Sega/Obsidian working on Espionage RPG

[Velorath]

Article here:

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.

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

It's always nice to see an RPG do something other than Fantasy or Sci-Fi.  On the other hand, Sega and Obsidian both seem to have a habit of falling way below their potential on games.  I'd really love to see them knock this out of the park, instead of releasing a game that needs to be patched two or three times before I feel safe purchasing it.

[Riggswolfe]

This could be really good, especially since it's an RPG. Everytime I play James Bond types of games I have a wish to be able to do an RP version of it.

[Sky]

I can't wait until 2021 when Team Gizka finishes it.

[HaemishM]

I shudder to think where the story will "end" on this game.

[rk47]

Farewell, Mr. Bond...
[Diplomacy] Come on, let's talk about this
[Bluff] Unfortunately I've already disabled the firing mechanism on your superweapon.
[Strength] Try to break free
[Gadgets] Use a micro-lockpick to unlock the restrainers
[Intimidation] You'll never get away with this....

[Fabricated]

Farewell, Mr. Bond...
[Diplomacy] Come on, let's talk about this
[Bluff] Unfortunately I've already disabled the firing mechanism on your superweapon.
[Strength] Try to break free
[Gadgets] Use a micro-lockpick to unlock the restrainers
[Intimidation] You'll never get away with this....

And then regardless of what choice you make the game suddenly ends because it was half finished, leaving you frustrated.

[Velorath]

Having gotten distracted by various other shiny objects halfway through NWN2, did that game end up half finished story-wise also?

[rk47]

it was finished, but it felt very abrupt (you start to notice it around 20% game to go) but overall it has an ending.  I'm not a fan of epic level D&D so I cant' say anything good about the expansion pack though.

[Riggswolfe]

Internet posts quoting an upcoming issue of Game Informer magazine claim Alpha Protocol will be in third-person perspective; use a non-class-based skill system; and handle communication via a new "dialog stance system" that mixes elements of the Mass Effect dialog system with that of Indigo Prophecy.

Make of that what you will.