IO Interactive, the developer behind the Hitman series, has announced the immediate removal of all Conor McGregor-related content from sale following a recent court ruling against the MMA fighter.

McGregor, who features as an Elusive Target in Hitman: World of Assassination, has come under intense scrutiny following his loss in a civil rape case in the High Court of Dublin. The court awarded a woman €248,000 (approximately $260,000) in damages after accusing him of sexual assault, a claim that McGregor has publicly denied and plans to appeal.

This verdict has triggered a wave of criticism directed at McGregor, prompting questions regarding his ongoing partnerships with various brands, including his collaboration with IO Interactive. McGregor’s character is known as The Disruptor, introduced in the latest Free Starter Pack on 15 November 2024. In this mission, players are tasked with eliminating McGregor’s avatar—a wealthy MMA fighter entangled with the enigmatic Ark Society.

Along with this mission, IO offered a $5 DLC pack that provided permanent access to the Ostentatious arcade contract, along with a new outfit and cosmetic items. Originally, this content was set to remain available until 8 December 2024 but has now been pulled.

In a recent official statement posted on X/Twitter, IO Interactive conveyed its decision to withdraw all content related to McGregor, citing the recent court ruling as the rationale behind this move.

The studio stressed its commitment to handling the situation with seriousness and announced that all promotional materials featuring McGregor’s content would be made private. While new sales of this content have ceased, the studio confirmed that players who already purchased it can continue to access it indefinitely.

As McGregor and his supporters contest the court’s verdict and look toward an appeal, IO Interactive’s decision appears prudent as it seeks to avoid further controversy. With ongoing work on a highly anticipated James Bond game intended to launch a trilogy, the studio is likely keen on preserving its reputation and goodwill in the gaming community.