Gaming Signal: Sony's Spy Game Gamble

Sony's Spy Game Gamble

Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) is currently developing a new MMORPG based not on a story with elves, or in space, or in a traditional fantasy world of any kind. Instead, they are shooting for a game based on the world of espionage with The Agency. Finally - something new!

There aren't a lot of details out yet, but what I have heard so far has me excited that we might be seeing something different and yet appealing to a wide array of gamers. At the end of the day, the game Auto Assault was different but failed because it didn't end up attracting enough players. I keep hoping some non-fantasy-based MMO will give us an option.

Sony indicated they were looking to build on the FPS combat abilities in Planetside but without the huge battlefields. The focus will be on small, Counter-Strike style engagements instead. In an interview with Gamasutra, SOE president John Smedley said it was "24 meets Counter-Strike meets Alias meets James Bond". While I'm sure there will be traditional rewards in terms of weapons and other gear, there will be some new types as well. One type discussed was a minion (called an operative)! Think of completing a quest and getting your very own Q to hang back in your base and build cool things for you (the blueprints you also get as loot). Then he will craft for you while you aren't online - and even send you a real-life email or text messages to let you know when they are done. Another operative might be an assistant to help during missions or do research and reconnaissance for you between missions.

Another innovation - the game will employ a 'you are what you wear' class system. You can put on gear that tilts you toward being stealthy, or a heavy combat unit, or a support class, or a sniper. As long as you have an outfit, you'll be able to wear it and be that class. I'm not sure how the traditional tank/healer/dmg dealer roles will play out, but I love the idea of being able to adapt your roll easily to the makeup of your team and the roll you want to play. Another unique aspect is an idea for setting up and participating in cinematic sequences - if you do it right, you'll not only be rewarded with an in-game special sequence but also garner some benefit such as taking out a lot of bad guys or acquiring a special item.

Sony will also be experimenting with alternative business models. It may be free to play with a charge for extra features (like VOIP or clan web sites) or it might have a traditional subscription model. It will be playable on both the PC and the PS3, but probably won't allow both platforms in the same world. We'll have to see how it works out, but for now it looks highly interesting to me.