Obsidian certainly has their hands full with Alpha Protocol. The art of blending genuine and traditional role-playing aspects with fast-paced action gameplay hasn’t worked well in the past. All you have to do to see the progress is play BioWare’s Mass Effect. The mixture works, but you still get a hybrid product that doesn’t excel in either area.
While Obsidian doesn’t specifically address the problem with blending action and RPG, the developer does go into detail about the two elements in their latest developer diary. (It’s available after the break.)
In the video, the devs also mention the game’s emphasis on story and choice. I’m getting the feeling that Alpha Protocol could be something special.
This game looks it's going to suck. So it's a FPS game execept that it has multiple branches because you can make choices. This is not roleplaying. Roleplaying requires dynamic AI and environment, or a GM. Roleplaying allows you to do whatever you want that your character is capable of. Instead of shooting all those enemies, why don't I wave a white flag? Or give them a peace offering? Or perhaps negotiate with them? Heck why don't i go rogue and fight for the enemy? But the game doesn't do that, it seems it only allows you to pick from a list of predefined choices at certain times of the game. But alast, a video game is only a machine and not sentient.
I think it looks great. Sure, I'm biased towards Obsidian, and frankly speaking action is somewhat out of their experience range so far, but we haven't had a good spy RPG, and they'd be my choice to develop it.
@Chronic Logic
Y'know, if you want a GM'd RPG game you could always use the tools in NWN2's construction kit or even the D&D 4th Edition GM tools.
@Chronic Logic
Actually, AP is an RPG in the same sense that Fallout 3 was. You build stats, pick upgrades, change your entire play style, hold conversations with NPC's, etc. The video didn't really go over this too much. It's basically Fallout 3 with slightly different gameplay, greater differences in play style and more relying on Karma (I think).RPG purists may not consider this a true RPG, but I still consider it at least a hybrid. Some things tend to get lost in translation.
I feel AP's closer to Mass Effect than Fallout 3, what with the camera angle, skills vs. attributes, cinematic dialog sequences and whatnot.
As for the video not going over what without a doubt are the better parts of the game, I'm not surprised. Sega is shit at marketing stuff that isn't Sonic.
I am hoping the devs do not try putting so much crap into one game it is just generic all across the board. It is a pretty neat idea but only one way to really find out.
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Contest:
5:20 PM on 04.03.2009 | 
@Chronic Logic
Y'know, if you want a GM'd RPG game you could always use the tools in NWN2's construction kit or even the D&D 4th Edition GM tools.
Actually, AP is an RPG in the same sense that Fallout 3 was. You build stats, pick upgrades, change your entire play style, hold conversations with NPC's, etc. The video didn't really go over this too much. It's basically Fallout 3 with slightly different gameplay, greater differences in play style and more relying on Karma (I think).RPG purists may not consider this a true RPG, but I still consider it at least a hybrid. Some things tend to get lost in translation.
I feel AP's closer to Mass Effect than Fallout 3, what with the camera angle, skills vs. attributes, cinematic dialog sequences and whatnot.
As for the video not going over what without a doubt are the better parts of the game, I'm not surprised. Sega is shit at marketing stuff that isn't Sonic.