Hitman Franchise Surpasses Major Player Threshold

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 experienced 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 latest Hitman trilogy. Following the release of Hitman 3, IO Interactive cleverly bundled the three titles into one package, while maintaining the option of 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 position. While specific contribution breakdowns weren't provided, Hitman 3 likely played a significant role in achieving this milestone, given its strong sales performance in various markets, outpacing its predecessor in some regions.

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

The game's two-year presence on Xbox Game Pass (until January 2024) significantly contributed to the 75 million player milestone. Equally impactful was the free Starter Pack offered since the game's 2021 launch, alongside free demos for the first two trilogy entries, expanding the game's reach considerably.

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 currently 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 explores a fantastical setting, pushing IOI's creative boundaries.