I think what they are getting at with the “first non-kill mission” (albeit poorly if so) is that it was the first time the Celebrity Elusive “Target” was not a target to be killed.
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Well I didn’t have tiktok to get it the first time, and now I don’t have instagram to get it the second time 
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Either that, or the first time where you don’t have to actually kill the target yourself, which isn’t true either, as LeChiffre would concu- no, actually, he can’t.
IOI asked all these quetions on gameplay, content and missions. That should mean something? It’s specifically for Hitman, maybe they are working on something yet or for next year support?
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It’s probably for the December CelebET
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You’re right, it’s even worse than I remember it. Having to distract and KO people forever before being able to finish that mission because they’re like 72 in that room is not fun. I don’t want to touch this mission ever again x_x
Yeah if you don’t the mission is fairly easy. The problems arise when you do 
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Yep. The targets in Lust were optional so they don’t really count as long as you’re OK with getting 4 stars instead of 5. There were also (I think) some of the escalations where actually killing a target wasn’t necessary in some of the stages either - just pacification.
If we are going with escalations, the Mccallister Ransack (whittleton creek) is a no target escalation. It’s all about traversal and thievery. And I love it for it.
And then there is the Grand Theft Bosco featured contract.
The Lee mission is the first “official mission” where the story and its objective is to protect someone. It’s the primary statement of it.
47 is not briefed on any elimination. You can choose to do a bit more . But it’s not your mission.
In a way Le Chiffre also did this in gameplay.
But in briefing, you are here to eliminate someone.
And if the devs need feedback.
Love it. 
It’s a side of the gameplay that feels proper and refreshing to play.
Would really like if a mission allowed a full “legal” way to finish it.
The last two ETs come close, with social NOKO routes possibles, and possible proxy eliminations that don’t feel pushed on by 47.
Yet:
- Lee comes close in spirit, especially when replacing and fairly winning the fights by acting as Lee’s second.
But it has the initial infiltration, that require at best trespassing with hostile zone climbing and vaulting, or trespassing and illegal stealing of an invite. - Le Chiffre comes close in gameplay, you can finish the mission without ever going into trespass or doing a “red” prompt, via the roulette betting of Rangan’s invite.
But in story you have a mandatory threatening of the croupier and cheat at the cards. (would have liked to have a, hard, way to win honestly)
As for items.
I will still pin for the ICA 19 ClassicStriker.
- a Silenced Striker
- Using the cut Black Lilly Mk3 model made for Hitman 3 (the one with the squared “shotgun” silencer)
- would be a call back to the ragdoll power of the fully upgraded SilverBaller of Blood Money, a part of the charm of the classic games
- fun for the casual player and streamers
- some use in gameplay to open doors, but no more than a SMG, or F/A ICA19
- might be interesting, but not complete overhaul, for speedrunners
- nothing game-breaking for silent assassin
Also, man what I would give to just have a dev at least read my freelancer lessons learned campaign wishlist.
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Also the Corky Commotion where the objective is just “KO Helmut with the bat”, which is pretty hilarious in itself 
Not that I wouldn’t like such an item, but it would instantly make regular Strikers irrelevant 
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I also forgot about the Aelwin Augment. The fish knock-outs escalation.
I miss those kind of escalations. It has targets, but I also loved the briefcase throwing one.
Would it though?
Strikers are for combat fun. And part of it is that they are noisy, attracting guards. Usually in single file to be skewered all at once. I don’t think their use is for measured play with relevance.
Only place it truly is, is in Freelancer and the “unsilenced epic payout”, and it wouldn’t be impacted.
A Silenced Striker would be a different kind of fun. Some fun ragdoll, some sending over the edge, some controlled-inside-a-room mayhem, some punchy yet integrated to a normal run sod-it-we-ball-before-reload-save escalation.
None are really why the current Strikers are used for, not the same way. Even less in casual fun play.
I think they would coexist.
I also really think it would be a fun addition.
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Sadly it doesn’t work with Strikers, only El Matador (Strikers don’t have epic rarity)
They’re also used for long-range “sniping” (to attract guards at the shot location instead of the target’s) although it’s a bit of a niche use.
I also think it would be a fun addition anyway.
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There’s also the Batty Tranquility where you just have to pacify James Batty, Amelia Garros (jogger) and Aiden Kelly (politicians assistant) as the Mailman.
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Wonder why the Dragon Duck drop is going live on Friday, when they traditionally go live on the Thursdays? Guess we’ll find out soon if thats just a typo or if its actually correct.
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I’m pretty sure the lust targets aren’t necessary for five stars, just for the challenge. As for fully pacifist missions, are we not forgetting Untouchable?
While I think of it, kinda forgot to post it then.
IOI Annual Report was published in September.
(Roadmap topic always seems most appropriate for general current IOI news)
Some chosen extracts:
Revenue for FY25 was expected to range between DKK 250 and 300 million. However, we significantly exceeded this and reached DKK 396 million - primarily driven by the success of our live services for World of Assassination (WOA), especially the Exclusive Targets featuring Jean Claude van Damme. This and recognition of VGTR for 2 years had a direct impact on profit before tax, where a loss of DKK 40-50 million had been anticipated, but a profit of DKK 153 million was realized.
FY25 was a year of continued development focus. Alongside ongoing work on internally developed IP, we continue to generate revenue from catalogue titles and maintain strong community engagement around WOA. In addition to investments in our major productions, we see the potential to launch a game experience closely related to WOA. These initiatives, combined with the long-term production cycles, have a planned impact on the Group’s free cash flow.
The Group’s long-term strategic goal is to diversify its IP portfolio by developing original titles that reach audiences beyond our established Hitman fanbase. Operating as a multi-project AAA studio presents both creative and operational complexity, but we are pleased with the progress of both our licensed James Bond project and our original Fantasy project.
(note: VGTR is a UK tax relief)
Some miscs:
Project Fantasy is is being developed in partnership with an external publisher and financier.
IOI has 432 full time employee, up from 296 last year, and 265 at Hitman 3 release.
And for outlooks, and if anyone wonders where First Light will fall, since its release would have been at the tail end of their usual calendar:
We have decided to change the accounting year to follow the calendar year. The next accounting period will therefore cover 9 months and end on 31 December 2025.
The Group continues to invest in its two major development projects. At the same time, we are encouraged by the ongoing performance of WOA. During this period, the Hitman universe will launch on iOS and Mac, and our first externally developed title under the IO Interactive Partners label was released in June 2025.
For the 9-month period, revenue is expected to range between DKK 350-400 million. The result before tax is expected to profit, within a range of approximately DKK 30-50 million.
The Group is committed to becoming one of the most impactful game studios in the world.
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also death in the family via the suicide thing
But it still results in a death, and it only occurs via your actions, so that still counts. I think the idea is no death at all. The Infiltrator doesn’t really count toward that, because either way, The Dragon has to die, and even when Lee does it, it’s only because you keep him from being eliminated from the tournament, so still a death resulting from your actions, hence why 47 still gets paid.
Besides it all, the point IOI made in the Survey is not that the Infiltrator can be finished with no elimination, or proxy…
We are loosing track of the discussion they wanted to have.
It’s that it’s premise is about protecting someone.
And that’s a first for a briefing mission.
That’s the sell of it. Is it a good, or interesting one? (yes)
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Well, it’s hardly the first time we’ve had a Hitman mission that was all about protecting someone. It just usually involves doing that by killing someone else.