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 player count encompasses those who downloaded 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 titles into one package, while maintaining the option for individual purchases. This combined trilogy saw a relaunch on PC and consoles in January 2023 and subsequently arrived on the Meta Quest 3 in September 2024.
On January 10th, IO Interactive celebrated this "monumental" achievement on Twitter, highlighting their strengthened business position. While specifics weren't detailed, Hitman 3 likely significantly contributed to the overall player count, given previous sales data suggesting its outperformance in key markets like the UK, and faster recoupment of development costs 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) undoubtedly played a substantial role in achieving this milestone. Equally significant is the free starter pack offered since the game's 2021 launch, alongside free demos for the first two trilogy entries, significantly expanding its reach.
Hitman Franchise on Hiatus, New Projects Underway
While Hitman: World of Assassination continues to receive regular updates, including elusive targets, IO Interactive's current focus on the franchise appears limited. The studio is actively pursuing two separate 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.
