Epic Store Exclusivity for PC

So, while I'm looking forward to IO putting this out, happy with either episodic or all-in-one-go and I have no particular loyalty to a launcher (other than I tend to favour Steam just due to having more games on there) I can't seem to find out if your previous purchases are tied to an IO account or the PC launcher you bought the previous games on. Reading the press release for the game the developer is keen to suggest that this, like Hitman 2 will be a way to house all previous missions will all the new toys etc. Fantastic, very happy with that - Hitman 2, as good as it was, I felt was made all the better for having all the maps from the first game in one tidy place. I even relished played through them all again to re-unlock the tools (even though most had a 'version 2' in the sequel's missions to save repetition).

However, with the 12 months exclusivity with Epic store are my Steam versions of Hitman 1 & 2 and all the DLC just going to be locked behind a PC launcher wall? There isn't anything clear I can see saying either way unfortunately. And holding off for 12 months just to get a GotY version on Steam to have all my previous purchases there would mean missing out on a lot of the fun of discovery those games have - I especially love the GB team's playthroughs so would find it hard not spoiler myself good and proper.

Minor solution is that Hitman 2016 is free on epic right now, and I wouldn't be surprised if the sequel gets a free week too before the third is released. But that doesn't get the DLC, which for both hold some of my favourite missions. I get that this is a minor grumble in the greater scheme of things but I'd sure like to know if I buy this on release via Epic I'll still get all the other same platform, different launcher accoutrement. Anyone else out there in a similar predicament?

I'm in a weird spot of my own making. I have Hitman 1 and 2 complete on PC. I've got all the unlocks I like and everything. I also have Hitman 1 and 2 on PS4 (but only Hitman 1 is completed).

My PC isn't up to task for Hitman 3. It barely finished Hitman 2. I could move over to PS4 for Hitman 3, but I've been using Stadia a lot lately for DOOM Eternal and the idea that I could run Hitman 3 on my MacBook like I've been doing with DOOM Eternal and AC: Odyssey is very very tempting. In either case I'd be missing out on a bunch of stuff I unlocked on PC.

Here's hoping that IO just syncs your "hitman account" across platforms and just allows you to use the unlocks you've already earned.

As i've done will all Epic exclusives, I'm just gonna wait it out until it's on steam and discounted so that will just side step the potential mess of importing old content. I don't blame IO as an independent dev for taking the deal, but Epic isn't getting a cut of any money I give to them.

@ry_ry I'm in a similar spot, my PC chugged a bit through the last one but on low settings it was... ...fine. But I'm no graphical aficionado so I am hoping turned down 3 will be okay too. However, I don't have a console option as an out if it doesn't unfortunately.

This will be the first time time that a timed game store exclusive on PC bothered me. I don't mind the Epic store that much and have bought a fair share of games from sales or giveaways but man this fucking sucks. I really don't like the idea of my hitman 1 and 2 content being locked away just because i got them on Steam

IO has stated that all your content from Steam will be available in the Epic version

"For our long-term fans that have supported us on the World of Assassination journey, we're happy to have mastery and location carryover from their existing progress into Hitman 3 on Epic Games Store."

@rabidlamb: Ah, excellent - the problem with me skim reading highlighted here. Good to know, cheers duder.

@panfoot: "I don't blame IO as an independent dev for taking the deal, but Epic isn't getting a cut of any money I give to them."

Same. The world of video games needs MORE 3rd party developers making video-ass-videogames and not overly-monetized cash grabs, low effort yearly releases, or poorly disguised online casinos.

"Wall Street" and Corporate Culture have gutted the largest 3rd party publishers (EA, Activision, Ubisoft, 2k, etc.) this past generation. If it weren't for Sony & Nintendo 1st party and a handful of smaller devs / publishers (e.g. - Arkane, Remedy, IO interactive, etc.) I'd be absolutely done with videogames.

Edit: I'll just get Hitman 3 on PS5 (since I already played 1 and 2 on PS4).

Yah but what does that have to do with the Epic Game Store? If you want to support developers then support developers. Supporting a developer isn't waiting a year after release to buy their game on a 75% discount from a storefront that gives them a smaller cut of the sales.

... what do you think is happening when Epic gives people a giant sack of cash to only use their store on PC for a year?

For convenience sake: everything here refers to modern Hitman

Hitman 1 launched. It was cool. People basically bounced off because episodic games had burned us in the past and we all waited. Long story short, IOI became an independent studio.

Hitman 2 launched. Everyone loved it. The vast majority of us stopped playing a few weeks after launch and kept saying "it would be great if this were episodic. That was nice to keep em coming back"

So now Hitman 3 has a big ass sack of cash and it means IOI can focus on making/releasing the game in a way that actually allows them to focus on "their vision" rather than getting the right sales curve. And I am sure a giant sack of cash for store exclusivity TOTALLY hurts them doing that.

You might as well blame Epic for so many games being first person shooters. At least that is sort of relevant.

Given the endless stories I hear about people being paid trash to make video games, I’m into IO getting that Epic money. Anything that gets developers paid.

PS: I’ve heard the arguments that the money won’t go to developers, but to suits. And that might be true some of the time, but it can’t be 100% of the time. Contrary to what media tells us, change does not come all at once or from the same place.

If it is really about supporting IO , they will get more money if you buy from Epic as Epic takes 12% instead of 30% steam and Sony will take