Thanks for this site!

[Pulsifer]

Hi,

I just wanted to thank you guys for the continued interest in our work and the passion you have for talking/fighting/ranting/laughing/crying about it. It's the reason I get out of bed in the morning. :)

I'm sorry I haven't been posted anything here yet...I had sworn off forum posting for a long time (time seems to slip away at a frightening rate when I let myself get sucked into these things), but now that the Agency is in full development I'll try and peek my head in every now and then to answer what I'm able and sound off on random stuff.

That and Matt Wilson just smacked me in the back of the head and reminded me to post here. :)

Oh yeah...I also greatly apologize for the quality of my rambles for the multi-part interview Mr. G will be posting. The effort required to transcribe my ramblings is nothing short of herculean and I salute you, sir. That and I never realized how often I say the words "So" and "what's exciting is". Sheesh...I promise I'll try not to subject you to that kind of unfiltered crazy mile-a-minute spew again, JG.

Once again...thanks..and for posterity's sake I'll leave my old avatar up until I get a custom one put together.

[JonnyG]

Hail the mighty Pulsifier. Folks please welcome Hal Milton, Lead Designer, The Agency.

Thanks for the salute. As to the quality, I thought it was great stuff. We got more information in that hour than we've heard in a year. ;) Just wait till you see the rest of it folks, really great stuff. This game is going to rock.

I'm willing to be up to the challenge any time Hal. I've almost got my transcribe skill ranked up as high as it will go. :) Let me know when you want to go at it again, I need the practice, as the transcribe skill is use based. And I've come up with a ton of follow up questions, you can count on getting peppered at Fan Faire.

Now where is part 2 of the interview? I've got fans clamoring. ;)

[Pulsifer]

It should be on its way.

I finally got free from my eleventy million tasks to take a look and clean up some of the "So"s I apparently start every sentence with. So, (doh!) hopefully the Operatives stuff I blather on about makes sense to folks. It's a really neat component of the game that will offer some nifty interactions over time. Yes, I just used both neat and nifty in the same sentence. :)

[Leoghan]

If you guys didn't get out of bed in the morning to make these games we wouldn't have anything to talk/fight/rant/laugh/cry about. It's a chicken and an egg thing.

Glad you stopped by and we're all looking forward to more info, and of course beta ;-)

[JonnyG]

Now I apologize, I know it's a Friday and all. But you did open yourself up to this, and I wouldn't be called the Info Fiend if I didn't try. :)

Speaking of operatives, we've got a couple threads going Working while you sleep (http://forums.massivehq.com/showthread.php?t=3330) and Living Loot (http://forums.massivehq.com/showthread.php?t=3325). Any comments on what we're discussing? Are we close? ;)

I've assigned a couple operatives to watch over your HQ. So if you hear any funny noises in the night, you might not want to dig too deep. Unfortunately, one of them goes by Butterfingers, so he might not be the stealthiest of operatives.

[JonnyG]

So, (doh!) hopefully the Operatives stuff I blather on about makes sense to folks. It's a really neat component of the game that will offer some nifty interactions over time. Yes, I just used both neat and nifty in the same sentence. :)

I'm in 100% agreement on the operatives being one of the coolest parts of the game, I'd go beyond neat and nifty. How about awesome and innovative? I like the sound of that. Maybe I should go into marketing. ;)

[Reilly]

Ramble away, we're all happy to decode it ourselves later. We'll do that anyway, editing or no. The game sounds amazing. Lots of interesting games are on the way to PS3, but this the one I'm the most excited about. Any Home/PSP/Sixaxis implementation info would be sweeeeeeeeeet. On an ironic side note, it's amusing (sorta) that I can't look at The Agency teaser site on my PS3 web browser.B-)

[Wannabe God]

Hi,

I just wanted to thank you guys for the continued interest in our work and the passion you have for talking/fighting/ranting/laughing/crying about it. It's the reason I get out of bed in the morning. :)

Your very welcome. Your passion for the game is one of the driving forces behind why I think the game is going to be awesome with a capital A! I'm glad that you're posting again, now we can pester you with questions. ;)

Let's see, here's a question I raised (http://forums.massivehq.com/showthread.php?p=32283#post32283)a couple days ago:Another big question on operatives is how does the mission assignment screens work. We've got this screenshot (http://theagency.massivehq.com/gallery/operatives/imgsnap_00182) which gives us some idea of the interface. But I really want to know more, how will I know what operative missions are available? How dangerous are they? Are my operatives able to handle them? I'd hate to send one out if they are going to die for sure.

How will assignments work? Will we know the chance of an operative being successful in a mission? What are the consequences for an operative failing?

[Wannabe God]

Thanks for the salute. As to the quality, I thought it was great stuff. We got more information in that hour than we've heard in a year. ;) Just wait till you see the rest of it folks, really great stuff. This game is going to rock.

