GS: Tell us about what Hellgate: London is and what it isn't. Will the game emphasize addictive hack-and-slash gameplay with repeated play-throughs like Diablo, or will the game put more emphasis on story and quests?

Erich Schaefer: The experience of Hellgate: London will be very visceral. Expect plenty of random, slot-machine-style loot and an infinite variety of combat situations. Coupled with randomly generated, respawning levels, this hack-and-slash gameplay will likely encourage repeated play-throughs and hopefully lead to long-term replay value. That said, we plan to more fully incorporate our quest structure into the game experience. The storyline quests will drive the story, not just serving as random chores along the way. We also intend to create randomized missions to provide a little more meaning for the hack-and-slash.

GS: What can you tell us about your plans for multiplayer? Will multiplayer be mainly focused on individual server-based (or direct-IP-based) co-op play? Any plans for competitive modes?

ES: Hellgate: London will support many modes of single-player and online play. Most importantly, we will be providing a destination where players can congregate in large or small numbers within the world. Here, they will be able to group up for adventures, trade items, or just hang out and chat. Plans for competitive modes are just being discussed now, but our main emphasis will be on supporting cooperative adventuring.