Live The Life Of An Elite Agent

Do you remember a while back, like last year when The Agency was suppose to come out to market? All there was for the game was a short video clip showing off some of the antics and very little game play for Sony's new MMO. Then things just kind of went dead as far as anything new coming out about the game. Well other than the fact that it kept getting pushed back and no solid release window in sight. I'm guessing that all rings a bell now. If not, then read more gaming news.

For those of you that don't want to go looking or hoping for something further about this, finally a solid fact sheet has been released about this game. Detailing all the special features you can look forward to outside of the normal MMO-faire that there will be. One of which being the persistent world for the game. No more logging off and being safe from being attacked or raided. You'll have to come up with some good setups to keep things safe while you are out trying to live living in the real world.

That is one of the major selling points for me with this PS3/PC based MMO. Adds an element of strategy to a pretty much routine* game experience which is the Massive Multiplayer Online Game genre. The time of having "portable storage" (Extra accounts and toons for holding items) just standing around all safe when you log off will be over, unless you come up with a good way to lock said storage areas. Or at least protect them so you don't get a message saying 'Billy "Boxshot" Barnes** was kidnapped and we have your stuff. Pay a ransom or you'll never see him or your stuff again.' Ok, maybe I'm getting a little carried away.

The only unfortunate thing is that seems to be the only innovative thing this MMO is trying to do. Well outside of being an Action Shooter type MMO. Wait, hasn't that been done before?

The Agency is a fast-paced, action shooter set in an online persistent world—a modern setting of bullets, bomb blasts, and betrayal. Live the life of an elite agent in a world of superspies and rugged mercenaries, who use both high technology and low tactics to accomplish their missions and 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 on the PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) and PC.

Key features

  • Live the Life of an Elite Agent: The Agency requires spy world skills in combat, stealth, and style. Players jet around the globe to exotic locales picking up intel, forming networks and taking out criminal masterminds for a multitude of unique missions with numerous goals. With gameplay ranging from sneaky infiltration to all out firefight assaults, there’s something for every aspiring agent.
  • Fun Now, No Waiting: The Agency blends the action of shooter gameplay with the persistence of an online virtual world. At any point, PS3 or PC players can jump right in and frag opponents in head-to-head combat or advance the ranks in a rich story packed with exciting missions.
  • Mercenary or Spy - the Choice is Yours: Operate as a slick super spy or a gritty mercenary, administering arms deals, executing assassinations, managing espionage, counter intelligence, and more. Collect the right weaponry, gadgets, gear, attire and aliases to gain access to numerous locales and influence over the people within them.
  • Put Operatives to work: Operatives are collectible non-player characters who provide the goods and services players desire, and the in-mission support to keep them alive. Operatives work 24/7 to help players concentrate on the mission at hand. Trade them with friends or sell them to the highest bidder.
  • Build Your Own Agency: As players advance through the ranks of their faction, they’ll also begin building their own Agencies. Players increase their power even further by creating Joint Agencies with others.

* I'm ready for the hate of calling MMO's routine. :)

** Totally making that toon name when the game comes out.