We mentioned almost this time last year that IO Interactive had managed to retain the rights to the Hitman franchise, after severing ties with publisher Square Enix. Today, the studio has revealed Hitman 2 which will be being published by Warner Bros. Interactive, just ahead of this year's E3, taking place next week.

And, if you pre-order today, the popular Sniper Challenge DLC is available for download and play immediately (so in hours and hours for Australian Internet users).

Here's the official line:

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and independent game developer, IO Interactive, today announced HITMAN™ 2, the follow-up to the acclaimed international video game, HITMAN™. Featuring entirely new hyper-detailed sandboxes full of living, breathing environments to explore, HITMAN 2 offers players the freedom to plan the ultimate assassination utilizing an assortment of tools, weapons, disguises and a variety of stealth techniques to creatively trigger their own unique chain of events. HITMAN 2 will be available for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®4 Pro computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and PC beginning November 13, 2018.

“We are thrilled to partner with IO Interactive on HITMAN 2 and bring the latest game in this iconic franchise to the passionate HITMAN fanbase and new players,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment via press release. “IO Interactive has done a fantastic job with the Hitman franchise, and this new game will provide a distinct gameplay experience for players to be creative in larger sandbox locations.”

“We are very proud to announce HITMAN 2 as the next exciting chapter in our ever-expanding world of assassination. Building on the success of our previous game, HITMAN 2 introduces exciting new features, new modes and franchise firsts to make for a larger and richer game,” said Hakan Abrak, CEO, IO Interactive. “We couldn’t have wished for a better partner than Warner Bros. to bring this game to our passionate community and introduce new players to our universe. Welcome back 47!”

Watch the announcement trailer embedded below.