Sony axes MMO, The Agency

PlayStation 3 and PC MMO cancelled as Sony Online Entertainment closes three studios.

Originally planned for release some time this year, Sony has announced that The Agency has been cut from its plans. As a result of the cancellation, studios in Tucson, Denver and Seattle have been closed which has resulted in 205 job losses. The employees that remain will be shifted over to the EverQuest and Planetside teams.

A statement released by Sony on the issue reads:

'As part of a strategic decision to reduce costs and streamline its global workforce, SOE announced today that it will eliminate 205 positions and close its Denver, Seattle and Tucson studios.

'As part of this restructuring, SOE is discontinuing production of The Agency so it can focus development resources on delivering two new MMOs based on its renowned PlanetSide and EverQuest properties, while also maintaining its current portfolio of online games. All possible steps are being taken to ensure team members affected by the transition are treated with appropriate concern. 

'This strategic decision will have no impact on SOE's current portfolio of live games; additionally SOE will transition development efforts for the Denver and Tucson studios' suite of products to its San Diego headquarters.

'This strategic alignment of development resources better positions SOE to remain a global leader in online gaming and deliver on its promise of creating entertaining games for players of all ages, and servicing the 20 million players that visited SOE servers in just the past year.'

The Agency is no more.