Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[E3 2010: The Agency blows up in our faces... and it's a good thing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/e3-2010-the-agency-blows-up-in-our-faces-and-its-a-good-thi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/e3-2010-the-agency-blows-up-in-our-faces-and-its-a-good-thi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/e3-2010-the-agency-blows-up-in-our-faces-and-its-a-good-thi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

After seeing the new trailer yesterday for SOE's The Agency, we thought nothing could get us more revved up about this upcoming title. We were wrong. DEAD wrong. Ahem. Sorry.

For aspiring Mr. and Ms. Kiss-Kiss-Bang-Bangs out there, The Agency is promising all of the hot, high-tech spy action that you can handle. Step into the shoes of James Bond, Jason Bourne, Inspector Gadget or Maxwell Smart, grab your favorite weapon, and throw yourself into one of many exciting locales where you and other players will compete for all the secrets and bragging rights.

At E3, Massively got the chance to sit down with The Agency's Senior Producer Josh Hackney and check in on how this title is progressing. Hit the jump to read about specialized roles, PvP and why mindlessly spraying hot lead in all directions is completely passé.

Continue reading E3 2010: The Agency blows up in our faces... and it's a good thing

MassivelyE3 2010: The Agency blows up in our faces... and it's a good thing originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agencye3e3-2010featuredinspector-gadgetjames-bondjason-bournejosh-hackneykiss-kiss-bang-bangmaxwell-smartoracle-visionreconsnipersniper-riflesoeSony-Online-Entertainmentthe-agencyWed, 16 Jun 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Agenda drops patch 1.2 to the test servers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/global-agenda-drops-patch-1-2-to-the-test-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/global-agenda-drops-patch-1-2-to-the-test-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/global-agenda-drops-patch-1-2-to-the-test-servers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We're only about a week out from the first patch to Global Agenda, but Hi-Rez Studios has been hard at work in their super-secret laboratory (only slightly less secret than that) producing new content for the game. Patch 1.2 has already gone to the test server for experimentation and stress testing, and it expands the Alliance vs. Alliance gameplay substantially. Instead of forcing you into direct conflict, it opens up the possibility for theft missions to draw resources and hamper production for enemies, as well as letting players take part in battles where their Agency controls no territory.

New defense facilities are also being added, allowing those under attack more options to keep themselves safe. There are also options to trade territory to other forces or abandon areas that an Agency can no longer defend confidently. And that's not counting the large list of updates to the game's systems, expanded battle brackets, and re-tuned maps to make the existing gameplay more enjoyable. Take a look at the full list of updates for more of the changes, as well as a sneak peek of what's coming in Global Agenda's subsequent patch -- it might be young, but the game is clearly firing on all cylinders.

MassivelyGlobal Agenda drops patch 1.2 to the test servers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agencyalliance-vs-alliancega-patch-1.2global-agendaglobal-agenda-hi-rezglobal-agenda-patch-1.2global-agenda-patch-1.3hi-rezhi-rez-global-agendahi-rez-stdioes-global-agendahi-rez-studiospatch-notestest-serverTue, 09 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Agenda to feature Vivox voice integration]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/global-agenda-to-feature-vivox-voice-integration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/global-agenda-to-feature-vivox-voice-integration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/global-agenda-to-feature-vivox-voice-integration/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Massively has been following the growing prevalence of MMOFPS games poised to enter the market in the coming months and years, with the most notable of these being Global Agenda. The game's developer Hi-Rez Studios got in touch with us today to let us know about their partnership with Vivox, who will provide voice features for Global Agenda. Vivox will enable push-to-talk voice chat and in-game news broadcasts "that describe key victories and events associated with Global Agenda's persistent territory control gameplay," states Hi-Rez Studios. An additional (subscriber-only) feature will be out-of-game voice chat that will keep agency members in touch when they're not fragging their rivals. According to Hi-Rez, "Players can use a variety of access methods including the Vivox Web Voice within the toolbar controls, Vivox Voice on Facebook, or calling into a specified chat channel from their phone."

Hi-Rez also announced they will hold a dev chat via Facebook on Wednesday, November 18th, from 10-11pm (Eastern), which will require participants to download the Vivox Voice app for Facebook. A Facebook group announcement from Hi-Rez today states that the dev chat will be limited to 75 people who will pose questions to the Global Agenda devs.

MassivelyGlobal Agenda to feature Vivox voice integration originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agenciesagencydev-chatfacebookglobal-agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosmmo-industrymmofpsnew-titlessci-fispy-fivivoxvivox-voicevoiceTue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: A glimpse into The Agency's guilds and classes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/e308-a-glimpse-into-the-agencys-guilds-and-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/e308-a-glimpse-into-the-agencys-guilds-and-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/e308-a-glimpse-into-the-agencys-guilds-and-classes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In our recent talk with Matt Wilson at E3, we were given a lot of really illuminating information about classes and guilds in the upcoming SOE title, The Agency. It would seem that the Agency crew is doing a very good job of listening to many of the frustrations of MMOG players, while taking the time to study popular games like Team Fortress 2. If you've been wondering about the different classes and abilities, as well as social structure in this upcoming MMOFPS, then you'll be interested to hear what's in the works.

