Developer IO Interactive has today announced that Conor McGregor is entering Hitman World of Assassination as The Disruptor Elusive Target. Pl??ayers have from June 27, 2024, until July 7, 2024, to find and kill McGregor's character, simply?? known as the MMA fighter The Disruptor, in whatever way they see fit.

The Disruptor Elusive Target mission takes place on Hitman WoA's Isle of Sgail. There, the MMA fighter is set to fight the CEO of Quantum Leap, a combat sports enthusiast, but the company's stakeholders don't think it's such a great idea. That's why they've hired Agent 47 to take The Disruptor out before things go south and the company's share price takes a dive. The mission promises multiple rewards for you to earn and use elsewhere in the game, and a set of c??hallenges to?? complete.

A new elusive threat, a new elusive reward

The Disruptor Elusive Target mission in Hitman WoA is available to all players, whether you own the Free Starter Pack or the full game. However, if you want to get the most out of it and unlock the exclusive Arcade variant of the mission, The Ostentatious, then you'll need to purchase The Disruptor Pack for $4.99/�?.99/£3.99. This pack includes the fo?llowing.

• Permanent access to The Ostentatious Arcade level.
• The Disruptor Fur Coat.
• The Disruptor Kettlebell, the Disruptor Resistance Band, and the Disruptor Cane items.
• A set of new cosmetics for the Freelancer Safehouse, including a money pit.

As with every mission in Hitman WoA, how you eliminate the target is up to you. The Isle of Sgail is filled with opportunities, w??eapons, and disguises. Of course, there is also a set story method for how to kill this character, and it ends with an official MMA fight?.

The Ostentatious is a two-level Arcade mission, in which you'll need to take out The Disruptor as well as a second target while working within the Elusive Target mission ruleset. These ??rules also apply to The Disruptor Elusive Target mission. If you fail the mission by getting Agent 47 killed after killing the target, then the mission will end, and you won't be able to restart or get any of the rew?ards on offer.

This isn't the first time a celebrity has appeared in Hitman WoA. Earlier this year, Sean Bean's The Undying Elusive Target returned for the first time since Hitman 3's release for players to tactfully murder.? I can't wait to try to take out Conor McGregor as The Disru?ptor in this mission, especially since there's a chance to go toe-to-toe with him in the ring.

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Consolidating the entire new Hitman trilogy into one comprehensive package, Hitman 3 (or Hitman: World of Assassination, as it is now known) is essentially the ultimate envisioning of the franchise. It's not done yet, either, with the upcoming S??eas??on of the Undying introducing even more content to the package.

Notably, even though the developer IO Interactive is now focused mainly on its James Bond video game, new content is still being made for Hitman too. To be fair, much of it is a retread of some previous FOMO-laden timed releases, but still. One of the most interesting examples of Hitman's more transient content is the killing of Mark Faba (played by the legendary Sean Bean), an in-universe super-assassin who just won't stay dead.

For the first time ever, all owners of Hitman 3 w??ill have an opportunity to take Faba down for good, as this particular Elusive Target had been locked behind additional purchases up until now. The Undying, however, is just the start of it.

Hitman 3's Season of the Undying starts on March 22

Hitman 3's Season of the Undying is, broadly, the title of the first major content drop coming to Hitman: World of Assassination in 2024. The reprised contract on Mark Faba/Sean Bean is bound to kick off on March 22, with this particular Elusive Target being accessible even to those who use the free-to-play Hitman Starter Experience option.

The Undying, mind, is just one part of the three-stage Ouroboros mission: an Arcade Mode Contract that escalates the difficulty of each stage as players progress through them. It's good fun, and a neat twist on the usual Hitman assassination sandbox. If you fail, however, you will need to wait 12 hours before re-attempting the contract, so there's some risk in this equati??on, t?oo.

IOI has also announced the upcoming release of the Undying Pack DLC, which is a paid piece o??f cosmetic?? content:

• The Ephemeral Suit (with Eye Patch)
• Kronstadt Mini Flash Robo XOI-2900
• Kronstadt Explosive Pen (Gen 2)
• Freelancer Mode cosmetics for the hideout

Players will also have an opportunity to get the Purple Streak Du?ck Twitch Drop item starting March 22 and try an assortment of? new Challenge missions in the subsequent weeks:

• Oocyanin Hunt + The Berlin Egg Hunt: March 29
• Forged in Fire: April 25
• The Great Thief: April 30

There's lots more going on with Hitman on other platforms too, note. Hitman: Blood Money came?? out on iOS and Android mobile operating ??systems lat?e last year, for one, allowing smartphone gamers to experience the classic game on the go. The jury is still out on whether that sort of thing is conducive on the go, but the option to give it a shot is there, if n??othing else!

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Earlier in the year (wait... it's still January?!) we mentioned how Hitman: Blood Money was making an appearance on the Switch. Well, that day has now arrived, and this special "Reprisal" edition comes with some fea?tures just for th?is port.

If you have a Switch and you're a fan of some of the more classic entries in the Hitman franchise, this one may be worth a look-in. It released on January 25 and, according to the Nintendo website, this version features "gameplay improvements inspire?d by later games in the series," including Instinct Mode.

It's also been given an "an artful redesign of a stealth-action classic," whic??h has been specially adapted for the hybrid console.

Not bad for an 18-year-old game

The timing of this is pretty nifty (if you have a Switch, of course). With the Hitman: World of Assassination trilogy about to leave Xbox Game Pass, Blood Money - Reprisal will keep your thirst for Agent 47?? well and truly sated.

Many consider the 2006 entry one of the best of the series. I only managed to play it for the first time a couple of years ago, and I can see the a??ppeal. Personally, I'm utterly in love with the recent installments and will be sad to see them exiting Game Pass.

I'm also one of those rare specimens that actually really enjoyed Absolution. I understand the criticisms people had, but the fact that it was the first Hitman game I act?ual??ly managed to get all the way through makes it special to me (you never forget your first).

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After targeting iOS and Android devices in November, Hitman: Blood Money - Reprisal has?? a new console on the hit list. The upgraded ve??rsion of the 2006 stealth classic is coming to the Nintendo Switch eShop on January 25.

Like the iOS and Android versions, the Switch iteration will see vast improvements over the initial title that launched on PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Xbox 360 in 2006. Some of which you may notice in the Sw??itch release date trailer below.

Feral Interactive handled the iOS and Android ports of Hitman: Blood Money - Reprisal, and they're taking care of the Switch version as well. The game's visuals haven't changed much since 2006, but there are a lot of quality-of-life features being introduced to make Agent 47 feel a bit more modern.??

