Copenhagen-based developer IO Interactive is navigating a significant operational restructuring, shuttering its Istanbul office and implementing staff layoffs following the dissolution of a partnership with Xbox. The studio, globally recognized for the Hitman franchise and the ongoing development of the anticipated Project 007, is now recalibrating its business model to focus on independent funding and internal project management.
The decision to close the Istanbul branch and reduce headcount comes after a shift in the strategic landscape for high-budget game development. According to company statements, the restructuring is a direct response to the conclusion of a collaborative arrangement with Microsoft’s Xbox division, which had previously supported certain aspects of the studio's operations.
Operational Changes and Studio Consolidation
IO Interactive confirmed the closure of its Istanbul studio, an office that served as a support hub for the company's global operations. The move is part of a broader effort to streamline costs and refocus resources on the studio's core production teams in Copenhagen and other strategic locations.
The studio remains committed to its primary upcoming titles. Development of Project 007—the working title for the new James Bond game—continues, as does work on Project Fantasy, a new intellectual property currently in production.
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Future Outlook and Project Status
Despite the recent organizational turbulence, the studio has signaled that its primary creative objectives remain intact.
As the studio continues its restructuring, updates regarding their hiring status and project roadmaps will be provided through their official corporate channels.
Readers interested in the latest updates from the studio are encouraged to follow their official announcements for upcoming, verified development milestones.