 | Digital Release | PC January 20, 2021 – Epic Games January 20, 2022 – Steam PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 January 20, 2021 (AU, EU, NA) August 26, 2021 (JP) Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S January 20, 2021 (AU, EU, NA) Google Stadia January 20, 2021 Nintendo Switch (as Cloud Version) January 20, 2021 (EU, JP, NA) |
| Delisting | January 18, 2023 – Stadia Shutdown Between January 26, 2023 and April 2024 – Remaining Platforms |
|
| Developer | IO Interactive | |
| Publisher | IO Interactive | |
| Available On | Digital Nintendo Switch (as HITMAN 3: Cloud Version) [See Below] Download codes may still be redeemable Most content & features available in HITMAN: World of Assassination Retail PlayStation 4, 5 (Amazon, eBay) Xbox One, Series X|S (Amazon, eBay) |
|
| Links | Hitman homepage SteamDB page |
Delisting
HITMAN, HITMAN 2, and HITMAN 3 first became unavailable on Google Stadia on January 18th, 2023 when Google shut down that platform. Ahead of this deadline IO Interactive announced on December 15th, 2022 that a “carryover service” would allow current Stadia players to migrate their progression through their IOI Account into other versions of the games. The window for this service was available between January 11th and February 16th, 2023.
Shortly after, IO Interactive announced on January 3rd, 2023 that the standalone releases of HITMAN and HITMAN 2 would soon be removed from sale and much of their content rolled into HITMAN 3. HITMAN 3 itself would then be rebranded as HITMAN: World of Assassination beginning on January 26th, 2023.
In 2015, we shared our vision for the World of Assassination; an ever-expanding game that would evolve over time and be the foundation for future HITMAN games. Those were the exact words we used and a central promise to how we’ve released the three games in the 7 years that followed.
Today, we’re excited to announce some upcoming changes to how our players (both existing and new) will experience, access and purchase HITMAN 1, HITMAN 2 and HITMAN 3. These changes will make it easier than ever to enter and enjoy the World of Assassination – and finally allow us to realise the vision we set out to achieve.
As of 26 January 2023, the following changes are planned to come into effect.
- HITMAN 3 will become ‘HITMAN World of Assassination’, which will also include access to HITMAN 1 and HITMAN 2 through our existing Access Pass system. Current HITMAN 3 owners will get a free upgrade to HITMAN World of Assassination on all platforms.
- We’re drastically simplifying the purchase experience for new players. HITMAN World of Assassination will be the single available option to start playing.
Essentially, these two changes will mean that all new players and existing HITMAN 3 owners will have the same base content ownership. There will be no more confusion over which edition to buy, what content you own, how to redeem Legacy packs or import locations, etc. We’re done with that.
IO News Post – January 03, 2023
Due to the fragmented availability of the three titles’ content thanks to the involvement of both Square Enix and Warner Bros. as publishers, IO Interactive would also reveal a means to “complete the set” alongside the above announcement. The plan being to offer owners of existing titles a means to get some of the missing content at a discounted price as the individual games were being delisted and consolidated under the World of Assassination rebranding.
On Steam, we are going to implement ‘complete the set’ functionality for the three DLC packs included in the HITMAN World of Assassination Deluxe Pack (H3 Deluxe Pack, H3 Seven Deadly Sins Collection and H2 Expansion Access Pass). This will mean you only pay an even split for whatever content you don’t own. For example, if you own 2 of the DLCs, you’ll only pay $10 for the remaining DLC, rather than having to pay full price for the full Deluxe Pack.
On other platforms, we’ve added each individual DLC from the new WoA Deluxe Pack (H3 Deluxe Pack, H3 Seven Deadly Sins Collection and H2 Expansion Access Pass) to the IN-GAME store, again priced with an even split ($10 USD each). If you own some (but not all) of that content, you’ll be able to buy whatever you’re missing – at a new and reduced price.
