IO Interactive Regains Ownership of Project Fantasy

IO Interactive has its hands full with Project Fantasy, alongside its other leading IPs: 007 First Light and Hitman. Despite recent troubles, the company has confirmed that Project Fantasy is now fully the property of IO Interactive.

Back in May, IO Interactive’s Project Fantasy was described as being in a “Very Healthy Space.”

It’s been labeled as ‘amazing’ by IO’s CEO, and should be something unlike we’ve ever seen before. The recent XBOX layoffs and restructuring of the company have meant IO layoffs, following the end of the Project Fantasy partnership with XBOX, but it’s still full steam ahead with the new IP.

IO Interactive is ‘Wholly Committed’ to Project Fantasy

IO Interactive’s X page has opened up on the future of the company and Project Fantasy. It’s been a tough time with the company having to lay off so many hard workers and devs.

However, Project Fantasy is still in development, and news is coming soon.

In the meantime, here’s the full statement from IO Interactive:

‘Dear gaming community,

Following the end of our external finance partnership on Project Fantasy, IOI has regained full ownership of the project and our IP. We will continue to develop and fund it independently amongst our other projects. With this context, we had to find a new balance for the long-term future of the studio, focused on the success of our main internal core titles instead of external projects and potential mobile game derivatives. This has meant making changes as well as proposed changes across our studios: the closure of our Istanbul studio and starting a process to part ways with colleagues who have been a meaningful part of what makes IOI what it is.

Our immediate focus is on supporting those affected as best we can through this period. If you are aware of any opportunities within your network, we would be genuinely grateful for any support you can offer to any of the talented people across IOI who might be looking for new opportunities.

These are hard, but necessary decisions, in order to retain the long-term future of IO Interactive as one of the very few fully independent AAA developer and publisher, as well as to give Project Fantasy the best possible foundation to succeed under our own passion and direction. Project Fantasy is a game, a world, and an IP that we are wholly committed to, and we cannot wait to share the love with you.’

Naturally, some breathing space will be needed to allow everyone to absorb what’s transpired in the last few weeks.

Project Fantasy is sure to be revealed when the time is right, and with IO at the helm, you can’t help but assume it’s going to be just as good as Hitman or 007 First Light!

While we wait for Project Fantasy, check out what’s coming in another one of IO Interactive’s big hits: 007 First Light.

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