Spies can be anyone, anywhere, at any time, which makes them some of the most fascinating characters. Secret agents play spy games requiring evasion of detection for the success of the impossible mission. These shadow agents take dangerous risks and respond at times, with violence. The world of entertainment is replete with tales of espionage and spy craft because of these facts.
Famous fictional characters including: James Bond, Ethan Hunt, and Jason Bourne have become cinema staples, bringing audiences back every time for bigger and more high octane performances. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 is the most recent spy film to hit the box office, marking the 7th film in the franchise. Even Marvel has entered the spy arena with its most recent television release, Secret Invasion.
These protagonists have become larger than life, with an unstoppable momentum in the film world, but what about video games? What once seemed to be a popular genre of AAA titles has mostly disappeared. Many older spy shooters are considered classics, yet they seem to be dead among modern developers. Spy games need a revitalization, and there are a few franchises that could restart the conversation and get the job done.
Overview of the Spy Game Genre Then and Now
Some of the best shooters to have graced console and PC gaming existed in the spy genre. The Nintendo 64 is practically synonymous with the classic GoldenEye 007 title due to its popularity. In fact, James Bond games have always been a pillar of spy gaming with releases that would often connect to movie counterparts such as James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing and From Russia with Love. While movie connected gaming has become ancient history in many ways, it did bring exciting spy games.
Outside of Bond, gamers used to get titles like Perfect Dark, Metal Gear, Mission: Impossible, Alpha Protocol, and even 24: The Game. The list of these spy thrillers goes on, with some being better than others, but their popularity has always been present.
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Now, it is more difficult than ever to find AAA spy games in the marketplace. Of course, there are titles like Hitman, Deathloop, Assassins Creed, and Call of Duty, that pop up when you Google “spy games”, but they only contain some of the classic elements. Espionage titles have gadgets, fake identities, stealth, fast cars, explosions and more. The aforementioned titles collectively have some of those, but ultimately do not satisfy the demand. As gaming has become much more advanced and cinematic in its story telling, now more than ever is the time for spy games to return to the forefront of AAA titles.
The Current State of Known Spy Games in Development
IO Interactive, the team behind the Hitman series, appears to be the closest to returning the spy genre back to true form. The developer is currently working on what is called Project 007. The game is described as:
“…a wholly original Bond story, players will step into the shoes of the world’s favorite Secret Agent to earn their 00 status in the very first James Bond origin story.”
While this is an exciting development, it’s one of very few spy games coming soon. And even so there is no set release date as of now. There’s also a Perfect Dark remake in the works, but with so many production issues surrounding The Initiative, it could still be years away.
Given the fact these spy games could still years out, there are a few other franchises that should bring espionage to consoles and PC in the future. The first on that list is the Mission: Impossible franchise, which already graced gaming between 1990 to 2000. There were five games in total, and they received mixed to positive reviews. However, since that time there have been no new additions to the series in 23 years.
What Could Reinvigorate Spy Games in the Next Decade
Now would be the perfect time for a AAA Mission: Impossible remake to be developed with Ethan Hunt as the main character. If the games were to take inspiration from the current movies, it could have high-intensity action, with heist-like puzzles, cinematic cutscenes, and a threat relevant to today. Even if Tom Cruise did not lend his voice and likeness (which he did not in the older games), a title like this could still see monumental success if done correctly. A Mission: Impossible shooter with a dynamic story where players can trust no one, and the classic face mask disguises could be excellent.
Another franchise that should release a AAA spy title is Kingsmen. Imagine a light and fun spy game with all the gadgets and comedy from the movies. Players could navigate the world of espionage through the lens of Eggsy, or a new character, as they join Kingsmen to fight against an all too dangerous enemy. The Kingsmen franchise has tried to make spy games in the past, on iOS and Android mobile, but these were less than successful. A true cinematic blockbuster style game would make Kingsmen another great franchise to revitalize the spy genre.
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Lastly, Tom Clancy’s IP has been a key player in modern video game shooters, yet one of his greatest characters, Jack Ryan, has barely touched the surface of spy games. There have only been two side scrollers and 2002 tactical shooter to feature the titular character. A new Jack Ryan game mixing military and espionage would be an exciting title, with an edge that cannot be found in Call of Duty. The story could be something similar to the first season of the television series, where Ryan is thrust from his CIA analyst desk and pulled into espionage when needed most.
A Spy Game Revitalization Requires Willing Developers
All of these franchises have massive audiences that could transfer to the gaming market. However, they cannot be created without strong developers willing to take on the challenge. When games like the Perfect Dark remake are put in the hands of studios unequipped for the task, it can lead to disaster. This is why spy games require committed and established developers.
So, video game developers of the world, your mission should you choose to accept it is to revitalize the spy genre. If these great stories return with modern gaming narratives, they are sure to be a success. It will be a way to tell new espionage tales, bring back some of the dying local co-op modes, and give players a fun experience to remember.
The locations, the deception, the explosions, the gadgets, the cars, and the weapons, are all waiting for a perfect spy game to be created. The next ten years mark a great opportunity for these titles to re-enter the market, and hopefully they will return stronger than ever.
What do you think of a spy game revitalization? Could gaming use more appearances from characters like James Bond, Ethan Hunt, Eggsy, and Jack Ryan? Leave a comment and let us know what you think about this topic.
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