Alpha Protocol THREAD

[mysterd]

Obsidian announced a new RPG that is based around espionage, which will be known as Alpha Protocol.

Planned for 2009.

Obsidian Crafting Espionage-Themed RPG
Mar 13, 2008 at 10:28 AM - Robert "Apache" Howarth - 5 Comments
The April issue of Game Informer has a cover story about Alpha Protocol by Obsidian Entertainment.

If you love RPGs but are tired of swinging swords or slogging around in spacesuits, you’re in luck. Obsidian Entertainment is drawing on its Fallout and Planescape: Torment roots with its new espionage-based game Alpha Protocol. Drawing on the three J.B.s for inspiration—Jack Bauer, Jason Bourne and James Bond—the developers are giving players plenty of different ways to tackle problems. You can rely on brute force, stealth or gadgets to accomplish missions, and also navigate through a nuanced conversation system. We’ve got the world-exclusive first look at the game in our April issue of Game Informer Magazine.

Update: Alpha Protocol has been officially announced:

SEGA Europe Ltd. and Obsidian Entertainment, Inc. today announced a thrilling new espionage role-playing game set in the modern world - Alpha Protocol. Alpha Protocol is developed by the globally revered and genre defining development studio, Obsidian Entertainment, known for smash hits such as Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic II: The Sith Lords and Neverwinter Nights 2. This exciting new game will set the world alight on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Windows-based PCs in 2009.

“Alpha Protocol blends Obsidian’s knack for intricate stories, engrossing characters, and significant character advancement with fast-paced modern combat,” said Feargus Urquhart, CEO of Obsidian Entertainment. “Alpha Protocol embraces everything we enjoy about making RPGs from a fresh perspective. We are confident our talented staff at Obsidian will enable us to deliver this exciting RPG experience.”

Loyalty carries a price and no one knows this more than agent Michael Thorton. A talented young agent cast out by his government, Thorton is the only one with the information needed to stop an impending international catastrophe. To do so means he must cut himself off from the very people he is sworn to protect. As players determine how to accomplish different objectives, the decisions made and actions taken in each mission will ultimately transform the type of secret agent Michael Thorton will become. Every choice the player makes as Michael Thorton will carry consequences for his future and the fate of the world.

“Working with Obsidian Entertainment on a project of this stature is incredibly exciting for SEGA. We have one of the best independent developers working on what will be one of the definitive games of 2009,” stated Gary Knight, European Marketing Director, SEGA Europe Ltd. “With innovative RPG action and an incredible interactive storyline to match the very best spy-thrillers, Alpha Protocol delivers a heart thumping high definition experience.”

Alpha Protocol is set for global domination on the Xbox 360, the PlayStation 3 and PC in 2009.

I like the sound of this already -- w/ the setting and themes; and all.

I just hope it runs well upon release like say NWN2 should've out-the-box, not after the first few patches were behind it.

And I hope it doesn't have technical bugs like NWN2: MOTB did upon release that cause the game to possibly not even boot or corrupt game files.

[Elliot Kane]

That sounds really great! I'm definitely looking forward to this, and I hope it's the start of a major trend in CRPGs being more than just fantasy. Much as I love AD&D, it's far from the only game in town - and a change of pace is definitely a good thing.

[mysterd]

More!
More info, from GameSpot.

Unlike most role-playing games, which have either a heavy fantasy or sci-fi element, Alpha Protocol will concern modern-day espionage. Its Bourne Identity-esque plot follows Michael Thorton, "a talented young agent cast out by his government." Like prior Obsidian games and those of its partner BioWare, the game will have a branching storyline in which actions early on in the game will affect the protagonist's development.

Unfortunately, Sega's announcement did not contain many of the Alpha Protocol details reportedly outlined in the April issue of Game Informer. Though reps for the publisher would not confirm or deny said details, the magazine reportedly says that Alpha Protocol is a third-person action RPG with real-time combat and many high-tech items.

Like the Fallout series, which Obsidian cofounder Feargus Urquhart also worked on, Alpha Protocol will reportedly be class-free, with players instead leveling up 10 skills. It will allow players to be on multiple missions simultaneously in various locations all over the world, where apparently various romantic interests will also await.

[Elliot Kane]

It doesn't sound like an 'action-RPG' from the description, I have to say. I hope it's not. That would be a terrible disappointment after that initial description.

The game I'm hoping to see referenced on this one is Top Secret...

[Ubereil]

Interesting. Now, if they could only go 100 % for this multiple way to solve situations... The only RPG (so far) where stealth really pays off is Vampire Bloodlines, and I allways found the sneaking quests in VtMB extremely funny and challenging.

And as long as the combat isn't as monotonous as in NWN2 (and KotOR 2 too, to be honest) then I think I can even survive that. ;D

Übereil

[mysterd]

Impressions
GameSpot's impressions on this one from E3 2009
Videogameblog's E3 2009 impressions on Alpha Protocol

GT - Gameplay Vid
GameTrailers.com has a developer's walkthrough of some Alpha Protocol in this gameplay video

[mysterd]

Chris Avellone - Framework 09: His Keynote Speech on Alpha Protocol
Around 5 minutes into this, Chris Avellone talks about Alpha Protocol and shows off footage - Part 1.
Part 2.
Part 3.

