Gamers World

After receiving a vocal negative regarding the trailer that featured Agent 47 systematically murdering an assassin squad posing as nuns decked out in latex and PVC, developer IO Interactive has decided to make some changes to Hitman Absolution.

"We learned from the trailer that we really needed to give these characters some context and some backstory," Hitman Absolution director Tore Blystad told Eurogamer during Gamescom. "We're working within the game – within that level – to build these characters up before you meet them. That way you know what you're getting and you aren't put off by them."

Known as "The Saints" within the game, Blystad says the female team of killers fits within a franchise that has often been "colourful and cartoony." The description is apt, considering Agent 47's previous experience dressing up as a clown and visiting bondage bars. Blystad also promised that the all-out-war approach taken by Agent 47 in the trailer is only one way – and it's not the smartest – to complete the level it's based on.

Blystad said that IO Interactive didn't see the backlash to the trailer coming. "We've been trying to find out, y'know, how could we not see this happening? If we knew it would get such a negative reaction we would have done it in a different way," he pondered.

What seems to be changing is just the details about the fake-nun characters. Blystad doesn't seem to be claiming that levels will be altered. Since the controversial trailer, IO Interactive released a new video detailing some of the backstory surrounding the characters. But will knowing Assassin Nun #4's likes and dislikes really alter people's reaction to their use in the game?