Fission Mailed: An Agency Preview

The Agency, a title I am really looking forward to getting my hands on, is one that’s sadly getting little attention, especially post E3. There are small bits of info all over the web, but “all over” is inconvenient, and I want all the info in one place – our fantastic site to be exact. This then, would be my mission – to collect all the information I could…

Under the really swish name of “Special Agent Fruit” I sneaked past the new vicious kitten which seems to be the result of a mad scientist (an experiment with feline and shark DNA) and an incubation chamber. I managed to bypass the washing up sentry and her suggestions that I wash the pots, as I knew she would have put a nano-piranha in the sink in an attempt to sabotage my DualShock 3 operation devices. I avoided her like I would anyone with a sneeze. Having cracked the password on the laptop, technically only needing to be cracked because I’m useless at remembering passwords, I was now browsing the world-wide-web. Using a sophisticated bit of software codenamed “search engine”, I was able to view and make notes on all things about the video game named “The Agency”. What Intel have I retrieved for TSA Towers? Well make sure no one is around – and read on.

We know this title is being developed by Sony Online Entertainment Seattle. It is being developed for Microsoft Windows and the PS3, thus not technically an exclusive. The game is a massive multiplayer online (MMO) title that will see players travel around the world to exotic locations, retrieve Intel, form networks and assassinate targets. All this by using stealth and / or with a guns out, finger on the trigger, skin of your teeth approach with plenty of fireworks. All this and then home in time for tea and medals.

At the start you will join one of two agencies. The United Network of Intelligence and Tactical Experts (U.N.I.T.E) are your martini sipping, hi-tech and most elite secret agents. These agents are as skilled in anti-terrorism as they are with tying a bow tie, and are fighting against corruption. Over in the red corner we have the Paramilitary Global Operations Network (Paragon). These bad-ass mercenaries form one of the worlds largest private armies, are efficient and honourable, and like to blow stuff up – sounds like a blast!

The game is a first-person shooter with the option to go 3rd person should you have self-esteem problems, and want to remind yourself you don’t look too bad in that tuxedo holding an M4. Apparently a head shot is a head shot, so when the hell is a head shot not a head shot? Anyway, players can drop like an online gamer up against a TSA Killzone clanner (did you really think I wouldn’t mention the clan?) when shot in the head, which indicates we will see a shoot ‘em up style of action with RPG elements thrown into the mix too. We know this can work thanks to games like Oblivion and Fallout 3, and should attract a wider audience than just die hard RPG fanatics.

The title seems to feature many clever ideas, such as mini games like Texas Hold ‘em, where you can win or lose too much to become a distraction for the guards, thus enabling your co-op buddy to sneak further into the mission area. I’m looking forward to sending Nofi over to the guard at the door to flutter his eyelids so I can sneak through to the office safe. You can go solo when attempting a mission, or enlist the help of up to three friends, and I am very excited about tackling the missions differently with or without company. A player vs player system is also featured and will see up to thirty two players praying their agent is well geared and experienced as they battle it out for bragging rights.

Once a player reaches a certain level, they are given the option to form or join another agency, and agencies can even combine forces. So a clan like system seems to be in place, and shall get some serious attention from me as I start to think about a TSA agency feared and respected in the world of espionage. Perhaps a really exciting bit of news is that this title is being developed with cross-platform gaming in mind. Meaning PS3 and PC gamers alike should be able to play in the same world together, and that means a lot of James Bond wannabes running wild.

This title has me very excited, and I really hope SOE make a great job of executing all the features mentioned. So I can be a spy, going stealth or letting rip, and join forces with my mates? Providing the mechanics and graphics are up to this generations standards – you won’t be seeing me in the field. I hope I get the chance to take on many more missions to bring you further Intel, and maybe HQ could send me on a more “covert” mission. Keep all eyes only here for more Intel as it is retrieved.

Crap, I’ve been compromised! It isn’t all bad though, apparently if I defect and complete operation “lay the table” my life will be spared. Luckily I hit the upload butt – wait – “Formatting drive C:” Oh crap, Plan B! Plan B! Ha ha, you’ll never take me alive woman – cyanide pill – wait – it’s minty? Is that a Tic-Tac? Damn!

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30 Comments

Newer Comments

mpb1955 (454 TSA Points)
Member since: Mar 2009
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 10:11

This game really sounds impressive but can it live up to the expectations? I really hope so.

