The Agency generated a lot of buzz when we first heard about it some two years ago. And then for some odd reason, there was silence. That's about to change now as SOE execs break the quiet with statements from the GDC. Oh, and for DC Universe Online too.

SOE eased worries a few days ago when they confirmed that their upcoming PS3 MMO The Agency wasn't canceled as rumors would have you believe. If that's not enough for you though, then look forward to next summer, when they'll finally show off stuff from the game.

More details after the link.

More information has arrived for The Agency, Sony Online Entertainment's exploration into the MMO arena for the PlayStation 3. In an interview with the game's lead designer Hal Milton and Design Director Matt Wilson, we find out more about how the game will release additional content in the future, whether we'll be able to see cross-platform play in the future, and more. Details in the full article.

Games Radar was able to catch up with SOE's The Agency">Hal Milton of SOE to talk about the much-talked about MMOG for the PS3 and PC, The Agency. In the interview, Hal Milton discusses just how massive the title is, the challenge in the development process, and more.

So, we're pretty sure you're just as curious as we are as to the expanse of The Agency. After all, SOE made such a big fuss keeping it under wraps, and an even bigger hullabaloo in unveiling it. Well, according to Milton, "the game world will support many, many people in a variety of public and private social and encounter areas." But of course, quantity is not necessarily the only thing prioritized here, but quality as well. That's why they've incorporated that speed necessary in making an action shooter work real.

As to why they chose the cartoon-ish style as opposed to going for the realistic visuals route that seems to be all the rave with the technologies we currently have, Milton explains that what they really wanted was to take a stylized approach that will basically "create a world that was more fun and engaging than the real world we actually live in." He further probes, "It's far easier to sustain a stylized look over a long period than it is a detailed representative one."

This bit, we're sure you're gonna get excited about. Concerning online play, he reveals that they are working on things like character creation as well as progression complexity, as well as "remorse with [their] 'You are what you wear' system." Hmmm... sounds interesting, eh?

And then there's the Operatives system, wherein the players are given the capacity to keep in touch with what's going on at the game even when they're not logged in at home. Now that's really something to look forward to.

Anyway, we're sure there will be more nifty tidbits to come our way to give us a clearer picture of what's in store for us with The Agency. So just keep it here and we'll be sure to bring you the goods.

 

Given that Sony Online Entertainment's The Agency is heading for both the PlayStation 3 and PC, it leaves plenty to be asked on what the agency (SOE) has in store for the game. The biggest question being asked is whether there are plans to make this MMORPG a multi-platform experience, with players from either system (PS3, PC) able to compete against each other in the game's spy vs. spy- themed world. 

This was the topic of a recent interview between CVG and The Agency lead designer Hal Milton, who stated that the company was not ready to make any comments at time.  "We're evaluating this [cross-platform support]," Mr. Hamilton further said regarding the game.

We're hoping the devs do give this serious thought - cross-system connectivity appears is hitting it off lately (at least in Shadowrun's case), and just might give SOE that extra clout needed for them to make good their aim to gain global foothold in the industry. More details on this possibility will arrive as we get them.