The franchise has shipped over 15 million copies worldwide as of 2015.

The main games in the Hitman series have received generally positive reviews for their unique approach to stealth gameplay and highly competent artificial intelligence. Each game features different story arcs which, while not interconnected for the most part, do take place in the same continuity, and serve to develop 47's background, humane side, and relationships with recurring characters. Originating as a clone who was genetically-engineered to maintain peak human physicality and intelligence, be easy to control, and display a cold and monotone personality, 47 is regarded as the best assassin in the world. The series' main protagonist and playable character is Agent 47, the eponymous hitman, who works for the fictional International Contract Agency (ICA). Main games in the Hitman series are set in semi- open world environments and presented from the third-person perspective, and have players eliminate specific targets assigned to them while trying to remain as stealthy as possible by various means these include taking disguises, hiding from suspicious enemies, and using suppressed weaponry. The series started with 2000's Hitman: Codename 47, and has featured eight main games in total, the most recent being Hitman 3, released January 2021. The games are available for macOS, Linux, Microsoft Windows and multiple consoles, including the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and Stadia.

IO Interactive completed a management buyout, regaining their independent status and retaining the rights for Hitman, in June 2017. IO Interactive remained a subsidiary of Square Enix until 2017, when Square Enix started seeking buyers for the studio. Hitman is a stealth video game franchise developed by the Danish developer IO Interactive, and previously published by Eidos Interactive and Square Enix.

Hitman 2 silent assassin 2002