IO Interactive has officially acknowledged the performance issues plaguing the Nintendo Switch 2 port of Hitman: World of Assassination. Originally positioned as a launch title to showcase the handheld's improved hardware capabilities, the game instead received mixed feedback due to inconsistent frame rates and graphical hiccups.
Now, fans can expect some relief as performance fixes are on the way this summer.
IO Interactive Responds to Switch 2 Port Issues
In a recent interview with Video Games Chronicle (VGC), Jonathan Lacaille, franchise director at IO Interactive, confirmed that the development team is actively working to address the port’s shortcomings:
“The team is working on some of those performance issues right now, and they are addressing them over the summer.”
While a specific patch release date was not shared, Lacaille reassured users that improvements are definitely coming, and the company is treating the matter with urgency.
Lessons Learned for 007: First Light
Lacaille also took the opportunity to speak about IO Interactive’s next major title 007: First Light, currently in development for the Switch 2. According to him, the feedback and technical lessons from the Hitman port will be crucial in optimizing their upcoming spy thriller:
“It’s, of course, good learning for us to bring *First Light* as well, so all of this will be learnings we bring to the next title.”
This commitment to delivering high-performance native Switch 2 titles marks a significant departure from IO’s previous approach, where Hitman 3 was released on the original Nintendo Switch as a cloud-streamed game a version that failed to meet both company and user expectations.
IO CEO on “Unfinished Business” with Hitman
IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak offered further insight into the decision to develop a native Switch 2 port of Hitman: World of Assassination. In his words:
“The previous cloud version wasn’t as successful as Nintendo had expected. We felt there was unfinished business.”
He emphasized that the game’s various modes are a great fit for handheld gaming and that it was crucial to offer a true portable Hitman experience built natively for the new platform:
“We thought we had a game that was very compatible with playing on the go, and that we owed our players to deliver that in a native way on the platform.”
IO’s Recent Technical Struggles
This isn’t the first time IO Interactive has encountered performance criticism. Their recent release, MindsEye, was plagued with bugs and optimization problems leading to full refunds for PlayStation 5 owners, a rare occurrence given Sony’s strict refund policy.
These challenges have seemingly prompted IO to take a more meticulous approach, especially as the studio prepares to enter the next generation of portable gaming with the Nintendo Switch 2.
Summer Patch Incoming: What to Expect
While there’s no detailed changelog yet, Hitman: World of Assassination’s summer patch is expected to bring:
• Smoother frame rates
• Stability improvements
• Visual enhancements
• Reduced load times
• Bug fixes affecting gameplay flow
The update will likely roll out in stages and could be accompanied by an announcement about 007: First Light’s development progress.
Final Thoughts
Despite a rocky start, Hitman: World of Assassination for Nintendo Switch 2 is getting the attention it deserves. IO Interactive’s transparency and promises of improvement signal a stronger commitment to the platform and it sets the stage for a much more optimized experience moving forward.
If the summer patch delivers on its promises, Switch 2 owners may soon enjoy a top-tier stealth action game natively on their favorite portable console.
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