Today Square Enix has announced that the development of Hitman: Absolution, the 5th entry in the Hitman series. The game will follow Agent 47 on a “personal journey through a corrupt and twisted world” with the police right on his tail. The game will use IO Interactive’s new Glacier 2 engine, “boasting a cinematic story, distinctive art direction and highly original game design”.

The game will be shown behind closed doors at E3 next month with a short teaser trailer being released today. You can catch the trailer and full press release after the break.

COPENHAGEN (May 10, 2011) — IO Interactive A/S, part of Square Enix Europe, is pleased to announce HITMAN® ABSOLUTION™, a new game for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC.

HITMAN ABSOLUTION follows Agent 47^™, a cold-blooded assassin, who takes on his most dangerous contract to date. Betrayed by those he once trusted — and now hunted by the police — he suddenly finds himself at the center of a dark conspiracy and must embark on a personal journey through a corrupt and twisted world.

“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.”

Showcasing IO Interactive’s new proprietary Glacier 2^™ technology, the game has been built from the ground up. Boasting a cinematic story, distinctive art direction and highly original game design, HITMAN ABSOLUTION combines much-loved classic gameplay with completely new features never seen before in the Hitman franchise.

HITMAN ABSOLUTION will be showcased by invitation only at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles from June 7-9.

HITMAN ABSOLUTION is not yet rated. Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings.

For more information and updates about HITMAN ABSOLUTION, please visit the official website: www.Hitman.com

Follow this author on Twitter.

Read more: More Hitman To Follow Absolution, May Target Next-Gen,  Agent 47 Voice Actor Name Drops Hitman 5,  Concept Art Gives Fiery Glimpse At Next Hitman,  35 Laid Off At IO Interactive, Project Canned,  Hitman Collection Discounted By 50 Percent On Steam