Massively: What are the classes or archetypal roles in The Agency?

Matt Wilson: Our four primary classes are basically Combat, which is the ability to have weapons and have high defenses. Stealth, which is more of a high-DPS, sniper rifles and other things that you take into battle, [Undercover] Stealth which is very important, which is sneaking around and distractions. And finally, there's the Support classes like your Medics and Field Techs. Field Techs are about defense, turrets, other cool things like that. Medics are more about supporting the team, being able to support med stations while you're out in the field, heals, that kind of thing. Those are the general archetypes. Then we have specialties that fall out of those, allowing players to specialize further in each class.

Continue reading E308: A glimpse into The Agency's guilds and classes

MassivelyE308: A glimpse into The Agency's guilds and classes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agencyclassclassescombate3-2008e308featuredguildsjoint-agenciesmatt-wilsonrolesoesony-online-entertainmentstealthsupportteam-fortress-2TF2the-agencyundercoverMon, 21 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Q&A with The Agency's Hal Milton: Part two]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/qanda-with-the-agencys-hal-milton-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/qanda-with-the-agencys-hal-milton-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/qanda-with-the-agencys-hal-milton-part-two/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


In the second installment of The Agency Q&A with Lead Designer Hal Milton, we learn a bit more about operatives and how they will work. If you missed the first part of this Q&A from last month, you can find it here. Also be sure to read all of our continuing coverage of SOE's upcoming spy MMO.

The Agency's operatives seem to be the largest RTS or micromanagement angle of the game. You can collect them, upgrade/level them and send them out to do their own specialized dirty work for you. This includes everything from stealthy assassinations to investigative reporting to filing paperwork. There will also be an item-based aspect of the operatives where you can gain the rarer ones after especially extensive quests. Hal even touches on the possibilities with operative-based PvP, which could essentially be very comparable to Guild Wars' Hero Battles.

MassivelyQ&A with The Agency's Hal Milton: Part two originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agencyhal-miltonoperativessoesoeseattlethe-agencyWed, 30 Apr 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2008: A covert intel briefing on The Agency]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/ces-2008-a-covert-intel-briefing-on-the-agency/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/ces-2008-a-covert-intel-briefing-on-the-agency/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/ces-2008-a-covert-intel-briefing-on-the-agency/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Earlier this month, Sony Online Entertainment finally gave the gaming world a full-on look at The Agency. The unique title, a brand-new blend of the shooter and MMO genres, was featured in a hands-on talk over pre-recorded video; a compromise in the face of demoing an online title in the unfamiliar surroundings of Las Vegas. That talk, given by the mile-a-minute lead designer Hal Milton, has been covered endlessly at other sites. You can view the complete discussion in video format, or read a great writeup of the event over at GamersInfo.

Some of the most interesting tidbits the developers were willing to discuss that day weren't on the guided tour. Lead Designer Hal Milton and Design Director Matt Wilson were willing and able to discuss several aspects of the project still in the development stages with us and our friends at Joystiq; we were able to pick their brains on the game's business model, the fantastic world they're creating, character advancement, future content additions, and the numerous challenges of creating a game that straddles two platforms.

Easily one of the most refreshing things about The Agency is the humor that the developers are aiming to introduce to the world, as Hal Milton explains: One of the things I love about the spy genre is that everyone automatically gets it. I love fantasy, I love sci-fi, I love writing those stories, but whenever I try to describe the game concept I have to go in and back-fill for like ten minutes. "And then Sir Clamdar of Thobordoxy grabbed the Handbag of Doom." Or, "the year was 2753, and the Federation ..." Most people don't care. They just want to jump into the world and know where they stand, as opposed to being dropped into a world completely clueless. That's what's great about the Agency, there's a lot of similarities but our world is so different from the real world that they start to experience the humor and flavor.

Read on for more 'covert intel' you may not have seen discussed elsewhere on this blockbuster in-development title.

Gallery: The Agency

Continue reading CES 2008: A covert intel briefing on The Agency

MassivelyCES 2008: A covert intel briefing on The Agency originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agencycesCES-2008featuredjoystiqfeaturesSOEthe-agencyMon, 21 Jan 2008 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Games that could be MMOs: Crackdown]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/games-that-could-be-mmos-crackdown/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/games-that-could-be-mmos-crackdown/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/games-that-could-be-mmos-crackdown/#commentsFiled under: ,

Hey, have you played Crackdown? No? Me neither. Not from lack of interest, mind you; I just don't have an Xbox 360. I foolishly made the decision to eat instead of buying one. It sounded great to me, though: an adventurer that allows you to upgrade your attributes through use -- keep using your gun and your marksmanship will improve. Keep tossing things around and your strength will increase. Just like leveling up, only not so numbers-oriented.

I started wishing I could play it on my computer, which led me to the conceit you read before you: a Crackdown MMO would do me nicely. Think of it: play as an agent of, well, The Agency, the law enforcement entity of this world. Or, positing that the enhancement program that fuels the special abilities of Agency officers is stolen and sold on the open market, play as one of the 3 rival crime syndicates instead. PvP is built right in!

Continue reading Games that could be MMOs: Crackdown

MassivelyGames that could be MMOs: Crackdown originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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