Hitman: World of Assassination has crossed a significant milestone with over 75 million players, as announced by IO Interactive. This figure, which includes players who accessed the game through the Free Starter Pack or via Xbox Game Pass during its two-year availability, positions it as possibly the most successful release for the Danish development studio.
Notably, what makes this achievement stand out is that “World of Assassination” isn’t just a single game. Instead, it’s a collection that combines the latest three titles in the Hitman series. Even two years after the launch of the third installment in the rebooted trilogy, IO Interactive decided to bundle them into one package. This package remained adaptable for those who preferred purchasing parts separately. Released for both PC and consoles in January 2023, it became available on the Meta Quest 3 by September 2024.
On January 10, through a celebratory Twitter post, IO Interactive revealed this impressive 75 million player count, calling it a “monumental” success and expressing that their business stability has never been stronger. While detailed breakdowns weren’t shared, it’s safe to assume that Hitman 3 played a major role in hitting this number. Market insights showed it performed better than its predecessor in vital regions like the UK. Interestingly, the predecessor managed to cover its production expenses quicker than the 2016 game.
It’s probable that much of this player base growth resulted from World of Assassination’s stint on Xbox Game Pass until January 2024. Plus, the enduring appeal of the Free Starter Pack, available since 2021, can’t be understated. This strategy, along with enticing free demos for the first two trilogy entries, effectively expanded their reach.
Even with this tremendous success, the Hitman series now stands at a crossroads. While Hitman: World of Assassination received regular updates, IO Interactive seems to be focusing on small-scale additions such as Elusive Targets. The company has shifted its primary attention toward developing new projects rather than crafting another Hitman installment. Among these ventures is a James Bond game, known as Project 007, which they’ve been developing since 2020. In 2023, they also announced Project Fantasy, a fresh IP set to take IO Interactive into a new imaginative realm.
The Hitman experience continues to evolve, blending the high-stakes tension of a global assassin with the thrilling creativity that allows players to approach missions from their unique perspective. Whether you’re navigating the expansive locations or experimenting with different strategies in the Freelancer mode, Hitman: World of Assassination encapsulates the best of the trilogy’s campaign while offering endless replayability.
