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Is Hitman 1 No Longer Available? Understanding the Hitman Universe Today

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The short answer is: Yes, Hitman (2016), often referred to as Hitman 1, is no longer available as a standalone purchase. It has been delisted from digital storefronts like Steam, and its content is now integrated into Hitman: World of Assassination. This means you cannot directly buy the original Hitman (2016) as a separate game anymore. However, its levels and missions are still accessible, just in a different format. This change was part of a larger move by IO Interactive to consolidate the entire “World of Assassination” trilogy into a single, cohesive experience. Let’s delve deeper into what this means for players.

The Shift to Hitman: World of Assassination

On January 26th, 2023, IO Interactive implemented a significant change to the Hitman series. Hitman 3 was rebranded as Hitman: World of Assassination, a new all-encompassing package. This was more than just a name change; it fundamentally altered how players access the content of the previous games. The content from both Hitman (2016) and Hitman 2 (2018) was brought into this new platform, making it the central hub for the entire trilogy.

Why the Change?

The primary goal of this move was to streamline the player experience. Instead of having multiple separate titles, players now access all the levels and content from the trilogy within a single game. IO Interactive aimed to create a single, live-service platform that includes all locations, missions, and story progression from the entire series. This approach eliminates confusion and allows for a more unified and cohesive playing experience. The transition was also about future-proofing the franchise, allowing IO Interactive to continue supporting and updating the content within a single, manageable platform.

What Happened to Hitman 1 and 2?

With the rebrand, both Hitman (2016) and Hitman 2 (2018) were removed from digital stores. This means you can no longer purchase them as standalone games on platforms like Steam. However, this doesn’t mean their content is gone. Instead, access to their missions is granted through the Access Pass system within Hitman: World of Assassination. If you already owned Hitman 3 before this change, you were upgraded to Hitman: World of Assassination, gaining free access to Hitman 1 and 2 content. If you are a new player, you need to purchase Hitman: World of Assassination to gain access to all content from the trilogy.

How to Play Hitman 1 Content Now

If you want to experience the missions from Hitman (2016), you now need to do it through Hitman: World of Assassination. This may require a purchase for new players but is included for those who owned Hitman 3 prior to the change.

Access Passes Explained

The Access Pass system is a key component of this transition. If you owned Hitman 1 or 2 previously, you would have been able to use your existing copies to unlock their respective Access Passes in Hitman 2, which would then grant access to that content within Hitman 3 (now Hitman: World of Assassination). Essentially, the Access Passes allow Hitman: World of Assassination to recognize your ownership of previous titles and grant you access to their levels.

The Value of Hitman: World of Assassination

The change to Hitman: World of Assassination might seem confusing at first, but it’s ultimately designed to provide a better overall experience. By integrating all the content from the trilogy into one package, it eliminates the need to juggle between different games or worry about missing out on crucial content. This approach ensures that new players get the full Hitman experience, and existing players have all their favorite missions in one place. This new consolidated system also makes it easier for IO Interactive to provide updates and add new content within a singular platform.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To further clarify the situation, here are 15 frequently asked questions about the availability of Hitman 1 and related aspects of the Hitman series.

Can I still play Hitman 1 offline?
Yes, you can play all of Hitman’s (2016) story and bonus missions while offline within Hitman: World of Assassination. However, certain features like Escalation missions, Elusive Targets, and user-created Contracts are not accessible offline. Additionally, offline play will not allow you to complete challenges or earn XP toward your Mastery Level.
Why was Hitman 1 delisted from Steam?
Hitman (2016) was delisted as a standalone purchase to consolidate the entire trilogy within Hitman: World of Assassination. The aim was to create a single platform for all content from Hitman 1, 2, and 3.
Is Hitman 3 free now?
No, Hitman 3 is not free. However, a “HITMAN 3 Free Starter Pack” is available on various platforms, including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Epic Games Store). The free starter pack allows you to experience limited content from the game before making a purchase.
Do I need to buy Hitman World of Assassination if I owned Hitman 3?
No, if you owned Hitman 3 before the January 26th change, you received a free upgrade to Hitman: World of Assassination, including access to content from Hitman 1 and 2.
Is Hitman 1 remastered in Hitman 3 (World of Assassination)?
Yes, levels from Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 are remastered in Hitman World of Assassination. The previous games themselves were not re-released, instead, they are playable within this new platform.
What content did not carry over from Hitman 1 and 2 to Hitman World of Assassination?
While the majority of content was carried over, some specific challenges and escalations from Hitman 1 and 2 may not be identical or present in Hitman World of Assassination.
What happened to Hitman 2?
Like Hitman 1, Hitman 2 (2018) was also removed as a standalone purchase and integrated into Hitman: World of Assassination. Its levels are now accessible through Access Passes within the game.
Why is Hitman: World of Assassination priced at $70?
The $70 price of Hitman: World of Assassination reflects its status as a complete package, encompassing the entirety of the World of Assassination trilogy including all the content from Hitman 1, Hitman 2 and Hitman 3.
Is Hitman: Absolution (2012) part of Hitman World of Assassination?
No, Hitman: Absolution is not included in Hitman World of Assassination. It is a separate title from the trilogy that is the focus of this new unified platform.
Is Agent 47 a human?
Yes, Agent 47 is a cloned human. He is genetically modified to be superior to the average human but designed to blend in as a normal person.
Can I play Hitman 1 and 2 stories in Hitman 3?
Yes, all stories from Hitman 1 and 2 are accessible in Hitman: World of Assassination through the Access Pass system.
What is Agent 47’s IQ?
While not officially stated, Agent 47’s IQ is theorized to be very high. Given his skills and knowledge base, it’s suggested to be at least 175.
Why was Hitman: Absolution banned in Saudi Arabia?
Hitman: Absolution was banned in Saudi Arabia due to concerns over unspecified violent content after an alleged incident where children participated in a harmful online “challenge”.
Is Hitman appropriate for younger teens?
The Hitman series is generally rated for mature audiences (M for Mature or 18+). The game revolves around assassinations, which can be graphically violent, with strong language and themes. It is not recommended for younger teens.
Has Agent 47 ever smiled?
Yes, there are instances where Agent 47 has shown subtle smiles or smirks. They are not overly expressive, but they do exist.

Conclusion

In summary, while Hitman (2016) is no longer available for purchase as a standalone game, its content is readily accessible through Hitman: World of Assassination. This transition is part of a larger effort by IO Interactive to streamline the player experience and provide a cohesive platform for the entire World of Assassination trilogy. By purchasing Hitman: World of Assassination, new players can experience the full Hitman story, and existing players who owned Hitman 3 were upgraded to the new package for free. This single platform approach, while initially confusing, ultimately offers a unified, enhanced, and future-proofed experience for all Hitman fans.