GC '07: Sony wants free play for Agency

The PlayStation 3 maker's online division believes that microtransactions and other models are the future of MMOs, not subscriptions.

LEIPZIG, Germany--Sony Online's latest massively multiplayer online game, The Agency (which has not yet been dated), will feature a number of differences from other MMOs currently on the market. Firstly, it will not be an "orcs and elves"-style game within a fantasy universe, but a modern-day universe featuring two different factions of spies.

Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley told attendees at his talk on "Subscriptions vs. Micro-Transactions" that, "There are quite a few 'men in tights' games out there; we alone have five, and we didn't want to do that."

After showing a short "making of" video of the upcoming Sony spy-themed MMO, Smedley explained that, "We worked to create a world where adults live out their fantasy of being an elite super agent."

The Agency will combine a number of different business models, including in-game ads, and the 'velvet rope' model, with some areas off-limits unless players gain access. Smedley also says that The Agency will eventually be following the business model of Free Realms. He said, "We also see this game going a similar style to that of Free Realms, although I think that the velvet rope model in this case, we're also going to be bringing that in quite a bit because this is also appealing to a more hardcore gamer."

However, he is aware that although gamers are now very accepting of the subscription model for playing online, they are resistant to certain alternatives, like paying for microtransactions such as new outfits, weapons, or characters. He said, "We believe very strongly that this is the future of MMO gaming, but we also know that it is something that players have an issue with... There's going to be an aftermarket, and we want to control it so that players don't get duped into having something switched out from them."

The Agency will also have an in-game collectible card game featuring characters that players can recruit for their team through the purchase of the appropriate card.

The Sony executive also talked about the 2008 MMOG Free Realms. As the title suggests, the game will be downloadable gratis and will carry no subscription fees. The aim is for the game to install itself in under one minute on a broadband connection.

Instead of the traditional subscription model, "we're going to be selling clothing and other items which players can buy," said Smedley. The title will also include in-game advertising with "whimsical placing," and if users do decide to subscribe, the ads disappear.

He explained, "It's designed for a younger gamer and is an optimistic place where everything is fun." The online game will feature a variety of minigames, as Smedley continued: "You can go into an inn and play a game of chess with a person as a quest. If you see some racing karts on the side of the road somewhere, you can get on and race on them like you can in games like Mario Kart."

He concluded by saying that he thought that the online subscription model would continue to decline. "We do believe that if you allow people to play for free, in many cases they will choose to spend more than you would think so," summarized Smedley.

190 Comments

  • esqueejy

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 11:34 am PT

    Not a bad idea really. Anyone who played WoW from beta like I did can attest to the failings of the subscription paradigm. It lends itself to a very unhealthy game-time commitment on the part of the player and a completely skewed design perspective on the part of the developers, who spend their time thinking of ways to require players to commit incredibly substantial amounts of time in order to progress in anything close to a cometetive manner. It's the only way to make subscriptions work, because you have to force the time commitment on the players so their subscriptions don't stop when they've "completed" the game....there really is no completing it...only walking away. Playing 8-12 hours straight and pulling all-nighters on weekends to grind whatever you are doing is absolutely ridiculous and most people, like myself, who stopped did so because they realized they simply had to put it down and walk away before it ruined the other aspects of their lives any further. It strains RL relationships, taxes your health, etc., and anyone who denies this but was running around in T6 PVE and PVP gear like I was last January is a total liar. Everyone knew what Blizz was doing to them in that respect, but we bought right into it for love of the game. That still didn't make it right. It was a good first shot to get MMO's to break thru and become a staple of the game industry, but it's time for game designers to have a little more respect for the people who are really paying them....the consumer.

    So yeah, maybe microtransactions will work, maybe it won't, it's all about balance...but it's certainly a good thing for companies to start exploring a different paradigm. Out with the old, in with the new. Maybe someone will figure out a way to do it that still allows for fun and intense competition, but doesn't require an unnatural time commitment to your computer chair or force your to make sacrifices in order to play it, rather than being solely an added enjoyment, enriching your life for the entertainment value, which is what games should be.