-- For those who don't want to deal w/ dialogue galore (which the games does have, if you want to talk w/ NPC's), you can skip the dialogue and blow stuff up and kill stuff, if you want.
-- Animation speaks a lot for what would've likely been heavily texted, in the old days
-- Fewer characters in AP than other games, but tighter woven story and consequences because of this (more dynamic results)
-- New dialogue system
-- "Once through" conversation system with NO repetitious
-- 4 different game styles a player can go through in dialogue: Suave (Bond), Professional (Bourne), Aggressive (Bauer), and Action (kick, punch, slap, attack, etc).
-- You can research dossiers and they can research the player
-- Reputation system based on your decisions can cause the game's outcome in dialogue and/or how enemies decide to even use certain tactics against you get into a combat situation (Depending on how much they like you, hate you, or what-have-you)

[Elliot Kane]

This just sounds better and better.

[mysterd]

I should have noted, this WILL NOT be making October 2009.
As a matter of fact, it won't even be making 2009.

It's now planned for Spring 2010.

[Ubereil]

With Obsidian pushing the deadline is nothing but good news. Let's hope they manage to release something that works well out of the box for once...

Übereil

[mysterd]

Oct 8, 2009 7:51:53 GMT Ubereil said:

With Obsidian pushing the deadline is nothing but good news. Let's hope they manage to release something that works well out of the box for once...

Übereil

I think the publisher (Sega) also had a major hand in deciding for AP to be pushed back, after a Sony representive backlashed the hell out of the game for (what he thought was a) "lack of RPG elements" and that game's first level was "too hard."

Though, I'm sure there's other reasons to back to Spring 2010, as well -- as the RPG genre is VERY crowded currently w/ new releases (Aion, Champions Online, Risen); upcoming releases (Dragon Age: Origins; Torchlight; Borderlands; possibly Venetica in USA; Divinity 2 in USA in December, etc.).

Plus, a lot of the big-selling franchises that are not RPG's are lining up this year -- AC2, L4D2, and of course COD: Modern Warfare 2; and that's all in November! Also, Bioshock 2 and SC: Conviction are both slated for Early 2010.

Take also into account, Obsidian doesn't have a good track record, when considering how buggy and how not-so-good in the technical performance part some games were released in (KOTOR2 and NWN2).

Obsidian really could use a lot of this time to really polish the game. And hopefully, they'll have a clear lane to sell some copies, since it's the only big game currently we know is planned for Spring 2010.

[mysterd]

PAX East 2010 - 1 hour presentation on Alpha Protocol by Obsidian.

[mysterd]

Alpha Protocol - PC Version's Uniloc DRM system detailed.

Bullet points:
--> Internet activation required
--> 5 installs allowed with "deactivations" allowed
--> Retail Version - Disc not needed in the drive to play
--> Steam version uses Uniloc DRM, not Steamworks for DRM
--> "Deactivations" are allowed - even on PC's that crash, hardware changes, etc. Whenever you activate a game, it just adds a new one to your "Activated Games List." So, if you have a PC that crashed, changed hardware, etc - if you see that PC on the list still, just remove it to get your activation back.
--> 18-24 months or so down the line, they will release a patch w/out DRM management (so they say)
SIDE NOTE: For Football Manager 2009, which used this protection as well, Sega did release a patch of the game w/out DRM like they said they would eventually do.

[Elliot Kane]

Might look for it in 18 months, then. If I still remember it by then...

[mysterd]

May 2, 2010 12:59:34 GMT Elliot Kane said:

Might look for it in 18 months, then. If I still remember it by then...

Despite the somewhat dated graphics, the game itself looks pretty good, if you ask me. I just hope it pans out in the technical aspect.

It's an Obsidian game - so by that time 18-24 months rolls around and they've hopefully stuck a NO DRM patch out by then, maybe it'll be technically sound and most of the bugs will be gone.

For most that use the limited install aspect, I think this is the most fair of those types. With Securom, if you change hardware or your PC crashes, if you don't revoke before then, you lose an install - that's bullcrap. With this Uniloc system for AP PC, you just have a list of systems that are using installs up - and as long as you get access to this list (probably signing in to some account wherever and whenever you feel like it), you can just remove the "dead PC" or "Changed PC" from the list. Simple as pie.

Of course, chances are just b/c it's DRM - it will be cracked VERY SOON; before or not-so-long after the game's on the market.

It's good to know Sega removed the DRM from FB Manager 2009 - as they said they would do. So, let's hope down the line, they do live up to their word and do it w/ AP PC.

[Elliot Kane]

'Best of a bad lot' maybe. But still bad. Still, no skin off my nose. Be a lot cheaper in 18 months, too!

[mysterd]

May 2, 2010 15:01:40 GMT Elliot Kane said:

'Best of a bad lot' maybe. But still bad.

Exactly my point. Uniloc system here sounds a lot more fair than Securom Internet Edition's system.

I'm not too fond of install limits. When install limits are imposed, normally - I wait on that game for price-drops. Not sure what I'm going to w/ AP here yet...

Still, no skin off my nose. Be a lot cheaper in 18 months, too!

Indeed. I'll be VERY happy if and when the DRM-check is patched-out.