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 accessed the game through various avenues, including the free Starter Pack and the Xbox Game Pass subscription (during its two-year availability). 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 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 contributing factors weren't detailed, Hitman 3 likely played a significant role, given its strong sales performance in markets like the UK and its rapid recoupment of development costs compared to previous iterations.
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) undeniably contributed significantly 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. These initiatives 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 to these smaller content additions. 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 aims to explore a fantastical setting.
