alpha-protocol
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An Eastern Bloc of Alpha Protocol character vignettes
Comrades: though we can hardly believe it after so many delays, all signs still indicate Alpha Protocol is on track for a June 1 release -- so let us celebrate with some trailers featuring former communists. One focuses on a hormonal East German mercenary named Sie, while the other spotlights an old Russian information broker, who likely remembers a time when information sold him. The German is above, the Russian is after the break and a martini is stirred, not shaken. %Gallery-19776%
Best Buy offers 'Stealth Weapons Pack' for Alpha Protocol pre-orders
Click image to sneak a peak at the pre-order ticket Snapped by a Joystiq reader at his local Best Buy, the above image confirms that those who pre-order Alpha Protocol at the big blue box store will gain an exclusive set of stealth-based weaponry. The aptly titled "Stealth Weapons Pack" includes a "Hamilton Marksman Pistol and Samael Typhoon SMG, each with custom upgrade kits and bonus ammo." This pre-order bonus is valid to anyone who pre-orders between April 25 and May 29. And just in case you're worried that every story about Alpha Protocol you read on the internet has to be about a delay, rest assured: it's still on track for a June 1 release. %Gallery-90930%
Alpha Protocol PC to use Uniloc DRM
Is the personal computer your platform of choice when it comes to living out your spy game fantasies? Be forewarned: Sega recently informed Eurogamer that the PC version of its upcoming cloak-and-dagger RPG, Alpha Protocol, would use the Uniloc DRM system. Though not as troublesome as other digital rights management protocols, Uniloc did hinder some players' enjoyment of Football Manager 2009 due to a registration code printing error and a supposed DDoS attack on the authentication servers. Uniloc's corporate site promises their DRM solution is "polite" and "unobtrusive," thwarting would-be pirates "without compromising [your] experience." Unfortunately, we've begun to equate a company's promises about the painlessness of their DRM technologies to proctologists' promises about the painlessness of their procedures. In fact, that might be the most literal analogy we've ever conjured.
Impressions: Alpha Protocol
Obsidian Entertainment is perhaps best known for being a foster home for franchises. After expanding the words and worlds of others with sequels to Knights of the Old Republic, NeverWinter Nights, and the forthcoming Fallout: New Vegas, Alpha Protocol grants the developer an opportunity to construct a role-playing game that need not abide by someone else's rules. Obsidian's strengths in storytelling and technology stand unsupported in the spotlight this time. It sets the stage for an inescapable comparison between Alpha Protocol and Mass Effect -- provided it's Mass Effect one we're talking about. Like BioWare's first attempt at combining third-person, cover-based shooting with long-term character building and narrative choice, Alpha Protocol seems intent on telling a gripping story, even while the cardboard scenery falls down. The character models look dated, screen tearing is distracting and those extra months of post-delay polish don't shine through. And just as with Mass Effect, the technological struggles of the engine might be relegated to the background and forgiven once your attention turns to Alpha Protocol's cast of duplicitous operatives. Yes, dry spy guy Michael Thorton doesn't make a good first impression -- more Luke Skywalker than Jack Bauer -- but he definitely makes one, as evidenced by two possible scenarios viewed side-by-side. In one, Thorton meets his Rome contact , Madison, for a sweet and earnest bedside discussion. In the other, at the same point within the game's timeline, her reception is icy and violent. What on earth could you have done in an alternate playthrough to lose that many points with her? You know, reputation points. %Gallery-19776%
Sega: we can 'sequel-ise' Bayonetta, AvP, Alpha Protocol
In a recent interview with CVG, Sega West president Mike Hayes spoke briefly on the future of the company's portfolio of intellectual properties. Hayes explained, "If you think about it, we can sequel-ise Bayonetta, AvP, Alpha Protocol and we can make a hit of something like Vanquish." Those are some mighty bold plans, considering only two of those games have actually been released. We're fairly unsurprised by Sega's interest in a follow-up to Bayonetta. Not only because it's been a commercial success for the company, but also because the developers need another chance to do all the crazy action sequences they couldn't fit in the first game. Like, for instance, throwing a church at a dragon. Wait, they did that in Bayonetta? How about riding a motorcycle in space? Really, that too? Well, then ... we're stumped.
Alpha Protocol has gadgets and gizmos aplenty, whozits and whatzits galore
Alpha Protocol is showing off the "toys" in this latest trailer for the espionage RPG. Some of the footage features gadgets used to accomplish missions stealthily, but mostly it features guns and ammunition -- like phosphorus shells to set enemies aflame. Aside from the toys, the footage also gives us a better idea of what the gameplay looks like. Alpha Protocol is currently expected June 1 in the US, while Australia and Europe receive the package drop a week earlier. %Gallery-86521%
New Alpha Protocol trailer declassified, box art is Bourne again
Emerging from "deep cover" (a euphemism for plastic surgery in Eastern Europe), where it received "tweaks," Alpha Protocol is ready to shake its money maker and get everyone interested in it again with a new trailer and screenshots. Not only that, but the game's box art has also received a facelift, adding several more guns to what was only a two pistol cover before. Alpha Protocol is set to prevent war in the States on June 1, with layovers in Australia and Europe on May 27 and 28, respectively. %Gallery-86521%
Alpha Protocol obtains June 1 release date [update]
Alpha Protocol is ready to spy hard on May 28 and June 1 in Europe and North America, respectively, according to IGN. Spies in the land down under will get their chance to play the game on May 27. Obsidian's RPG has been plagued by delays, shifting its launch from fall, to spring, to summer. Hopefully, this time Sega can make the game's latest release date -- or at least let us know in a reasonable amount of time if it's delayed, again. Update: Sega has confirmed the June 1 release date for North America. All three versions -- PS3, Xbox 360 and PC -- will release on that day.
