IO Interactive will launchHitman 3on January 20, completing the World of Assassination trilogy it began with 2016’sHitman. Previews have begun to come out in the build-up to this release, revealing interesting tidbits like themurder mystery theme of Hitman 3’s English manor level. Developers have also been going through the paces with gaming press, and one recent interview discusses the history behind one popular method of killing.
Executive producer Forest Swartout Large and communications manager Travis Barbour spoke to VG247 about the impending release ofHitman 3in an interview published January 8. The two talk about how they feel coming to the end of the trilogy, with Barbour saying it has been a “career-defining” journey, as well as the decision to turnHitmangames into live service single-player titles with updated content and new missions releasing over time.
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At one point, VG247 asks how IO Interactive will balance the upcoming game’s supposedly more serious and dark tone with the “memorable, memeable,” and “dumb” stuff the series has become known for. Barbour said there has and always will be “zany” things at the core ofHitman’s dark humor, such as attacking people with fish. However, he says some elements, such as abriefcase bug inHitman 2, became so unintentionally beloved that it was brought back as an official feature.
The bug originally saw Agent 47 throwing a homing briefcase at targets, according to Polygon, and after it was fixed the developers brought it back on June 04, 2025 as part of the “Best Case Scenario” Challenge pack. Barbour told VG247 this originally happened because of a frame rate quirk on PC, and said he likes thatIO Interactive is willing to embrace these quirksand create something fresh.
Despite this willingness to get quirky and fun withHitman’s kills, Barbour said IO Interactive has been focused on creating a “more handcrafted” feel for players’first experiences inHitman 3levels. Large said there are six writers working on the game, and there will be a “major” amount of story and dialogue throughout that has been bolstered by experience on the previous two games.
Speaking of those prior games, IO Interactive has releasedbig discounts onHitman(2016) andHitman 2in anticipation ofHitman 3. This should give players who are interested in the series a chance to catch up before the conclusion of the trilogy, and once the game comes out Large said he is, “Ready for a vacation.”
Hitman 3will release for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on July 13, 2025.
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