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An annual tradition here at the Black Panel, New Horizons provides you with a sneak peak at the year ahead. Entirely bereft of sequels and spin-offs, this article is devoted to the promise of new ideas, bold and inventive.

Sony is hard at work on THE AGENCY, a multiplayer online action game set in the high stakes world of international espionage. While the market isn’t exactly crying out for another first person shooter, this one looks to be a little different. You’ll spend plenty of time with a gun in your hand, but you’ll also have the opportunity to recruit various NPCs to carry out missions on your behalf (“Get me a sandwich!”). The Agency has endured a troubled gestation, but after a lengthy delay is coming to PC and PS3 in the second half of the year.

After hitting the big time with fast paced fantasy brawler Castle Crashers, The Behemoth is preparing to release another quirky downloadable effort. Like most games these days, the charmingly 2D BATTLEBLOCK THEATER challenges you to solve puzzles while performing on stage for the amusement of sadistic cats. Honestly, get a new idea people. The Behemoth are promising that this XBLA release will feature hundreds of levels and co-op support for up to four players.

Codemasters’ ultra violent BODYCOUNT is the latest first person shooter to adopt destructible environments as the centrepiece of its design. According to outspoken creative director Stuart Black, this will discourage the “whack-a-mole mechanics” of cover based shooters. Mind you, Black has since departed the project, so it remains to be seen if his vision will be fully realised. Following a recent delay, Bodycount is now scheduled to arrive on 360 and PS3 in autumn.

Long known for its contributions to id Software’s classic franchises, Splash Damage is finally preparing to plant its own flag. BRINK is a multiplayer focused first person shooter with a remarkably expressive art style and a strong focus on character customisation. The action takes place in a would-be utopia that just happens to be barrelling towards social, economic and environmental collapse. Other than that, it sounds like a great place to visit. Brink is due for release on 360, PS3 and PC in autumn. REVIEW

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