Square Enix has shocked many with the news that it is desperately trying to sell the Danish development studio IO Interactive, makers of the Hitman series. The franchise has seen a massive decrease in sales since Hitman Absolution. Flagging sales, paired with the rising cost of development, have lead to Square Enix suffering a loss of nearly 43 million dollars.

If Square Enix cannot find a buyer, the studio will be shuttered, meaning the end of the Hitman franchise as we know it now. That seems rather unfortunate considering Hitman (2016) seemed like a large step in the right direction after the disappointing Hitman Absolution.