Square Enix and IO have decided to scrap plans to make the new Contracts mode playable only to those with an online pass. Those without the code would have had to pay for the content, but plans have now changed, and everyone who buys Hitman: Absolution (even second-hand) will now get access to all the content according to a recent blog post:
"We're so excited that Hitman: Absolution is launching next week! In particular, we're looking forward to all of the amazing ways players can challenge each other in the innovative CONTRACTS mode - where you get to call the shots.
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.
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."
