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No cross-platform secret agenting in The Agency

by Kevin Kelly { Aug 18th 2008 at 6:45PM }

Although it was dangled in front of us like a tantalizing carrot, it looks like you won't be able to get any cross-gaming action between PS3s and PCs out of Sony's upcoming spy MMO, The Agency. Last year, designer Hal Milton told us the developer weas looking at it, but in a recent interview with Eurogamer it looks like he's closed the door on things for good. You can thank Shadowrun for ruining it all.

"PC guys say, 'PS3 guys have aim assist and the controls nerfed for them'. And PS3 guys say, 'PC guys have a mouse and keyboard - it's all easier for them'. Even if it's not true." Not that we're complaining, because Shadowrun made us a bit mental. But this really needs to happen in a fun way sooner or later. Which title is going to be able to nail it down and make it work? Super Mario Crossover Party Platformer 2: Now With More Fun has our money.

The Agency to be microtransaction free after all

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 14th 2008 at 1:00PM }

While spending boatloads of cash on ritzy garments and top-of-the-line gadgetry may seem like a natural behavior for an international man or woman of mystery, gamers weren't keen to last month's announcement that Sony Online Entertainment's upcoming MMO The Agency would be riddled with character-customizing microtransactions. Fortunately, in a recent interview with Eurogamer, the game's developers set the record straight, ensuring that we won't be blowing all our real-world money on digital Emporio Armanis.

The developers explained that they had not enlisted the aid of virtual trading house Live Gamer to establish a microtransaction system, but rather to create a real-world auction house to allow players to trade and sell in-game items (much like the Everquest II Station Exchange). It seems your operatives will have to secure new attire the old fashioned way -- by viciously bonking an appropriately dressed underling, pulling him behind a curtain, and performing a sartorial quick change that would put even Hannah Montana to shame.

Meet The Agency's two factions: ParaGON and U.N.I.T.E.

by Griffin McElroy { May 17th 2008 at 8:45PM }

It has been our experience that all great spy organizations come in rivaling pairs -- take, for example, SD-6 and the CIA, CONTROL and KAOS, UNITY and H.A.R.M., and of course, the aptly titled Spy vs. Spy. Sony Online Entertainment's much anticipated MMO for the PS3, The Agency, appears to follow the conventions of spy fiction by including two main factions players must choose between: The United Nations Intelligence and Tactical Experts (U.N.I.T.E.) and The Paramilitary Global Operations Network (ParaGON).

The above trailer is a delicious morsel of the espionage-heavy atmosphere featured in the title, but it doesn't do much to persuade us to either side. We mean, enlisting in a spy organization is serious business -- does U.N.I.T.E. have dental? What kind of insurance policy does ParaGON provide? We've heard good things about U.N.I.T.E.'s retirement options, but can we afford to miss out on ParaGON's frequent company picnics to Dollywood? Decisions, decisions!

MMO titles to become 'selling points' for PS3

by Nick Doerr { May 12th 2008 at 11:00PM }

We feel like we've heard this spiel before -- MMO's were promised to come onto the PS3 because, let's face it, the thing is practically a computer. What's different this time around is that Sony no longer is saying that MMO's will be something to look forward to, but their forward strategy is to focus on them as key selling points.

Sony Online Entertainment honcho John Smedley said this in an interview with the Seattle Times: "MMOs are going to be a real strong selling point for the PS3 long term - there's going to be some great ones on the PS3." He goes on to blab a little bit about The Agency, which we know only bare bones about, but is supposedly going to be a real shining star and pave the way for other MMO's to get onto the PS3. We'll find out soon enough, right?

[Via CVG]

Become an elite spy in new online shooter, The Agency

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 11th 2007 at 12:00PM }

Video games are all about wish fulfillment and role playing. Previous games have glamorized the life of the rock star (Guitar Hero), the football player (Madden), and the janitor (Mario Sunshine). Sony Online Entertainment is ready to make gamers turn into something cooler than all of that: an international spy. In The Agency, a new online shooter for the PS3, players will be globe-trotting all around the world, taking on missions ripped straight out of the James Bond series.

"The inspiration for The Agency came from the spy and espionage genre. We want to put players in the heart of the action to experience what it's really like to live the life of an elite agent," said Hal Milton, Lead Designer at SOE. "Players will jet set around this virtual world to exotic locales, infiltrate enemy organizations to steal secrets and perpetrate sabotage, all the while building their own agency with an eye towards global domination."

Agents will have to use a variety of skills to achieve their objectives. Level objectives will range from sneaky assassination attempts to all out assaults. Not only will players want mastery of their guns, truly successful spies will also control a variety of vehicles, and partake in mini-games at the local casino.