  • Greyfoxx082

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 11:29 pm PT

    i prefer the micro transaction model over subscription. I cannot afford spending countless hours going through the same mission over and over just to get my gear. I like a challenging game but not a grinding one. I also prefer a game that can be beat through skill, not items.

    Some folks complain that the model fails to reward players who work hard and persevere in the game. Fortunately, unlike WoW, this game plays like a shooter, and if Sony does not screw things up, better aim and tactics should still beat items and equipment.

    Also, we all work our asses off at something. It just so happens some of us do it in the real 'physical' world where we actually earn real 'physical' money. If you can't afford the game, get a better job or live within your means.

    As for me, I'll wait for the reviews. If it's worth it, then I'll get it.

  • xboxgamer3

    Posted Jan 4, 2008 5:10 pm PT

    sounds cool

  • tron563

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 10:22 pm PT

    i am looking forward to this game but thing is they didnt confirm whether its f2p or p2p well wait for their announcement and see well its gonna be in my waiting list of mmo

  • streetthug

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 12:28 pm PT

    the future looks nice and i cant wait for this game to come out its on my wish list

  • DanteDiPasquale

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 11:42 am PT

    3055 I understand your idea but it wont work like you suggest. Infact that would completely upset anysort of ingame economy -- RMT would run rampant. Why pay $5 or grind to One Million ingame curency when you can buy One Million in game currency for $3 from a RMT?

  • 3055

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 2:58 am PT

    if SOE were smart, they'd look at the different options that microtransactions have to offer. The best (possibly the best solution for all this muck) solution is have the game free, and, for example, say there is a rocket launcher you want to buy. You can buy it $5 in real money, or you can buy it for a million dollars in virtual money. The latter option is obviously going to take you longer, but for impacient people, they'd obviously go for the $5. This system probably would work best. And for item wise, they should just have fashionable items (dresses/suits, pretty shoes, etc) should be purchased with real money (or obviously people buying them from other players using ingame money). They could just not be stindgey and have the option to pay to play, or play for free. Perhaps pay to play will give you more item slots, more character slots, access to better vehicles, x2 more pay (virtual money for finishing quests) then non payers and slightly more updates. Whereas free players can get the standard item slots, standard character slots, access to standard vehicles, get standard pay, and get the standard updates. I for one think this option would be best.

    But, if SOE were not to listen to what the community wants (as they havent in the past) then I would be all for microtransactions. Monthly fee's are blurgh. SOE need to think more about the long term effects, rather then the short term effects. Sure, they could make a lot money quickly, but that will inevitably die away because of the monthly fee/microtransactions. But if they were to do the option of pay to play, and free play (as I wrote about earlier) they'd make more money in the long term, due to people being kept of interest, and such. Monthly fee's always take away interest of the game, which will cause SOE to lose money.

  • azianryda

    Posted Sep 5, 2007 6:08 pm PT

    The issue of free vs pay has always been a prickly issue, and so many publishers work to create the perfect model for the standard MMO. I personally don't mind subscription fees (as I do play WoW). And I am skeptical about the microtransaction model (similar to many Korean onliners) and definitely against the pay once and play forever (Guild Wars) model. One model I am interested in (and SOE should look at) is the Hellgate: London model. Which is free + subscription. From what I read, it seems the subscriptions (maybe locked at minimum 1 year) would get you all content updates for that year. That way ppl who are not as hardcore would be able to fully enjoy the game that they bought, while subscription payers would have access to new missions, content, and rewards. Just a thought.

  • Mr_Cynical

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 8:27 am PT

    Why don't they just use the business model of Guild Wars (second most popular non-free MMO after World of Warcraft)? You know, the one also used by every other game genre. Where, once you've paid for the game, you get to play it!

  • CapcomGroove2

    Posted Sep 2, 2007 11:15 am PT

    This game sounds truly great, i cant wait to see how it turns out, the modern edge put into mmorpg fantastic. I also heard that they have something like over 300 animations for the hands alone....i'm anxious. very anxious.

