I've never been sure about this game.. the "not bad for an MMO" excuse doesn't really go over well with me either, considering it's still essentially an FPS running on Unreal Technology. I think "The Agency" has a greater chance of taking this concept somewhere that's worth playing.

That's assuming it's structured like a typical MMO.. so far it just looks like an online shooter, and everything is instanced. Even though it technically looks no better, I think The Agency has a lot more visual appeal just because the art direction is loads better.

Are you thinking of The Crossing? Here's the old 1up/GFW preview. I'm not sure it's really persistent in the MMO sense of that word, but it does sound pretty interesting. You're right though, totally fell off the radar. I guess Valve is too busy pushing Left 4 Dead for now.. which hopefully shows up before The Crossing.

The Agency looks more like Huxley, in a way.. and I think it's going to be more interesting too. Hard for me to believe I'm pimping an SOE game, but I think it looks cool.

Being that taste in art is subjective, I'm pretty sure that goes without saying, so I'll continue not to say it.

I think delays have killed this game. A year ago, the premise of 60v60 battlegrounds, and massive PvE content in a "persistent world" (as persistent as worlds get now--which is a damn lie anyway) would have been really appealing.. but now we're looking at a game that has no definitive release window, and the features it's promising look less and less impressive as time moves on.

5000 player servers, RPG elements that progress your character forward, massive PVE battles and a 120 player cap for PVP battles. Some appealing stuff, but it all has to come together into one comprehensive package and I just don't think Webzen can pull it all together.. plus the promise of a monthly fee (not confirmed, but likely).. and you've got a game that may wind up just falling through the cracks.

The story, factions, etc.. just don't seem that interesting to me either. The idea of a Spy vs. Mercs MMO action game seems like it has a lot more.. direction, and potential. XBL subscribers will have better first person experiences on their hands this year, with even more heading our way in early '08. Plenty of those games will be compelling compeditive games. Sure, not MMOFPS, but will that really sell against tough MP competition? I think Huxley missed it's chance at success personally.The PC version is going to come out first, if the official site is to believed--and that's still no where in sight. I wouldn't be surprised if the early problems with UE3 effected the development of this game greatly, which is of course going to have an even greater impact on the more ambitious projects out there, regardless of the talent behind them..

As for the visuals, I still think it looks like an ugly UT clone.

That's a big if.Quick to blame Epic, as usual. Lots of ifs and maybes. Maybe Webzen isn't up to the job, just like SK!

I'm sure UE3 has had something to do with the delay.. I'm just still not sure Webzen is up to the task anyway. I actually already posted something along the same lines--I'm sure the troubles with UE have effected this games development. I just wouldn't blame everything on that one issue either.