Awesome, let's hope this starts a trend in the Industry.

That's cool of them, thanks Square

Great news.  I'm gonna get this on gamefly, and the one thing that sucks about gamefly is....no online passes included.  Thanks Square!

Wow. Now this is a pleasant surprise. Wonder what made them change their minds...

Sweet!

Awesome.  That's cool that they do that.  It shows they actually care about gamers.

I should think that this being a "niche" title, it won't sell nearly as many units as the blockbuster games that require online passes. This is a smart move, I can see this being something that indicates the divide between top-sellers (which I think will always require a pass going forward, until they figure out another way to ensure profit) and smaller titles.

Either way, I can't wait to play Hitman. Get my garrote on >:O

That's cool. I might get this game someday, maybe after squares tomb raider comes out.

Wonderful news! Even though I'm very indifferent on Online Passes, I'm glad this mode is playable for everyone from the get go.

A good call. I never understood online passes.

Many will be pleased by this news. Either way, I'm fine.

Hopefully some others follow suite... I understand the reasoning behind online passes for games that actually run heavy servers months after they are out, but at the very least they should allow for week long trials of their multiplayer per gold account >.>.

Other games however... it just makes me want to pirate them (like RPGs that include passes -.-;; )

Online passes are scams designed to rob you. That are cheap, dirty schemes created to trick you into thinking you've done something wrong, and guilt you into paying a fee to unlock something you've already paid for. There is a reason no other entertainment business would dare charge you a fee for buying something used, or borrowing something from a friend. And it's because it is borderline illegal. They have no right, by law, to any profit after the original sale. Yet the continue to claim they do. Online Passes are scams.

i'm probably just gonna get the game new but i'm glad square enix isn't another *** company

That's great news for Hitman fans. Very good thinking, Square Enix. Certainly will have a lot of people who are playing this game play online and go nuts.

always good news when a company says screw online pass

daps to Square Enix for being old-fashioned

Square Enix you are awesome.

Wasn't the online pass for this still going to be free? Just seems like they realized it was a waste of effort to implement.