IO Interactive has unveiled one of the most ambitious crossover events in Hitman: World of Assassination to date. To celebrate the 85th anniversary of Bruce Lee and the 25th anniversary of the Hitman franchise, the studio has introduced The Dragon — a special Arcade contract that transforms how players experience celebrity missions. Available for free for a limited time, it allows players to step into a storyline where Lee himself becomes a central figure in Agent 47’s world.
Turning the Formula on Its Head
The Hitman series has a long history of celebrity Elusive Target missions. Previous contracts featuring Sean Bean, Mads Mikkelsen, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Gary Busey asked players to track down and eliminate the star in question, blending Hollywood notoriety with Hitman’s stealth mechanics. But The Dragon takes a completely different approach.
Instead of being the target, Bruce Lee is your ally. Reimagined as Agent Lee, the martial arts legend fights alongside players to take down The Infiltrator, a powerful Elusive Target connected to a dangerous criminal syndicate. This shift not only adds novelty to the formula but also allows fans to see Lee’s iconic fighting style seamlessly integrated into the Hitman universe.
Inside the Story of The Dragon
The mission’s narrative centres on the Concord Union, a secretive criminal organisation based in Hong Kong. The Union is hosting a martial arts tournament at the lavish Himmapan Hotel in Bangkok, a location familiar to Hitman veterans.
Bruce Lee’s character, Agent Lee, infiltrates the tournament with a clear goal:
- Compete against other fighters to establish his cover.
- Win the tournament to get close to the organisation’s leadership.
- Expose and eliminate the Concord Union’s supreme leader before their plans can unfold.
For players, this means blending classic stealth and assassination gameplay with the cinematic flair of martial arts combat, creating a mission unlike any other in the franchise.
Free for a Limited Time, Permanent via DLC
The Dragon can be played for free until November 20, 2025, making it a time-sensitive event for all Hitman players. After that, those who wish to keep it permanently can purchase the Bruce Lee Pack, which not only grants ongoing access to the mission but also adds themed items to the game.
What’s in the Bruce Lee Pack?
The DLC pack serves as both a tribute and a gameplay expansion, offering players:
- The legendary Yellow Tracksuit, one of Bruce Lee’s most recognisable outfits.
- A set of weapons inspired by his legacy: Kali Sticks, a Jade Dagger, and the brutal Golden Dragon Scissors.
- A collection of four cosmetic items for the Freelancer Safehouse, allowing fans to decorate their base with nods to Lee’s martial arts heritage.
These additions ensure the pack isn’t just cosmetic but provides players with meaningful tools and customisation options, all wrapped in Bruce Lee’s unmistakable style.
A Dual Anniversary Celebration
IO Interactive emphasised the significance of this release, describing it as a rare opportunity to celebrate two milestones at once.
“Bringing Bruce Lee into Hitman: World of Assassination is both an honour and a thrill for the team,” the studio said. “The mission serves as a respectful tribute to the legendary martial artist, while offering players a unique challenge inspired by his extraordinary presence and influence.”
For Bruce Lee fans, the crossover ties neatly into his enduring cultural impact, showcasing him not as a target but as a force for justice. For Hitman, it marks a creative step in how Elusive Target content can evolve after 25 years of assassinations and espionage.
Why The Dragon Stands Out
By merging martial arts spectacle with Hitman’s trademark stealth, The Dragon creates one of the series’ most unique experiences. The mission blends action, narrative, and nostalgia, while introducing new layers of gameplay that appeal to both long-time Hitman veterans and new players discovering the franchise for the first time.
With its limited availability, themed DLC, and heartfelt tribute, The Dragon highlights how Hitman: World of Assassination continues to reinvent itself — proving the franchise still has fresh surprises even a quarter-century on.