Instinct Mode, something that was introduced to the Hitman series later on, is incorporated into Reprisal. It helps players out by highlighti??ng important mission objectives and targets on the level's map so you have a clearer idea of what you're being tasked with and where you should be headed.

2006's Blood Money didn't have a mini-map for players to utilize, but Feral Interactive implemented one to aid moment-to-moment gameplay in Reprisal. It's dynamic too, showing instant feedback for Agent 47 as ?NPCs grow suspicious ??of his actions.

The controls have been reworked too since the initial PlayStation 2 and Xbox/Xbox 360 releases of Blood Money. This will surely make playing through the stealth title's 12 replayable sandbox missions much smoother on Nintendo'?s hybrid console.

While the iOS and Android versions of the game launched at $19.99, the Switch iteration of Hitman: Blood Money - Reprisal is being listed at $29.99 on the Nintendo eShop. But those who head over there and preorder before the game's January 25 release will earn the??mselves a 16% discount, knocking the overall cost down to $24.99.

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Hitman: Blood Money was a big hit for the franchise when it was released for PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox 360 back in 2006. Now, a new set of players can experience the classic stealth title as heads to iOS and Android at the end of November as Hitman: Blood Money - Reprisal.

Feral Interactive, the same studio that brought us a slew of AAA titles to mobile, is back at it again. The developer dropped a trailer for Hitman: Blood Money - Reprisal that shows exactly what iOS and Android users should expect when the game release?s on November 30.

The game's v?isuals remain on par with its PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 predecessors. But the stealth game's interface has been completely reworked to suit mobile devices. There have also been a few new bells and whistles included for a better overall experience.

Instinct Mode is something that's being brought to Reprisal from later games in the series. It highlights targets and criti??cal m?ission points to make navigating maps a bit easier.

A mini-map is also being introduced to Blood Money for the first time. It offers better feedback ??on Agent 47's surroundings, including alerts if the character is raising suspicions. As in the original, there are 12 sandbox missions for players to enjoy over and over again due to their highly replayable nature.

Controls for Hitman: Blood Money - Reprisal have been reworked, too so that users can create a UI that fits?? them best on the go. However, those wh?o wish to utilize a gamepad or keyboard and mouse have that option too.

Hitman: Blood Money - Reprisal sne?aks up on iOS and Android users on November 30. It's listed in the App Store and Google Play Store for $14.99. A Nintendo Switch port is also planned for some point in the winter.

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From IO down to Brighton

IO Interactive has announced that they’ve got new digs. They’ve opened a studio in Brighton, United Kingdom to assist with their titles, Project 007, Project Fantasy, and HITMAN.

According to the press release, the IO Interactive Brighton team is “already in place�?and “located in the heart of Brighton on the beautiful south coast of England.�?Most notably, they point out that having a studio actually in the UK is very appropriate when it comes to helping with Project 007.

IO Interactive Brighton joins the current studios located in Copenhagen, Malmö, Barcelona, and Istanbul.

“We are extremely proud and excited to open our next studio in Brighton, where we see enormous potential to expand our incredible team and attract the very best talent from the exciting UK development scene,�?said Hakan Abrak, CEO of IO Interactive. ”We’re eager to expand our operations to new shores and believe that IOI Brighton is an extremely appealing destination for developers of all crafts.�?/p>

The press release also mentions one of their previous titles, Freedom Fighters, and refers to it as a “franchise.�?It’s probably worth noting that there was only one game in the Freedom Fighters series, and that was released back in 2003. But s??ince IO Interactive split with Square-Enix, they’ve hinted at wanting to return to it. We can only hope.

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Take a day off, 47

IO Interactive has suggested that Hitman fans will have plenty of time to ??dive into the recent games' consolidation, as Agent 47 will be taking a break from his ??globe-trotting adventures for some time.

Speaking in an interview with Eurogamer, IO Interactive co-owner Christian Elverdam says that a new "major, major" Hitman game is "a little bit on hiatus", which is pretty understandable given the steady stream of excellent content that the team has been rolling out since the series reboot back in 2016. Recently, the 2016 release, simply titled Hitman, was consolidated with its 2018 and 2021 sequels, forming one package of missions, commonly known as Hitman: World of Assassination.

This bumper pack of murder and mayhem features all of the base games and their respective DLC, purchasable as individual parts or as one massive bundle. And given the franchise's open-ended gameplay, as well as its litany of in-mission challenges, achievements, and alternate contracts, World of Assassination adds up to potentially hundreds of hours of stealth action �?More th?an enough to tide you over until our boy picks up the Silverballers once ag?ain.

//www.youtube.c??????????????????????????om/watch?v=slAhuh21ii8&??ab_channel=IOInteractive

So, what is IO Interactive up to? Well, it seems the team is getting to work on its previously teased James Bond game, which currently goes under the title of Project 007. Announced back in the fall of 2020, we are yet to hear or see any updates on this exciting new endeavor. Insiders have previously suggested that we won't be seeing Jimmy or his Walther until at least late-2025, but I can't think of a team better suited to delivering the shadowy, espionage action of the 007 franchise. Excited to hear some news.

Oh, and for Hit?man fans, don't you worry. Elverdam notes that our favorite Suspicious Bald Person remains "very much in the heart of this company". So I guess he's just taking a well-earned break.

Check out the full interview right now over at Eurogamer.

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'You're going to be knackered, 47'

IO Interactive has announced plans to consolidate its celebrated Hitman trilogy into one singular platform �?Hitman: World of Assassination, will see the missions, modes, DLC, and in-game store of the highly celebrated murder simulators brought together in one easy-to-access dash?board.

Launching January 26, Hitman: World of Assassination will become the singular purchasable entity with which to play Hitman (2016), Hitman 2 (2018), and Hitman III (2021). All Hitman III owners will be automatically upgraded to the new platform, with the option of adding all of their additional Hitman and Hitman 2 content. On Steam, a "complete the set" option will allow players to fill in the gaps within their Hitman collection at a di?scounted price, omitting the content that?? they already own

Fo??r those picking up these ace titles ??for the first time, IO Interactive is releasing two new bundles:

Hitman: World of Assassination ($70 USD)
Includes: Hitman III, plus Hitman Game of the Year Access Pass and Hitman II Standard Access Pass.

Hitman: World of Assassination Deluxe Pack ($30 USD)
Includes: Hitman III Deluxe Pack, Hitman III Seven Deadly Sins Collection, and Hitman II Expansion Access Pass.

