Posted Feb 15, 2008 at 12:37PM by Isaac C. Listed in: News, Games, The Agency Tags: Sony, SOE, John Smedley
Ó

Odds are against The Agency to have cross platform play - Image 1


Sony Online Entertainment expressed last year that they were still on the fence on cross-platform play for their new MMO shooter, The Agency (PlayStation 3, PC). In January,
they expressed that cross-platform play would have its hitches.

They reasoned that updates and patches for the PS3 and PC versions won't run on the same schedule because of the differences of their certification process and this would make it difficult for cross-platform play.

This time, SOE CEO John Smedley explains another hitch in having cross-platform play for The Agency, saying that gameplay between the two platforms would inevitably lead to balancing out the strengths and weaknesses of each platform:

I think that our expectations are that we’re going to decide that we won’t have cross-platform play, simply because of the difference in [control schemes]. Would the mouse player have a unique advantage? Would we have to make the auto-aiming system on the console a lot better to compensate for that? That would take some of the skill element away on the console.


That doesn't mean they'll stop trying to make cross-platform a reality: Smedley says that they "are honestly going to give it a try." Also, there may be a compromise. Sort of. If cross-platform play doesn't pull through, players may still be log on their characters from either platform.


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5 Comments


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   by Eclipze_ - 2008-02-15
 » I dont really care lol

I mean I would like to have it, but if its not there its not somthing that'll make me say "I'm not buying the agency!". I dont mind playing with my ps3 pplz.

But another thing they can do is make one server for ps3 only (meaning if your using a PC you cant enter that server), PC only server (same thing but for PC), and a cross-platform server where everyone can play together =].

   by timesplitter88 - 2008-02-15
 » Why not this...

Why cant SOE just make it cross platform and make an option to use keyboard and mouse for PS3 users? This was possible to do in UT3, why not do it for the agency for those who are inclined to think that K and M gives an advantage then everyone is happy? :)

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   by Jozz2006 - 2008-02-15
 » PS3 World Forever

Sound's like they couldn't care 2 shades of hell as long as they get they money.

   by Hekynn - 2008-02-15
 » just do it SoE

Just do it SoE since the game is gonna be free to play just do it like get more servers and Dev's then you get lots more cash from people buying the game since its free to play I hear :D

   by RexNox - 2008-02-16
 » The answer is obvious...

make the login authentication different for PS3s and PCs. Then, make cross-platforming a server feature. So, we'd have PS3 servers, PC servers, and cross-platform servers.

Announce when the cross-platform servers would be down because of update issues and I think if the down time isn't significant...I don't think people would freak out.



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