Category: io interactive

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‘Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded’ Revealed, “rebuilt from the ground up” Exclusively for Quest 3

IO Interactive and UK-based studio XR Games announced they’re bringing a new version of stealth-action game Hitman 3 exclusively to Meta Quest 3 this summer.

Hitman 3 came along with VR support for the original PSVR at launch in 2021, later bringing Agent 47’s most recent exploits to PC VR headsets with the Windows version a few months later.

Now, a version called Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded is slated to arrive exclusively on Quest 3, which is described as have been “[r]ebuilt from the ground up for VR,” including a completely overhauled user interface and “enhanced movement mechanics” beyond the versions for PSVR and PC VR headsets.

It’s also set to include dual weapon-wielding (finally), enhanced interactive environments, more locomotion options, and other visual enhancements—chief of which is a new cel-shaded art style, which ought to help cut down on the extensive compute load that the game’s dense crowds and large maps were sure to cause on Quest 3.

In collaboration with IO Interactive, Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded is being overhauled for Quest 3 by XR Games, which is also known for having brought a number of titles to various VR headsets over the years, including the upcoming Zombie Army VR from Rebellion, as well as past titles Zombieland VR: Headshot Fever, Jurassic World Aftermath, Shadow Point, and Angry Birds Under Pressure VR.

“We are excited to partner with IO Interactive to bring HITMAN 3 VR: Reloaded to life on the Meta Quest 3,” said Bobby Thandi, Founder and CEO of XR Games. “Our teams have worked tirelessly to bring this huge AAA franchise to VR. We knew the HITMAN audience demanded the absolute best VR experience, and only the Meta Quest 3 could power such large environments, dense crowds and emergent sandbox gameplay. With dual-wielding, a stunning new art-style, new features and improvements, we believe HITMAN 3 VR: Reloaded will set a new standard for bringing AAA franchises to Meta Quest.”

Whatever the case, we’re hoping it does a fair bit to fix some of the porting issues we remember from the PC VR-supported version of the game, which players have ranked ‘Mostly Negative’ on Steam.

There’s no exact launch date for Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded yet, with the studios saying it should launch sometime in Summer 2024. In the meantime, you can pre-order Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded for Quest 3 here.

The post ‘Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded’ Revealed, “rebuilt from the ground up” Exclusively for Quest 3 appeared first on Road to VR.

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Hitman 3 Confirmed for PC VR This Month

Hitman 3

It’s been almost a year since IO Interactive launched Hitman 3 across multiple platforms, with virtual reality (VR) support exclusive to PlayStation VR. That’s going to change next week as part of Hitman 3’s Year 2 update, with PC VR support rolling out with a bunch of immersive improvements.

HITMAN 3 - Dubai

So after a year of PlayStation VR owners having all the fun in Hitman 3 PC players will finally get to go literally hands-on. And that’s probably the main defining difference between the two VR editions of the videogame, on PC VR you’ll have full motion controller support. As IO Interactive’s Year 2 reveal stream highlights, the update is going greatly increase the physical interaction, making Hitman 3 even more immersive.

From little things like nudging an NPC to actually throwing a knife at a target, PC VR users will really be able to utilise the environment to complete assignments. Other natural VR elements have also been included like blind firing around corners, steadying your gun with your second hand and close combat, getting into fisticuffs with enemies.

All rather exciting but it’s not just PC VR players getting treated next week. The studio is going to release a new game mode called Elusive Target Arcade, an upgrade to the Elusive Target concept. Arcade will introduce consecutive targets, each one needing to be completed before the next contract opens up. The stakes are high, however, fail an Arcade Contract and you’ll be locked out for 12-hours before being given the chance to try again from the beginning. Elusive Target Arcade will launch with three contracts, each one featuring three targets from the Hitman franchise.

Hitman 3

Lastly, IO Interactive gave a look at what else is to come in 2022. As previously announced, the PC version will be getting several technology enhancements this year such as Ray Tracing, VRS (Variable Rate Shading) and Intel’s XeSS technology, the latter two helping boost performance.

Available on the Epic Games Store for PC players, Hitman 3’s VR support and the Elusive Target Arcade will be available from 20th January. IO Interactive hasn’t specified which PC VR headsets will be compatible, those details will be released closer to launch, but the Oculus Rift S does appear in the announcement video so that’s one at least. For continued updates on Hitman 3, keep reading VRFocus.

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Hitman 3 Confirmed for PC VR This Month

It’s been almost a year since IO Interactive launched Hitman 3 across multiple platforms, with virtual reality (VR) support exclusive to PlayStation VR. That’s going to change next week as part of Hitman 3’s Year 2 update, with PC VR support rolling out with a bunch of immersive improvements.

