Hitman Passes Major Player Milestone

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. This impressive player count includes those who accessed the game through the free Starter Pack and those who played via Xbox Game Pass during its two-year tenure on the service.

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 strategically bundled the three titles into one package, while still offering individual purchases. This combined trilogy relaunched 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 robust current business standing. While specific breakdown of player contributions from each game wasn't provided, Hitman 3 is likely a significant contributor, given previous sales data indicating its strong performance in markets like the UK and faster cost recovery compared to its predecessors.

Xbox Game Pass and the Free Starter Pack: Key Drivers of Success

The game's availability on Xbox Game Pass for two years (until January 2024) significantly boosted player numbers. Equally impactful was the free Starter Pack offered since the game's 2021 release, alongside free demos for the first two trilogy entries. These initiatives broadened the game's reach considerably.

Hitman Franchise on Hiatus, New Projects Underway

While Hitman: World of Assassination continues to receive regular updates, including Elusive Targets, IO Interactive is currently focusing on other projects. The studio is not actively developing a new Hitman game at this time. Instead, their efforts are directed towards two distinct new titles: Project 007, a James Bond game in development since 2020, and Project Fantasy, a new IP announced in 2023 that explores a fantastical setting.