Hitman: Absolution developer IO Interactive has likened future development of the franchise to Call of Duty's two-team cycle.

The next Hitman title is in development at Square Enix Montreal. The game is being made for next-gen consoles, Eurogamer understands.

"It's like with Treyarch and Infinity Ward," Hitman: Absolution director Tore Blystad told Official PlayStation magazine. "You have an IP that has been developed. They will feed off each other, as well as [have] some things that stand out.

"I think with these big franchises it takes a long time to develop just one game. If you can, work a little bit in parallel at least and help each other out."

It can't be any worse than film version.

Hitman's transition into a two-team franchise marks the first time the series has left IO Interactive.

"There are talks between us and of course it has to be somewhat in sync," Blystad explained, "but it's the first time you could say Hitman has gone out of the house. Luckily it's with someone we know. Some of the key developers came from IO and have been working on previous games so it's not like it's in completely new hands."

IO Interactive has already started its next project. Is it another Hitman game? Blystad wouldn't say.

"Some people have already moved on to a new project. I think they felt a little bit flushed they just got mown straight in production again."

Square Enix Montreal boss Lee Singleton said last year that IO Interactive would continue to develop Hitman games.

"Square Enix Montreal will work in step with IO Interactive so we can both contribute great games to the Hitman franchise in the future," Singleton said. "We will increase the frequency of game releases, but we have no plans to migrate the franchise to Montreal in its entirety."