The Agency cross-platform play 'yet to be determined' for launch

by Ben Gilbert { Jun 5th 2009 at 7:45PM }

When dropping by the Sony Online Entertainment booth at E3 for our appointment with upcoming PlayStation 3/PC MMO The Agency, we found out some rather troubling news regarding the game's promised cross-platform functionality.

While the demo we watched employed the much vaunted feature, we were told by the folks from SOE that the game may not launch with players on each platform able to play with each other. "Technologically, it's fine. There are some rules about certification and updating on the PS3 that we're kinda working through right now -- it may not be a launch feature." When pressed for a launch date, we were told the game's still early in development and no release has been determined.

Gallery: The Agency

Tags: cross-platform, pc, soe, sony-online-entertainment, the-agency

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

mortegro545 @ Jun 5th 2009 7:56PM

Meaning, there will be no cross platform play. Just like everyone else that says it's going to happen and then backs out of it.

There must be a class on over-hype these guys all attend.

Unplugged @ Jun 5th 2009 8:13PM

Its hosted by Peter Molyneux.

Saria the Cat @ Jun 5th 2009 8:00PM

WHOA, that place looks like the Overlook Hotel from the Shining!

Wiizer @ Jun 5th 2009 8:09PM

http://playstation.joystiq.com/2008/08/18/the-agency-will-not-feature-pc-ps3-cross-platform-play/

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/18/no-cross-platform-secret-agenting-in-the-agency/

Hmmm... So.. I don't get it. I thought we knew this.

Jack_Jackington @ Jun 5th 2009 8:13PM

Why not wait til cross platform play is ready then release it? Is anybody dying to play this game?

Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Jun 5th 2009 8:36PM

Man I am so DYING to play this game and I see give it to me without cross platform play if it means I can get it quicker ;)

TuxBobble @ Jun 5th 2009 10:51PM

Amen to that Kenny. I'm looking forward to this and have been since I first heard about it...

Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Jun 5th 2009 8:37PM

Also I'm happy the game made somewhat of an appearance and that it's not vaporware like LA Noire has become.

Kdiggy @ Jun 5th 2009 9:15PM

There's a very good possibility of FF XIV being cross platform between PS3, PC, and even the 360. That's due out next year. So whats the hold up in The Agencies case?

meatee @ Jun 5th 2009 9:20PM

PS3/360 cross-platform play on any game will happen when hell freezes over.

Wes @ Jun 5th 2009 9:25PM

You know there is xbox 360/pc/ps2 cross platform play on FF11 so FF14 could very well have xbox360/pc/ps3. The only change would be a more modern playstation console used rather than the older ps2. I'm just not sure if it will ever reach the Xbox 360. I think it comes down to how many people did buy FF11 for the xbox 360 and how many 360 subscribers exist?

Kdiggy @ Jun 5th 2009 9:44PM

Yeah, I have no idea. That whole E3 thing was pretty odd. One day I'm told it's a PS3 exclusive, then in less then 24 hours Square is saying they're "looking into bringing it to MS's platform".

I have no idea what to make of it myself. Should be interesting to see what happens though.

Colin Torretta @ Jun 5th 2009 9:36PM

Haha, Ben -- you know I already covered this right? http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/26/impressions-the-agency-ps3-pc/

Though Wilson and his partner were playing together on separate platforms, cross-platform functionality might not be in place at launch. The development team is still struggling to balance the two platforms' controls, so that a keyboard and mouse setup isn't superior to using a PS3 gamepad -- or vice versa. There's also the issue of patching. Traditionally, MMOs receive a steady stream of patches to fix bugs, add new content and tweak gameplay. On the PC, a patch can be released the day it's finished, but on the PS3, all patches have to go through a certification delay

Gotta read your own site! ;)

-Colin

arkweld @ Jun 6th 2009 12:12AM

Oh man, the confusion has already started for me.

Now I'm getting The Agency mixed up with Agent from Rockstar.

Caleb K @ Jun 6th 2009 12:31AM

The day that we see a ps3 and 3609 cross over is the day that ps4 and xbox720 come out....

So in other words too late :D

Nick @ Jun 6th 2009 2:18AM

Still early in development? Wow.

Walton Laybe @ Jun 6th 2009 5:29AM

This game's been in development for years, and the team has been struggling the entire time according to a few friends over at Sony. The just fired the lead designer and artist a couple weeks back and a handful of folks walked due to the project being doomed a fate of development purgatory. Morale is low and progress is pretty much nil, so expecting anything playable would be unwise. Internally they're talking about early 2010 for some kind of beta, but they're no where near having much done outside of the demo shown at E3 and a few test missions.

The Agency is a game I do not expect to see finished, and frankly, I'm surprised Sony continues to put money into the project considering how little has been done the past two years. A secret agent themed MMO could be fun, but the team behind the Agency isn't going to do much but ensure Sony continues its long-term plan to become and remain the laughingstock of the MMO world.

Folks have been updating their resumes, and rightly so, this ship is sinking fast.