Square Enix scraps Hitman: Absolution online pass

Square Enix has confirmed that an online pass for Hitman: Absolution will now be free to download.

The original plan was to have players enter a single-use code if they wanted to access the Contracts mode.

The publisher has now revealed that the code is free to download from the in-game store.

"We'd actually planned to have this mode accessible via a code in the game's box, but we really want to make it available to anybody that plays the game - so we want to take a new approach," said a statement on the Hitman: Absolution Tumblr page.

"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."

Hitman: Absolution launches this week for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.