  • legandary_ACE

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 6:42 pm PT

    Demmi_Argo, they mean that real advertisments will be placed on billboards and TVs and any other area you would find advertisments in real life in the game......they would never put advertisments in unrealistic areas like your sniper scope

  • Demmi_Argo

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 3:00 pm PT

    The Agency really never caught my attention, it really doesn't seem like my type of game. But one thing that makes me raise my eyebrow is what Smedley said about the in-game advertising being "whimsically placed". How will it be whimsically placed? When I'm aming with my sniper rifle will an ad appear at the bottom of my scope in loud colours, cutting off my concentration? Will a billboard pop up from the ground and bar me from proceeding down a hall? Smedley could have been less vague with this.

  • legandary_ACE

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 2:09 pm PT

    lol, i just watched a trailer for Free Realms....its reminds me of the good old PS1 days

    http://www.gametrailers.com/player/23176.html

  • legandary_ACE

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 1:56 pm PT

    well if its anything like syphon filter or metal gear then i'll check it out.

  • tbbx

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 1:55 pm PT

    I can't believe how many people are bashing micro-transactions... Have you guys ever played any games that use micro-transactions instead of a monthly fee? I would guess most if not all of the bashers haven't because it doesn't really give that great of an advantage. I mean look at games like Rakion, Ran Online, Albatross 18 and etc... It works great for them and there are usually items or equipment that are almost identical to items you can buy with money through normal quests or just the in game money. So people stop bashing until you actually see how it works...

  • Merikov

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 8:53 pm PT

    So, yea.. I think I'll be overlooking these titles...

  • cupsta

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 5:15 am PT

    It kills me to hear 360 guys talk about sony milking some one of their money lol. You paid $100 more on your console than the cheaper 360 to be able to play online with out a memory card, you pay $50 a year to play online each month. You paid prolly $100 less for your 360 than a ps3 but no HD player, that was a steal huh. Anyone upgrading your 360 hard drive? If so enjoy that $100 40g hdd even if thats what it is lol. Oh yea that is a nice $100 or so dollar steering wheel also you got from MS. Man alot of $100's being thrown around, oh while I'm at it let me get myself a $179 hd dvd addon to lay beside my console. But yea you saved on the cheaper console and don't get money sucked from you with the 360, keep up the great posts. lol

  • reverendyates

    Posted Aug 29, 2007 2:55 pm PT

    I gaurantee you will be spending more on micro transactions than you would have on a subscription. $40 for a pair of virtual pants? Screw that.

  • enciem

    Posted Aug 29, 2007 1:35 pm PT

    Ooh, I've got an idea. I can go on holiday to China or something and get a paid(ish) job for playing the game characters to the highest level so they can be sold on e-bay. Maybe I'll be able to make enough money after a few years to buy a ticket home. Bring on subscription games, down with micro-transactions. Good point though 10054254, social divides are for the real world, leave games alone, there escapism

  • 10054254

    Posted Aug 29, 2007 4:40 am PT

    I wonder if we petition against things like this would it help? I mean why not release GTA IV with no speach,only 1 weapon, 2 cars and 1 character model. then ask us to buy the bits we want. If your going on a quest but havnt paid £10 for the new armour you cant go cause you will get owned. So in order to not be 'the poor kid' you have to spend spend spend. soon there will be social divides with 'the rich kids' horse riding through lush valleys while plebs like us dont want to spend £50 to get a nice horse, or access to nice areas. We're taking the train...reading all the ads telling us to watch NBC at 9. Seems like making this game more like real life is taking away from the fact that...Its still a game. its not real life. If your life sucks because you dont earn enough money then playing this game will make you feel the same way.

  • KabutoHunter

    Posted Aug 28, 2007 11:53 pm PT

    Well I'm all for no subscription fees. I don't like getting tied to something and feeling like I NEED to play it just because I'm paying for it anyway. Sometimes I play a lot, and sometimes I might go a month or more without doing anything if other things come up. Subscriptions have never appealed to me for that reason.

