IO Interactive Announces Hitman Co-op Mode Featuring Stone & Knight and New Bond Collaboration

IO Interactive has revealed that a new co-op mode, Stone & Knight, is coming to Hitman: World of Assassination. The mode will let players take on missions as agents Derrick Powell (Stone) and Andrea Morgan (Knight), both of whom previously appeared in Hitman 2’s Sniper Assassin and Hitman Sniper: The Shadows. While detailed gameplay mechanics remain under wraps, early footage shows picture-in-picture action and hints at evolved team-based mission strategies, potentially building on prior co-op modes. During the announcement, IO Interactive also confirmed the franchise has sold over 25 million units, with 80 million players engaging in the title, including those accessing the Free Starter Pack. CEO Hakan Abrak and CCO Christian Elverdam highlighted continued community support as the game approaches its 25th anniversary. Additionally, IO announced a Bond universe crossover: Le Chiffre from Casino Royale, portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen, will appear as a new elusive target in the game, signaling further IP integrations. While fans are excited for new collaborative missions, some express concern over balancing co-op gameplay with the series’ traditional stealth-focused approach. The update signals IO Interactive’s intent to innovate within major gaming IPs, leveraging cross-franchise collaborations. No direct mention of cryptocurrencies or blockchain integrations was made in this announcement.