I'm willing to be up to the challenge any time Hal. I've almost got my transcribe skill ranked up as high as it will go. Let me know when you want to go at it again, I need the practice, as the transcribe skill is use based. And I've come up with a ton of follow up questions, you can count on getting peppered at Fan Faire.

Don't let it go to your head fanboi! It's already big enough. Some of us have lives and aren't able to dedicate the time into raising our transcribing skill. But I've got my aiming skill ranked up, so that big head of yours will make a mighty fine target.

[JonnyG]

Wow, great questions Wannabe. As to my head getting larger, I'm not sure we've seen the avatar creation enough to know whether we can make larger or smaller heads. If they allow that I bet everyone will have really small heads. Remember heads are a target in the game. ;)

Another great question was raised (http://forums.massivehq.com/showthread.php?p=32215#post32215) by Reilly the other day.Blast... Can't avoid buying an iphone much longer. One thing I'm wondering about - Can operatives be used by all members of a group during a mission or can they be used only by the agent who initiated the group? I've seen references to operatives working together within joint agencies, but not the temporary group. I'm guessing that the group leader willl be the only one with operative access, but it would be nice to have multiple hackers working on the security of that secret base you need to infiltrate.
I think everyone will have control of their own operatives. But it would be nice to know for sure how this will work.

Pulsifer??? I probably shouldn't ask, but where did you come up with that handle?

Thanks again for stopping by.

[Corey Dangel]

I'll just pop in quickly here. Operatives is also one of my favorite aspects of this game. Dont' tell Matt (oh crap this is out loud, huh?). Well nevermind...Guess what everyone. My Name is Corey Dangel and I'm and OPERATIVES ADDICT <hi Corey> Hi Everyone.

Yup. If there was only one thing I could work on for the next 6 months it would be operatives. Seriously. I wish I could say more right now.

Just as a headsup concerning UI mockups you see: Please understand that things in development change...like, lots. While that interface represented a really fun application of Operatives it is undergoing some alteration at the moment.

<migrating to a thread RE: operatives>

[JonnyG]

I'll just pop in quickly here. Operatives is also one of my favorite aspects of this game. Dont' tell Matt (oh crap this is out loud, huh?). Well nevermind...Guess what everyone. My Name is Corey Dangel and I'm and OPERATIVES ADDICT <hi Corey> Hi Everyone.Hi Corey, my name is Jon and I too am addicted to operatives.
Yup. If there was only one thing I could work on for the next 6 months it would be operatives. Seriously. I wish I could say more right now.

Just as a headsup concerning UI mockups you see: Please understand that things in development change...like, lots. While that interface represented a really fun application of Operatives it is undergoing some alteration at the moment. Operatives are so cool man, I want to know more. I understand that most everything I've put up is old, it's been over a year since you guys posted new stuff. :) Minus the 5 pics for CES. I'm sure that a bunch of people here would volunteer to be a focus group on the new operative UI. ;)

<migrating to a thread RE: operatives>I'm going to send a few operatives on an intel gathering mission, maybe they can point me to this thread.

[JonnyG]

...it's been over a year since you guys posted new stuff. :) Minus the 5 pics for CES.

Damn, I sound like a whiner, seems like I bring it up in every post. I'm going to have to take a positive spin, just want more info....</me slaps JonnyG>...have to be patient....argh....being an info hound is hard.

[Moloch]

I just wanted to thank you guys for the continued interest in our work and the passion you have for talking/fighting/ranting/laughing/crying about it. It's the reason I get out of bed in the morning. :)

<shrug> You guys were great in Mythica, involved and communicative. Makes paying attention easy.

1. Don't forget a meaningful metagame.
2. Don't forget meaningful PvP.

[Wannabe God]

I'll just pop in quickly here. Operatives is also one of my favorite aspects of this game. Dont' tell Matt (oh crap this is out loud, huh?). Well nevermind...Guess what everyone. My Name is Corey Dangel and I'm and OPERATIVES ADDICT <hi Corey> Hi Everyone.

Yup. If there was only one thing I could work on for the next 6 months it would be operatives. Seriously. I wish I could say more right now.

Just as a headsup concerning UI mockups you see: Please understand that things in development change...like, lots. While that interface represented a really fun application of Operatives it is undergoing some alteration at the moment.

<migrating to a thread RE: operatives>

Hi Corey, I'm not addicted to operatives, yet....but I hope to be. I'll need to check out this thread you migrated too.

Edit: I couldn't find this thread, did you go into stealth mode or something?

[esion]

Here ya go wannabe...there are a few on operatives, here is one:
http://forums.massivehq.com/showthread.php?t=3325

And another:
http://forums.massivehq.com/showthread.php?t=3330

There are a few since it is a big new step in mmogs...

[Agent-1]

...but now that the Agency is in full development I'll try and peek my head in every now and then to answer what I'm able and sound off on random stuff.

