IO Interactive
Updated: 5/29/2026, 11:50:44 PM Wikipedia source
IO Interactive A/S (IOI) is a Danish video game developer and publisher based in Copenhagen, best known for creating and developing the Hitman and Kane and Lynch franchises. IO Interactive's most recent game is 007 First Light, released in 2026. The company was founded in September 1998 as a joint venture between the seven-man development team of Reto-Moto and film studio Nordisk Film. IO Interactive was acquired by publisher Eidos Interactive for £23 million in March 2004, which saw itself acquired by Square Enix and renamed as Square Enix Europe in 2009. In May 2017, Square Enix ceased funding for IO Interactive and started seeking a buyer for the studio. IO Interactive performed a management buyout in June 2017, becoming independent and regaining the rights to its Hitman and Freedom Fighters franchises. IO Interactive employs over 500 people as of June 2025 and operates four subsidiary studios: IOI Malmö in Malmö, Sweden; IOI Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, IOI Istanbul in Istanbul, Turkey, and IOI Brighton in Brighton, England.
Infobox
Formerly
IO Interactive ApS (1998–2000)
Company type
Private
Industry
Video games
Founded
16 September 1998 (1998-09-16)
Founders
Jesper Vorsholt Jørgensen Rasmus Guldberg-Kjær Martin Munk Pollas Karsten Lemann Hvidberg Jacob Andersen Janos Flösser David Guldbrandsen
Headquarters
Copenhagen, Denmark
Key people
Hakan B. Abrak (CEO)
Products
Hitman series Kane & Lynch series Freedom Fighters Mini Ninjas 007 First Light
Revenue
281 million kr. (40 million USD) (2023)
Operating income
47 million kr. (6 million USD) (2023)
Net income
55 million kr. (8 million USD) (2023)
Total assets
1 billion kr. (159 million USD) (2023)
Total equity
913 million kr. (132 million USD) (2023)
Number of employees
500 (2025)
Parent
Square Enix Europe (2004–2017)
Divisions
IOI Partners
Subsidiaries
IOI Barcelona IOI Brighton IOI Istanbul IOI Malmö
Website
ioi
Tables
· Games developed
2000
Hitman: Codename 47
Role(s)
Windows
Notes
Eidos Interactive
2002
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
Role(s)
GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox
2003
Freedom Fighters
Role(s)
GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox
Notes
Electronic Arts
2004
Hitman: Contracts
Role(s)
PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox
Notes
Eidos Interactive
2006
Hitman: Blood Money
Role(s)
Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360
Notes
Eidos Interactive, Feral Interactive
2007
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
Role(s)
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Notes
Eidos Interactive
2009
Mini Ninjas
Role(s)
macOS, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Wii, Windows, Xbox 360
Notes
Eidos Interactive, Feral Interactive
2010
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days
Role(s)
PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360
Notes
Square Enix
2012
Hitman: Absolution
Role(s)
macOS, PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360
Notes
Square Enix, Feral Interactive
2016
Hitman
Role(s)
Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Windows, Xbox One
2018
Hitman 2
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, Stadia, Windows, Xbox One
Notes
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
2021
Hitman 3
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Notes
IO Interactive
2026
007 First Light
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S
TBA
Role(s)
Project Fantasy (working title)
Notes
TBA
| Year | Title | Platform(s) | Publisher(s) |
| 2000 | Hitman: Codename 47 | Windows | Eidos Interactive |
| 2002 | Hitman 2: Silent Assassin | GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox | |
| 2003 | Freedom Fighters | GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox | Electronic Arts |
| 2004 | Hitman: Contracts | PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox | Eidos Interactive |
| 2006 | Hitman: Blood Money | Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360 | Eidos Interactive, Feral Interactive |
| 2007 | Kane & Lynch: Dead Men | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | Eidos Interactive |
| 2009 | Mini Ninjas | macOS, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Wii, Windows, Xbox 360 | Eidos Interactive, Feral Interactive |
| 2010 | Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days | PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 | Square Enix |
| 2012 | Hitman: Absolution | macOS, PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 | Square Enix, Feral Interactive |
| 2016 | Hitman | Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Windows, Xbox One | |
| 2018 | Hitman 2 | PlayStation 4, Stadia, Windows, Xbox One | Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment |
| 2021 | Hitman 3 | Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | IO Interactive |
| 2026 | 007 First Light | Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S | |
| TBA | Project Fantasy (working title) | TBA |
· Games developed › Games published
2025
MindsEye
Role(s)
PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S
Notes
Build A Rocket Boy
| Year | Title | Platform(s) | Developer(s) |
| 2025 | MindsEye | PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S | Build A Rocket Boy |
References
- Publishing duties transferred to Build a Rocket Boy in March 2026
- "IO Interactive Annual report 2023/ 24"2023https://regnskaber.cvrapi.dk/90261242/amNsb3VkczovLzAzL2FiLzYyLzU5LzAyLzdiODAtNDEyNi05ZmUxLTY1OWE4MjNhMWJlMg.pdf
- "IO Interactive Annual report 2023/ 24"2023https://regnskaber.cvrapi.dk/90261242/amNsb3VkczovLzAzL2FiLzYyLzU5LzAyLzdiODAtNDEyNi05ZmUxLTY1OWE4MjNhMWJlMg.pdf
- "IO Interactive Annual report 2023/ 24"2023https://regnskaber.cvrapi.dk/90261242/amNsb3VkczovLzAzL2FiLzYyLzU5LzAyLzdiODAtNDEyNi05ZmUxLTY1OWE4MjNhMWJlMg.pdf
- "IO Interactive Annual report 2023/ 24"2023https://regnskaber.cvrapi.dk/90261242/amNsb3VkczovLzAzL2FiLzYyLzU5LzAyLzdiODAtNDEyNi05ZmUxLTY1OWE4MjNhMWJlMg.pdf
- "IO Interactive Annual report 2023/ 24"2023https://regnskaber.cvrapi.dk/90261242/amNsb3VkczovLzAzL2FiLzYyLzU5LzAyLzdiODAtNDEyNi05ZmUxLTY1OWE4MjNhMWJlMg.pdf
- "How 'Hitman' Developer Became One of the Largest Independent Game Companies"2025https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-06-13/-hitman-developer-io-interactive-emerges-as-independent-video-game-powerhouse?utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=copy
- Engadget2008https://www.engadget.com/2008/04/11/former-hitman-kane-and-lynch-creators-launch-reto-moto/
- GameSpot2008https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hitman-devs-go-solo-with-reto-moto/1100-6189099/
- Virk2019https://datacvr.virk.dk/data/visenhed?enhedstype=virksomhed&id=24216209&language=en-gb
- Berlingske Business2004https://www.business.dk/diverse/hitman-solgt-til-england
- Hitman2009https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143601/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/117054/QA_The_Then_And_Now_of_Hitman_Dev_IO_Interactive.php