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 achievement 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 likely solidifies Hitman: 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 titles into one package, while still offering individual game 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 their current business stability. While specific sales figures weren't disclosed, Hitman 3 likely contributed significantly to the overall player count, given its strong performance in markets such as the UK and its rapid return on investment.
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) significantly boosted player numbers. Equally impactful was the free Starter Pack, available since the game's 2021 launch. Free demos for the first two trilogy entries also contributed to increased player 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 is on other projects. The studio is currently developing two new titles: Project 007, a James Bond game in development since 2020, and Project Fantasy, a new IP announced in 2023 that explores a fantastical setting. This suggests a temporary hiatus for new Hitman game development.
