Obsidian Entertainment
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Reminder: Alpha Protocol is The Espionage RPG
So, in case it wasn't made absolutely clear by the box art, here's what Obsidian Entertainment's head-slammin' Alpha Protocol isn't: The Overwrought Fantasy RPG The Contemplative Neo-Classical RPG The Effervescent Dating RPG The Number One Best Selling RPG An Espionage RPG That Other Game About The Secret Agent and Stuff Joking aside, it's quite likely that we're simply oblivious to the subtitle's significance to the plot -- the one involving a sneaky rocket-propelled grenade that taps your phone and then blows off your ear. See if you can spot it in the developer diary embedded after the break.%Gallery-19776%
Obsidian working on unannounced fourth project
In addition to the upcoming Alpha Protocol and Fallout: New Vegas, as well as the perpetually delayed/possibly dead Aliens RPG, Obsidian Entertainment is apparently working on a fourth, unannounced title. In an interview with GameBanshee, Obsidian's Feargus Urquhart said, "We have been working on another title for the last four months that we can't talk about yet." According to the piece, the game is being developed on the company's internal engine, though Urquhart had, more or less, positive things to say about his company's experience with Unreal Engine 3. "Our engine, like Unreal, is a tool and different jobs can be done better with tools that are made for them ... there are things that our engine may never do as well as Unreal, but likewise there are things that our engine will do that will be better than Unreal," Urquhart says of the choice. Considering the rest of the interviews answers, we're fairly certainly that the game's not a new Neverwinter Nights nor Knights of the Old Republic 3. Guesses, friends?
Alpha Protocol dev diary yaps about dialogue system, headslams
This latest developer diary for Alpha Protocol, Obsidian Entertainment's forthcoming secret-agent-'em-up, certainly speaks for itself -- and for the game's dialogue system. Though the primary form of communication is verbal and varies between suave observations and snide retorts, we're most enamored with the delightful "headslam" option. In fact, that's probably going to be the modus operandi for our Jack Bauer impersonator once the game arrives in October.Ex-KGB agent slow to spill secrets? Headslam. FBI director whining about reckless behavior? Headslam. Old lady giving eye witness account of terrorist activity? Headslam. Old lady with broken nose crying about getting headslammed for no reason? Headslam again.
Obsidian CEO says company is 'doing fine'
"We are doing fine," says Feargus Urquhart, CEO of Obsidian, just a day after Aliens RPG, arguably the developer's most anticipated project, was said to have been forcibly burst from its chest by publisher Sega. Despite the rumored bloodletting, the executive seems encouragingly upbeat, telling our sister site Big Download that the studio has no plans to close up shop. In fact, the exec says that work continues on its espionage RPG Alpha Protocol and, according to Urquhart, "another couple of properties."Yesterday's rumor painted a much bleaker picture for the company, with multiple sources claiming Sega's reported actions had left the Neverwinter Nights 2 dev in dire straits with some 20 employees let go as a result. Urquhart wouldn't confirm any of this, however, leaving us wondering if by "doing fine" he is being sincere or is simply in shock. If all of this turns out to be true, we doubt we could put on a brave face while staring down at our freshly eviscerated trunk.
Rumor: Sega pulls funding on Aliens: Colonial Marines, Aliens RPG
Sega has allegedly pulled funding from both Obsidian's Aliens RPG and Gearbox's Aliens: Colonial Marines, sources have revealed to Joystiq. Supposedly, 20 people were laid off from Obsidian yesterday and more could soon lose their jobs. The layoffs also affected the team working on Alpha Protocol, another Obsidian-developed, Sega-published title. Without the Aliens RPG, Obsidian is apparently on the ropes, our sources say. As for Gearbox, Sega allegedly stopped paying the developer for its work on Colonial Marines for "a while" -- production has since ceased. At this point, it's unclear whether Colonial Marines has been "halted" or "canceled," which Gearbox president Randy Pitchford – in response to a previous rumor – called an "inaccurate characterization." This rumor comes less than 24 hours after Sega announced Aliens vs. Predator and refused to answer questions about the previously announced Aliens titles. Sega turning off the money tap wouldn't exactly be shocking, given the company plans to lay off 560 people and already lost $119 million in the first three quarters of its fiscal year. Requests for clarification from Sega and Gearbox on the status of the titles have not yet been returned as of press time. An Obsidian representative responded with "no comment" to our inquiry. If you're one of those let go, or have any further information, please feel free to contact us.