Sega cites 'tweaks' and release position for Alpha Protocol delay [update]
It would have been nice to hear more of an explanation way back in October when Sega's Alpha Protocol was "officially delayed" to the amorphous "Spring 2010," but, unfortunately, that didn't happen. Speaking with MTV Multiplayer this week, though, assistant producer at Sega Matthew Hickman explicitly detailed the reasons for the delay, saying, "We really wanted to polish the game up, make it everything Obsidian planned it to be, and give the consumer a very polished game." He added that there's been some "tweaks in lighting here and there," and the inventory screen has been revamped a bit, but in general the team has been focused on "bringing the whole quality level up." The post's author also notes that the game is set for a "Summer 2010" release window now, and we've reached out to him (and Sega) for clarification. Update: The post's author has responded that, yes, the game's current release window is set for "Summer 2010." Guess that's another delay then, eh? We'll update again if Sega responds. %Gallery-19776%
Big Download awards 2009's vaporware
In response to Wired's own 2009 vaporware awards, our pals at BigDownload have complied their own list of software and hardware that woulda, coulda and shoulda seen the light of day this year. Topping the list is the streaming service OnLive, which was slated to release in "winter 2009," following a healthy dose of beta testing. While reception for the service has been mostly positive, OnLive's claims have yet to be tested on a global stage (during E3 2009, OnLive was previewed for select media via a cable modem connection to the service's California-based headquarters). Other nods go to Gearbox Software's oft-delayed -- we'll believe it when we see it -- Aliens: Colonial Marines, Obsidian's "oh, by the way, it's not coming out today" Alpha Protocol, and Midway's This Is Canceled Vegas. Sadly, Duke Nukem Forever failed to win an award for what would have been a record twelfth-straight year.
Sega actually confirms Alpha Protocol delay
Despite seeing some semi-official evidence of an Alpha Protocol delay from Sega's website, and some circumstantial evidence in the fact that it didn't make its original release date, nothing official has been said from anyone at Sega or Obsidian regarding the too-sneaky-for-its-own-good game. Until today!Obsidian's Feargus Urquhart has come forward to speak on the delay. "We're very happy that Sega has made the decision to hold back the shipment of the game in order to give it the best chance at becoming the publishing success that we at Obsidian and our partners at Sega are striving for," Urquhart told CVG. Sega Europe managing director Alan Pritchard, the first person at Sega to officially acknowledge the Alpha Protocol release date change, added, "By pushing Alpha Protocol to Spring 2010, we can ensure that the game will be released in the best commercial release window possible and will also receive the focus this true AAA title deserves."While we question Spring 2010's status as "the best commercial release window possible" (given the preponderance of publishers of other games that decided the exact same thing), we're relieved that we can finally stop haranguing that Gamestop salesperson about our pre-ordered Alpha Protocol that still hasn't arrived.
Sega: Alpha Protocol 'out now,' er ... 'Spring 2010'
While Sega of America's public relations team still hasn't said one word regarding an increasingly inevitable delay, Sega of America's website has finally declared that Alpha Protocol will not begin its mission until 2010. The site displays the Xbox 360 and PC launches for May 6, 2010, while the PS3 version has been left at "Spring 2010." This is a not-so-slight change from what the publisher's website showed this morning, when the release information stated the espionage RPG was "out now" -- a strange pronouncement for frustrated consumers, venting on developer Obsidian's forums, and retailers we'd spoken to. Sega's update now fits with what several retailers have suggested about a 2010 release, including GameStop, Walmart, Amazon and GameFly.
GameFly changes Alpha Protocol release to 'TBD'
With Sega still refusing to respond to inquiries about Alpha Protocol's release date, it seems retailers are doing the talking for 'em: GameFly has changed its release date of "the espionage RPG" from October 27th to TBD. The video game rental site has a long-standing history to "simply post information as it is supplied to [GameFly] by the publishers." Further requests for clarification from Sega continue to be met by the Sega Wall of Silence™. We have been told by the company's development director that we should expect "an update shortly via PR." And for the record, the official release date for Alpha Protocol is still next Tuesday. Sega?
Rumor: Alpha Protocol delayed, possibly until 2010
It appears Sega's Alpha Protocol is going to suffer a delay, the precise length of which remains in question. The last official word we heard from the publisher was that Alpha Protocol was to be released on October 6 (that's next week!), a release date that has seemed unlikely after numerous retailers shifted that date to late October. The latest release date change? Mega-retailer GameStop has shifted its expected launch date for the title to 6/1/2010, with Amazon Canada also showing a 2010 release (Amazon US has not made any change). Developer Obsidian Entertainment is forwarding all requests for comment to Sega which, in traditional Sega fashion, have been met with the Sega Wall of Silence™. We'll update as soon as somebody decides to say something. Remember, the company line from Sega is that Alpha Protocol is supposed to hit store shelves next week.