    This game already sounds good to me :-)

  • enciem

    Posted Aug 28, 2007 1:29 pm PT

    Paying for stuff that should be shipped with the game? Accepting that something should be subscribed to? Isn't £50 enough to play a game, a full game with all the features pre-installed and earnt? We haven't just fallen for micro-transactions we've fallen for paying through the nose long after a game should have been replaced with another one, all for another level up

  • hector131

    Posted Aug 28, 2007 11:25 am PT

    Um, people with more money just buy their stuff from gold farmers anyway in WOW or whatever, I think 'legitimizing' it by taking back the profits themselves is a good move by Sony. Complaining that its not fair is really naive, its already happening people.

  • Tenraimaru

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 11:08 pm PT

    People need to quit whining about the Microtransactions. "where the person who spends the most gets the most." Do you live in a box or have you not noticed thats life.

  • Romanticide

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 9:31 am PT

    lol, this is just Sony brainwashing idiots again. Instead of paying a nice fixed fee and playing the game, you have to keep coughing up to get anywhere which will more than likely be actually be more expensive than a monthly fee.

  • kazanator

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 5:25 am PT

    I think microtransactions are a good thing, there are a lot of mmos out there with no monthly fees and microtransactions, just to name a few maple story, Guild wars is completely free anyway, Runescape(sucks), Dragon Quest (sucks) and more, that free realm thing looks better though
    (360 sucks)

  • KingOfTheNubeis

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 1:42 am PT

    Great !! It's not how skillfull you are or how you play the game.
    IT 'S HOW MUCH MONEY YOU COUGH UP TO UNCLE SONY!!
    Sony take for granted their customer base,they are not there as customers that deserve good content.
    They are beasts of burden,to be milked of everypenny because Sony is the only game in town.When the PS1 was facing Nintendo and Sega do you think they would be acting like this?
    They have forgotten ALL ABOUT GAMES & VALUE.
    Well the games Arn't here,there's hardly any games.And most of them you can get on the 360.And when you compare them,they look the SAME!.My m8s shop is selling the 360 Elite for 285, normal 360's for 255 with a pile of games.The PS3's 399.He stopped ordering PS3's.
    Since he got the Elites and MS are doing cheaper package deals of the normal 360 ihe just can't shift them.What have Sony done..NOTHING!
    MS havn't even put the "screws" on yet and Sony are dying out there.
    Great machine priced and marketed by Greedy slow moving inflexible donkeys.

  • TriangleHard

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 1:05 am PT

    If Sony doesn't give this game monthly fee, I'm sold. I'll be getting this game 100%

  • ctg867

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 5:16 pm PT

    As long as they do this correctly, then it works. ie: premium content will give you cosmetic add ins, and access to extra areas. Now if you explore those extra areas, then you get an advantage, but the guy who doesn't pay for premium content, can just go do another quest that is good, but not quite as good as the premium content, and it will give him an advantage, but not quite as much as the premium content will give him.

    Will it help you to have premium content? Yes. Will it kill you not to have premium content? No. Don't sell anything that directly makes your character better, like in the example of an MMO like WoW, extra weapons and armor. But do sell areas, that if the character competes, they will get extra advantages, but to compete with that, anybody else can go to another area. Like I said, it's a minor advantage, and it works better.

    If not, you gotta make it subscription based, but a hell of a lot cheaper. You can rightfully charge for an MMO on the PS3, you don't pay for use of the PSN like you do on the 360, which it isn't isn't right to charge a monthly fee, or at the very least, as much as they are charging for now, since you already pay for XBL as is (which IMO is overpriced). Something like $5 a month would be sufficien for The Agency if need be.

  • playa42018

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 1:24 pm PT

    chaosgod: What if a player from The Agency wants to spend $400 on premium content? That means that everyone else who DOESN'T spend $400 on premium content will be at a disadvantage in comparison. It's nice to have that option to buy what you want with Microtransactions, but it's inherently unfair because there will be always people who will try to buy themselves an advantage, thus setting a new standard and raising the total amount you have to spend to stay competitive. Where as with a game like WoW, you know what you're getting and you know what everyone else is getting and it's a completely level playing field. You pay a flat fee and you can adjust your budget accordingly and not have to worry about buying "premium content."

