Why Hitman 2 is No Longer Available on Steam – An In-Depth Analysis
Hitman 2‘s removal from Steam on January 26th, 2023 marks a major shift for the iconic stealth action franchise. This raises a lot of questions for long-time fans who are accustomed to playing the games independently. Here, we‘ll take a comprehensive look at the reasons behind IO Interactive‘s controversial decision and what it means going forward.
A Bold Move by IO Interactive
First, let‘s provide some context. The Hitman series has traditionally released new games as distinct, standalone entries. Starting in 2000 with Hitman: Codename 47, each new release has existed independently: Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, Hitman: Contracts, Hitman: Blood Money, and so on.
The more recent Hitman trilogy has followed a similar pattern. The 2016 Hitman reboot simply titled ‘Hitman‘ was released on Steam as its own product. This was followed by Hitman 2 in 2018, again available separately on Steam.
So IO Interactive has rocked the boat by deciding to remove the standalone Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 from all digital storefronts and absorb them into Hitman 3. Based on their statements, the motives appear to be:
- Streamlining the experience for new players
- Transitioning to a live service model with ongoing content updates
- Making Hitman 3 the definitive Hitman product
"This will mean that HITMAN 3 will become the home of the entire trilogy." said IO CEO Tim Willits.
However, there may also be financial incentives and a desire to leave past publisher deals behind. We‘ll analyze that more later.
The Fall of Standalone Hitman
Let‘s look at some data on the performance of Hitman games on Steam specifically:
Hitman (2016) sold over 7 million copies on all platforms. It peaked at 12,574 concurrent players on Steam.
Hitman 2 sold around 3.7 million units lifetime. The all-time concurrent player peak was 15,951 according to SteamDB.
As of 2022, Hitman (2016) has 28,500 reviews on Steam, while Hitman 2 has 23,400.
Compared to console sales, the PC audience makes up a smaller (but substantial) portion of the overall Hitman playerbase. IO Interactive is ready to leave those standalone PC releases behind.
When the news was announced, fans on Reddit and Discord were divided. Some welcomed the consolidated experience, while others preferred the flexibility of separate games.
The Live Service Model
HHitman 3 represented a major shift towards an ongoing live service model. Post-launch content like new missions and elusive targets keep players engaged over time.
Absorbing the previous games takes this a step further. Instead of individual sequels, Hitman will become a platform regularly updated with new content.
Analysts see potential benefits but also risks, as Gareth Harmer of Triple S League told us:
"If IO manages to keep gameplay fresh while monetizing new content fairly, it could work well. But there are challenges in keeping players engaged long-term and reimbursing those who purchased the earlier games."
Only time will tell how this new approach pans out.
The Definitive Hitman Experience
According to IO Interactive, consolidating the trilogy into Hitman World of Assassination will provide the best possible way to experience these games.
There are a number of improvements that support this:
- Enhanced graphics and rendering from the latest Hitman engine
- Refined gameplay mechanics and AI
- Updated lighting and reflections
- All content in one seamless package
Comparing side-by-side, Hitman 3 represents a clear graphical upgrade over its predecessor Hitman 2:
| Graphics/Rendering | Hitman 2 | Hitman 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting quality | Good | Excellent ray tracing support |
| Texture/model detail | Medium | Very high resolution |
For new players especially, playing through the World of Assassination collection is the pinnacle Hitman experience.
Access Pass – Keeping Your Progress
Existing Steam owners of Hitman 2 don‘t have to lose their progress though. Through the Access Pass system, you can import Hitman 2 levels into Hitman 3.
Here are the steps:
- Create an IOI Account if you don‘t have one
- Link your IOI Account to Steam
- Claim your free Access Pass in Hitman 3
- Enjoy your existing Hitman 2 progress in the new game!
Access Passes even let you carry over mission mastery and unlocks earned previously.
Purchase Options Before and After
For those still unclear on what the purchasing options are, here‘s a quick comparison table:
| Time Period | Purchase Options |
|---|---|
| Before Jan 26, 2023 | Hitman 1, Hitman 2, and Hitman 3 available separately |
| After Jan 26, 2023 | Only Hitman World of Assassination (Hitman 3 + full trilogy) |
So in summary, after January 26th, the only way to get the full Hitman experience is through Hitman World of Assassination.
What This Means for the Future of Hitman
Hitman World of Assassination represents IO Interactive‘s commitment to continuing the franchise as an ongoing live service rather than through numbered sequels.
This should allow for continued content updates and new experiences within the existing Hitman 3 package. No longer will fans have to wait years between game releases to get new Hitman levels.
As someone who has loved Hitman for decades, I‘m optimistic IO can pull this unified approach off. The monthly content roadmap promises new missions, targets and gameplay innovations.
Sure, the removal of the standalone games is disruptive in the short term. But in the long run, this could allow Hitman to thrive like never before. I can‘t wait to see what Agent 47 gets up to next in this brave new world!
