Assassin's Mission Surpasses Player Triumph

Hitman: World of Assassination Reaches 75 Million Players, a Monumental Milestone for IO Interactive

IO Interactive proudly announced that Hitman: World of Assassination has surpassed a remarkable 75 million players. This achievement encompasses players who utilized the free starter pack and those who experienced the game via Xbox Game Pass during its two-year tenure on the service. This likely makes it IO Interactive's most successful title to date.

It's important to note that World of Assassination isn't a single game, but a compilation of the latest Hitman trilogy. Following the release of Hitman 3, IO Interactive cleverly bundled the three titles into one package, while maintaining the option for individual purchases. This combined edition launched on PC and consoles in January 2023 and expanded to the Meta Quest 3 in September 2024.

On January 10th, IO Interactive celebrated this "monumental" achievement on Twitter, highlighting the studio's strong financial position. While specific contribution breakdowns weren't revealed, Hitman 3 likely played a significant role, given its strong sales performance in various markets, outpacing its predecessor in some regions.

The Impact of Xbox Game Pass and the Free Starter Pack

The game's massive player count is largely attributed to its two-year presence on Xbox Game Pass (ending January 2024) and the readily available free starter pack introduced in 2021. Free demos for the first two trilogy entries further broadened the game's reach.

Hitman's Future: A Temporary Hiatus

While Hitman: World of Assassination continues to receive updates, including Elusive Targets, IO Interactive's current focus lies elsewhere. The studio is currently developing two separate projects: Project 007, a James Bond game in development since 2020, and Project Fantasy, a new IP announced in 2023, venturing into a fantastical setting. This indicates a temporary hiatus for the Hitman franchise, although the continued support for World of Assassination suggests ongoing commitment to the series' existing player base.