(A clan mention is your trademark Fruit!. Also see there is some inspiration from Gastos forum post on the vicious office cat)
DarthSharkey (1009 TSA Points)
Member since: Feb 2009
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 10:11

“cyanide pill – wait – it’s minty? Is that a Tic-Tac? Damn!”. LoL

I would like more info on this but I think they’ll keep their cards close to their chest just now, I am really looking forward to this title.
cc_star (Staff)
Member since: Forever
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 10:13

I’ve been looking forward to this since the early days when I first had a look.
http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2008/10/13/the-mmos-are-coming/

It’s good to see the details becoming clearer as the release time draws near.
hannes_truce (2506 TSA Points)
Member since: Sep 2008
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 10:17

Looking forward to this game, and great story Fruit, made me laugh a lot
Gastos84 (Staff)
Member since: Apr 2009
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 10:20

This report will self destruct in 5…..4…..
- Roynaldo (1776 TSA Points)
  Member since: Nov 2008
  Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 13:02
  
  inspector gadget….awesome
  - Gastos84 (Staff)
    Member since: Apr 2009
    Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 13:20
    
    LOL!! I was thinking more along the lines of Mission Impossible!!
  - AJ (1152 TSA Points)
    Member since: Oct 2008
    Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 21:03
    
    As we throw it into the trash bin FruitOfDoom was hiding in.
Mo-Dizzle (208 TSA Points)
Member since: Jan 2009
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 10:29

I don’t think I had even heard of this games existence till now! Can’t wait to gety hands on it when it appears. Has it been dated for at all?
- Mo-Dizzle (208 TSA Points)
  Member since: Jan 2009
  Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 10:30
  
  Oops missed out the word realease there, silly boy!
- cc_star (Staff)
  Member since: Forever
  Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 10:30
  
  Yup…
  
  …2010
Rob92 (906 TSA Points)
Member since: Dec 2008
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 11:23

Looks awesome. I could really do with an online game that holds my attention for more than a month (actually, I’ll have either Uncharted 2 or MW2 by then probably lol).

Hope it all fairs well That Free Realms is doing really well I think.
- hannes_truce (2506 TSA Points)
  Member since: Sep 2008
  Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 13:14
  
  it is doing well, 3 mil users and they’re improving it all the time. they just added guilds which is kinda like clans. quality game
YOURMUMANDME (445 TSA Points)
Member since: Oct 2008
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 11:39

“thus enabling your co-op buddy to sneak further into the mission area”
It’s true , my mate works there !
Firewarrior706 (303 TSA Points)
Member since: Aug 2008
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 11:44

Hopefully this will live up to expectations
Bilbo_bobbins (863 TSA Points)
Member since: Jun 2009
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 12:10

sounds interesting. I will definitely be keeping an eye on this one from now on.
BryOnRye (683 TSA Points)
Member since: Jan 2009
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 12:18

Can’t see this working cross platform, coming up against someone using mouse/keyboard while your using the dualshock isn’t going to be a fair fight.
- FruitOfDoom (476 TSA Points)
  Member since: Dec 2008
  Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 12:43
  
  The concept worked fine with Shadow Run 360/Windows. Just the game wasn’t exactly ground breaking.
  
  Sacred 2 (review soon) has shown that a sophisticated RPG control scheme can indeed be mapped and made simple on a DualShock 3. So I like to think the PS3 gamer won’t suffer due to control issues.
  
  Since giving up PC gaming after becoming fed up with the constant hardware upgrades, I have adapted well to using the pad in FPS games. I can make a good stand in Unreal III, and happily fragged others in Shadow Run using a pad vs Keyboard players.
  
  Your point is a good one though, not everyone will be as confident using a pad. Wouldn’t it be nice to have keyboard and mouse support as an option on the PS3?
  - cc_star (Staff)
    Member since: Forever
    Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 12:58
    
    Split fish?
    http://www.splitfish.com/uk/
    
    Apparently people who use it are generally amongst the top players in the world
  - BryOnRye (683 TSA Points)
    Member since: Jan 2009
    Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 22:30
    
    As proven by the recent TSA challenges us mere mortals don’t have the same gaming gene as you Fruit. I need all the help I can get!
    
    That splitfish jobbie is what got me thinking about this when I read Fruit’s original article.
deepmenace (207 TSA Points)
Member since: Forever
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 12:38

it got ignored cause of a completely poop CG trailer that looked about 5 years old and didnt inform anyone of anything.
Michael (VIP)
Member since: Forever
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 12:52

I received a nuclear device in the post today.

Excellent article, Fruit.
- FruitOfDoom (476 TSA Points)
  Member since: Dec 2008
  Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 13:07
  
  Thanks, that means a lot coming from a legend.
BioEye (Staff)
Member since: Forever
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 13:12

Great read.
I just hope it’s not got a monthly charge to use. If it doesn’t, I’ll love it.
Jumping Monks (803 TSA Points)
Member since: Jan 2009
Posted on: 23/06/2009 at 16:35

Nice read Fruit, seems fairly interesting. I’ll have to keep my eye on this one.

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