The monster-slaying, co-op FPS will likely not use Pay to Play, High Voltage Software confirms...

Announced late last month, High Voltage Software impressed Wii owners with The Grinder - a fantastical first person shooter with a heavy foucs on four-player, online co-op. Many comparisons with Valve's critically acclaimed Left 4 Dead ensued, although it might have seemed that the prospect of frantic online co-op was too good to be true.

But this isn't a tragic news piece! The Grinder's art director Matt Corso has gone on record to say the game will be sidestepping Nintendo's Pay to Play initiative - a system designed to intake regular payments from the consumer to enhance the online experience.

"I think the answer to that is most likely not [Pay 2 Play]. Because the Wii servers let players play online for free, The Grinder will take advantage of that. Once you purchase the game you're free to play online with your friends as much as you like, for as long as you like."

Now with less financial cost. Well. No more financial cost at any rate...

So while that means The Grinder will almost certainly be sticking to friend codes, at least gamers can enjoy free, unlimited online, not to mention Wii Speak and Wii MotionPlus support.

Would you have been prepared to pay a monthly subscription if it meant a smoother, more robust online experience? Be sure to leave us your comments below...