Hitman: Profession trademarked by Square Enix

Square Enix Europe has trademarked a new Hitman game, Hitman: Profession, following the opening of a new Montreal studio to focus on Hitman games beyond IO Interactive's Hitman: Absolution.

In an appropriately stealthy turn, the trademark was filed on 22nd December last year, shortly before news reporters flocked home for Christmas. There's no info at present on platforms or release dates.

Square Enix Montreal was formed in November 2011 to work on "a new premium quality" Hitman game. The studio will partner with Deus Ex: Human Revolution outfit Eidos Montreal on future games in the series.

"This further investment will expand the vision for the Hitman franchise and mean that two studios will now be working on future Hitman games," Square Enix commented at the time.

Featuring a new vision mode, more levels than any previous Hitman and more complex AI, Hitman: Absolution is down for release this year.

[via Siliconera]