General Discussion

Carolyn Koh, who traveled last week to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show has returned and today files this report on SOE's upcoming spy-based MMORPG, The Agency.

Designer Hal Milton, Studio Manager Matt Wilson and Art Director Corey Dangel were all present in Vegas and showing off The Agency, but Hal was doing all the talking. He was on a caffeine high (I understood they actually let him have a double latte) and the other guys were letting him talk. Nineteen to the dozen, spewing out facts faster than machine gun fire, his passion for The Agency evident in every wave of his hands, he talked while we watched the trailer and took disjointed notes as quickly as we could write.

James Bond, Modesty Blaise, Man from Uncle, Mission Impossible, those are the worlds that The Agency epitomizes. Suave sophistication, high espionage mixed up with fast action, high-risk missions. It’s about cool gadgetry and plain old fire power. You choose your style. Do you prefer the suave, sophisticated Bruce Wayne, silent, utility-belt-nifty method of gaining entrance into a locked facility? Then you would probably join U.N.I.T.E. (United Nations Intelligence and Tactical Experts). If you identify with the down and dirty Frank Castle fire-power jeep and bazooka method of entry, you might prefer ParaGON, the Paramilitary Global Operations Network.

We listened to the main Agency theme as the trailer rolled and Hal talked, praising the composition by Tom Salta – the composer for music for games such as Red Steel, Ghost Recon2 and for NBC’s 2006 Winter Olympics. “It really gets you going! You think you know the theme. It’s so familiar you feel like you know it,” and it is. The main theme is Get Smart, Mission Impossible and James Bond, but it’s not – and yet, that will give readers an idea of the excitement the music elicits in listeners.

Read all about it here.

This game looks great!  I wonder if this will be a 2009 release?

I've seen the Fraps demo, and... I can't believe I'm saying this about an SOE product... this actually looks fantastic. Favourite touch so far? The in-game arcade machines with Sony-licenced titles from days of yore (QBert anyone?), which despite being sidegames are supposed to have some effect on the gameworld. It looks like the best attempt at a modern-day setting MMO yet.

Looks promising. I hope this gets all the support that a unique genre / theme and a new IP should get so we can show encouragement for the industry to be daring and to continue to explore non-dragon related game ideas.

Indeed, I've been interested in an online Spy oriented game since I played Danger International (pencil and paper) waaay back in the early 90's.

Now if Microsoft would let some real developer have the shadowrun and battletech licenses... Microsoft keeps shafting the MMO's for these two IP's.

Definitly looks very fun, will have to see what becomes of this one for sure.

Originally posted by Deathstrike2

This game looks great!  I wonder if this will be a 2009 release?

 

this game looks like a yesterday-generation game and why should I pay 15 bucks each month to play a team-fortress2 clone ?

the graphics looks crap and noway is this game a mmorpg...

I would try this game, but you know Sony Online Entertainment is on top of my "nono-list" so, SOE you screwed up, give it up its over...

Originally posted by TheChronic

 

Originally posted by Deathstrike2

This game looks great!  I wonder if this will be a 2009 release?

 

excuse me, but what exaclty looks great to you ?

 

this game looks like a yesterday-generation game and why should I pay 15 bucks each month to play a team-fortress2 clone ?

the graphics looks crap and noway is this game a mmorpg...

I would try this game, but you know Sony Online Entertainment is on top of my "nono-list" so, SOE you screwed up, give it up its over...

lol thats what I was thinkin.

I got no problems with SOE, but this game looks like a TFC2 copy to me, it really doesnt impress me at all.

plus the bad reputation of SOE gives me another reason no to play this game.

Originally posted by TheChronic

 

Originally posted by Deathstrike2

This game looks great!  I wonder if this will be a 2009 release?

 

excuse me, but what exaclty looks great to you ?

 

this game looks like a yesterday-generation game and why should I pay 15 bucks each month to play a team-fortress2 clone ?

the graphics looks crap and noway is this game a mmorpg...

I would try this game, but you know Sony Online Entertainment is on top of my "nono-list" so, SOE you screwed up, give it up its over...