United Kingdom, July 1 -- IO Interactive has announced a round of layoffs after an unexpected setback involving its original fantasy role-playing game, while stressing that development on the new intellectual property will continue.

The Danish studio, best known for the Hitman franchise and recently released James Bond adventure 007 First Light, confirmed the news in a statement shared with fans.

The developer wrote: "Dear gaming community.

"For a good while, it has been all positive news from IO Interactive. We remain humbled and honoured by the response to our latest outing with a young, unproven Bond."

The studio then revealed that "a relationship with an external partner on our own IP, Project Fantasy, has come to an end."

IO Int...