"We’re drastically simplifying the purchase experience for new players. Hitman: World of Assassination will be the single available option to start playing," explains IO in a lengthy statement. "Essentially, these two changes will mean that all new players and existing Hitman III 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, e??tc. We’re done with that."

"We’re absolutely certain that these changes will have a hugely positive effect on existing players and new players alike. It will also make our lives a lot easier too, there’s no doubting that. For many players, it will mean free content to enjoy. For others, it will mean significantly cheaper downloadable content prices. For new players, who probably aren’t reading this here, they’ll have a much better experience buying Hitman games."

"Between now and when these changes come into effect, ??we’ll be keeping a close eye on the reactions and ?questions that arise."

The Hitman: World of Assassination consolidation will take place January 26. For full details on the transition and how it will affect your platform/games, be sure to read the full statement right here.

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We also get a good look at the new mode

Hitman 3: Freelancer is a new mode for the assassination game, set to arrive on January 26, 2023. But ahead of that, IO Interactive is hos??ting a closed technical test in November.

The Hitman 3: Freelancer closed technical test will take place on November 3 through 7. The closed technical test will only be available on PC via Steam, and it will be a sepa?rate game, with a download code delivered by IO i??f you're chosen.

Sign-ups for the Hitman 3: Freelancer closed technical test are live here.

We also got a pretty decently sized gameplay video today, showcasing just how Hitman 3: Freelancer works. The walkthrough shows off many different aspects of the roguish new mode: picking contracts, planning, touring the home base, and then sett??ing out for a mission.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2ZZlIMdavM

Even Agent 47 is part of the gig economy

The mode will pose a bunch of new challenges and options to players, based around the maps of the Hitman World of Assassination trilogy.

For the closed technical test, only a select portion of the pool will be available. The nine availabl??e maps are: Paris, Sapienza, Hokkaido, Miami, Mumbai, Whittleton Creek, Dartmoor, Berlin, and Mendoza.

The full Freelancer mode will have just about every map, barring three. The ICA Facility, Hawke's Bay, and the Carpathian Mountains will be the only locales not in the full Freelancer launch.

W?hile there is progression within the closed technical test, that mastery will not carry over to the full launch.

But this new way of playing Hitman has lo??oked like a cool alternative for awhile now. I'm sure some players are probably eager to tinke??r with the possibilities in it. They'll be getting their chance in November, ahead of the full launch at the start of the new year.

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The new update is free for Hitman 3 owners

Hitman 3 just got some new content today, in the form of a new map and more. Ambrose Island is a new locale that's free for any owner of Hitman 3.

The update rolls out for anyone today, so long as they own a copy of Hitman 3 on their platform of choice. That does include Game Pass subscription owners, according to IO Interactive's announcement. The only exception is the Hitman 3 Free Starter Pack, which does not get?? access to Ambrose Isla?nd.

The patch rolled out at 9 a.m. ET this morning, on July 26, and is included in the patch. No need to download anything extra from? the store.

As for what Agent 47 is getting up to in these tropical islands? Well, the opening cinematic released today can give you a clue. A former associate of Mr. Grey's needs taking care of, and that will have to include dealing with a local pirate syn?dicate and disrupting a satellite connection along the way.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LWgJNXIOuw

With the update, there are also some new tools and challenges. A special wetsuit and massive machete? are among the rewards. There's also a gas grenade with a poisonous frog trapped inside. And heck, even a fishing hook. Plus, new starting locations, stashes, and more await.

The future of Hitman

While this brings a new locale and likely plenty of mayhem to Hitman 3, there's also more in store. IO Interactive has also been refreshing old content as well, adding new challenges and unl?ock??able items.

Plus, the evolving Freelancer mode is planned for somewhere further off in the future. It seems like the World of Assassination is not quite done with Hitman and Agent 47? yet. There will always be targets in need of taking down, bodies in need of a hiding place, and a runway to walk as notorious fashion icon Helmut Kruger.

The Ambrose Island location is live now for Hitman 3 owners.

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Swap a slick suit for a spacesuit

Crysis 4 might still be a long, long way from touching down, but today brings some interesting news from deep within the corridors of Crytek. It appears that IO Interactive's Mattias Engström, who acted as game director on the excellent Hitman 3, has joined Crytek to lead development on the sci-fi shooter.

"We are happy to announce that Mattias Engström, known for his work as Game Director for Hitman 3 at IO Interactive, joins the Crysis family as Game Director for the fourth installment in the Crysis franchise, starting this week," revealed Crytek on Twitter, essentially rearranging the exact same words? from my first paragraph. That's kinda cheeky.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m_ESB6bCck

Engström has more than proved their worth in the field of game design, having created many of Hitman's memorable and varied sandbox assassination locales. Prior to this, Engström also worked on level design for Ubisoft hits Assassin's Creed: Revelations and Far Cry 3, so they are well versed in creating immersive and atmospheric worlds... and then filling them with things to kill. It will be disappointing to see Engström duck out, as they would have been very welcome on set for Project 007, but I'm sur??e the talented team at IO will continue their fine work.

Crysis 4, first revealed in January of this year, is still believed to be in its early development stages. As such, it is unlikely that we will see the franchise return for another couple of years. Regardless, Crysis is known for always making a tech-shattering impact u??pon its arrival, so it will be exciting to ?see what Engström and Crytek are able to bring to the PC and next-gen console party.

//twitter.com??/Crysis/status/1521540768460115969?s=20&t=_ZtBNiMuCZI19l6SoYJngQ

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Agent 47 will get a little roguish this year

IO Interactive has unveiled some of its plans for the year ahead with Hitman 3 and its reboot trilogy. Starting next week on Jan. 20, Hitman 3 launches into its Year 2 content, with a few updates hitting right away and several more to come a??s the year goes on.

On Jan. 20, Hitman 3 will add the Elusive Target Arcade, a free new mode for Hitman owners. The Arcade will have special Contracts, challenging you to take down several Elusive Targets in succession with additional?? complications in the mix. Failing an Arcade Contract will lock you out from another try for 12 hours?, but the Contracts are permanent additions; IO has confirmed these won't be one-and-done attempts like previous Elusive Targets.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=otBhG8ZldvQ

Hitman 3 Year 2 will launch with three Arcade Contracts in tow, each one focusing on targets from the three different Hitman entries. More?? are plan??ned to arrive through the year.

