Eminem is officially stepping into the world of Hitman. He is now part of one of the most unexpected video-game collaborations of the year, and the results look both chaotic and brilliant.
The newest Elusive Target mission turns Eminem’s internal battle into a stealth-action story. Agent 47 must help Marshall Mathers take down Slim Shady – a perfect twist for the The Death of Slim Shady era.
A Hitman Mission Inspired by Eminem’s New Era
The crossover runs from December 1 through December 31. It’s free for all players, and the mission mirrors the themes of Eminem’s latest storyline.
Meanwhile, players will find themselves inside a dreamlike medical facility in Hokkaido. The mission blends Hitman’s trademark stealth with bizarre sequences inspired by Slim Shady’s twisted imagination. Still, the main objective stands: eliminate the target, Em’s alter ego, Slim Shady.
Also, fans should expect plenty of Easter eggs from Eminem’s long career. Using sly references to iconic lyrics and visual nods to past eras, game designers built the mission with diehards in mind.
At Xbox’s Partner Preview, the Eminem reveal dominated social media. Many viewers said it was the highlight of the show, surprising even longtime Hitman players.
Furthermore, the announcement sparked a wave of nostalgia. This is not Eminem’s first video-game appearance, far from it.
Eminem’s Long History with Video Games
Eminem stepping into Hitman may feel surprising, but gaming has followed him for decades. His connection to the medium goes all the way back to the early 2000s, when Interscope released an official Quake III Arena level themed around Dr. Dre and Eminem. Fans could even play as character models based on the two artists, navigating a custom map inspired by The Chronic era.
Later, Eminem returned to gaming through 50 Cent: Bulletproof in 2005. What started as a simple creative consultation turned into a full performance when the developers heard his voice sample and asked him to portray the crooked detective McVicar. The game also included unlockable Eminem tracks, making it one of his most memorable appearances in the medium.
His music would show up again in the DJ Hero series. The special Renegade Edition bundled the game with a premium controller and a two-disc compilation featuring both Jay-Z and Eminem. The sequel, DJ Hero 2, included him as a featured artist with new mashups woven into gameplay.
More recently, Eminem’s presence in Fortnite brought his image to a massive new audience. Four skins based on different eras of his career became instant favourites, and his in-game concert broke viewing records across gaming platforms.
The Sound of Gaming: Eminem’s Impact
Eminem’s connection to gaming goes far beyond cameos and character skins. His music has powered some of the biggest video game soundtracks of the last two decades.
For example, “Survival” powered the launch of Call of Duty: Ghosts. The song fit perfectly with the game’s military themes and intense pacing. Call of Duty even used the song in trailers and promotional clips, which helped the track reach a massive new audience.
Meanwhile, “Houdini” landed on the Madden 25 soundtrack. Football games often pick high-energy songs, so Eminem’s recent hit matched the tone of fast, competitive gameplay.
Additionally, Eminem’s older classics have also found their way into games. “My Name Is” appeared in DJ Hero, while “Without Me” was included in SingStar Vol.2. These choices show how well his humour, flow, and rhythm translate into interactive play.
Sometimes Eminem’s music wasn’t even in the game but in its marketing. “’Till I Collapse” helped promote Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, giving the ads a hard-hitting, motivational edge. “Won’t Back Down” also appeared in Call of Duty: Black Ops during zombie mode and the end credits.
Beyond that, Eminem is a gamer himself. You can see it in the old photos, hear it in his lyrics, and learn from the stories of him, keeping his Donkey Kong record on the machine in the studio. That personal connection makes his gaming collaborations land with even more authenticity.
When you look at the history, the Hitman crossover doesn’t come out of nowhere. It’s the next step in a long-running relationship between Eminem and the gaming world. Only this time, the collaboration ties directly into his current artistic era.
And it is exciting.
