Key SOE Seattle Staff Form Social Gaming Studio Detonator Games

Three key staffers from Sony Online Entertainment Seattle, the studio behind the upcoming spy MMO The Agency, left SOE to form the social and mobile game studio Detonator Games. The company formed on July 4, 2009, according to Detonator's website. Matt Wilson, former director of development at SOE Seattle, is Detonator's creative director. He was also often the face of The Agency, speaking with the media and the gaming community about the game's progress. Detonator co-founder and art director Corey Dangel was also the art director for The Agency. John Smith, former senior producer and technical director at SOE Seattle, is now Detonator's technical director. Wilson and Smith founded Seattle-based FireAnt, whose team SOE acquired 2005 to form SOE Seattle. Wilson confirmed with website Eurogamer that he and Dangel no longer work for SOE. "There were a variety of factors into making this decision, but we wish SOE and The Agency the best success," he said. As for the future of The Agency, SOE denied rumors that the game would undergo an extensive reboot in the wake of the departures. "The Agency is not undergoing a reboot of any sorts - that is incorrect," a rep told Eurogamer, adding that development on the game is continuing normally. The Agency is slated for a 2010 release, and is in development for PC and PlayStation 3.