The Agency

The Agency is a first-person shooter massive multi-player online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in a modern spy universe. The game is being developed and published by Sony Online Entertainment. It is expected to be released in the fourth quarter of 2011 and will be available for play on desktop computers and PlayStation 3.http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/292/feature/4462  

The game was initially scheduled to go live sometime in 2010, but the date was pushed back. Developers announced that the game is focused on providing realistic actions, stating that a shot to the head will kill any enemy. http://www.allgames.com/%20 The website for The Agency is live.http://theagency.station.sony.com/

Players will choose between two factions called agencies as they go through player creation. Choosing a faction is the primary factor in determining what missions will be available to the player character once he is in the game. U.N.I.T.E (United Nations Intelligence and Tactical Experts) uses stealth and subterfuge as part of an elite secret agent force that fights terrorism, corruption and rogue states. ParaGON (Paramilitary Global Operations Network) is a private mercenary group serving international clients. http://theagency.station.sony.com/ The Agency website has a player interview questionnaire to help players determine which faction is right for their personal gameplay preference. The questionnaire is in government agency paperwork format.http://theagency.station.sony.com/factions/unite.vm

By changing equipment, the player character is able to select from one of the available combat or non-combat classes. The player advances in the game by completing different goals and quests, which include stealth and combat missions. The Agency rewards player expertise in combat, stealth and style. Players accept missions and fly to different locations around the world extracting intelligence, recruiting non-player characters as operatives, and assassinating enemies. Once operatives are recruited, the player can put them to work for him. When the player reaches higher ranks, he can create his own agency similar to a guild. Players will be able to enter into a player-versus-player conflict at any time, and all player-versus-player conflict is consensual so characters need not worry about being killed without provocation. http://theagency.station.sony.com/intel.vm  Developers also revealed that some role-playing game elements will be implemented into the game. http://www.allgames.com/