More spy images of Alpha Protocol revealed
Click for high-resolution image. Espionage is a growing theme on the PS3. There's the MMO The Agency, The Bourne Conspiracy game that just released, and then there is SEGA's Alpha Protocol. This new title developed by Obsidian Entertainment takes the action and tactical espionage world and merges it with RPG elements. That sounds like one fun ride and a synergy that will work quite well. We can't wait to try out the game for ourselves ... though, it looks like that will be awhile. In the meantime, enjoy these new screenshots of the upcoming spy-thriller.%Gallery-19771%
Obsidian's Alpha Protocol revealed
Click for high-resolution image. Everyone knew one thing about Alpha Protocol, Sega's upcoming game -- and that was the title. Other than that tidbit, information about this new project was rather hard to find. Today, Sega revealed that they're working with Obsidian Entertainment – creators of Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic II The Sith Lords and Neverwinter Nights 2. This espionage role-playing game set in a futuristic metropolis the modern world will attempt to blend "fast-paced modern combat, unique character advancement and innovative RPG features." Trying to be the new Mass Effect, perhaps?Check out the first screenshots in our brand new gallery. Undoubtedly, we'll be seeing more of the game as we inch towards its planned 2009 release.%Gallery-19771%
Obsidian creating spy action-RPG, Alpha Protocol
Obsidian Entertainment, the studio who created Knights of the Old Republic 2, haven't really been heard from in a while. There was the news over a year ago that they were working on an Aliens RPG, but while the Aliens FPS has been seen, the RPG has been nowhere to be found. With their current project still totally under wraps, Obsidian announced via Game Informer a wholly new project, Alpha Protocol. An action RPG based on stories and characters like James Bond, Jack Bauer, and Jason Bourne, Alpha Protocol's gameplay is similar to Mass Effect and Uncharted, with the focus being on stealth, guns, and gadgets, but giving you the ability to use fists and feet if necessary. What makes this one interesting is your position as a young spy who must perform missions, gather information, and travel the world. Now, as long as Obsidian can handle the concurrent development cycles, this new game could be really good (and if they're allowed to finish this time, unlike KOTOR II). A collection of quick impressions after the break.[Via NeoGAF]
Obsidian's Avellone on breaking into the industry
Over at Penny Arcade, Obsidian co-founder Chris Avellone has some advice for aspiring game designers. A creative force behind RPG classics Fallout 2, Planescape: Torment, Icewind Dale and the upcoming Neverwinter Nights 2, Avellone is always an entertaining read. He values persistence, practical experience, and attention to detail over academic background. And if you want to be a writer, a sense of humor doesn't hurt, either. Just make sure your email address isn't SuperMageCockLord@yourmomma.com. Chris will explain why.See also: NWN mod creator on Atari, Infinite Dungeons Obsidian's Urquhart: happy thoughts on KoTOR 3
NWN2 preview and movies from E3
Forgotten Realms fanboys should circle September 19 on their calendars. This is the day Dungeons & Dragons online gaming returns to its most successful setting, after a year of toiling in the Eberron universe. The Neverwinter Nights 2 E3 trailer is available on GameSpot, along with some updated gameplay footage from the show. IGN also had a chance to preview some of NWN2's new features last week with Feargus Urquhart. Taking a page out of the KOTOR 2 playbook, you will be able to directly control two NPCs who will be influenced by your decisions, good or ill. The Baldur's Gate pause feature has also been added to assist with issuing commands to your party. Stay tuned for more information as the launch date approaches.
Improve your KOTOR II framerate
Light side or dark side, one thing all Jedi have in common, no doubt, is a desire to increase their system performance in the latest Knights of the Old Republic title. Here's a tweak guide for you KOTOR II junkies. Some of it will be fairly obvious to a lot of people, but there's other bits in there which may not be quite so obvious. So have it, increase performance, and dispense light/dark justice as you see fit. You'll be doing it faster.