Hitman VR is also coming to PC on Jan. 20, with the entire trilogy playable in PC VR. In the reveal stream, IO's developers showcase the two-handed throw options and body movement possible with the PC VR tools. And I'll admit, it really make??s me want to get a VR head?set.

//twitter.com/Eskil_IOI/status/14718??17268824838145

To bring it all together, the Hitman Trilogy is also launching on Jan. 20. This digital collection includes all three Hitman games from IO's World of As?sassination trilogy in one package. It's coming to PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and the Epic Games Store, as well as Steam and Xbox Game Pass.

This not only brings the full Hitman Trilogy to Steam, but Game Pas?s will make the whole package availa??ble on both console and PC Game Pass options.

While all of that arrives on Jan. 20, 2022, more is in store for the year ahead. IO Interactive discussed a few other things coming to Hitman 3 Year 2 as well. ?More tech improvements are set to arrive later in 2022, like ray tracing, Intel XeSS technology, and Variable Rate Shading on PC.

A new mode called Freelancer is also coming in Year 2, adding Agent 47's Safehouse and a roguish new way to play. You can set up your loadout and pre-plan missions, as well as hang out and customize your Safehouse, then set out to take down criminal enterprises in missions. It's got a similar approach to Escape From Tarkov, where equipment can be acquired and lost in the field. Special NPC types will help or hinder you, and additional challenges look ??to make things a little tougher, even for the trained assassin.

Lastly, IO showed a brief sneak peek of its new Map, codenamed Rocky. It was only a brief glimpse, but it's a sign of even more content to come for Hitman. Looks like there's a lot more "work" to be ??done by Agent 47 in the new year.

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Another year in the World of Assassination

We're coming up on the one-year anniversary of Hitman 3, the third entry in the Hitman reboot continuum. And this week, we're going to learn a little more about what's still in store for Agent 47 with Hitman 3 Year 2.

IO Interactive is hosting a stream this Thursday, Jan. 13 for Hitman 3 Year 2. The show will go live at 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT on YouTube. You can find that linked here as well.

?//twitter.com/IOInteractive/status/1480??902322045607937

The pre-recorded video stream will run for about 15 minutes. Expect announcements, reveals, and footage of new content coming to the world of Hitman.

IO Interactive has already talked a little bit about what's coming in the next year for Hitman 3, and it looks pretty exciting. Hitman 3 Year 2 is set to include VR support for the PC side of things, as well as ray tracing. New maps and storylines are also in the works. And the Elusive Target Arcade will offer a?? new permanent mode, as an extension of IO's Elusive Target setup that added a lot of post-launch content to old maps ov??er the last few entries.

Hitman 3 by itself was already pretty good, and as a whole collection across all three games, IO's Hitman series is a wealth of disguises and assassinations. It's nice to see the studio still support more Hitman content, even with its Bond game on the horizon. ?Here's hoping for some great ??new vistas and beautiful paradises to wear ridiculous costumes in.

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Cblogs of 6/12 to 6/18/2021

-Black Red Gaming shares their E3 highlights.

-Kerrik52 reviews Onimusha 3: Demon Siege as p?art of their Traveler in Playtime reviews series.

-Dango continues their extensive thoughts on Hitman: World of Assassination.

-TheCooperators sharer their thoughts on the Deckbuilding game, Slay the Spire.

-Sweaty Dungus shares their thoughts on the zany FPS, Cruelty Squad.

-RedHeadPeak shares their thoughts on the Resident Evil franchise.

-My Enormous Hairy Downstairs Kitchen discusses a number of games they d?ipped in and out of recently.

-PhilsPhindings discusses the similarities between the soundtrack of Shining Force 2 and Japanese synth-pop music.

-ABowlOfCereal continues their balancing suggestion for Guardian Tales.

-Queen of Philosophy opens this week's open TGIF community forum.

-M Randy suggests that Dtoid has a membership option? where we can pay.

A smaller run of blogs this week, but we appreciate each and every one of them. After all, everyone's been a little overrun with the vidya gamez given E3. Thanks as always to Lord Spencer for the recap and for all of our community for this week’s entries. Work continues on the new site’s infrastructure, but we hope to return to Blog Pr??omotions, Bloggers Wanted, and other c?ommunity-themed projects soon!

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Cblogs of 5/1 to 5/7/2021

-Black Red Gaming continues listing their "Game ?S??elections" with entries 17-20 regarding games everyone should play.

-LaTerry presents this month's Band of Bloggers prompt focusing on Photo Modes in Video Games.

-Flegma responds to the prompt quickly with this blog about the shmup, Shoot the Bullet.

-Kerrik52 continues their Tales of series retrospective wit??h this second blog with rankings and awards on the Namco franchise.

-Shoggoth2588 shares their personal April gaming journal.

-Exber reviews the original Xenoblade Chronicles.

-Dango shares the first part of their thoughts on Hitman: World of Assassinations.

-Siflox Gaming reviews Brawl Stars on Mobile.

-Lord Spencer reviews Fear Effect as part of his PS1 REVIEWS blogging series.

-Propeller48 talks about how NBA 2K21 tips will help you play the game better.

-GamingDino writes about the first partner you can get in ARK Survival Evolved.

-Chris Bradshaw reflects on race and racism in a thoughtful blog.

-PhilsPhindings discusses the similarities between the soundtrack of Indiana Jones IV and marching music.

-ABowlOfCereal continues their Guardian Tales balancing suggestions.

-Alphadeus is in the process of making? his 50th album, and he is taking input ??from the Dtoid community.

-Solidsnape talks about how streamers are affecting GTA's servers.

-Queen of Philosophy opens this week's TGIF open community forum.

This was a really varied run of topics from our community this week - photo modes, shmups, PS1 classics, music, memories and much more. That's what we like to see! Thanks to Lord Spencer for providing us with the recap. If you'd like to be part of next week's front page roundup, head on over to the Cblogs sections and speak your brains. We're look forward to your discourse! Don't forget to check out the Band of Bloggers "Photo Mode" prompt!

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How can I forget?

IO Interactive, developer of the popular and critically acclaimed Hitman franchise, continues to flourish since stepping away from Square Enix to go indep??endent. The Danish developer has recently announced that it is expanding its operations with a brand new studio, opening in beautiful Bar??celona, Spain.

"There are exciting times ahead at IO Interactive and I am proud to announce the next step in our plans for the most desirable game company in Europe," said IO CEO Hakan Abrak in an official statement. "IOI Barcelona w??ill become the third studio to join our efforts to create phenomenal experiences for our players and communities."

