GamerNode: Interviews - The Agency producer, Daniel Myers

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Getting back to the game... It seems that nowadays many MMOs are somewhat cookie-cutter reproductions (or at least approximations) of one another. A few more unique projects are coming through here and there, such as SOE and Flying Labs' recent Pirates of the Burning Sea, but even a game like that still clings to many of the traditional MMO gameplay mechanics. It seems that The Agency may buck that trend - how does it compare to more traditional MMOs in terms of elements like classes, skills, quests, interface, combat, and the like?

The Agency blends traditional first- and third-person shooter combat with a massively-multiplayer online world; essentially, a persistent online shooter. The mission system is probably the most like a traditional MMO, although we are adding replay ability in the form of tiered achievements. For example, finishing the main mission task will earn you a bronze, but finding a number of hidden items during the mission might get you a silver or gold rating.

Combat is more like first- and third-person shooters than traditional MMOs. And since we are releasing on PlayStation 3, we want to keep the interface minimal and easy to use with a controller.

Perhaps farthest away from typical MMOs is our class system--we don't really have one in the traditional sense. In The Agency, you are what you wear. Instead of being locked into a single role, you can choose what to play based on what your team needs or what you feel like doing that day. Want to wade into the thick of combat with guns blazing? Put on your combat specialist gear. Maybe you'd rather sneak your way into a drug lord's hideout... Change into your special operations outfit and you're ready to go. Or maybe your team needs someone to drop turrets to cover their backs as they assault a gang's lair... Then it's time for your support gear to give them some backup.

Each role has a number of specialties for players to investigate and earn experience towards. Some players will focus on being the most elite of a single specialty, but we will always give you the chance to branch out into other fields.

So the differences in play style are meant, in part, to cater to the PS3 audience?

We certainly take the PlayStation 3 into consideration when developing the game. For example, we can't guarantee a player will have a mouse and keyboard, so our UI and communications systems take that into account.

No matter what format a player chooses, we want The Agency to be a shared experience. A PC player and a PS3 player should be able to talk about the world in terms both understand.

Does that mean there will there be direct interaction between the two groups of players - PC and PS3?

We would love there to be interaction between PC and PlayStation 3 players. We haven't determined the feasibility yet, so we haven't made any announcements about whether there will be or not. The deciding factor will be if we can make the game both fun and equitable between the two systems.

I have to ask, because the game has somewhat of a unique art style - what went into the decision to use those particular visuals?

From my perspective, we have put a lot of time into thinking about style, influence, and color for The Agency. For example, both UNITE and ParaGON--along with other major NPC groups--have specific color palettes they draw from. Not only just because it looks good, but it sets mood and tone and makes things easily identifiable to players.

Our non-photorealistic style also lends itself to the lighter side of the spy biz. We are not into reproducing the real world for The Agency--we already live here. We want players to log on, have some intense over-the-top moments, and log off with smiles on their faces.

And when do you suppose we can expect to be playing The Agency?

Sometime in the future. ;)

Thanks. Anything else you'd like to add before I let you go? Some top secret, previously undisclosed information, perhaps? *cheesy smile*

C'mon. You know the deal: I could tell you, but then I'd have to shoot you... ;)

As much as we love talking about The Agency, we are keeping things close as we bring things into full production. Over the next few months we will be shaking a lot of things down and tuning systems for our alpha phase. Trust me; we are too excited about the work we are doing to keep quiet for long!

Thanks again. Can't wait to try out your game!

No problem! Thanks for the opportunity to tell folks what we are up to.

There you have it; I got shot down on the game's release date, and then told that I would have to be shot to get any top secret info, but overall Dan helped all of us to form a clearer picture of what to expect from The Agency when it does arrive on the PC and PlayStation 3 sometime in the future. I am definitely looking forward to this one; it looks like it will be a very unique and fun experience. How about the rest of you?

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