Hitman Franchise Exceeds 55 Million Players Globally

Hitman: World of Assassination Reaches 75 Million Players, a Milestone Achievement 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 through 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 cleverly 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 state. While specific contribution breakdowns weren't provided, Hitman 3 likely played a significant role, given its strong sales performance in markets like the UK and its faster return on investment compared to previous iterations.

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

The game's two-year availability on Xbox Game Pass (ending January 2024) significantly boosted player numbers. Equally impactful was the free starter pack offered since the game's 2021 launch, along with free demos for the first two trilogy entries, which broadened the game's 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 currently concentrating on two new projects: Project 007, a James Bond game in development since 2020, and Project Fantasy, a new IP announced in 2023, exploring a fantastical setting and pushing IO Interactive beyond its established expertise.