Following the success of the
EverQuest series of massively multiplayer online games, Sony Online
Entertainment is now working on an action MMO and will show the game
off at E3, according to SOE president John Smedley.
Speaking to
CNN Money, Smedley confirmed that the title will feature modern-day
weaponry and said he's hopeful that it'll do better than PlanetSide,
SOE's 2003 MMOFPS.
"We know what we're doing now and we're going to take it to the next level," he said.
He also hinted that an online strategy game is on the way too, despite the failure of previous effort Sovereign.
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"We're always looking for the right idea and we didn't have it [with Sovereign]," he said.
"We
will be in the strategy market. It's just a matter of timing. We'll get
it eventually. ... Our goal is to be the dominant player in every major
genre."
According to the CNN report, SOE is also working on a
sequel to PSP hack 'n' slasher Untold Legends that will feature online
play using the handheld's internet capabilities. Untold Legends was the
best-selling PSP launch title in North America, according to retailers
GameStop and Electronics Boutique.
Smedley also said that SOE
is negotiating with wireless providers to let PSP owners make use of
the internet Hot Spots you find in airports, posh cafés and the like.
What's more, you'll be able to log on for free, and without having to
bother with a username or password.
The catch is that the
wireless provider gets advertising space in return - possibly on a
loading screen, or perhaps within the game itself. The deal is still
being knocked into shape but Smedley says it's "about 70 per cent of
the way there."
This isn't the first time SOE has considered
advertising in games - they're currently trialling a new EverQuest II
feature which allows players to order a real life pizza from within the
game.
Smedley says Pizza Hut is very happy with the results of
the trial and wants to continue, and now other pizzamongers are trying
to get a slice of the action. Other deals along the same lines are
currently under consideration, but Smedley's all about making sure
players are happy first and foremost.
"The important thing to
me is that the users get a deep discount," he said (deep pan, surely?
Sorry). "We don't want to spam the users. I want this to be something
they see as a benefit."
SOE has recently come under fire from
some fellow MMORPG developers and about a million billion gamers for
plans to launch StationExchange, its new eBay-style auction site that
allows EverQuest II players to buy and sell in-game items for proper
money. You can read all about it here.