IO Interactive names new studio head

Hitman developer IO Interactive has announced the promotion of Hakan Abrak to studio head.

Abrak has been at the Danish studio for more than a decade, starting as a producer. He replaces former studio head Hannes Seifert, who left IO Interactive and parent Square Enix for a new project closer to his home in Austria.

Serving as studio production director, Abrak was instrumental in the episode release of Agent 47's newest adventures last year and hopes to build on the studio's success following the acclaim its experimental new Hitman received.

He thanked "my friend and mentor" Seifert for the work his predecessor did growing the company, declaring him an "exemplary studio head".

"I am humbled and truly proud to take on this role," said Abrak in an official blog post. This is a studio I am fiercely passionate about, both in terms of who we are and what we do and I will now work resolutely to lead IOI forwards for our next exciting chapters.

"We have learnt to be more open to our community and players, to listen and learn and this is something we will get even better at as we move forwards. And above all, we have learnt not to fear change, but to embrace it. As a studio, we have established a strong direction for Hitman and we will continue to innovate and push into the digital gaming space as we strive to build unique experiences in gaming."