Hitman Franchise Surpasses Impressive 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 impressive figure 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 achievement solidifies Hitman: World of Assassination as potentially 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 strategically bundled the three games into one package, while maintaining the option for individual purchases. This combined trilogy 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 robust current business standing. While specific contributing factors weren't detailed, Hitman 3 likely played a significant role, given previous sales data indicating its strong performance in key markets like the UK and its faster return on investment compared to its predecessors.

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

The game's two-year availability 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. Free demos for the first two trilogy entries further broadened the game's reach.

Hitman Franchise on Hiatus, New Projects Underway

While Hitman: World of Assassination continues to receive regular content updates (including Elusive Targets), IO Interactive's current focus on the franchise appears limited. The studio is presently dedicating its resources to two new projects: Project 007, a James Bond game in development since 2020, and Project Fantasy, a new IP announced in 2023 that ventures into a fantastical setting.