The Agency officially revealed

By Robert Purchese Published 12 June, 2007

Action MMO for PC, PS3.

Sony Online Entertainment has officially confirmed the development of spy-themed MMO The Agency.

We'd already heard it would be available on PS3, but it seems we'll also be treated to a PC version. But although last week's news hinted it would be out before the end of the year, no date was mentioned this morning.

The Agency is designed to offer instant action so you can jump straight in, plus a long term hook as you'd expect from a traditional MMO.

You get to play the role of an elite agent who jets around the world taking on various syndicates in plenty of co-operative or competitive missions. You'll choose whether you want to be a rugged mercenary working for "ParaGON", or a super stealthy spy for "UNITE".

It seems there won't be any typical class restrictions here, as SOE is suggesting your role will be determined by the equipment you carry. You wouldn't want to be clad head-to-toe in heavy combat armour if you were going to sneak around and gather intelligence, for instance.

As your rank increases within your agency, your influence over the rest of the world will increase. Eventually you'll get the chance to break off and form your own organisations, and ally them with other players to make them more powerful.

The loot system sounds interesting, too. Rather than wait for bosses to drop the elusive pistol or kevlar vest you've been waiting for, you'll simply order a non-player character called an Operative to create it for you. These collectable, er, people, will grow in power as you push further through the game, and can be traded with other players. They'll even gather intelligence, make you a sports car, or do whatever you order when you're logged out, using instant messages and email to control them.

"SOE is looking to take the online gaming industry to new places with The Agency, not only in terms of its theme, but also in its design," said Matt Wilson, director of development at SOE. "It's accessible to all types of players, blending genres and changing up established conventions. It's different from anything SOE has released before."

"Our goal is to break from traditional online games and provide players with a 'fun now, no waiting' gameplay experience in a dynamic, ever-evolving online world."

Another nice touch is the option to take a break from the story-based missions and take on other players in a number of activities at the card tables, shooting ranges, or even in head-to-head duels.

Pop over to Eurogamer TV to see the first trailer for the game, or sneak into The Agency gallery for the latest screenshots.

Alternatively you can head over to The Agency website and sign-up in preparation for the inevitable beta test announcement.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (46) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • brooza #1 5 years ago

    PC-PS3 cross-play?

  • Beano #2 5 years ago

    Hope not

  • Christian_Otte #3 5 years ago

    Sounds very interesting. Looking forward to this one!

  • Beano #4 5 years ago

    Looks a bit Perfect Dark'ish to me... but glad they didn't try to mimmick Splinter Cell or another boring Tom Clancy franchise ;)

  • JediMasterMalik #5 5 years ago

    Bringing this style to MMO is very interesting, I hope they pull it off.

  • Darren #6 5 years ago

    Definitely sounds interesting if only for the fact that it isn't a fantasy or superhero-based MMORPG. These types of games are more suited to the PC though with its keyboard and mouse so I'd likely buy that version over the PS3 one as there's something inheritantly wrong about using a keyboard and mouse with a console (even though the PS3 supports them).

  • ccfb #7 5 years ago

    Trailer link is b0rk3dz0r3d

  • lennon #8 5 years ago

    Sounds like the next stage in Crackdowns life. (Which is no bad thing if they can pull it off)

  • The-Bodybuilder #9 5 years ago

    This was/is the only ps3 game to get me really excited. Such huge potential, without the crappy orcs & goblins crap seen in every other bleemin MMO.

    My only concerns are;
    1. The development time. It wasn't that long ago that Sony told us they would be developing an MMO. Now they game will be out before the year ends?
    2. The graphics. I was expecting a more "serious" look and feel. Currently, it just reminds me of Perfect Dark: Zero, and that's the last game I want this to be.

  • lennon #10 5 years ago

    Anyone else having trouble accessing the website? Bullet speeds across the screen and then everything locks up

  • Carlo #11 5 years ago

    Sounds mental

  • Les #12 5 years ago

    It looks more like a Free Radical FPS than Haze does. Shame it's an MMO.

  • Beano #13 5 years ago

    "My only concerns are;
    1. The development time. It wasn't that long ago that Sony told us they would be
    developing an MMO. Now they game will be out before the year ends?"

    I quess they had this game in development for a long time before they announced anything.


    "2. The graphics. I was expecting a more "serious" look and feel. Currently, it just reminds me of Perfect Dark: Zero, and that's the last game I want this to be."

