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Hitman Developer’s Upcoming Fantasy RPG May Be an Xbox Exclusive
IO Interactive, the mastermind studio behind the critically acclaimed Hitman: World of Assassination trilogy, has been quietly cooking up something entirely different from their usual stealth-assassin sandboxes. Codenamed Project Dragon, this upcoming title is a massive online fantasy RPG.
However, a wave of recently uncovered legal documents and industry leaks suggests some bittersweet news for the gaming community: IO Interactive’s ambitious fantasy journey might be completely skipping PlayStation 5 to launch as an Xbox console exclusive.
Here is a breakdown of the leaks, what Project Dragon actually is, and why PlayStation fans might be left out in the cold on this one.
The Leak: Inside the FTC vs. Microsoft Documents
The rumor originally caught fire during the high-profile legal battles between Microsoft and the FTC. Hidden deep within internal Microsoft strategy emails and publishing roadmaps, Project Dragon was explicitly listed with Xbox Game Studios named as the sole publishing partner.
Furthermore, the platforms designated for the title were strictly marked as PC and Xbox Series X|S.
While IO Interactive has historically been a fiercely independent studio working across all platforms, it appears Microsoft stepped in early in development to fully fund and publish the title under their global umbrella. This means that just like Starfield or Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Project Dragon is highly anticipated to be a day-one launch on Xbox Game Pass, completely bypassing the PS5.
What We Know About Project Dragon So Far
IO Interactive officially confirmed they were working on an unannounced online fantasy RPG back in early 2023, describing it as a passion project built from the ground up to honor the roots of tabletop gaming and medieval high-fantasy universes.
While they haven't shown gameplay trailers yet, the studio has shared core details regarding their vision:
- A Brand New Frontier: Moving away from modern briefcases, silenced pistols, and urban cities, this game introduces a world of magic, mythical beasts, and massive medieval kingdoms.
- Built for Co-op: IO Interactive has emphasized that the game is being designed to bring players together. It features a deeply integrated multiplayer framework where a close-knit party of friends must work together to conquer dungeons and shifting world events.
- Long-Term Support: The studio is planning a "many-year journey," implying that Project Dragon will be a robust live-service title or an evolving sandbox designed to expand with massive content updates for a decade.
The Silver Lining: What About James Bond 'Project 007'?
If you are a PlayStation purist feeling disappointed by this exclusivity news, don’t panick just yet. IO Interactive is currently running two massive development teams.
While their fantasy RPG team is closely partnered with Xbox, their highly anticipated Project 007—the definitive James Bond origin story game—remains completely independent. That title is still safely on track to launch as a traditional multi-platform release, ensuring PS5 players will definitely get to step into the sharp suit of the world's most famous secret agent.
When Can We Expect an Official Reveal?
With development moving smoothly over the last couple of years, industry analysts expect Xbox to formally unveil Project Dragon at a major upcoming summer showcase. A cinematic teaser introducing the lore, followed by a gameplay breakdown, is highly likely to drop before the year wraps up.
Over to You!
Does Microsoft securing IO Interactive's massive fantasy RPG change how you view Xbox's upcoming lineup? Or do you think a massive multiplayer game like this hurts its potential by skipping the global PS5 player base?
Stay Tuned! Whether it's multi-platform blockbusters or major PC codes, we keep our catalog stocked with the latest releases. Drop your thoughts in the comment section below!
