During a talk at the Game Developers Conference today in San Francisco, John Smedley, Sony Online Entertainment president, revealed that Sony MMOs The Agency and DC Universe Online are expected to be ready sometime in 2010.

DC Universe Online, a super-heroic MMO featuring comic company DC's characters, is being developed by Sony Online's Austin studio. Its aim is to create a more interactive MMO while still keeping traditional MMO tropes like leveling and inventories in place.

The Agency is based on gunplay. From early descriptions, it sounds like a massive-multiplayer online shooter, as much as an RPG. Players will battle it out with bullets, but also drive around in cars and take part in more traditional RPG style missions, too. Different gear will allow players to change "classes" -- basically going from a DPS machine to a tank, for example.

Reportedly, both of these game are coming out on the PlayStation 3 and the PC.

You have to appreciate what Sony is trying to do with these two games. Here are two high-profile MMOs coming out. Neither one has magical elves, swords or wizards casting spells. That's refreshing, for sure. But the question is: Can it work? While competing on a level playing field with World of Warcraft would likely lead to failure, Sony is banking on gamers being able to look past the way MMOs are usually played and try something new.

Of the two, I'm more interested in The Agency. No doubt, I will have my head shot off repeatedly. Stilll, the idea of living the clandestine life of an international spy is very appealing. Am I going to see any of you guys in either game?

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