IO Interactive Cuts Ties with Conor McGregor Following Court Ruling

In a significant move, IO Interactive, the developer behind the Hitman series, has decided to sever its collaboration with MMA fighter Conor McGregor. This decision comes in the wake of a recent ruling by the Irish High Court, which found McGregor guilty of assaulting and raping a woman in December 2018.

McGregor was set to appear as a character named The Disruptor in the Hitman series.

His voice and likeness were integrated into the game, where he was featured as one of the Elusive Targets.

Players had access to a mission and a DLC pack that included an arcade contract featuring The Disruptor along with new cosmetics.

Official Statement from IO Interactive

In a statement released on social media, IO Interactive announced

Impact on Game Content

The Disruptor was recently reintroduced as a limited-time mission, available until December 8. However, all related content will now be removed.

Players who have already purchased The Disruptor DLC may still retain access to it, although the specifics of this situation have not been clarified.

Legal and Financial Ramifications

Following the court's decision, McGregor has been ordered to pay at least €248,000 in damages.

He has indicated plans to appeal the verdict, but no timeline for this appeal has been established. This uncertainty raises questions about the future of the collaboration and any potential reinstatement of McGregor's content in the game.

The decision to cut ties with Conor McGregor reflects IO Interactive's commitment to addressing serious allegations and maintaining the integrity of the Hitman franchise. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how this will affect both the game and McGregor's future in the industry.

What are your thoughts on IO Interactive's decision to remove Conor McGregor from the Hitman series? Do you think this was the right move?