"All three of our studios have extremely talented developers who are passionate and driven towards making an impact in our industry. A core part of our ph??ilosophy is that everyone at IOI has a significant and impactful role to play in realizing our dreams, regardless of where they’re located. Think of it as one studio, in multiple locations.”

IOI Barcelona joins the developer's previous two studios IOI Copenhagen and IOI Malmo, and will be used for the development of IO's current and future releases. This is expected to include Hitman, the exciting James Bond title "Project 007" and a third, unannounced IP. IO notes that all three of its studios should be recognized as "elite," as all will be equally focused on the developer's r??eleases going forward.

In choosing to leave Square Enix to go it alone in both development and publishing, IO Interactive took an enormous risk at a fragile time in the industry. But having since bagged the sought-after James Bond license, delivered an excellent release in the form of Hitman 3, and the opening of its new Spanish studio, it seems that this risk has paid off - IO's future is looking sunnier than ??ever.

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A well-deserved vacation

With the rebooted Hitman trilogy come to a close with Hitman 3, IO Interactive is looking? ahead to its next project. Part of?? that, it sounds like, is giving Agent 47 a little break.

In a recent interview with IGN, IO Interactive CEO and co-owner Hakan Abrak discussed the future of the Hitman franchise, after Hitman 3 put a neat bow on the trilogy's story.

"Our thinking right now is Agent 47 deserves a bit of?? a rest," said Abrak. "He's been b?usy the last three games."

IO Interactive has still been busy with live elements, supporting the platform that's been built across the three recent Hitman games, which it calls the "World of Assassination." Abrak says the studio will continue releasing new things for its communities moving forward. Even if he's taking a bre??ather, this is not the end of Agent 47.

"As we talked about before, it's synonymous with IO, it's a very beloved franchise of ours and, of course, Hitman will continue," said Abrak. "Age?nt 47, maybe, is going to take a bit of a rest, but that doesn't mean we're not working on some cool, cool stuff with the World of Assassination. So there's definitely activity coming and I'm looking forward to talking about that sometime in the future."

IO Interactive, meanwhile, is gearing up for its next game set in the world of a very different international operative: 007. Project 007 will see IO take on the classic Bond franchise, and hopefully see some of that Hitman charm a?nd physical comedy sneak its way into the world of international espionage and shaken martinis.

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Welcome to the starter kit, Agent 47

If you've been holding off on playing the latest Hitman, this week might be a good opportunity to test the waters. Hitman 3 is getting a free starter pack, which includes two locations and a time-limited trial of Hitman 3's first major locale, Dubai.

The Hitman 3: Free Starter Pack includes the ICA Facility and Hawke's Bay, the tutorial levels from Hitman (2016) and Hitman 2. Dubai, the first location of Hitman 3, will also be available in the starter pack from March 30 through April 5. In a blog post, IO says it will also be releasing more free content to the pack for a l??imited time in the future.

Hitman 3 launched earlier this year as the conclusion to IO Interactive's rebooted Hitman trilogy. It was fittingly filled with plenty of global intrigue and goofy assassinations, and was quite the send-off for Agent 47.

Though it has had some level transfer troubles on PC, most of the wrinkles seem to have been ironed out between the platforms. It's worth doing so too, because as engaging as Hitman 3 wa??s, the previous two games' levels still stand tall. Locales like Sapienza, Paris, and M??umbai still stick out to me.

If you haven't tried these games out, they're absolutely worth a shot, especially as IO Interactive looks to be pivoting into its upcoming 007 game. There are a lot of little joys in life, but few can compare to the ridiculous ways ??in which Agent 47 can dispatch with his targets. Never miss a chance to drop ??that moose on someone.

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What's in the boooooox?

They say in the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king. And in a world as sinful as Hitman III's, Agent 47 is practically a saint.

From next week, Hitman III players will have the opportunity to p??urchase the first of seven incoming DLC packs, each of which will feature a unique storyline, target, suit, and weapon. The upcoming content drops will take place over each of the stealth titles' seasons, and, intrigui?ngly, will all fall under the banner of The Seven Deadly Sins.

The first act "Greed" will see 47 return to Dubai for new assignment "The Greed Enumeration" - while the plotline has not been revealed, Agent 47 will bag himself the Rapacious Suit, as well as two new items - the "Greedy Little Coin" and "The Devil's Cane." Developer IO Interactive suggests that the new mission will feature new gameplay mechanics that will "tempt your ?own personal greed." Curious.

Each act of the Seven Deadly Sins expansion will retail for around $5 USD, or dedicated HitPeople can buy into the whole expansion for a discounted $30. In addition to the Seven Deadly Sins content drops, Hitman III will continue to receive both paid and free content such as new Escalations, Elusive Targets, weapons, suits, and more - all of whi??ch w??ill be tied in to the theme of the current sinful season.

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Version 3.11 is the 'first major patch' and it's extensive

As the "first major patch" since launch, today's 3.11 update for Hitman 3 has a slew of additions and changes to pore over, including the newly-unlockable Tactical Turtleneck (look for "The Final Test" in the ICA Facility), new items in two Deluxe Escalations (Proloff Parable and Gauchito Antiquity), HUD improvements for trespassing and Silent Assassin(ating), and a bunch of location-specific upgrades.

Reading over the lengthy patch notes, you get the sense that Hitman 3, on the whole, will be a smoother experience. The kinks are very muc?h being worked out, particularly with certain bugged trophies, achievements, and in-game challenges, as well as spots where Agent 47 can get stuck.

The update also improves the packed-in PlayStation VR version of Hitman 3. The biggie: you can turn off th?e "safe area" blue grid if you find?? it too distracting, though the developers "strongly recommend that players keep it toggled on and instead adjust their hardware and physical position where possible."

One interesting wrinkle: the Druzhina 34 ICA sniper rifle's Shockwave and Wall-Piercing perks were "never intended to be available outside of the Sniper maps," a?nd that loophole has since been fixed.

On top of everything else, 3.11 sets the stage for "the continued release of new content in the c??oming weeks and months." This game is sticking around for a long time, not that we needed any assurances.

That said, there's a lot more work ahead just on the patching front. Players are reporting ongoing issues with the music abruptly cutting out in the PS5 version of Hitman 3, among other persistent problems that'll need to be stamped out later. Some common known issues: the Requiem Pack is inaccessible, HDR isn't "optimal" for everyone, and people want to be able t??o change the shoulder cam.

I'm not in any particular rush to play this obse?ssively yet. I ?can wait. (I think.)

