Asynchronous multiplayer is all the rage on mobile devices, and IO Interactive is taking a page from that notebook for Hitman: Absolution. The developer announced a new "Contracts" mode today, which will pit you against your friends to take out targets. You'll set your own level, target, and weapon and then set a contract based on time, style, and witnesses. It sounds a bit like H-O-R-S-E, but online and with more killing.

If you're feeling particularly uncreative, IO will have some pre-set contracts for you to take on. If you complete a contract, you'll get some currency to spend on weapons, disguises, upgrades, and techniques. Those in turn will let you design even more complicated contracts, bringing the whole thing full circle.

"Contracts was inspired by our loyal and extremely creative fans, many of whom are still finding new and amazing ways of taking out targets in previous Hitman games," said gameplay director Christian Elverdam, in the announcement. "Contracts mode finally delivers a way for Hitman players to fully realize both their creativity and competitive nature. Whether they're fighting to shave off a split second from their time or combining elements and timing events to create unprecedented accidental deaths, gamers can now challenge and inspire each another with an endless variety of user-generated contracts."