IO Interactive was founded in September 1998 in Copenhagen, Denmark by the Reto-Moto development group. To date, their most popular franchise is the critically acclaimed Hitman series. IO Interactive remained a subsidiary of Square Enix until 2017, when its parent started seeking buyers for the studio. IO Interactive completed a management buyout, regaining their independent status and retaining the rights for Hitman and Freedom Fighters, in June 2017.