    I agree completely - PDZ was a major letdown :(
    But that's only the style of the graphics - my quess is that The Agency will be a lot different gameplay-wise.

  • jonsaan #14 5 years ago

    Yeah, website, now worky for me. I get the bullet and a gun that smokes but nothing else.

  • vane101 #15 5 years ago

    What's significant about this game is what you can do whilst offline. Emailing and instant messaging npcs in the game world and presumably them emailing you back.

    They could take it further and add texting too or even receiving phone calls from npc contacts. That brings in elements of alternate reality games. Very interesting.

  • spongebob #16 5 years ago

    I hate the Matrix-ish black leather / latex look on the characters. It doesn't look all bad, but why didn't they try something original within the visual department?

  • Schiraman #17 5 years ago

    Wow, this is starting to sound pretty fantastic. Easily the most interesting MMO currently in development.

  • Hamflank #18 5 years ago

    Since when do spies use latex for camouflage?

  • Lacero #19 5 years ago

    It looks like Evil Genius :)

  • zuljin #20 5 years ago

    This reminds me of IGI for some reason. I for one prefer the more solid characters of olden days... Like I prefer the characters of Half life one over Half life two for instance.

  • Steroyd #21 5 years ago

    The only thing that would stop me from getting this is a subscription fee.

    If they do that free-to-play with microrapements then I'd happily get this without much fuss. :)

  • The-Bodybuilder #22 5 years ago

    >"my quess is that The Agency will be a lot different gameplay-wise."

    That's what they said about PDZ.
    /cries into pink pillow.

  • The-Bodybuilder #23 5 years ago

    >"Since when do spies use latex for camouflage?"

    Safe Spying?

  • Hughes. #24 5 years ago

    I was hoping this would be more Harry Palmer than Modesty Blaise, but it's still the only MMO premise that has ever interested me. If it's done right I could actually see myself paying a subscription for this, and I'm a proper cheapskate.

  • spliffhead #25 5 years ago

    The official site is pretty flakey too, oh wait, it's a Sony marketing department project!

  • SBfistfun #26 5 years ago

    Sounds interesting

    but it's by SOE so it'll be crud

  • Stormflood #27 5 years ago

    "These types of games are more suited to the PC though with its keyboard and mouse."

    Not if they're designed around a controller. From what I see, it's an MMO shooter, not MMORPG.

  • PearOfAnguish #28 5 years ago

    I hope it is a shooter, need some MMOs that have proper combat rather than just hitting hotkeys.

  • Beano #29 5 years ago

    "That's what they said about PDZ. "

    He he he... well, PDZ was a FPS while The Agency looks to be far more... MMO'ish :)

  • kangarootoo #30 5 years ago

    Looks interesting. Certainly looks pretty for an MMO. And I quite like the art style, sort of comic styled (nr future) cyberpunk.

    I'm not sure why people are suggesting MMOs work better on keyboard and mouse than controller. Surely it depends how many things you need to control simultaneously. Lets face it, the reason WoW (for example) needs a keyboard and lots of user cutomisation is because their stock interface blows. A good control system is all part of the normal design process, so I'm prepared to wait and see on that one.

    Also, someone suggested cross PS3-PC gaming was a bad thing. Care to expand on why you feel that way?

  • Beano #31 5 years ago

    Sure - I just prefer to play with/against other console owners (in this case PS3 owners). PC players are a different "breed" ;)

    The Xbox 360/PC cross-platform "feature" in Shadowrun is keeping me from buying that game.
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 12:12

  • PearOfAnguish #32 5 years ago

    So you're scared of getting your arse kicked, then?

  • Beano #33 5 years ago

    No - it's not about skill, it's about mentality.

  • Steroyd #34 5 years ago

    Sure - I just prefer to play with/against other console owners (in this case PS3 owners). PC players are a different "breed" ;)

    Surely the PC owners are a more likely going to go in the Rambo ParaGON group or something, while the console owners go the stealthy spies the UNITE.

    It may be deeper than just "first to put cursor over enemy wins".
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 12:43

  • kangarootoo #35 5 years ago

    @Beano

    I'm not sure the mentality you describe really exists anymore. It perhaps used be present a long time back, when the kinds of games available on PC and console systems differed quite a lot (and therefore attracted different gamers). But these days I barely see a divide between console and PC games compared to what I was seeing 15-20 years ago.

    As for Shadowrun, everyone I heard voice an opinion on the subject said they couldn't tell the difference between who was playing on PC and who was playing on 360, unless they asked. Is the game even released yet? Maybe it was the devs that said that.

