IO Interactive pissed off a lot of Hitman fans this week when it revealed that PC players who wanted to import Hitman 2’s chapters into the latest installment would have to purchase that content all over again due to the sequel’s absence on the Epic Games Store. The developer is now addressing that controversy by promising that it’s working on a solution to allow PC players who own Hitman 1 or Hitman 2 to import locations from those games into Hitman 3 at no additional cost.
“We guarantee that players will NOT need to repurchase the games,” the developer wrote. “Until we roll that out in the coming weeks, the Hitman 1 GOTY Access Pass will be free to own for all PC players who pre-purchase or purchase Hitman 3 in the first 10 days after release.”
“Sorry, the team is looking into this with IO,” Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted. “It’s never Epic’s intent to create a situation where someone who owns a game on Steam would have to buy it again on Epic Games Store.”
It isn’t clear when IO Interactive’s solution will be ready, but the pre-launch guide suggests that Hitman 3 players on PC who wish to import Hitman 2’s content on day one will need to pay for an Access Pass, which will be sold at an 80 percent discount.
“For existing players, stay tuned for details on how to import locations,” IO Interactive wrote. “For new players, we have set up an 80% discount for this Access Pass for the first 14 days after HITMAN 3’s launch.”
In contrast, Hitman 3 players on PC should have no trouble importing Hitman 1’s content, as it is already available on the Epic Games Store. Epic actually gave this title away at no cost during one of its countless free games promotions.
“If you pre-purchase or purchase HITMAN 3 on EGS within the first 10 days of launch, you will be granted the HITMAN 1 GOTY Access Pass for no additional charge,” the pre-launch guide explains. “In addition, if you own or redeemed a free copy of HITMAN – The Complete First Season on EGS when it was available for free, you will be able to download this Access Pass at any time after purchasing HITMAN 3.”
An important update to our @HITMAN 3 Pre-launch guide: https://t.co/Buj596UQnE pic.twitter.com/UVpNAQGdVm
— IO Interactive (@IOInteractive) January 17, 2021
Sorry, the team is looking into this with IO. It’s never Epic’s intent to create a situation where someone who owns a game on Steam would have to buy it again on Epic Games Store.
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) January 16, 2021
In other Hitman news, IO Interactive has released a new Hitman 3 trailer in 4K to celebrate the game’s launch this Wednesday. “Agent 47 returns in HITMAN 3 for the most important contracts of his entire career,” a blurb reads. “The dramatic conclusion to the World of Assassination trilogy awaits… Available 20 January on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia, Switch and PC.”