  • marco0798

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 1:11 pm PT

    on a side note Some_One_Plays if your seriously waiting for this "spy" MMORPG ur wasting your time you wonna play something brilliant go out anf get WoW, Lineage or City of Heroes because i will guarantee you right now this game wont be half as good as any of those.
    if you want something on a grander scale then wait for Star Trek Online that is probably going to be the LARGEST game ever made.

  • marco0798

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 1:05 pm PT

    This is what i have come to expect from SONY. Well thought out money making schemes. This is complete rubbish who on earth is going to play a game were the richest person who plays has the best character seriously. SONY needs to shutdown its gaming industry and han d it over to Microsoft or Nintendo.

  • alberto2045

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 12:56 pm PT

    . "We do believe that if you allow people to play for free, in many cases they will choose to spend more than you would think so," summarized Smedley. very true thats what they have to do cause people are going to want more so that is a good idea I hope it comes out soon

  • Eclipse_ShinRa

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 10:33 am PT

    It has to be free, who pay for it? SOE let me down with this title. I'll stick with the better titles.. Like EQ2, PS etc..

  • Sigil-otaku

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 9:52 am PT

    I also agree with Grimbee because this way they get more people into the game and then can have them feel like they can pay into the game at there leisure so they end up having more people paying. I wouldn't normally believe Sony to be underhanded (I know they are liers but not crooks) but they also brought out that credit card and credit cards are misused by many and eventually wind them into debt.

  • Sigil-otaku

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 9:47 am PT

    My opinion is that micro transactions suck, they simply suck if used as Sony is planning (restricting players from areas and the better items and weapons) becasue it forces people to pay just to keep up (which is annoying for competitive gamers who will feel the burn. And it promotes paying for content because those who pay more get more. Subcriptions also suck, paying on a monthly basis means regardless of whether you use the service as much as other gamers you will still be paying the same amount and can be billed on pre paid months that you may not play the game in. It also encourages more play to make sure your getting your money's worth which gets people ever increasingly more into the game making them want to pay for another month otherwise the previous payments will seem like a waste if you just give up on the game.

    The best method of payment is either none, or pay as you play. Neither are as profitable for companies so they won't do it.

  • Some_One_Plays

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 9:38 am PT

    I like this idea because I never played an MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game). That is because of the subscription fees so now I'll be playing one on a console for free which is pretty nice. So I'll be playing for free and I can choose to pay for things if I want to or not.

    Subscriptions vs. Micro-Transactions (Link / HTML):
    http://relmstein.blogspot.com/2006/09/micro-transactions-vs-subscription.html

  • GrimBee

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 6:38 am PT

    Of course Sony want microtransactions - that way they can earn more cash.

    Imagine this - Gamespot charges you like £20 a year for a traditional subscription. - Alot of people who don't have that £20 at hand would have to opt out.

    But the way sony think are "if they can't afford it in one lump, we just move it down a scale - periodically".

    Subscriptions are ALWAYS cheaper than microtransactions because the companies make more profits from larger sums in one go.

    What may SEEM cheaper in microtransactions - when you add it all up next to a subscription, it will end up being much more expensive. And this is what Sony are up to. Its not making it more convenient, its making services avaliable to people without lump sums, but then asking them to pay MORE for the same usage as a subscription.

    It is good to have options to pay, but if you use the service all the time and intend to - I hope they have a rock-solid subscription aswell. There is nothing better than to realise that its all been paid for - no problems, no late fees etc.

    XBOX live was dead easy to pay for, I just signed up and that was that. Everything else was included (except online games and things) but those come out of a seperate bill, via microsoft points.

    I wouldn't like for services and things to be lumped into one microtransaction - the end cost would be massive.

    With xbox live, I know if I got £5 in the bank, that covers me for a month. And if I get the camera with a years subscription - I just have to get cash to buy games and things.

    My worry about Sony is that you will be in there for free, initially, but then you will start to see more and more microtransaction icons appear. Its better for everyone to subscribe, imo, because at least you know you are going to have a great time - without fear of "hidden" costs and things like that.

