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Alpha Protocol delay confirmed by Sega photo

All aboard the delay train, WOO WOOOOO! Yet another game has fell to the might sword of the Postponement Warrior, with Obsidian's Alpha Protocol becoming the latest to get shunted from 2009 to 2010, joining a ridiculous amount of games to have suffered the same fate and confirming earlier rumors.

The spy-themed RPG was originally slated to hit shelves this month, but Sega has now changed the date on its official site to "Spring 2010." Could this have something to do with the "not enough like Mass Effect" criticisms unveiled in that leaked Sega memo? 

We'll try and get a reason for the delay, but I'm sure the usual spate of "quality assurance" or "cramped holiday" excuses will be all we get. I think this game has real promise, for what it's worth, so I hope that there's nothing seriously problematic with Obsidian's latest offering.

I knew something was up when I went to Best Buy last night for a midnight launch that didn't happen. That was disappointing.


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16 comments | showing # 1 to 16

Los255's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 19:45
Los255
I think the Mass Effect thing gave the devs a psychological kick in the balls. I wouldn't be shocked if that was the reason. Doesn't look that interesting. They can slap multiple choice in the game all they want, but they better do it right.

"I knew something was up when I went to Best Buy last night for a midnight launch that didn't happen. That was disappointing."

LMAO.
Electrium's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 19:48
Electrium
I kind of saw this coming...but I didn't think the original release date was today!
Hcapt's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 20:02
Hcapt
Isn't it a bad thing when you try to make a game exactly like Mass Effect?

I don't have anything against Mass Effect, but I think it is bad when a game is being internally criticized for not being a clone of another game. I don't want two Mass Effects, I would much rather have Mass Effect and Alpha Protocol, and would be pleased if I could tell the difference between the two.
jhitcher42's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 20:03
jhitcher42
Now the game that wasn't "enough like Mass Effect" is going up against Mass Effect 2. Irony.
Tralfmadoria's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 20:10
Tralfmadoria
If the publisher doesn't think the game has the quality to stand up against an ever-shrinking holiday lineup of games, then why should I?
Xzyliac's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 20:48
Xzyliac
@jhitcher42
Or good strategy.

@Hcapt
I agree with you......I know weird isn't it?
zombielifecoach's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 21:06
zombielifecoach
welll, fuck.
HombreGato's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 21:27
HombreGato
Obsidian games have never been flawless but at least you know you're getting something with a unique personality and an enlightened approach.

Mass Effect was decent but why do these developers have to live in its shadow? A lot of them are responsible for the first two Fallout games. Have a little faith!
braulio09's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 21:31
braulio09
you know, sometimes quality assurance and cramped holidays aren't excuses. Sometimes they're the actual reasons, specially for a new IP. Jim, I'm beginning to think that you have a physiological NEED to be angry.
HiddenAHB's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 21:36
HiddenAHB
Please Obsidian don't Mass Effect this game. I really like Alpha Protocol premisse and the gameplay they have showed so far made me quite pleased, so use those months wisely, polish the graphics and fix all those bugs.
But since Obsidian was created by ex-Black Isle member, i trust them.

PS: Apparently it's impossible to launch an RPG that isn't at least a little buggy.
PPS: Black Isle was the best producer of WRPGs. May its soul rest in peace.
Ubersuntzu's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 21:41
Ubersuntzu
I wasn't really worried about the memo, but I am a little worried about them caving to outside pressure to change the sort of game they're making.

From the way the memo was worded, I got the impression the "product evaluator" has a beef with real time gameplay in his RPGs.
CloneTrooper's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 23:03
CloneTrooper
God Damn.

Why is it always Obsidian thats gets screwed with...I been praying that these guys put out a smashing Original IP and gain some traction so they dont disappear.

I was looking foward to this, since Obsidian/Black Isle's games always had something in them that made them awesome fun to play.

But yeah...Sega has turned into a bunch of dicks if they've seriously listened to a Sony product evaluator and pressured Obsidian to change the game...

I mean, Sony (the company) has no idea what to do with its own products
(or how to effectivly market them), let alone other company's products.

Bad Form Sega. Bad Form.
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/07/2009 01:50
Sharpless
Video game delays? In my vagina?
Cyber Altair's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/07/2009 06:52
Cyber Altair
So we get the best selling game ever yet lose pretty much every single game not made by Ubisoft at that time. How's that fair?
Klarden's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/07/2009 08:41
Klarden
knowing the way games from ex-Black Isle guys work, i'm happy they have more time to polish the game
Neo Rena's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/10/2009 03:40
Neo Rena
Polish something long enough and eventually it wears away to nothing...
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