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Location importing now works as it originally should have

You don't need to rebuy Hitman 1 or Hitman 2 to bring their levels into Hitman 3 on PC.

From the outside looking in, that should be a no-brainer with the (mostly generous!) way IO has handled its modern Hitman trilogy so far, but a last-minute switcheroo in mid-January meant that PC players weren't going to be able to freely bring their content forward by verifying their Steam purchases of Hitman 1 or 2 to unlock corresponding stages in the Epic Games Store-exclusive Hitman 3.

Fans were rightfully put off by the situation, and IO said it would reverse course. Now it has.

Hitman 3 players can head over to this support page to read about – and begin – the Hitman 1 and 2 location-importing process. Using an IOI Account, you'll be able to claim the Hitman 1 and/or Hitman 2 Access Pass DLC if you own those games, and then it's just a matter of launching Hitman 3. That said, IO warns to "doubl?e-check all your choices before claiming content. They cannot b??e undone or reversed."

If any of this unpleasantness was holding you back from getting into Hitman 3 on PC, it's time to hunt.

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Switch it up

It's another Nintendo-friendly week in the UK Charts this week, as social adventure Animal Crossing: New Horizons retains the number one spot for a third?? week running, leading a slew of sales on a wide range of Nintendo Switch releases.

The adventures of Tom, Nook, Isabelle, and all the critters of Nook Island sit proudly in the number one spot, followed up by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, still shifting physical copies some four years after release. Lounge workout Ring Fit Adventure moves up to number four, while the Switch edition of Minecraft is nestled in at number five. Just Dance 2021 moves up one place to number seven, while retro compendium Super Mario 3D All-Stars retains its seat at number nine. A very good start to the year for the House of Ma?rio.

Elsewhere in the charts, steady sales continue on AAA mainstays such as Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War at number three, Take-Two's Grand Theft Auto V at number six, and Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which returns to the premier league at number 10. The only new physical release this week was nocturnal gnasher Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood, which unfortunately failed to make?? an impact at number 36.

U.K. video game sales chart w/e: February 7, 2021
(Chart reflects in-store physical sales only)

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo
2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Nintendo
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War - Activision
4. Ring Fit Adventure - Nintendo
5. Minecraft - Nintendo
6. Grand Theft Auto V - Take-Two Interactive
7. Just Dance 2021 - Ubisoft
8. FIFA 21 - Electronic Arts
9. Super Mario 3D All-Stars - Nintendo
10. Assassin's Creed Valhalla - Ubisoft

U.K. video game charts [GamesIndustry.biz]

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Take a day off, mate

Hitman 3 appears to have had the same impact for the long-running stealth franchise as Yakuza 0 had for the adventures of Kiryu Kazuma. While the Hitman series has always been popular, a quick look on social media implies that IO Interactive's newest sequel has brou?ght a flurry of wannabe sharpshooters into the World of Assassination.

And already the Danish developer is offering players new content for the sequel. Yesterday saw the return of Escalation Contract?s - essentially new missions and marks to eliminate in already established locations. The first contract sees Agent 47 return to Thornbridge Manor in order to stage a series of unhappy accidents.

February 11 will add a new Featured Contract - produced in association with YouTube series MinnMax (me neither). February 18 adds a throwing knife-exclusive Escalation, while on February 23 Deluxe Edition owners can enjoy a special premium E??scalation, The Proloff Parable, which sees "The White Shadow" pick their way through a snow-covered train as it ruses through the Carpathian Mountains.

It's not over, as February 23 sees the arrival of another Escalation, The Gauchito Antiquity, which sees 47 don the gear of The Guru for a spot of poison-pen action. A Kinda Funny-sponsored Featured Contract sees the action return to Dartmoor once again, while Hitman 3's fir?st Elusive Target will be visiting Sapienza between February 26 and March 8 - so maybe take a detour to track down this limited-time target.

That's a lot of work for our boy, 47, and it's only ?the first month! Better stock up on piano wire.

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Isabelle-a Da Vida

Next month will see the first anniversary of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. That's one whole year of No?ok Island shenanigans. And the Nintendo Switch social sim has more than proven its staying power, once again returning to the number one spot on the UK Charts.

Since launch, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has dallied in and around the Top Ten, returning to the number one spot on numerous occasions throughout its first year of release, with many players openly noting how its cheerful and social nature has helped lift spirits during this miserable COVID-19 times. Nintendo continues to add seasonal updates and events in its cute fantasy world, and with Festivale just around the corner, ?this looks set to continue into spring and beyo??nd.

Elsewhere in the charts, there is little to report. IO Interactive's murderthon Hitman 3 has already dropped out of the Top Ten, having spent one week in the premier position, and now sits just outside at number 11. The rest of the Top Ten is rounded out by the steady physical sales of Grand Theft Auto V, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, FIFA 21, and Switch releases such as Ring Fit Adventure and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, bringing a stagnant end to a very quiet Janua??ry.

U.K. video game sales chart w/e: January 30, 2021
(Chart reflects in-store physical sales only)

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo
2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Nintendo
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War - Activision
4. Grand Theft Auto V - Take-Two Interactive
5. Spider-Man: Miles Morales - Sony Interactive Entertainment
6. Minecraft - Nintendo
7. Ring Fit Adventure - Nintendo
8. Just Dance 2021 - Ubisoft
9. Super Mario 3D All-Stars - Nintendo
10. FIFA 21 - Electronic Arts

U.K. video game charts [GamesIndustry.biz]

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Agent 47 back with a bang

They say you can't keep a good man down - turns out that goes for relatively amoral men too. Agent 47 has stealthily crept his way into the top spot of the UK Charts, thanks to the release of IO Interactive's excellent sequel, Hitman 3, physically published by Square Enix.

As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, the eighth (just go with it) mainline entry in the long-running murderthon, Hitman 3 was the biggest-selling physical release in the UK last week, with the PS5 platform accounting for almost half of all sales. Speaking of PS5, Sony Interactive Entertainment's pseudo-sequel Spider-Man: Miles Morales also made a return to the Top Ten, web-slinging in at number four, while Demon's Souls made its return to the Top 40 at number 27.

Aside from these two releases, it was mostly business as usual. Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe occupy slots two and three respectively, while additional Switch releases, Ring Fit Adventure, Just Dance 2021, and Minecraft, nestle at the back half of the Top 10. The bro-tastic FIFA 21, Grand Theft Auto V, and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War all continue to see steady week-on-week sales.

