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 accessed 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 retaining 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" achievement on Twitter, highlighting the studio's robust current business standing. While specific contribution breakdowns weren't provided, Hitman 3 likely played a significant role in achieving this player count, exceeding its predecessor's performance in key markets like the UK.
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) and the readily available free starter pack, offered since the 2021 release, significantly contributed to this impressive player base. Free demos for the first two trilogy entries further broadened the game's reach.
Hitman Franchise on Hiatus: Future Projects Take Center Stage
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.