Knights of the Old Republic II on IGN continues
IGN follows up on yesterday's look at Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. This time, they get into the game's events. Not in too much deatil, of course. But there are some very intriguing details, including a suggestion that the Dark Side is not necessarily the "evil" side of the Force. That's something that comics and books have touched upon over the years, but it should be interesting to see it played out in a game. There aren't "spoilers" per se, but if you're a purist you may want to hold off on reading this.
Knights of the Old Republic 2 team lines up
Get ready for the next uber-title, Knights of the Old Republic 2. The game looked mighty good at the preview session we got with Lucas a couple of months ago, and word is that the game will deliver. We sure hope so. IGN gives us a run-down of the players: Vernita Green Kreia Bao-Dur Atton The piece gives some intriguing notes on the characters, which we look forward to testing out when we consume the game, to the detriment of our social lives. Atton seems like he might be a diamond in the rough.
Knights of the Old Republic sequel goes gold
I never personally got into it, but a large number of people loved the first "Knights of the Old Republic" game. So much so they still talk fondly of the game now, on about their seventeenth time playing through it. The choices offered, of light or dark paths, still lead to morality discussions. And people say video games have no worth? The sequel, subtitled "The Sith Lords", due December 6th, has gone gold. Xbox only at this time. (BOO!) It's another item for you lucky Xbox owners to add to your want list for Santa, or whoever. Expect more feats, more force, and more hot droid on droid action!
Knights of the Old Republic 2 website is live
The Knights of the Old Republic 2 website is up and it's a ponderous one. If you don't know what the hell I could mean by that, just go check it out. Man, this is some somber stuff. Lucas's game sites tend to be a little heavy on the sound/visuals sometimes, but this one works well. It's a little sparse at the moment, with only 3 wallpapers to grab. Give them time. They'll have more goodies available soon, as usual. Some great concept art dots the site, too (see below).
Lucas Part 3: Knights of the Old Republic II preview
Fans of the first Knights of the Old Republic will be thrilled. The sequel captures quite a bit of the feel of the original, with deep RPG gameplay, team action and an intriguing story. This time around you go up against a Sith of the most disgusting kind. He's held together by sheer (Dark) force of will. His body is made up of ribbons of flesh and most of his extremities are painfully exposed. Suffice it to say, he's a worthy follow-up to the baddies of the past.
KOTOR II in December
LucasArts has made the official annoucement. The sequel to last year's award-winning Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic will be making its Xbox debut in December-the PC version won't be out until February. Said Prodcuer Mike Gallo, "We recently completed a very important milestone which confirmed we can confidently do this." KOTOR II adds even more strength to Xbox's impressive Fall/Winter lineup.
KOTOR II trailer unleashed
Fresh off of rumors that KOTOR II will see a 2004 release, LucasArts has revealed the first official trailer for the highly anticipated sequel to arguably the best game of '03. It's no teaser either, weighing in at a hefty 17MB-hope you all have got high-speed. Head over to Gamespy for the download, or for you more literary types, there's a detailed shot-by-shot breakdown. Enjoy.
KOTOR II before year's end?
The latest promotional trailer for LucasArt's KOTOR II (you know, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II) ends with some encouraging words: WINTER 2004. We've been hearing February (2005) for some time now, but if Obsidian is close to a finished product, it would make sense-from a marketing standpoint-to get the game out this year, as to avoid competition with BioWare's Jade Empire (also due out in February). However, the game's website is still reading, "Availability: Winter", which could mean either date. Hopefully, we'll get an official announcement in the coming weeks. We'll certainly keep you posted.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: the Sith Lords gets undressed for E3
We missed this good read, for which we apologize. The official diary of Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: the Sith Lords has been posted on Lucas' site. It gives us some insight into the days leading up to E3, revealing that the demo barely got done in time. The diary never gets very technical, but it manages to give us a great peek into the hard work that goes into making, and marketing a game. E3 puts a lot of pressure on developers every year, and this diary gives us a taste of it. We'll just sit back and play the games, thank you very much. Let someone else make them.