    I also know a bundle of people that play on both PC and console systems. Some of them have only just bought a console this generation. I know other PC gamers who are right on the cusp of purchase.

    Any MMO will have people with different attitudes. Some people will want to play for advancement, some will want to develop guilds and help other players, some will be idiot bigots in real life and bring that baggage with them into the game screaming abuse at anyone who gives them any hassle (perceived or real). My point is that the system on which you play the game is perhaps the least potent influence on the kind of person you are. In other words, nice people will still be nice people and screaming kids will still be screaming kids.

  • callum9999 #36 5 years ago

    "The only thing that would stop me from getting this is a subscription fee."

    As its on ps3 and pc, it could be a good idea to make it free for ps3 users but charge for pc users

  • agparrot #37 5 years ago

    The images do look pretty funny - especially the middle one where he is crouched down, she is strolling along wearing latex and a machine gun... and there appear to be people walking by in the background without comment.

    Maybe it is just because there isn't any sound, and the bloke walking past her is saying "Morning Doris" or something.

  • kangarootoo #38 5 years ago

    "As its on ps3 and pc, it could be a good idea to make it free for ps3 users but charge for pc users"

    I'm not sure if that is a good idea from a cashflow point of view. Not saying I disagree with the sentiment mind you.

    I think we all need to accept that if something costs money to run, that cash has to come from somewhere. There is no such thing as a free lunch and games are no different. Either way pay directly via subscription, or we pay indirectly via advertising, or we are somewhere in middle with paying for add-on packs and so on.

    I think when some people say they don't believe in paying a subscription fee, that is simply a personal choice. Its a pefectly valid choice to make, but it make the product model any worse for it.

    Its not a matter of having "already bought the game" or "bing nickle and dimed to death" or anything so moralistic or emotive as that. Its pure cashflow, nothing else. If it costs money to run an online game, and that money is not recouped in some way, eventually the electricity board cut off the supply for non-payment of bills and your game server comes to a graceless hault.

    So, like all products we simply look at the deal presented to us and make a personal choice. And if we decide not to buy, that doesn't make the product bad, it just means the deal wasn't right us on the day. For others the deal will be right and they will be happy with their purchase. No one is wrong, just different.

    /gets off somewhat tangential soapbox.

  • kangarootoo #39 5 years ago

    @agparrot

    Hehe. Nice one.

  • Les #40 5 years ago

    "There is no such thing as a free lunch and games are no different."

    Very true. But some of us might feel that if we shell out 60-70 euro's for a game, online play should be included in the upfront price.

  • RexRunti #41 5 years ago

    I get the feeling this game will either be brilliant or crap, I'mhoping for the former but I'm worried it will be too ambitous given the release schedule.

    Bu then what with it being an MMO maybe a year after release it can be patched into a finished version... again hoping it will be great from the outset.

  • zuljin #42 5 years ago

    @Les
    "Very true. But some of us might feel that if we shell out 60-70 euro's for a game, online play should be included in the upfront price."

    Again true, but if you know ahead of time that it does / does not include the multiplayer, then again it simply becomes a decision of: is this game worth my 60-70 euros?

  • AOFanboi #43 5 years ago

    <em>Very true. But some of us might feel that if we shell out 60-70 euro's for a game, online play should be included in the upfront price.</em>

    Why? That price generally gets you an offline game with 10-40 hours of gameplay. Want powerful game servers and GMs present? For hours upon hours? Pay for the privilege.

    Personally I just download ZAngband and get hours and hours of offline gameplay for €0,-

  • Monkey-Wizard-Ken #44 5 years ago

    You have to feel for those poor Mac owners, they don't deserve this

  • Les #45 5 years ago

    “Why? That price generally gets you an offline game with 10-40 hours of gameplay. Want powerful game servers and GMs present? For hours upon hours? Pay for the privilege.”

    Well for one because there have been precedents of games at that price point that included online play at no additional cost: SOCOM, GuildWars, Ratchet & Clank, PES 6, Resistance, etc. In those cases you’ve paid for the privilege upfront.

    I’m not a big fan of subscription-based games nor games that include advertising or micro transactions. It would probably be different though if those games were free or had a significantly reduced retail price. For me it just feels wrong to pay 60 euro’s for something that’s useless unless I pay an additional amount each month.

  • ph101 #46 5 years ago

    Looks intersting, time will tell...