‘Hitman 3’ PC release date: Epic Games Store exclusivity will allow importing content from earlier games

“Hitman 3” adds to the growing list of upcoming PC titles that will be exclusively released on Epic Games Store. While many Steam loyalists might be reluctant about this decision, they have one less thing to worry about since IO Interactive confirmed importing content and progression from previous titles will be supported.

‘Hitman 3’ release date, compatibility

The announcement of “Hitman 3” being exclusive to Epic Games Store for its first 12 months in the market was made rather discreetly in a blog post last week. The matter was discussed as just a subtopic in the article that primarily discusses the game’s new location called Dartmoor.

Under the Pre-Orders subtitle, IO Interactive confirmed that fans will be able to secure a copy of “Hitman 3” later this month. Then, the developer announced that PC gamers will only be accessible on the Epic Games Store for a year.

Sneaky as it may seem, it was a wise move considering many PC gamers have yet to fully embrace Epic Games Store over Valve’s Steam. On Twitter, there have been mixed reactions to this subtle announcement ranging from highly disappointed gamers to fans who said “Hitman 3” might finally force them to try Epic Games Store.

On the bright side, PC gamers will not have to worry about not being able to access content and progression they have saved in earlier “Hitman” games on Steam. IO Interactive confirmed that gamers will be able to bring their saved progression, unlocked items, and locations from the first and second “Hitman” titles an onto “Hitman 3” on Epic Games Store.

So, why did IO Interactive decide to ditch Steam for a year? “As an independent studio, our partnership with Epic has given us the freedom to create HITMAN 3 exactly as we imagined and self-publish the game to our players directly,” the developer of “Hitman 3” explained.

‘Hitman 3’ on other platforms

“Hitman 3” is scheduled to be released in January 2021 and will also be available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Google Stadia. IO Interactive previously confirmed that the game can be played in VR with PlayStation’s hardware, but the developer has yet to confirm or dismiss hopes for a PCVR version.