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MI6 has a first look at the upcoming massively
multiplayer online game 'The Agency' from Sony -
themed around James Bond and other spy influences...
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The Agency - First Look
3rd August 2007
Sony Online Entertainment, (SOE) a global leader in the online
gaming industry, is developing The Agency,
a fast-paced online action shooter filled with espionage, intrigue
and betrayal. The Agency is being developed at SOE's Seattle
studio for both the PC and the PlayStation 3.
The Agency is a pick-up-and-play experience where players assume
the role of elite agents in a modern-day world. Both solo players
and groups will enjoy a wide variety of cooperative and competitive
story-driven missions set in exotic locales across the globe.
"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, Sony Online Entertainment. "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."
Persistent character development allows players to supplement
their gear with exotic and powerful skills that make them feel
like the elite agents they've always dreamt of becoming. Additionally,
in lieu of the typical class systems in many other games, The
Agency's approach is simply, "You Are What You Wear." Players
will customize their character's attire based on the mission
at hand, emphasizing combat, support, stealth, or even cover
identities.
Players begin their experience by choosing to be a slick UNITE
spy or a gritty ParaGON mercenary. Both factions will have players
tangling in illicit activities such as drug smuggling, assassinations,
espionage and counter intelligence. As they gain ranks within
their chosen agency, players will increase their influence over
the world while experiencing a deep story of action and intrigue.
Along the way players will be able to build their own agencies,
team with others to create joint agencies, and recruit a roster
of useful Operatives.
Operatives are "living loot" characters that wait
in the wings for orders to build that new sports car, gather
intel for the next mission, or provide that satellite scan to
expose the enemy. As players advance through the game, they will
collect more powerful Operatives that will better assist them
with missions. Players can use their roster to help themselves
or their team and even trade Operatives with other players.
"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. It's accessible to all types of players, blending
genres and changing up established conventions. It's different
from anything SOE has released before," said Matt Wilson,
Director of Development, SOE Seattle. "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."
About The Agency
The Agency is a fast-paced, online persistent
shooter in a modern setting of bullets, bomb blasts, and betrayal.
Live the life
of an elite agent in a world of super spies and rugged mercenaries,
who use both the highest technology and the lowest tactics to
accomplish their goals. Featuring cooperative and competitive
play, The Agency is designed to provide instant action and long-term
strategy for all fans of espionage, intrigue, and explosive gameplay.
Features
-
Become An Elite Agent: The Agency offers hundreds of
unique missions with varied end-goals requiring combat, stealth,
and style. With gameplay ranging from sneaky assassinations
to all out assaults, from vehicle challenges to casinos loaded
with
mini-games, there's something for every aspiring agent.
-
Build
Your Own Agency: As players advance through the ranks of their
faction, they'll also begin building their own
Agencies. Players will increase their power even further by
creating Joint Agencies with others.
-
Mercenary or spy, the choice
is yours: In the Agency, collect the right weaponry, gadgets,
vehicles, gear, attire and
aliases to gain access to various locales and influence over
the people within them.
-
Put Operatives to work: Operatives are
collectible non-player characters who provide the goods player's
desire, the services
to keep them alive, and allow them to concentrate on the mission
at hand. Operatives work 24/7, regardless of whether players
are logged in, and they can even keep them up-to-date through
email and instant messages.
-
Fun Now, No Waiting: The Agency
is not about waiting for the fun to start. At any point, players
can take a break
from their high-flying career to engage in a number of other
activities. Veterans and new players alike can take on other
players at the card tables, the shooting range, or in head-to-head
combat.
