Hitman: World of Assassination Player Count Surpasses 75 Million
IO Interactive proudly announced that Hitman: World of Assassination has achieved a remarkable milestone, exceeding 75 million players. This impressive number includes players who accessed the game through various avenues, such as the free Starter Pack and the Xbox Game Pass subscription (during its two-year availability). This success 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 strategically bundled the three titles into one package, while still offering individual game purchases. This combined trilogy launched on PC and consoles in January 2023 and expanded to the Meta Quest 3 in September 2024.
IO Interactive's January 10th Twitter announcement highlighted this "monumental" achievement, emphasizing the studio's current strong financial position. While specific sales figures weren't disclosed, Hitman 3 likely significantly contributed to the overall player count, given its strong performance in key markets like the UK and faster return on investment compared to its predecessors.
The Impact of Xbox Game Pass and the Free Starter Pack
The game's remarkable player base is largely attributed to its two-year presence on Xbox Game Pass (ending January 2024) and the readily available Free Starter Pack, introduced in 2021. Free demos for the first two trilogy entries further broadened the game's reach.
Hitman's Future: A Temporary Pause
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 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, venturing into a fantastical setting.