[UPDATE]: The North American arm of Square Enix today confirmed a November 20 release date for Hitman: Absolution on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. The original story follows below.

　　Square Enix has announced the downloadable, stand-alone "experience" Hitman: Sniper Challenge as a preorder bonus for the upcoming Hitman: Absolution, the latest in IO Interactive's stealth action assassination series. Those who preorder Hitman: Absolution on the PC, Xbox 360, or PlayStation 3 from certain retailers will get access to the bonus sniping experience on May 15 on console and on August 1 on PC.

　　Scoping skills.

　　The publisher calls Hitman: Sniper Challenge a "standalone 'hit' in the Hitman universe…intended as separate content for fans to enjoy whilst waiting for Hitman: Absolution to be released." In the assassination mission, Agent 47 must dispatch a weapons company executive and his bodyguards.

　　Hitman: Sniper Challenge will let players unlock the Silenced Agency Kazo TRG for use in the main Hitman: Absolution game, as well as "a further 12 weapon techniques." The challenge will also feature online global, national, and friends leaderboards.

　　Players who have already preordered Hitman: Absolution can claim a code for Sniper Challenge if they placed their preorder with a participating retailer. The full list of participating retailers can be found on the official site, www.hitman.com. Those who cancel their preorders will still be able to play Sniper Challenge.