That and Matt Wilson just smacked me in the back of the head and reminded me to post here. :)
Wow, let's see, have to come up with a good question and try to get an answer. How about this one?

When will part 3 be available?

Okay, wasn't much of a question, especially after part 3 comes out, it will be moot. Maybe this one?

You mentioned operative skills gained when they rank up. Can you provide a few examples? And how they would be used? I'm especially interested in the crafting and intel ones, as I'm a crafter in most of these games.

[esion]

When will part 3 be available?
We are trying to keep the content coming out as quickly as possible, but the automuzzle 2000 keeps those on extremely confidential status. We will try to have it out within the next few weeks.

[JonnyG]

Damn Automuzzle, er Bustenhause. I've got a plan guys, we'll see if we can take him down.

[Agent-1]

Take him down now, we need to find out more.

[Wannabe God]

If you ask me this Bustenhause is all talk. I wouldn't plan too hard, just get more info now.

[foreversardonic]

Mister Milton,

Welcome to the board and thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to stop and visit with us. I love to see developers that are willing to discuss their creation with us players and I salute you and your team for sharing information in this forum.

Thank you!
Todd

[Bustenhause]

Damn Automuzzle, er Bustenhause. I've got a plan guys, we'll see if we can take him down.

Ha ha, Bustenhause foil plan good. Bustenhause smell foul odor, then applied fire....Booom, bye bye operative. You're puny plan not enough to get by Bustenhause!

[Bustenhause]

If you ask me this Bustenhause is all talk. I wouldn't plan too hard, just get more info now.

All talk, come here where you're little worshipers can't help you, and I'll show you some talk. I just foiled their puny little plan. Bustenhause much more than just talk.

[JonnyG]

Ha ha, Bustenhause foil plan good. Bustenhause smell foul odor, then applied fire....Booom, bye bye operative. You're puny plan not enough to get by Bustenhause!

Bustenhause, Bustenhause, you're so wrong. Leo, great job, the plan worked awesomely. You see Busty one, brains beats brawn anytime. You caught yourself a decoy, while the real intel (http://forums.massivehq.com/showthread.php?t=3503) was being gathered. It's a shame to lose another operative, but the intel was well worth the price. The good news is that Operative Breaking Wind will be forever memorialized in a new chapter in our operative handbook, titled "The Big Bang Theory - Why Not to Mix Mexican Food and Stealth Ops".

I'm off to call Breaking Wind's family now and deliver the bad news.

[RoiDvRAG3]

To the Site owner/creator I am in your Debt have been looking for a Agency site like this for a long time Thank You

[FridgeLargemeat]

C Dawg and H Diddy,

This site is the cat's meow and then some! Not to mention the game is look'n great (I'm jealous).

We seriously need to get together sometime and play a little old school guitar hero. Boston anyone? :)

P.S. Hal, please tell me your excited for this flick...
http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/second-tokyo-gore-police-trailer/

[Corey Dangel]

I have more than a feeling that could happen (Y)

[esion]

To the Site owner/creator I am in your Debt have been looking for a Agency site like this for a long time Thank You
Yes, I think everyone here thanks Scout for hosting this wonderful site, and JG for all the dedicated time spent to putting everything together...

[Leoghan]

I have more than a feeling that could happen (Y)

Oh that's just, bad, bad humor! It still made me laugh :$

[RoiDvRAG3]

I have more than a feeling that could happen (Y)

is that a threat?

[Corey Dangel]

Sorry Leoghan, I couldn't help myself.

Threat? Naw...I PROMISE that I'll play Guitar Hero and RockBand...many times :-)

[RoiDvRAG3]

Wanna trade , you do that and Ill beta test The Agency instead of waiting til October

[Leoghan]

Sorry Leoghan, I couldn't help myself.

Threat? Naw...I PROMISE that I'll play Guitar Hero and RockBand...many times :-)

Like I said it did make me laugh. :P

[RoiDvRAG3]

Hahahaha wait why the hell am i laughing? i mustve missed somthing

[Agent-1]

Bustenhause, Bustenhause, you're so wrong. Leo, great job, the plan worked awesomely. You see Busty one, brains beats brawn anytime. You caught yourself a decoy, while the real intel (http://forums.massivehq.com/showthread.php?t=3503) was being gathered. It's a shame to lose another operative, but the intel was well worth the price. The good news is that Operative Breaking Wind will be forever memorialized in a new chapter in our operative handbook, titled "The Big Bang Theory - Why Not to Mix Mexican Food and Stealth Ops".

I'm off to call Breaking Wind's family now and deliver the bad news.
I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. Keep foiling the Busty one, we need more information on this game. I will be forever in Breaking Winds debt for his sacrifice. Let's hope you have more operatives like him, as I feel that the information gathering war is far from over. I wonder what other chapters will be written.