time of pre-order will be redeemable via PSN Store, Xbox Live and PC. While the console version launched worldwide on 15 May 2012, the PC version was released on 1 August 2012.^[22][23]

[edit]Pre-order bonuses

Square Enix has announced pre-order bonuses for Hitman: Absolution in the US.^[24]

• Amazon - High Tech Suit and Bartoli Custom Pistol – The advanced High Tech suit provides Agent 47™ with 50% increased armor paired with the Bartoli Custom, an engineered precision weapon, complete with sight and silencer.
• Best Buy - Public Enemy Suit and the Bronson M1928 submachine gun – The Original Assassin can dress in a stylish Public Enemy gangster suit armed with the Bronson M1928, a classic submachine gun with high fire rate and deadly stopping power.
• GameStop - Agency Kazo TRG sniper rifle: The Agency Kazo TRG Sniper Rifle is sleek and modern with an Agency finish. This weapon is fully upgradeable with both scope and silencer. Keep a watchful eye on your target from a safe physical distance. Engage the enemy while remaining in a concealed position. Complete your mission without being detected.
• Walmart - High Roller Suit and the Krugermeier 2-2 Pistol – The High Roller suit dresses Agent 47 in a fancy tuxedo discreetly outfitted with the Krugermeier, an accurate, reliable stealth weapon with a built-in silencer.

[edit]Reception

[edit]Controversy

On 29 May 2012, a cinematic teaser trailer, produced by Square Enix's CGI studio Visual Works, titled "Attack of the Saints" was released.^[25][26] The trailer's depiction of "gun-toting, PVC and latex-clad nuns being killed in a hail of bullets" sparked controversy over the allegedly sexist portrayal of women.^[27][28] IO Interactive's Tore Blystad, the game's director, later apologized, stating they're "sorry that we offended people" and that it "was truly not the intention of the trailer."^[29] Shortly after, there has also been controversy concerning the portrayal of women surrounding another Square Enix title, Tomb Raider.^[30]