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GC '07: Sony wants free play for Agency

By Emma Boyes, GameSpot UKPosted Aug 23, 2007 11:39 am PT

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

  • thninja

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 5:42 pm PT

    "Sony is merely considering trying to do what Nexon already has: build and maintain a successful MMO while funding it through microtransactions rather than subscription fees. Maybe it'll work, maybe it won't. Good luck, guys."

    Nexon, Maple Story in particular, is the first thing that came to mind when i read "micro-transactions." It works very well for them, and they're a much lesser company, so why not Sony? I don't own a PS3, but I sympathize with their horrible debut, and hopefully the Agency can help put them back on track. MMOs have that kind of power.

  • Chaos_Bladez

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 5:44 pm PT

    Good move, even though I have no interest in the game.

  • Sonicwizard

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 5:51 pm PT

    A MMO that runs of micro-transactions is like how all Korean MMO's work, it's been done before.
    Whether or not it will work in America and Euro is still a question though.

  • miffywiffy

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 6:03 pm PT

    While this is great for some people i'd rather play for my stuff and have no problem with subscriptions as i have a job.

  • StSk8ter29

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 6:27 pm PT

    I don't like the subscription model where I have to buy new clothes and everything in micro form. I would rather just get a whole mess of new content at once, something to look forward to. Guild Wars has the subscription free system down pat, in my opinion everyone should follow them instead.

  • JustWiicredible

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 6:34 pm PT

    Love the idea of The agency. A place for all those Sydney bristows and Jack Bauers out there. Sign me up.

  • jknight5422

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 6:40 pm PT

    I have my doubts it will work. It's not really "free"...probably they have it setup such that you end up paying a large upfront cost. Namely you are having to pay for a PS3 & then the game itself ($60). If you total the cost: $500 + $60, $560 that's 37 months of quality WoW, unlimited hours upon hours for 3 years with no ads & no microtransactions.

    Once you start paying for the microtransactions, you are adding to the $560 upfront cost. With WoW, all you need is the PC you already have, download & install the client for free, hook up.

    So you might think it's "free", but believe me, they're getting their money out of ya, it's just more concealed (I'd call DISHONEST).

  • sphinx-shadow

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 6:43 pm PT

    can't wait to give this game a try i hope it is free but i will still get it anyway

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 6:51 pm PT

    whatever my cash ill do what i want

  • Einherjan

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 7:05 pm PT

    Well! Once again Sony manages to destroy another MMO even before it hits shelves. Lets hope that Pirates of the Burning Sea can break the curse.

    I hate micro transaction games. It doesn't keep games balanced. For example if I can buy a super powered weapon at "level 15" for $2.00 that someone the same level can't get that just sucks. It's a waste of money. You could be paying more money a month than a monthly subscription game. See this is why I like World of Warcraft, it's a flat payment a month where I actually work for my reward.

  • crunchb3rry

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 7:11 pm PT

    Yeah, they tried that with Puzzle Pirates. Didn't really work. Holy #&6$, I just had a vision. Puzzle Pirates would be the freakin' ultimate on either PSN or Xbox Live!

  • Narroo

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 7:17 pm PT

    I hate subscriptions and Micro transactions.
    I'd rather pay for a game once and have to look at a Pepsi logo on a soda machine then pay to play something I bought, or the full game.

  • Ampersan5340

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 7:20 pm PT

    dounds like a great game, but do you ahev to buy things in the game like einherjan said we have to buy weapons, with actual money? that would suck

  • Wezker619

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 7:26 pm PT

    Micro transactions are way better. It worked so much for those Free MMORPG games that people come out with. Maple Story for example people buy stuff with NX Cash which is premium currency and people buy it and add cool unique stuff to their avatar. For myself I feel that Maple Story is horrible but w/e!

  • dynomitemasta

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 7:29 pm PT

    Not for nothing, but with Sony's track record with everything PS3, If they say black, I'll take white, just on principal. Micro transactions? Not sure how I feel about that. I guess I'll play the waiting game and see.

  • Law_man

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 7:37 pm PT

    sounds like an interesting game. i may have to try it out.

  • HXCDEW

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 7:59 pm PT

    Free play ftw.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 8:45 pm PT

    Looks different

  • hazuki

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 9:27 pm PT

    I do kindof like this idea. Use the free stuff the game gives you, and when you see fit when something is worth it, you buy it. Kindof like you get upto level 20 per say. You'll probably want to buy another weapon, instead of using just the games items. I find it alot better of a idea than paying every single month.

  • woofie13

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 9:28 pm PT

    I've been watching this game... I can't wait to play it... and if it's free, I'll be one happy guy.
    thanks sony, we love free stuff!

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