HITMAN 3 - Dubai

So after a year of PlayStation VR owners having all the fun in Hitman 3 PC players will finally get to go literally hands-on. And that’s probably the main defining difference between the two VR editions of the videogame, on PC VR you’ll have full motion controller support. As IO Interactive’s Year 2 reveal stream highlights, the update is going greatly increase the physical interaction, making Hitman 3 even more immersive.

From little things like nudging an NPC to actually throwing a knife at a target, PC VR users will really be able to utilise the environment to complete assignments. Other natural VR elements have also been included like blind firing around corners, steadying your gun with your second hand and close combat, getting into fisticuffs with enemies.

All rather exciting but it’s not just PC VR players getting treated next week. The studio is going to release a new game mode called Elusive Target Arcade, an upgrade to the Elusive Target concept. Arcade will introduce consecutive targets, each one needing to be completed before the next contract opens up. The stakes are high, however, fail an Arcade Contract and you’ll be locked out for 12-hours before being given the chance to try again from the beginning. Elusive Target Arcade will launch with three contracts, each one featuring three targets from the Hitman franchise.

Hitman 3

Lastly, IO Interactive gave a look at what else is to come in 2022. As previously announced, the PC version will be getting several technology enhancements this year such as Ray Tracing, VRS (Variable Rate Shading) and Intel’s XeSS technology, the latter two helping boost performance.

Available on the Epic Games Store for PC players, Hitman 3’s VR support and the Elusive Target Arcade will be available from 20th January. IO Interactive hasn’t specified which PC VR headsets will be compatible, those details will be released closer to launch, but the Oculus Rift S does appear in the announcement video so that’s one at least. For continued updates on Hitman 3, keep reading VRFocus.

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‘Hitman’ Trilogy is Getting PC VR Support on January 20th

IO Interactive revealed in November that Hitman 3 (2021) would finally be getting PC VR support, coming just in time for the game’s one-year anniversary. The studio today announced it’s launching the whole trilogy with PC VR support on January 20th.

Update (January 13th, 2022): As promised, IO interactive has laid out some future plans for Hitman 3 today, revealing that the PC VR supported version of the game is coming on January 20th. You can catch the whole year 2 roadmap here, which includes new game modes, technology improvements, maps, and more.

Notably, owners of HITMAN Trilogy on Steam will not only be able to play Hitman 3 in VR, but also Hitman 1 and 2. This includes two-handed shooting, throwing, and object interaction—and what appears to be a greater degree of room-scale movement in-game.

The original article announcing PC VR availability follows below:

Original Article (November 22nd, 2021): Hitman 3 has been available across consoles and PC for almost a year now, offering VR support exclusively through PlayStation consoles—meaning only PSVR users could play.

Now in a Year 2 promo video for the game, the studio says PC VR players will finally get a crack at the action. IO Interactive says more details will follow, including technical specs and supported platforms which will be revealed on 20 January 2022, so we’re sure to learn more then.

In the video, the studio showed both Valve Index and Meta Rift S. Although the inclusion of Rift S may point to dedicated Meta platform release, most likely this means PC versions of the game will receive SteamVR support.

Image courtesy IO Interactive

Notably, the PSVR version doesn’t support PS Move, and although that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon, the video shows both Index and Rift S users immersing themselves in the game’s detailed world using their respective motions controllers. PSVR users play via gamepad, albeit spatially tracked to add an immersive edge to shooting and garrote-wiring enemies.

Other features said to arrive to the game in 2022 include ray tracing support on PC, a new game mode called ‘Elusive Target Arcade’, and something IO Interactive is calling “a major update to the game” for Spring 2022.

The studio promises post-launch support “for another 12 months” which includes new maps, storylines, modes and ways to play. Again, we’ll be all eyes and ears on the studio’s dedicated Hitman YouTube channel on January 20th, 2022.

The post ‘Hitman’ Trilogy is Getting PC VR Support on January 20th appeared first on Road to VR.

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Hitman 3 to Support PC VR in 2022

Hitman 3

IO Interactive launched Hitman 3 back in January across multiple platforms, with virtual reality (VR) support exclusive to PlayStation VR. Today, the studio has revealed its plans for 2022, these include Ray Tracing on PC, a new gameplay mode and support for PC VR headsets.

Hitman 3

Currently, IO Interactive has confirmed that PC VR support will be implemented in January but didn’t go as far as to say which headsets specifically or any in-depth technical details regarding its implementation. It did say that all: “will be revealed before Year 2 starts on 20 January 2022.”

However, in a short YouTube video showcasing what’s to come IO Interactive did tease a feature that isn’t available for PlayStation VR owners, motion controller support. When Hitman 3 first arrived, the videogame only supported the standard PlayStation controller so you couldn’t independently wield guns or use your hands. The PC VR version won’t have that issue, as the footage clearly highlights a Valve Index and the Index controllers being used, as well as the two-handed operation of guns. So Hitman 3 in 2022 is going to get more immersive.

