Gamers anticipating Flagship Studios' FPS-RPG Hellgate: London should be prepared to pay to play the game online.
According to Shacknews, online multiplayer is subscription-based, Flagship boss Bill Roper explaining that this part of the game contains similar features to MMOGs such as continual content updates, a guild and social system and raid-style action.
It's further mentioned that Hellgate online is "heavily instanced" and that, while player versus player is included, it'll be on a minor scale on launch - player versus environment solo and in parties/groups is the major game type.
In addition, apparently single-player missions and storyline appear in full in multiplayer and this is accompanied by additional multiplayer-specific content. The single-player dynamic generation element - with levels and items, for example - remains intact too.
Flagship has said it expects to run an open beta for Hellgate multiplayer before the game hits PC this summer. Subscription pricing details have not been mentioned as yet.