U.K. video game sales chart w/e: January 23, 2021
(Chart reflects in-store physical sales only)

1. Hitman 3 - Square Enix
2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo
3. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Nintendo
4. Spider-Man: Miles Morales - Sony Interactive Entertainment
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War - Activision
6. Grand Theft Auto V - Take-Two Interactive
7. Ring Fit Adventure - Nintendo
8. Just Dance 2021 - Ubisoft
9. Minecraft - Nintendo
10. FIFA 21 - Electronic Arts

U.K. video game charts [GamesIndustry.biz]

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Eight seconds

Look, Hitman speedrunning pretty much always ruled.

There's something so liberating about playing through a Htiman game as fast as you can, with no restrictions, including those that are self-imposed outside of the game: otherwise known as an "any percentage" run. The game is...pretty much built for that on the ground up! But that doesn't make these new Hitman 3 speedruns any less impressive.

The race has been on this past week, as folks have been clearing the first Hitman 3 mission (Dubai - On Top of the World) in less than 10 seconds. In fact, for several days, the world record was nine seconds. Today, someone in Sweden clai?ms to have cleared it in eight. It's just a one-second margin: but the race is heating up!

If yo?u want to see what a quick run of Dubai looks lik??e, you can check out the video below.

Before folks started to hit these types of shenanigans, players were running at a?round the 2:20 clear mark.

Other stages are more around 30 seconds or more for an any??-percentage clear at the moment, with the caveat of starting in specific places (like closer to a target) with certain tools.

If you're interested in seeing how all of these different players approach each stage, check out the full stage breakdown on the speedrun dat?abase.

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Welcome to 2021

Man I'm glad that IO Interactive was able to bail from a potential destruction of their studio with a buyout. It was really touch and go there for a bit, but they did it, and Hitman (among a few other IPs) came along for the ride.

It would have been a damn shame if Hitman 3 never came to fruition, because it ?feels like the culmination of everything the recent trilogy has achieved so far.

Hitman 3 (PC [reviewed] PS4, PS5, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)
Developer: IO Interactive
Publisher: IO Interactive
Released: January 20, 2021
MSRP: $59.99

Like Hitman 2, the third game in the series is non-episodic, and I am loving it. So let's break it all down brick by brick, lead?ing into a grand finale summation.

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Dubai, UAE

What a way to open a game!

Dubai was the first thing that was shown for Hitman 3, and for good reason: it looks fantastic, and giant skyscrapers are a perfect way to highlight some of the Ethan Hunt/James Bond tendencies of the ever-shifti??ng chameleon that is Agent 47.

Although it feels a tad restrictive at fi??rst as only a few floors are accessible in this gargantuan tower, the aesthetic choices start to f?low into deliberate design concepts; as you explore more and more of what Dubai has to offer. Backstage access, elaborate mezzanines; this is a flashy stage and it wants you to know it at all times.

It's also very well paced. Those geographical restrictions I mentioned? They open u?p over time as you complete each playthrough of Dubai, but also help acclimate brand new players on a semi-guided, but definitely not linear first hunt. It also gives the rest of the game plenty of room to brea?the going forward.

IO Interactive was already good?? at this: but they're getting better.

Dartmoor, United Kingdom

Donning his best Sherlock cap (or Benoit Blanc/Hercule Poirot outfit), Agent 47 is whisked away to the dre??ary countryside of Dartmoor for a murder mystery affair. Egad!

Once again, IO Interactive nails it here. They've gone directly from a bright and larger-than-life Dubai skyscraper to a down-to-earth, but still out-there concept. It goes to show you that the studio is not resting on their?? laurels, or saving the best for last. They're willing to provide worthwhile scenarios at a regu??lar pace, and Dartmoor is one of my favorites of the bunch.

While I'm going to refrain from spoiling anything here (and there's a lot to spoil), Dartmoor is easily one of the best cases for IO Interactive's penchant for environmental storytelling. There's ?so much to discover and glean her??e in this mansion journey, from the inner workings of familial lore to the tale of the house itself.

I found myself going back to this one immediately after cl??earing it.

Berlin, Germany

At this point the stakes get a little higher, story-wise, and the tension is ramping up. It c??olors the significance of Berlin within the confines of the campaign.

This one is a little more lawless. There's multiple factions at play (security, agents, bikers, civilians) and they're all kind of scrunched together to create a chaotic, more intimate map. And not every Hitman map needs to be bright! Even if those are among my favorites (Miami immediately comes to mind from Hitman 2 - something I played in Hitman 3 again actually, as the packag?e allows you to select previously owned games).

It's probably the least flashy bit of Hitman 3, but again, the narrative significance of it adds to?? the heightened ??severity of it. It fits.

Chongqing, China

Ah, neon. Berlin had some, but not near??ly enough. Chongqing fixes that.

With the setup of "2.5 million cameras" watching your every move, Chongqing hits that theme fantasy right away of whisking you away to a unique land; but also comes in swinging with a variety of locations to explore that keep things fresh, even on that first run. A giant underground bunker is a classic Hitman fixture, housed below a semi-bustling? city that has more than enough nuances to justify ??replays.

It's a keeper.

Mendoza, Argentina

At this point the story is winding down, but it still isn't completely in the way. Despite the enhanced focus on Agent 47 and the people who surround him, the objectives mostly remain the same. It's a positive?? in my mind, because the formula still works best when it plays up its sandboxes first and foremost.

I intimated the James Bond references earlier, but this is 47 at his most 007. ??Mendoza's wine country is a classy affair, a far cry from the rainy streets of Chongqing, or even the shiny artifice of Mumbai. No, this is more of an idyllic, rural take: a level befitting of the penultimate stage.

It might be a bit on the small side as far as substantia??l zones go, but it's o??ne of the most memorable, visually.

Carpathian Mountains, Romania

It's really h?ard?? to talk about this one without spoiling it (I'm sure someone will), but it's enrobed in story bits and does feel like a proper trilogy finale. It's also the most linear stage of the bunch, so just be ready for that.

If you muck about in each map and take things slowly, you can allot about an hour a level to clear the game: so roughly six hours in all. But Hitman is predicated on replay value, and Hitman 3 nudges things even further down t??hat path. Shortcuts are probably the biggest draw, which alter each sandbox to make them a lit??tle more accessible.

Basically, if you lower a specially marked ladder or some other device, you can access that shortcut on future playthroughs. It's very subtle; but it's a welcome change as it ensures that you can explore the sandbox the way you want to each time. I would refrain from using the phrase "guided," but the first run is definitely angled in such a way to make it feel more cinematic in nature. With shortcuts, branching paths allow you to see the entirety of the design in all its splendor. This is on top ??of the existing "starting locations" system, mind.

