Captivating Hitman Reaches Epic Gaming Landmark
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 solidifies its position as potentially the studio's most successful title to date. The impressive player count includes those who utilized the free starter pack and those who accessed the game via Xbox Game Pass during its two-year availability.
It's important to note that World of Assassination isn't a single game, but a compilation of the three most recent Hitman titles. Following the release of the trilogy's third installment, IO Interactive cleverly bundled these games into a single package, while still offering individual purchases. This combined trilogy saw a relaunch across PC and consoles in January 2023, and further expanded its reach to the Meta Quest 3 in September 2024.
On January 10th, IO Interactive celebrated this "monumental" milestone on Twitter, highlighting the studio's robust current business standing. While specific contribution details weren't provided, Hitman 3 likely played a significant role in achieving this player count, given its strong sales performance in key markets such as the UK, outpacing its predecessor.
Xbox Game Pass and the Free Starter Pack: Key Drivers of Success
The game's two-year presence on Xbox Game Pass, concluding in January 2024, significantly contributed to the 75 million player milestone. Equally impactful was the free starter pack offered since the game's 2021 launch, along with free demos for the first two trilogy entries, further broadening its appeal.
Hitman Franchise on Hiatus, New Projects Underway
While Hitman: World of Assassination continues to receive regular content updates (a trend IO Interactive confirmed will persist), these updates are primarily minor additions like Elusive Targets. The studio's current focus lies elsewhere.
IO Interactive is currently developing two new projects: Project 007, a James Bond game in development since 2020, and Project Fantasy, a new IP announced in 2023, signifying the studio's ambition to explore new genres and settings.