Hitman: Elusive Player Milestone Surpassed

Hitman: World of Assassination Reaches 75 Million Players

IO Interactive proudly announced that Hitman: World of Assassination has surpassed a remarkable 75 million players. This achievement likely solidifies its position as the studio'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 games into one package (though individual purchases remained an option). 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" milestone on Twitter, highlighting the studio's strong financial position. While specific breakdown wasn't provided, Hitman 3 likely significantly contributed to the overall player count, given its strong sales performance in markets like the UK, exceeding its predecessors.

The Impact of Xbox Game Pass and the Free Starter Pack

The 75 million player milestone is largely attributed to two key factors: the game's two-year presence on Xbox Game Pass (ending January 2024), and the availability of a free Starter Pack since the 2021 launch. Free demos for the first two trilogy entries also broadened the game's reach.

Hitman's Future: A Temporary Pause

While Hitman: World of Assassination continues to receive regular updates (including Elusive Targets), IO Interactive's current focus lies elsewhere. The studio 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, venturing into a fantastical setting. This suggests a temporary hiatus for the Hitman franchise, at least in terms of major new installments.