IO Interactive may be working with Xbox on an exclusive fantasy RPG, codenamed ‘Project Dragon’
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Recently, IO Interactive of Hitman famespoketo GameIndustry.biz about spinning up a third team to support a new IP that was something “different” for the studio. And we may know a bit more about what it is.
A few months ago, I received information that Microsoft and IO Interactive were in talks for a new fantasy RPG, dubbed Project Dragon. While it’s too early to share any sort of gameplay details — the final product may look wildly different than the initial pitch — what’s on paper thus far sounds incredibly ambitious, and represents a completely new direction for IO.
On IO Interactive’s website,various job listingsare live for multiplayer positions in IO’s Swedish studio. And indeed, we’ve heard that this Dragon project is a connected-world RPG, set in an entirely new universe. One of the job listing PDFs on IO’s websitespecifically refersto the team being “Dragon,” adding credence to the information we’ve recieved.
Previously we discussed howMicrosoft is working with several third-party partnersas part of its Xbox Global Publishing effort, with the aim of bringing more exclusive high-quality games to Xbox consoles, and indeed, Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft’s Q3 2021 quarterly earnings report detailedrecord revenuefor their gaming efforts, specifically citing hardware sales and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions as key growth drivers.
If Microsoft is indeed the publisher of IO Interactive’s upcoming game, it joins a growing number of reasons to be excited aboutfuture games heading to Xbox. IO Interactive recently releasedHitman 3to widespread praise, and is also working on a video game based on the James Bond universe, dubbed007.
As with all rumors, take it with a pinch of salt until we get official word from either IO Interactive or Microsoft. And of course, anything can happen between now and launch. This game in particular sounds like it could be years away, as it’s still in the very early stages of development. One thing is for sure, though — if IO is able to hit anywhere near what I believe has been pitched, I for one am very excited indeed.
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Jez Corden is the Executive Editor at Windows Central, focusing primarily on all things Xbox and gaming. Jez is known for breaking exclusive news and analysis as relates to the Microsoft ecosystem while being powered by tea. Follow onTwitter (X)andThreads, and listen to hisXB2 Podcast, all about, you guessed it, Xbox!
