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 impressive figure encompasses players who accessed the game through various avenues, including the free Starter Pack and the Xbox Game Pass subscription (during its two-year availability). This achievement potentially solidifies World of Assassination as 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 cleverly bundled the three games into one package, while maintaining the option for 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" milestone on Twitter, highlighting the studio's robust current business performance. While specific contribution breakdowns weren't provided, Hitman 3 likely played a significant role, given previous sales data suggesting its outperformance in key markets like the UK compared to its predecessor.

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

The game's two-year presence on Xbox Game Pass (ending January 2024) significantly boosted player numbers. Furthermore, the readily available Free Starter Pack, introduced in 2021, and free demos for the first two trilogy entries, broadened the game's reach considerably.

Hitman Franchise on Hiatus: Future Projects Take Center Stage

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 developing two new projects: Project 007, a James Bond game in development since 2020, and Project Fantasy, a new IP announced in 2023, signifying IO Interactive's ambition to explore new genres and settings.