Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) pits spy-vs.-spy in its upcoming massively-multiplayer online (MMO) game The Agency. By trading in swords and spells for high-tech gear and hacking skills, players have a chance to become a secret agent in a high action thriller.

Set in the modern day, players select from one of two intelligence agencies to work for. The first, UNITE, specializes in being discreet and embodies all the classiness of a classic Bond flick. The rival company, ParaGON, act more like mercenaries. They jump in, guns blazing and ask questions if someone is left standing. Agents from both organizations jet across the world to exotic locals, ranging from the streets of Europe to the jungles of South America. In between stealing information, performing acts of sabotage against rivals and carrying out assassination orders, players can become high-rollers at exclusive casinos. There, they can face-off against other players or find jobs from the clientele.

The Agency takes a fresh approach toward MMO games in numerous ways. First, it eliminates the traditional class system. Agents don't fall into a specific category. Instead, their clothes define them. Apparel enhances combat skills, and gamers strengthen it with additional equipment. Different outfits can upgrade healing, hacking or stealth capabilities, and disguises or street outfits help gamers blend in with crowds. But choosing the right suit won't end with running jobs. Leveling up characters allow players access to better social outfits like tuxedoes and evening gowns, letting them in to more exclusive clubs and casinos (no one gets in wearing off-the-wrack clothes), where they can meet up with hard-to-reach clients for high-paying jobs and information.

Ultimately, players must work toward building up enough funds and resources to establish their own intelligence group. The Agency won't provide players with "loot" in the traditional sense. Every job has a long-term purpose. Human resources, otherwise known as "living loot" helps research and build tech toys. Stealing schematics for a prototype gadget will lead to another weapon in a player's arsenal. Game life then bleeds over to real life, as the game sends a text message to the player's phone, informing him or her of when car upgrades are complete. Alternatively, non-player agents can gather up intelligence for upcoming missions, giving operatives an advantage while out in the field. Additionally, non-player operatives can hack into systems in the background, retrieving building schematics or opening locked doors for players.

The Agency looks a lot like an online shooter, where secret agents engage in shootouts that can include PvP (Player vs. Player) action. However, this won't be a run-of-the-mill blast fest. Spies will need brains to go along with firepower, and an interactive environment will work toward achieving "Agency Moments," where players get to perform special movie like stunts. This was illustrated by a couple of agents who jumped onto a merry-go-round and spun around, shooting oncoming thugs. The developers also promise a living, persistent world where conditions may change each time a player logs in. Missions will come in a broad range, including uneasy truces with non-player agencies to achieving goals while other players run a counter-intelligence version of the same mission.

In addition, the game includes a multitude of mini games that tie into the main story. The "living loot" aspect amounts to a strategy card game that players use to get ahead on their missions. Meanwhile, fully playable Q*bert cabinets may require players to hit a high score to unlock more content. Furthermore, there will be plenty of quick ten-minute missions for players to jump into if they need a fast dose of international espionage.

SOE imagines The Agency as a turning point for MMOs, and may introduce several options , including free-to-play areas with special content for paying subscribers. The developers will explore different possibilities, including billboards (which go away with paid subscription) to decorate the urban scenery. Additionally, there will be extra emphasis on micro transactions, so players can use real world money to purchase outfits or equipment for their characters.

Currently in development for the PC and PlayStation 3, The Agency hopes to reinvent different aspects of MMOs and break away from the traditional fantasy model (World of Warcraft) that dominates the genre. Look for it later this year.