An important detail that we want to be clear about amongst these changes, is that we’re removing the standalone HITMAN 1 and HITMAN 2 products from sale on all platforms. If you already own these games, you’ll still be able to access them in the exact same way that you do today. Of course, the majority of the content included in these games remains playable through HITMAN World of Assassination, with all of the improvements that were introduced with HITMAN 3.
On that note, and for extra clarity, HITMAN 3 will remain available in its current standalone form through the upcoming ‘HITMAN – World of Assassination’.
IO News Post – January 03, 2023
This final point about HITMAN 3 led to a lingering period where storefront listings still labeled the game as ‘HITMAN 3’ but the in-game branding was changed to ‘World of Assassination’. As an example, the game’s page on Steam remained as ‘HITMAN 3’ until early April of 2024. In another peculiar case, the World of Assassination edition is only accessible on Nintendo Switch by first downloading the free HITMAN 3: Cloud Version. Users must then play the intro to HITMAN 3 long enough to enable the purchase of the World of Assassination upgrade.
As for the remaining physical releases of HITMAN and HITMAN 2, discussions in various online forums suggest that they remain playable on their own but with some missing content and features. For instance, IO announced in 2020 that HITMAN 2’s Ghost Mode would be retired on August 31st of that year. The studio then announced in August that co-op servers for the game’s Sniper Assassin mode would be shut down before the release of HITMAN 3. Access Passes for HITMAN 2 that provided content from the original HITMAN have also since been removed. The exclusive PlayStation 4 contracts known as the “Sarajevo Six” were originally locked to HITMAN but have since been added to HITMAN 3 and World of Assassination.
Also regarding the physical releases, the ability to import unlocked content from HITMAN and HITMAN 2 into HITMAN: World of Assassination ended with the rebranding launch on January 26th, 2023. Although physical discs may remain available and their content accessible — with some reports that DLC can even still be purchased from within them — they can no longer be brought over to World of Assassination and have to be purchased separately there. The “complete the set” discounts have also since ended.
A digital-only Hitman Trilogy bundle was available starting January 20th, 2022 for PlayStation and Xbox consoles, Game Pass, Steam and the Epic Games Store. It included the base games of HITMAN, HITMAN 2, and HITMAN 3 but also offered a Premium Add-on Bundle which similarly can no longer be brought forward into World of Assassination. The Hitman Trilogy bundle was then replaced by HITMAN: World of Assassination, likely on or near the January 26th, 2023 rebranding.
Finally, and maybe most peculiarly of all, a HITMAN 2 bundle remains available digitally on Xbox One as of June 2024. The release is dated February 4th, 2019 with Warner Bros. Interactive as the publisher and does not appear in site searches on Xbox.com. The bundle includes seven pieces of add-on content and even frequently goes on sale. It seems that this listing was somehow missed in the purge of HITMAN titles and is expected to one day be removed as well.
About the Game
HITMAN 3 is the dramatic conclusion to the World of Assassination Trilogy and takes players around the world on a globe-trotting adventure to sprawling sandbox locations. Agent 47 returns as a ruthless professional for the most important contracts of his entire career. Death awaits.
Enjoy unrivalled freedom and complete your objectives as the game world reacts to everything you do. IO Interactive award-winning Glacier technology powers HITMAN 3 immersive game world to offer unparalleled player choice and playability.
- Campaign mode will take you on a globe-trotting adventure to sprawling sandbox locations and will deliver a dramatic conclusion to the world of assassination Trilogy.
- Elusive targets are the ultimate HITMAN challenge and are Designed to offer an exciting, pulse-pounding experience. You need to track down a unique target, with little-to-no help from the HUD or Instinct and hatch a plan to eliminate them on the fly.
- Expect your gameplay skills to be pushed to the Max in Escalation Contracts, as new elements are thrown at you in each stage of the contract. Disguise restrictions, added security cameras and other kinds of other complications will be thrown your way.
- PlayStation: Play HITMAN 3 in VR with a new first-person perspective and truly immerse yourself in the world of assassination (requires PSVR headset)
- Xbox: HITMAN 3 leverages the smart delivery technology; Buy the game once and play it on either Xbox One or Xbox Series X.