Touted as one of the biggest next-generation titles coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X early next year, it seems Hitman 3 players on PC should also be anticipating a switch in platform when playing the upcoming sequel at launch. Announced via a news update on developer IO Interactive's website, it seems the game will be a PC launch exclusive on the Epic Games Store, opting to switch to the incredibly influential games' launcher over its main rival Steam.
The new reveal can be found under the unveiling of one of the game's newest maps, Dartmoor, and clarifies that the sequel will eventually be moving to other digital platforms after a year-long exclusive stint with Epic Games. It reads: "In January 2021, you’ll be able to play HITMAN 3 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Google Stadia and PC, where the game will be available exclusively via Epic Games Store for 12 months."
It seems the inclusion of Epic Games in the development of the final entry in the World of Assassination trilogy has been crucial, with IO stating that "our partnership with Epic has given us the freedom to create HITMAN 3 exactly as we imagined and self-publish the game to our players directly." That being said, the company wants to make sure to honor the player base that has put countless hours into the previous two entries into the franchise, revealing that "PC players will be able to carry over their current progression and unlocks from HITMAN 2 on Steam into HITMAN 3 on Epic Games Store." Better yet, they can also "import locations from the previous two games into HITMAN 3 on Epic Games Store."
In the eyes of IO Interactive, it seems it's essential to make the jump from Steam to Epic a viable and effortless obstacle for Hitman players, claiming that it wanted to make it "a seamless process for... players to enjoy HITMAN 3 on a different PC platform." With Epic Games offering smaller studios like IO Interactive a lot of support while making huge experiences like Hitman, it's unsurprising that the series' third entry has become an exclusive offering. However, it's great to see the studio pulling out all the stops to make the transition to a new platform as painless as possible.
Epic Games will also be releasing the first season of Hitman for free in accordance with the new reveal, revealing in a statement that the title will be "free to claim on the Epic Games Store from August 27 through September 3." It will no doubt be a big help for new players looking to get into the series in the build-up to Hitman 3's release next year.
Hitman 3 is scheduled to launch in January 2021 on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Google Stadia.
Source: IO Interactive, Epic Games