Square Enix has decided that an online pass will no longer be required to play Hitman: Absolution's Contracts multiplayer mode. Even though there will exist copies of the game containing a code, it will not be required to access the online features. 

"We’d actually planned to have this mode accessible via a code in the game’s box," blogged IO Interactive, "but we really want to make it available to anybody that plays the game -- so we want to take a new approach. 

"If you’re in North America you’ll see the mode automatically appear in the game menu. If you’re elsewhere, you can redeem the code inside the box, or you can simply select the BUY CONTRACTS PASS option. From there, head to the store where CONTRACTS will be free to access."

I've made my feelings about online passes quite clear by now, so I'm thrilled to see a studio actually do the decent thing and nix the nasty little idea before release. As for Destructoid's review of the game itself, don't worry -- our own Conrad Zimmerman has it written, and it'll go up today!

Hitman Absolution Timeline