Square Enix and IO Interactive have announced the next chapter in the Hitman series; Hitman Absolution.

Once again players will take control of skilled assassin Agent 47 as he takes on a new and dangerous contract, only this time he has been betrayed by those he once trusted and is now being hunted by the police.

Hitman Absolution is being built from the ground up with IO Interactive’s new proprietary Glacier 2 technology and will boast new features “never seen before in the Hitman franchise.”

“For the first time we are taking Agent 47 on a personal journey which allows us to explore other parts of the Hitman® fantasy,” said Tore Blystad, game director, IO Interactive. “This is both a familiar and yet significantly different experience from other Hitman games; something our silent assassins will relish, as will all those new to the Hitman world.”

Hitman Absolution is scheduled for a 2012 release date. Fans can head over to the official Hitman website or Facebook page for more information.

Hopefully more details will emerge as E3 draws closer. Until then, we only have this brief teaser trailer to keep us occupied. What are your thoughts on Agent 47′s next venture? Let us know in the comments section below!