[MMaRsu]

New threads for new news I guess

David Bateson, singer, actor and eponymous voice of Agent 47 for the entire Hitman franchise, has been unceremoniously dumped by IO Interactive. Although it had previously been confirmed that amongst the cast reshuffle, it took a member of Hitmanforum to contact Bateson personally, to find out why. His response was, alarmingly, indicative of the studio dropping the actor quite unceremoniously: ‘The absolute truth is: no one from IO Interactive is answering my calls, e-mails or sms. Feeling very let down at the moment but I haven’t heard personally.’ Considering that Bateson’s voice has been one of the key aspects of the character’s persona, the rough, European rumble that picked 47 out as a cool, calm operator, it does raise questions as to whether Absolution is hoping to shift further from its roots than previously expected.

Also, Jesper Kyd will not be returning to do the soundtrack for the new Hitman game.

In my opinion, I say we raise a stink and see if we can get Bateson and Kyd back. Since it pretty much happened for Max Payne 3.

Update:

Came across this on the Hitman forum... Hi there Mathew, Thanks to you I now know more! I didn't even know the E3 thing had voice work on it at all. Yeah, I won't lie. I am totally gutted. You know, IO called me in in Sept 09 and said I had to now audition for the part thanks to them hiring some LA casting director. Well, I ate my slice of humble pie and auditioned and then heard back shortly afterwards: congratulations - you got the part. I have been waiting ever since for the call to go in and record... You know, I can even understand IOI not letting me know what's going on so as to avoid any loss of shine in the build up to the trailer premiere and then E3. But now, after repeated mails and sms to the producer and still no reply I am lost for words. Thanks for your support though. Kind regards David Jesus, what a horrible way to treat someone. :/

[Mush]

I'm pretty sure this was revealed in the Absolution gameplay thread.

[MMaRsu]

I'm pretty sure this was revealed in the Absolution gameplay thread.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't, although Edge also states it.

[Discotheque]

I'm pretty sure this was revealed in the Absolution gameplay thread.

New thread for new news, 5hitman's sounding worse with every new bit of info we get.

[Riposte]

Someone will find a way to blame Square Enix

[test_account]

Did Agent 47 really talk much? Been quite a while since i've played a Hitman game.

[Man]

I'm pretty sure this was revealed in the Absolution gameplay thread.

Deserves own thread. Those are classic contributors to this series.

[subversus]

It was mentioned in numerous threads numerous times but such details weren't mentioned.

[rogue_pigeon]

I'm pretty sure it wasn't, although Edge also states it.

It was. That's what most of the bitching has been focused on.

[HK-47]

Abort this shit now.

[Azure Phoenix]

I'm pretty sure it wasn't, although Edge also states it.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=433444

But yeah, it probably still deserves a new thread since it was buried in a list of bullet points.

[Seraphinianus]

replaced by Nolan North, who cracks a goofy everyman one liner after assassinating dudes

[INDIGO_CYCLOPS]

Did Agent 47 really talk much? Been quite a while since i've played a Hitman game.

Not that much really but this still burns. No Kyd kills me one poison bottle at a time. They are really screwing up...

[Speedymanic]

I think you should update the OP with the news that trial and error has been removed/toned to the point where you simply can't make mistakes.

Instinct mode replaces the map, you have to refill it by carrying out stealth kills (Conviction, anyone?), it's upgradable, it's used when donning a disguise, allows for you to 'read minds' on lower difficulties, highlights/shows guards, enemies routes, allows you to look through walls.

And let's not forget that the game supposedly enters a slo-mo mode when your cover is about to be blown, this allows you to do something to stay in the role of the disguise (pick up doughnut/something that relates to the disguise you've taken), which is admittedly cool, but was handled much better in BM with you having to find items relating to your disguise (tools, delivery box, etc) at the very beginning and not when you're about to be discovered.

SMH! :/

[Shaneus]

New threads for new news I guess Also, Jesper Kyd will not be returning to do the soundtrack for the new Hitman game. In my opinion, I say we raise a stink and see if we can get Bateson and Kyd back. Since it pretty much happened for Max Payne 3.

Damn, I love some of the stuff Jesper Kyd did:
Radio Moscow (Amiga MOD tracker)
Subterrania (Genesis)
The Adventures of Batman & Robin (Genesis)
Hitman: Blood Money "Vegas"

[L0st Id3ntity]

Instinct mode replaces the map, you have to refill it by carrying out stealth kills (Conviction, anyone?)

You're kidding.

[Speedymanic]

You're kidding.

I wish I was. :(

[Ahoi-Brause]

No absolution thread complete without this.

[Van Buren]

In my opinion, I say we raise a stink and see if we can get Bateson and Kyd back.

I read that the OST has already been completed, so the chances are minimal at best.

Funny thing is that even with all the other changes, if Kyd were still on board, I would have been willing to still get the game.

[ymmv]

Who says Kid has been dumped? Maybe it was his own choice not to work on the next Hitman game. He's pretty busy with Assassin's Creed and his last sore for for IO Interactive was in 2007.

