We’re just one day away from Hitman III’s release, and it’s shaping up to be possibly the best entry yet. However, it looks like IO Interactive is already dealing with a bit of controversy when it comes to the next entry of their popular stealth-based franchise. Just a couple of days ago, it was reported that players who already owned Hitman and Hitman 2 on PC would have to re-buy the maps from Hitman 2 for the upcoming Hitman III, which is launching as a timed exclusive for the Epic Games Store. IO Interactive has since responded to this claim, stating in a tweet with their Pre-Launch Guide linked saying “We can guarantee that players will not need to repurchase the games.”

An important update to our @HITMAN 3 Pre-launch guide: https://t.co/Buj596UQnE pic.twitter.com/UVpNAQGdVm

— IO Interactive (@IOInteractive) January 17, 2021

Obviously, the initial report caused a bit of backlash from the fan base, with some users on Resetera voicing their disdain on the situation. The reason that this even started was due to the fact that IO Interactive themselves stated in their first posting of the Pre-Launch Guide where they mentioned that due to “various circumstances out of our control” owners of the first two games, which launched for Steam, would not be able to bring the previous maps to Hitman III on the Epic Games Store.

IO Interactive had a somewhat convoluted workaround to this issue. First, the Hitman Game of the Year Access Pass would be available for anyone who owns Hitman III on the Epic Games Store. However, this pass would only be free to the new owners for ten days. Next, those who already own Hitman on the Epic Games Store would get the pass for free as well upon purchasing Hitman III, and this includes when they made the former free this past Summer.

So where does this leave the aforementioned Hitman 2? Well, this is where the third and final step would come into play. Hitman 2 would then become available on the Epic Games Store with an 80% discount, which includes both the Standard and Gold Edition, albeit for only 14 days after Hitman III launches. The studio also goes onto say that the game would be “regularly discounted” on the Epic Games Store. As of this writing, the studio has not announced any specific prices for Hitman 2 on the platform.

Unfortunately, it’s this third step that had the fan base up in arms as they expected all Hitman maps to be available at no extra cost. As we already mentioned, IO Interactive responded to this by tweeting the above image, ensuring players that they will not have to re-buy previous maps to enjoy them on Hitman III. As of this writing, there is no solution to this dilemma, and with Hitman III getting ready to launch tomorrow, fans are more than likely a little anxious as to how the studio and Epic Games are going to work this out. Hopefully, we find out in the next 24 hours.

Hitman III officially launches tomorrow on January 20 for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/Series S, Nintendo Switch, and PC through the Epic Games Store and Google Stadia.