WTF: Fable characters in Sonic Racing and other oddities from alleged Sega leak
Among the truckloads of possibly legit megatons included in the alleged leaked minutes from a meeting between Sega of America and Sony Computer Entertainment America, a number of notable gaffes and oddities can be found. Besides wondering if "characters from [the] Rare or Fable universes" should be included in Sonic Racing, it appears that Sega may be interested in assigning all of its properties a PlayStation Home-room. Oh, and a product evaluator thought Alpha Protocol felt "barely RPG" -- final analysis: make it even more Mass Effect-y.Additionally, the mention of PS2 games as downloadable content on PSN makes us reminisce all the way back to mid-2006 when the idea first popped up on our radar --- surely, this isn't why Sony removed built-in backwards compatibility? And either the person taking minutes was daydreaming or knows something we don't, as reference is made to "Eidos' Batman" featuring "PS3/PSP interoperability" support -- a Batman or related DC Comics PSP game then? Juicer still, that little mention comes right after talk of a project named "Vanquish" and a possible PSP iteration of the currently shelved Aliens: Colonial Marines that Gearbox Software is working on. Also, Sony is eager to check out that hopefully not-so-crappy Thor game soon (suggestion: make it less Iron Man 2-y).The cherry on top comes in the form of what we've been calling around the Joystiq water cooler: "Sonic and the Inverted Castle." Found under the "Sonic Anniversary" subhead, the note taker jots down, "SCEA would love PSN exclusive power ups/different game modes (like Castlevania's flip it over/backwards)." Actually, we believe that's Missy Elliott who puts the thing down, flips it and reverses it, thank you very much.
Pre-order Alpha Protocol on Steam, get Space Siege free
For those of you anxious to WASD your way through Obsidian's Alpha Protocol (y'know, the Espionage RPG), Steam is offering a bonus if you pick up the game through its service. Anyone who pre-orders will get a free copy of Gas Powered Games' (and Sega-published) Space Siege immediately, a $20 title. The freebie should help to assuage Obsidian's gross oversight. C'mon, how could the studio forget to include cyborg space marines?Download the PC demo for Space Siege right here.
Alpha Protocol issues license to NOT kill
According to a Twitter update from Obsidian regarding its upcoming stealth-em-up RPG, Alpha Protocol, it's possible to complete the game without killing anyone. The tweet failed to elaborate on why someone would choose to play through a spy-action game without killing anyone (but you can bet there's some kinda reward in store for the apprehensive player) and also whether or not it's possible to clear the game without maiming, disfiguring or severely bruising anyone. Frankly, given the nature of the action-spy business, we don't see how that would be possible. The "no kill" challenge has been posed before, appearing in other stealth titles like Metal Gear Solid and even the straight action-oriented Mirror's Edge. In fact, it would be kinda strange if Alpha Protocol didn't allow players to finish the game without killing -- it's become a requisite for the genre, after all.Well, however you decide to tackle Alpha Protocol, at least there's some sex in it for you, right?
Obsidian: Sex scenes help involve players in the game world
Obsidian's Chris Avellone, creative director on the upcoming Alpha Protocol, thinks that human interaction is a very important element in RPG -- especially when it comes to the love shared between two consenting adults. Avellone recently commented to Destructoid that including sex scenes in Alpha Protocol was "an important step, and it's not sex for sex's sake, but it's part of human interaction that makes you more involved in the game world and your characters."Sometimes the act can come off more out-of-place than appropriate, which our time with Dragon Age: Origins seemed to highlight, but, on the other hand (keep it where we can see it!) the sex scene in Mass Effect was fairly tasteful. Well, unless you're one of the misinformed minds at Fox News.
New Alpha Protocol video sneaks inside the safe house
Alpha Protocol continues its leak of classified information in this latest walkthrough trailer. The video, obtained by super-secret spycam, shows how players will use the safe houses in the game to accessorize their weaponry and character. We learn how to put a silencer on the protagonist's head and change the hair on his gun ... wait, reverse that.The video also covers the skill tree and some of the special moves available to the character in the espionage RPG releasing October 6.%Gallery-19776%
Pre-order Alpha Protocol for in-game bonus packs
Are you planning on pre-ordering The Espionage RPG? It may not be at the top of your list, but after hearing about the pre-order bonuses ... well, that probably won't change. Still, if you're planning on picking up the game anyway, they're worth placing an order for. Alpha Protocol will be offering pre-orderers two different in-game packs, depending on where you decide to make your purchase.The Assault Pack, available from GameStop, unlocks a bunch of the more beefy weapons in the game, as well as giving access to two "exclusive specially modified weapons and extras." The Stealth Pack, available from GameCrazy, is very similar, but is more skewed towards quietly picking off enemies with tranqs and suppressors. Check out the Sega blog for full details.