    WoW is great, you pay the subscription and everything is there - but if Sony's idea is to offer it for free - and then you can only enter certain areas or homes or get certain items through these "microtransactions", this can be very frustrating for gamers.

    Kinda like a fighting game - if the secret characters of tekken had dollar signs over them - you would probably not even bother exploring what the game has to offer, for fear of getting to a microtransaction dead-end.

  • Blackjack141

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 5:15 am PT

    whoooo yea go sony

  • atlessky

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 4:48 am PT

    Sony is making the business now

  • NinjaMunkey01

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 1:47 am PT

    It is good that we will be able to play mmo's online for free but the micro transactions means that people wil be able to buy their way into being good at the game. I know sony are only trying to help and make things more accessible to all people but if you have to buy wepons then peole could get an advantage from the start. they should just sell clothing and things that will not enhance your character too much.

  • Serious

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 5:36 pm PT

    This is way I like Sony so much. its not about the money as its about customer satisfaction. Free online support helps make up for other cost. We aren't made of money and Sony seems to get that.

  • gatsbythepig

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 5:33 pm PT

    Sweetness, sounds great.

  • onlineps2player

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 1:40 pm PT

    yeah great !!!

  • ForestMagic

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 1:34 pm PT

    personally i hate the subscription model. I work like 70 hour weeks and i like to play multiple games. chances are I'm only going to play a certain game, unless m really loving it, for 6 hours every month. That is simply not worth a subscription fee. I like the idea of micro transactions. i just have 1 hang up about them. i want all the available items that can be bought and paid for through micro transactions to be superflux items. Meaning i don't want someone to be able to purchase the best weapon in the game or more health or speed right from the start. But if they want to pay for something like removing adds or more costumes or character models I'm completely okay with that. Its then my choice whether i want to pay for those things or not and id really prefer it that way than to a monthly subscription fee. The only time i disagree with micro transactions is when the items that can be purchased give your character a definitive edge over other players. When items or abilitites like that are available for purchase is when i think micro transactions are going in the wrong direction. Otherwise i prefer that setup, and i do believe it is the future of MMO's.

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 9:58 am PT

    Yay! Free for everyone!

  • SetsuOkun

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 8:56 am PT

    well just make the commercials in the game IN the game. i mean i don't want to see a jeep on the wall the side of a castle with ppl on horses passing by.
    just make it funny:" jeep "with a slogan but a chariot and a horse insted of a 4wd. if you want to advertise a rasor just make it a dagger with the brand and a fun slogan. better than your nowadays rasors in a fantasy universe.

  • SqrLPeINgFrmTrE

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 5:38 am PT

    i am no child, but think of a mother or father asking their kid "how'd you spend so much?" kids know no control. for parents, its more controlable with a set monthly fee. I cannot see microtransactions being the future of MMOs.

  • choasgod

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 5:16 am PT

    ... geez ... Why is it people acually are attacking SONY ?? THERE MAKING A MMO WITHOUT A SUBSCRIPTION FEE ... lets compare the agency to WoW on 360 ... play both for a year and WoW is gonna cost you like $300 ... and don't forget the extra $40 for an expansion pack ... $340 ... Play the agency for a year and you only pay for premium content that you want -- like certain quests and remove advertisments ... if you wanted to spend $340 on the agency i guess you could but chances are that won't spend even close to that ...

  • PacoL250

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 11:27 pm PT

    Even though I've got an Xbox 360 and have had Xbox Live since it was out on the Xbox, I don't like the recent trend of micro-transactions. It's essentially what playa42018 said: whoever spends the most, gets the most.

    I can understand paying for an entire expansion pack or something, but for content that many people might want, just make it free or if you have to charge, don't charge an arm and a leg (ahem, Guitar Hero II...Activision, I'm talking to you).

    As for a subscription, it really depends upon what I'm really paying for. Honestly, if I didn't play at least the few times a month I play on XBL, I think I would downgrade down to the free Silver membership instead.

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