[Messi]

Who says Kid has been dumped? Maybe it was his own choice not to work on the next Hitman game. He's pretty busy with Assassin's Creed and his last sore for for IO Interactive was in 2007.

this sounds right, still hurts though.

[subversus]

The cover looks good. Pre-ordering it right now.

[Totobeni]

So..

-No one from the original dev team at all. ( it's most likely K&L team)
-Blood Money director is not even on this game too
-More actiony game
-Agent 47 is Rambo now.
-Not the same voice actor
-Jesper Kyd not doing the soundtrack


*sigh*

[subversus]

So.. -No one from the original dev team at all. ( it's most likely K&L team) -Blood Money director is not even on this game too -More actiony game -Agent 47 is Rambo now. -Not the same voice actor -Jesper Kyd not doing the soundtrack *sigh*

Looks good, eh?

[Atolm]

IO pulled a Conviction with this game.

[Rated-Rsuperstar]

Jesper Kyd wrote a song for the direction this series is heading. :(

[Rahxephon91]

Jesper Kyd wrote a song for the direction this series is heading. :(

Maybe this one is more appropriate.

[Guerrillas in the Mist]

This is starting to sound like it should have been in the hands of a developer other than IO.

[Anasui Kishibe]

I read it as

[Ahoi-Brause]

Here you can see how fucking well Bateson and Kyd worked together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4qu1VmHqXc

47's narration over Kyd's soundtrack for the intro of the stage.
SO fucking good and the awesome campy writing. ("A good thing I brought my suit", as if he'd wear anything else)

[miladesn]

Jesper Kyd is probably too busy with that other Hitman series, releasing one every year must mean lots of work for him.

[Chinese Electric Batman]

Wow.

[MrHicks]

this is The Darkness 2 not using jackie's OG voice 2.0
unacceptable

[Totobeni]

IO pulled a Conviction with this game.

It seems like this is the SE strategy to me, the new Tomb Raider also dropped the unique gameplay of the series for more cinematic/QTE/action crap.

[HK-47]

Jesper Kyd is probably too busy with that other Hitman series, releasing one every year must mean lots of work for him.

Assassin's Creed wishes it was as amazing as Hitman.

[jgminto]

To Do List:

1. Shave head
2. Buy suit
3. Get barcode tattoo
4. Buy Fiberwire
5. Go to IO offices
6. Assassinate everyone working there

[mxgt]

It's like they're just flat out trolling the fanbase at this point.

This is so disappointing.

[Soda]

I'm starting to wonder if anyone at IO actually played the old Hitman games.

[hamchan]

Shame about Kyd, his Assassin's Creed work has been fantastic.

[Gravijah]

Assassin's Creed wishes it was as amazing as Hitman.

After Hitman Absolution, I don't think that is true.

[HK-47]

After Hitman Absolution, I don't think that is true.

Thief > Splinter Cell > Hitman > Assassins Creed > Metal Gear

Hitman Absolution will have to be really bad to drop it below AC as a series.

[Ahoi-Brause]

Thief > Splinter Cell > Hitman > Assassins Creed > Metal Gear Hitman Absolution will have to be really bad to drop it below AC as a series.

Please what?
Hitman > Splinter Cell

[HK-47]

Please what? Hitman > Splinter Cell

Love the original 3 Splinter Cells. I prefer them to the Hitman games minus Blood Money, which is probably better than all of the them.

[ZombieFred]

Love the original 3 Splinter Cells. I prefer them to the Hitman games minus Blood Money, which is probably better than all of the them.

Chaos Theory still stands as the best stealth games ever created, and one of the best co-op stealth experiences made. That innovation in use of stealth, sound, and game design has outdone anything in most Hitman games in its series.

[Gravijah]

Thief > Splinter Cell > Hitman > Assassins Creed > Metal Gear Hitman Absolution will have to be really bad to drop it below AC as a series.

If we're only talking about the stealth gameplay, I would actually put AC below MGS, as much as I am enjoying AssBro.

[Nemo]

Where does it say Jesper Kyd is also dumped? Maybe he got a deal with Ubisoft going

Shame about Bateson tho, loved his voice. He was 47

[Messi]

Where does it say Jesper Kyd is also dumped? Maybe he got a deal with Ubisoft going

the other thread and in edge magazine.

[hamchan]

Thief > Splinter Cell > Hitman > Assassins Creed > Metal Gear Hitman Absolution will have to be really bad to drop it below AC as a series.

Assassin't Creed really shouldn't be counted as a stealth series if that's what you're using as a comparison.

Assassin's Creed is much more open world, platforming and action than stealth, pretty unique I feel.

[INDIGO_CYCLOPS]

If we're only talking about the stealth gameplay, I would actually put AC below MGS, as much as I am enjoying AssBro.

I agree totally. All they really need to do is add in that sneak/crouch toggle and the other elements combined would push it ahead.

[Gravijah]

Assassin't Creed really shouldn't be counted as a stealth series if that's what you're using as a comparison. Assassin's Creed is much more open world, platforming and action than stealth, pretty unique I feel.

I agree with this.