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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Sony Aims to Power Up Online Gaming

Games developer seeks to reach new markets with innovative scenarios

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(Newser) – Sony is seeking to boost online gaming to the next level with a pair of new adventures in the pipeline. The company's 1999 EverQuest was the first massive online game to rocket to popularity, but rivals like World of Warcraft have since taken the lead. With spy shooter game The Agency and the tweener-targeting Free Realms, Sony hopes to get back on top.

"For the past nine years, it’s been the same formula—basically, kill stuff," said the president of Sony Online, who insists the gaming world is due for a shakeup. "If we’re going to expand the audience to one that’s a lot broader, both in age range and sex, we’re going to need to reinvent."

Sony's EverQuest was the MMORPG to make it big but rivals like World of Warcraft have moved way ahead of it in recent years.
Sony's EverQuest was the MMORPG to make it big but rivals like World of Warcraft have moved way ahead of it in recent years.   ((c) gruntzooki)
A character from hotly-anticipated new Sony game
A character from hotly-anticipated new Sony game "The Agency," due out sometime next year.   (PSNbadman1)
Sony Online is planning new releases to broaden the market for online roleplaying games.
Sony Online is planning new releases to broaden the market for online roleplaying games.   ((c) pinguino)
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Trailer for Sony's "The Agency."   (machinima)

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