New Hitman will cater to the "core fans"

The next Hitman title heading to the Xbox One, PS4 and PC will focus on the long-term fans of the franchise.

That's according to Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda, who believes returning the series to its roots is essential after the mixed response to Hitman: Absolution.

"The development team for Hitman: Absolution really struggled in this regard," Matsuda told Nikkei Trendy. "They implemented a vast amount of 'elements for the mass' instead of for the core fans, as a way to try getting as many new players as possible.

"It was a strategy to gain mass appeal. However, what makes the Hitman series good is its appeal to core gamers, and many fans felt the lack of focus in that regard, which ended up making it struggle in sales."

The next Hitman will have players controlling Agent 47 during the prime of his career, as he stalks his prey across the world with the support of long-term handler Diana Burnwood and the ICA.

Matsuda said the aim was to convince long-term Hitman players that this is a game they can learn to love.

"So, as for the AAA titles we're currently developing for series, we basically want to go back to their roots and focus on the core audience, while working hard on content that can have fans say things like 'this is the Hitman we know'.

"I believe that is the best way for our development studios to display their strengths."

You can read up on the first details for the new Hitman here.