Coupled with extra gadgets (some of which can be imported - though?? not as swimmingly on PC), Hitman 3 is really fun to dive back into; or introduce someone to for that matter, just to see what they come up with. It's the little things that add up and really make Hitman 3 special.

Hats off to IO Interactive for really sticking with this seri?es and getting it right.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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The transfer process just got a whole lot more complicated

[Update: After outcry from Hitman fans over the level importing process, IO Interactive says that it is "continuing to work on a solution with our partners to allow PC players who own Hitman 1 or Hitman 2 to import locations from those games into Hitman 3 at no additional cost." The developers "guarantee that players will NOT need to repurchase the?? games," but a specific timetable wasn't given.

A separate tweet from the Epic Games Store indicated that Epic is "working closely with IO Interactive and you will be able to access past content from earlier Hitman games."]

[Update 2: You can start the Hitman migration process over here. It's hit-or-miss on launch day.]

IO Interactive shared a huge pre-launch guide for Hitman 3 today, and if you're planning to get the game on any platform – whether it's next week at launch or months later – the article is worth reading to see how your Hitman 1 and 2 progress and unlocks will carry over. If you own the prior games on Steam, you definitely need to take a look. There are some regrettable new conte??nt ownership? caveats.

I??t's difficult to neatly sum up th?e entire situation, but long story short:

• You can move your Hitman 2 progression – "XP rank, location mastery levels, location mastery unlocks, challenge progress, challenge unlocks, and Elusive Target suits/unlocks" – into Hitman 3 using an IOI Account in a web browser (rather than in-game). It's a one-time move, and it's strictly platform-dependent. For instance, PlayStation to PlayStation, Xbox to Xbox, and Steam to the Epic Games Store.

• Save files won't carry over to Hitman 3, and the ICA Electrocution Phone is "retired."

• There's a different process for importing Hitman 1 and 2 levels into Hitman 3, and this is where things get messy. On PlayStation or Xbox, it mostly works like you'd expect: if you already own Hitman 1 or 2 content, you can download the corresponding Hitman 1 or 2 Access Pack for free in Hitman 3 to play everything you own in the new hub.

• On PC, it's worse – you can't simply verify that you own Hitman 1 or 2 on Steam to unlock those levels in the Epic Store-exclusive Hitman 3 as players had come to expect.

• To get the Hitman 1 levels in Hitman 3 on PC, you'll need to own the Epic Store version of Hitman 1 – or claim the Hitman 1 GOTY Access Pass while it's free to Hitman 3 owners during the "first 10 days after launch." To get the Hitman 2 levels, you'll need to buy the relevant Access Pass, which "will be 80% off for 14 days after the launch of Hitman 3 on Epic Games Store and will continue to be discounted regularly."

The Access Passes aren't listed ?in the Ep?ic Game Stores yet, so we're not sure how much they'll typically cost, and IO says its PC import plans changed "due to various circumstances out of our control."

The timing of this news is arguably the worst part. Long-time fans still would've been upset about the rough hand they've been dealt here, but at least people, in general, could've prepared better. I feel bad for anyone who just picked up Hitman 1 or 2 in a Steam sale in preparation for Hitman 3. Bummer.

Hitman 3 – Pre-Launch Guide [IO Interactive]

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Cloud Maiming

IO Interactive has announced the cloud-streamed edition of stealth sequel Hitman 3 will be made available on Nintendo Switch on January 20, day-and-date with its PC?, PlayStation, and Xbox breth?ren.

Hitman 3: Cloud Version, as the title suggests, allows Switch players to enter Agent 47's dangerous "World of Assassination" via smart technology, which allows the ambitious sandbox sequel to stream directly to Nintendo's hybrid console. Hitman 3 marks the first time a franchise entry has been available on a Nintendo platform since the 2003 GameCube release of Hitman 2: Silent Assassin.

IO Interactive has worked hard to implement Hitman 3 with fascinating modern technology. The studio recently noted how the new sequel's compression is so effective that it not only makes Hitman 3 smaller than its predecessors, but it will also retroactively shrink the file size of the entire Hitman trilogy, saving valuable HDD? space. Kudo??s to you, IO.

You can check out Chris Carter's impressions on Hitman 3 in his recent preview.

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Smart development from IO Interactive

In a modern gaming world, the need for storage space is becoming ever more concerning. With titles like Call of Duty and Rainbow Six Siege raking in triple figures-worth of GB space – and new platforms PS5 and Xbox ?Series X already sweating for breathing room – any title that can ??economize its file size is worthy of a shout-out.

With its ongoing World of Assassination arc, IO Interactive's Hitman is already starting to gobble up the HDDs and SSDs of its players. Indeed, a full install of Hitman and Hitman 2 already takes up a whopping 150GB, and with a third title on the horizon, silent assassins across the world are busy rea??rranging the??ir libraries to find space for the continuing adventures of Agent 47.

However, speaking with PC Gamer, IO Interactive has explained how Hitman 3 will not only be smaller in size than its predecessors but, amazingly, it will actually shrink the combined file size of the entire trilogy. IO estimates that the PC edition of Hitman, Hitman 2, and Hitman 3 will come in at roughly 70-80GB, once all three games are installed. An incredible and very welcome achievement in modern gaming.

The key to this space-saving wonder lies in Hitman's "LZ4 Compression" tech, which essentially micro-combines a??ll instances of repetition to the minimum requirement.

"The super simplified description of LZ4 is that it replaces those lengthy sequences with a reference to a sequence that has previously appeared in the decompressed stream," explains IO's chief technological offi??cer Maurizio De Pascale. "So, for example, instead of storing the word 'compression' as-is, the algorithm can store the equivalent of 'the word that appeared X words ago,' which can be very efficiently encoded with few bits. Of course that's not exactly how it works, but it's sufficiently close to convey the idea."

While all games use compression in order to save space on repetitious code, it seems that LZ4 takes this methodology to its zenith, filtering out as much repetition as possible to reduce the file size of the World of Assassination arc to the smallest footprint possible. For more detail on Hitman 3's compression tech – alongside other tidbits regarding the next-gen console editions – be sure to check out De Pascale's full breakdown over at PC Gamer.

Hitman 3 launches January 20 on PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. You can check out our own Chris Carter's thoughts on the new sequel in his recent preview.

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