Rumor: Project Dragon From IO Interactive and Microsoft May be and RPG
What are the Hitman developers up to right now? Recent leaks suggest that in addition to a James Bond game, IO Interactive is working on Project Dragon: a fantasy RPG developed under the aegis of Microsoft.
After the phenomenal commercial success of Hitman 3, IO Interactive doesn't have to worry too much about its financial situation. This enables the Danish team to work in peace on their next projects, such as the Agent 007 game revealed some time ago, further development of Hitman and a mysterious title set in a completely new universe. Recent reports seem to dispel doubts about the latter. According to Jez Corden from Windows Central, IO Interactive is working on a fantasy game codenamed Project Dragon. Similar information was obtained by the editors of Eurogamer, as reported by well-known industry insider Klobrille (via Twitter).
The editor's sources spoke of the project as early as a few months ago and Corden links it to job postings on IO Interactive's website. These mention a search for people to help develop an 'unannounced AAA game' with online features. Indeed, Corden's information suggests that Project Dragon is intended to be an RPG in a 'connected [over the net - author's note] world'. It's not clear whether this means a separate multiplayer mode, or rather something along the lines of the summoning and raiding from the Dark Souls series. What did catch Corden's eye was a mention in a PDF file in one of the announcements about being associated with the Dragon department. This seems to confirm information acquired by the editor of Windows Central.
Interestingly, Corden's sources claim that Project Dragon is being developed in partnership with Microsoft. It's possible, then, that the game will be a console exclusive for Xbox (i.e. available on the console and PC). Of course, this information (let alone any speculation based on it) should be treated with caution. For now, all we know is that IO Interactive's second project is going to be something 'very different from anything the studio has done before. The job offers also suggest that the game is at a very early stage of production - presumably, the developers are prioritizing the virtual adventures of James Bond. In other words, we'll have to wait a long time for official information on the alleged Project Dragon.
