Hitman, 007 First Light Studio Begins Layoffs As Its Fantasy RPG Project Suffers Setbacks

“This means we have to adapt to this new reality and its short-term consequences, including staffing decisions, which is what is happening as we write this update, and we are fully committed to supporting those affected through this challenging transition,” the statement reads.

In spite of the setback, IO’s statement ends with a promise that Project Fantasy is not dead. “This wonderful universe will see the light of day,” the statement concludes.

Although the identity of the partner has been speculation throughout Project Fantasy’s development, Xbox confirmed today that it was working with IO Interactive on the IP. In a statement to Bloomberg, Xbox confirmed that it had pulled its funding, saying, “We expect to invest about the same in content as we did last year. What’s changing is where we’re investing and the kinds of projects we’re backing.”

IO Interactive’s latest game and its first outside of the Hitman franchise in a while, 007 First Light, has been a critical and commercial success, with the studio celebrating 3 million copies sold in the first two weeks after launch.