Interesting - I think they need to get their current products out IMO. As to a new flagship - I definitely don't think EQ3 or a Planetside. Probably an original title.

---

Interesting, very interesting. As for the game type they have dropped some hints with storyline mentioned and wanting MMO experience so we know for sure its a MMO, I would not actually count in Planetside 2 here as a contender then. I've not played it although I've heard a lot about it, but storyline doesn't seem a criteria for it, that was a game that was just dying for a better 1st person shooter engine as good as it was still.

I'd like to think they will go for EQ3 here, but that's thinking from the heart rather then the head, the only thing that makes me believe it could be is that out of that list I think it looks like only Everquest looks (to me) worthy of producing a new version since it has the following. The timing would be right though since in 3 years time when this new MMO is likely to be launched EQ1 will be looking ancient and EQ2 will certainly be looking a bit old.

One other small bit of news I saw on WoW, one of the lead designers there has left WoW for Blizzards new upcoming MMO, I'm curious too as to what that will be, my guess would be a flop though compared to WoW since I have a feeling WoW is the Harry Potter of MMO's, its good but nothing about it really seems to justify its level of success, it seems to be more of a phenomenon.

Is the Agency now vaporware? Have not seen or heard anything on this in a while. I agree they may need to go in a new direction.

I just don't know about their outlook however. If they can do no better than they did this generation with what is honestly a superior product then they may never be able to get over their poor perception as a company.

Then again, perhaps it is just the unfortunate event of releasing with the phenomenon that was and is WoW.

Just been doing some digging around the SOE main site, I didn't realise they had so many different locations. The recently deceased MxO was from their Seattle office, and coincidently they just happened to be developing and releasing the Agency from there. Its a guess but it cannot have helped having a big new title coming out of there for MxO's future.

Also looking around the offices the up coming highly anticipated MMO is coming from the Austin office currently responsible for Star Wars Galaxies. Since San Diego offices are responsible for EQ1, EQ2, Vanguard and Free realms I'm wondering if they keep genre's separate here. If so then its pointing to the new MMO being a sci-fi one.

All guesswork, but it really does seem unlikely that they would choose anywhere but the headquarters to launch some sort of EQ3 project from, long term I think the fantasy genre is where the big money is likely to be here, just because WoW is dominating it shouldn't be a reason to avoid it in my opinion. But at the same time the sci-fi side of things seems far less developed, it could be a good move there.

One other thought, Denver has Everquest 1&2, Vanguard, Freerealms and Planetside, but Planetside was missing from the games that MxO players could play for free on their station pass, if SOE were to cancel that with it being the only non sci-fi MMO at their headquarters it could be a strong possibility that the development team there move onto work for EQ3 whatever it maybe.

Any thoughts? Or am I trying to read waaay to much into things here? ;)