On the subject of immersion, the PC edition of Hitman 3 is going to get a visual upgrade thanks to Ray Tracing support. As PC players are already enjoying “support for 8+ core CPUs and Variable Rate Shading,” the addition of Ray Tracing (if your rig can handle it) will give those assassination missions an improved ambience.

Hitman 3

In the announcement, IO Interactive revealed that Hitman 3 has been to most successful yet, with 50 million players stepping into the shoes of Agent 47. 2022 will also see the addition of new maps, storylines and modes, with Elusive Target Arcade revealed today. “Prepare to take on the ultimate Elusive Target challenge in a change to the established formula in this fan-favourite game mode,” notes the team in a blog post. “All Elusive Target Arcade content will be a permanent addition to the game.” Details on how the mode will function will be unveiled in January.

So finally PC VR players will be able to enjoy Hitman 3 in VR. As further information is released, VRFocus will let you know.

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Hitman 3’s First Mission is Free for the Next Week

HITMAN VR

Today see’s IO Interactive launch its Seven Deadly Sins season for Hitman 3, the start of a seven part DLC expansion. For those who haven’t stepped into the world of Agent 47 in 2021 then today offers a different surprise, free content so you can demo the videogame and carry your progress over should you wish to continue with a purchase.

HITMAN 3 - Dubai

The developer is launching the Hitman 3 Free Starter Pack today, available until 5th April. Download the pack and you’ll be able to play the first mission, Dubai, where you have to explore the tallest building in the world to complete your objectives. While the window for playing the free mission is limited, the studio will be continuing the free feature into the future.

Hitman 3’s free starter pack will provide permanent access to the ICA Facility where you can meet your handler, start earning XP as well as unlocks for the main paid title. Down the line, you’ll be granted free limited-time access to Hitman 3’s other locations, and as an extra bonus today you’ll be able to play the ‘Nightcall’ mission set in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand from Hitman 2.

And why stop there. One of Hitman 3’s most interesting features was the ability to bring locations from Hitman 1 & 2 if you owned the videogames. The starter pack has that ability from 31st March: “Import the locations that you can already access in HITMAN 2 and carry over your progress to start playing with the new features and improvements from HITMAN 3,” notes an IO Interactive blog post.

Hitman III

And what about players that have already bought Hitman 3? Well, anything freely available via the starter pack is also accessible to them as well, which include the ‘Nightcall’ mission. Anyway, they’ll be too busy playing the new Season of Greed which has paid DLC and free Escalations, Featured Contracts and Elusive Targets cropping up.

Hitman 3 has been well received across all supported platforms but when it comes to virtual reality (VR) the title is only compatible with PlayStation VR. As further content updates are released, VRFocus will let you know.

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Hitman 3: Seven Deadly Sins DLC Season Begins 30th March

Hitman 3: Seven Deadly Sins

IO Interactive launched Hitman 3 back in January for multiple platforms but only PlayStation VR saw exclusive virtual reality (VR) support. Today, the studio has announced a seven part DLC expansion for the title, all based on the seven deadly sins.

Hitman 3: Seven Deadly Sins

It all begins on 30th March with the release of Act 1: Greed, which will provide players with a specific contract in Dubai to complete, the sin-themed unlockable Rapacious Suit and at least one sin-themed item – either the Greedy Little Coin or The Devil’s Cane. This first stages focuses on a new Escalation called The Greed Enumeration: “which allows you to carry certain items over between each of the three stages.”

The studio hasn’t revealed when each subsequent act will arrive but the DLC launch this month marks the start of the Season of Greed, with each season lasting between 4-6 weeks. Each season will include free content with regular Escalations, Featured Contracts and Elusive Targets cropping up. IO Interactive will be releasing the full content roadmap for the Season of Greed in early April.

When it comes to purchasing the Hitman 3: Seven Deadly Sins DLC there are two ways to go about it. Each content pack can be individually bought, retailing for $4.99 USD / £4.99 GBP / €4.99 EUR. Or there’s the Seven Deadly Sins Collection which will set you back $29.99 / £29.99 / €29.99, saving you a bit of cash instead of buying them all individually.

Hitman 3: Seven Deadly Sins

For PlayStation VR owners Hitman 3 provided quite the content lineup with features not attempted before. Not only could you play the entire campaign in VR – unlike some VR titles which only offer a cutback VR mode – the videogame also allowed them to import Hitman 1 and 2 environments to play in VR if they owned the games.

As IO Interactive release further details on Hitman 3: Seven Deadly Sins, VRFocus will let you know.