Interviewed by Ben and Aurora
Billede Fleck of Hitman 2

Q: Will the enhanced AI be able to notice and react to environmental changes such as a bloodstain on the wall or a weapon you drop laying on the floor?

The AI in Hitman 2 focus a lot on how characters behave and react. In the game we have a visual indication of how tense the guards are (+heartbeat audio and rumble pack) - letting the player know how the enemies state are. They are able to see through diguises if Hitman gets to close or provokes a guard during a period of time. We didn't chose to use the environmental changes and focused more at characters and disguises, because a big issue of Hitman still is to change idendity by changing clothes.

Q: How will the game play differ from the first instalment in the series?

Hitman II will be a tremendously improved sequel to the first game. We believed strongly in our main-character and haven't as such changed the way the character Hitman works. The gamers will still play the same assassin. There will be a main-target on every level, but it's the player that decide how to complete the mission - e.g. sneaky and stealthy or gun swinging and noisy. It won't affect the Hitman's skills or anything like that, but it affects the ranking of the type of hitman the player is.

Q: What new weapons can we look forward to seeing, and will there be a larger variety than the first game?

Our weapon-guys have done a great job. The number of weapons has increased and also the diversity of them. The feeling with the weapons are much better now, and the recoil actually effects the sight and precision. Also the calibre of the guns differs, and heavy calibre guns will be able to shoot through ordinairy doors.

Q: What is the overall motive in the game?

After the final killing of the sinister doctor in Hitman1, our hero takes refuge in a Sicilian monastery, where he tries to live a peaceful life. But the kidnapping of the priest at the monastery, forces him to take up his old trade, but this time, he's doing it out of free will. But below a simple kidnapping you may discover another storyline… things ain't always what they look like!

Q: How has it been working with the Xbox hardware compared to other systems?

We didn't experienced any big problems with the Xbox development. The Xbox is very easy to develop for, especially when all graphics and code have been prepared and optimized for the playstation.

Q: What game (other than Hitman) would you compare Hitman 2 with, and what are your reasoning?

I'll put Hitman2 in the category "1st-and-3rd-person-stealth-action-adventure-shooter-with-a-twist" and every game in that category could be comparable :-)

Q: What will the environments be like? What kinds of things will you be able to do?

All in all there are 21 missions - Hitman visits Sicily, India, Skt. Petersburg, Malaysia, Japan and Nuristan. When designing the levels we consider the architecture and atmosphere from a certain location. Opposite Hitman1 we dicided not to use too many special designet gameplay features on the levels - instead we made the gameplay features homogenous through all the levels. Shooting out the lamps at certain levels gives you an advantages like "blindfolding" the guards, but that feature is consistent through the hole game.

Q: What kind of features have you incorporated into the Glacier engine? How will the graphics look compared to the first game?

The new engine allows us to draw more detail, which has enabled us to create levels that are much more intricate. Some of Hitman2's maps are more open than usual, without the short draw distance and pesky fog normally required to keep the polygon count at a reasonable level. This is a tremendous advantage when designing levels, because we're able to create some great vantage points overlooking a large area - which is ideal for sniping.

Q: Will the first-person view be used to just look around, or can you play the whole game in first-person?

We decided to give the player first-person option, because many people are used to FPS, especially when aiming and shooting precisely. So at any time and any place you can switch between third- and first-person. Personally I normally use third-person when I'm investigating the surroundings and make clean hits, but if I'm in for some action I go to first-person.

Q: What part of Hitman 2 are you most proud of?

I'm quite proud of the game in general. I think all the levels are so detailed and beuatiful, that I have to apllause all of the background- and character-artists and animators. But even though it looks nice it doesn't work without the groundbraking code - so let me applause them as well. And thanks to my manager and my family because they believed in my new album……

Q: Will there be a multiplayer component?

No, Hitman2 will only be a singleplayer game. At IO we are working on netcode but not for a specific project. We've also discussed several options that might translate the Hitman-experience to a multiplayer environment, but at this point, no specifics can be revealed except we're considering our options in that regard and have come up with some great ideas.

Q: When is the game scheduled to be released?

The release is in late september on all 3 platforms (PC, PS2 and Xbox)

Q: How do you feel about the Microsoft Xbox?

Giving people several platform to choose from is good for the consumers and the market. But how I feel is quite personal…. I don't wanna tell you about my crossdressing experiences as well!

Q: Will there be any differences between the PC, PS2 and Xbox versions?

Due to the performance at the different platforms there will be some differences like e.g. texture sizes, amount of effects, level of detail - but the gameplay itself stays intact.

Q: How do you feel about the success of the first game?

The success with Hitman1 gave us actually the possibility to make Hitman2 - and that's what we're very happy about. Not the Ferraries and private jets…