The conversation flow charts seem more like logic gate diagrams, so I suppose one with a degree in electrical engineering can script for UE3. >_>
Either way, it's quite insightful into the development process, and also makes me feel more comfortable with gargling maggots than scripting with Kismet.
That, and I liked the Heck conversation choices. :)
Less flowcharts, OE. Moar game nao, plzkthx.
That middle chart illustrates how much of an illusion choice is in RPGs, despite the song and dance devs like to make about it.
@DarthParametric: It looks a bit more evolved then what the conversation trees and choices of K1 and TSL looks like.
It was a rather nice read though. And seeing how much works creeps into even these limited dialogues. o_O
I can see why they only go for 3 or 4 choices. Even if some of them end up the same, more or less.
That middle chart illustrates how much of an illusion choice is in RPGs, despite the song and dance devs like to make about it.
There are five outcomes from it, DP. Although the extent to which they are distinguishable is a complete mystery until we actually play the game, I suppose.
Less flowcharts, OE. Moar game nao, plzkthx.I verily enjoy developer blogs of this magnitude, as it's a rare incidence in the industry. Whenever a AAA developing studio does produce a blog, it's usually more talk than walk, so to speak. This has actual work shown, not just some 3-minute "cinematic" trailer of yonder. That, and considering that this blog seems to be produced by Obsidian independently and not by Sega's underfunded marketing department, it's rather impressive for the size.
A new blog (
http://blogs.ign.com/Alpha.Protocol/2010/01/06/135478/) is up, from Avellone, again. As always, has interesting information and a couple screenshots.
It also seems Sega is optimistic about Alpha Protocol as one of Sega's business managers said something along the lines of "Playing around with Alpha Protocol, the guys here are already brainstorming ideas for AP2." Not a confirmation of a sequel, but seems like their interested if the sales are there (I'm too lazy to go find the link right now).
I like the new screenshots. It's good that there will be lots of reading material; I was afraid that they were taking the action approach to things and doing away with long blocks of background info text.
I don't really need that much more info. At this point, I've already decided to buy the game. But it's always nice to hear something from Avellone. :)
Found this nice interview (
http://www.gamebanshee.com/interviews/96452-alpha-protocol.html?start=1) with Chris and Matt.
Really like how the choices seem to be working, as well as how you can fool even well informed NPCs.
Alpha Protocol preview at Dualshockers (
http://www.starwarsknights.com/#fus_739)
Also included in the review is confirmation of more than the three released locations of Saudi Arabia, Rome, and Moscow, as well as a few other bits and pieces of new information that make it worth wading through the first few paragraphs of recap.
The new parts sound promising, though the rest of the article is more of the same stuff we've had for months, it seems.
They can at least confirm that there are wearable keffiyehs; I need something to fill my Lawrence complex. o_Q
Don't worry, someone will undoubtedly make a mod for that if it's not in-game already.
Good news, supplicants! (
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/107/1071691p1.html)
Our latest revelation from the Prophet Avellone bears fruition, for he has issued a new sura, bearing news that the Lord's Qur'an Alpha Protocol shall be revealed on June 1, 2010 in North America, with the honored tribes of Eurasia and Australia receiving preference of revelation with the dates of May 28 and May 27th, respectively. Praise be to Obsidian, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful!
What? You deny these revelations? What fools you are, indeed, for he has sent a vision confirming this revelation (
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/794751/obsidian-project-1/videos/alphaprotocol_trl_a_man_alone_22410.html)!)
...and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth, for the game shall be delayed until the 7th month of the Year of Our Lord, 2010. Thus sayeth the Jae.
It had no actual release date before, though. This time it's got one officially announced.
And what can change the nature of an official release date?
*Ravel cackles at SpaceAlex and waves her hands in a strange-looking eight-figure. You momentarily lose consciousness.*
Updated your journal.
Now that is cool box art, unlike what it was previously which was garbage.
Excellent cover art - although I must admit I am ashamed to notice a similarity to Dragon Age's cover art: a silhouette with several character/action screenshots inset.
Here's a higher res version of the video (the ones on the IGN site are crap - dunno why they bother any more seeing as they officially upload them to YouTube now anyway).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmXrbo3sRrM&hd=1)
Nothing on GT as yet, but presumably they'll have the 1080 version eventually.
To balance out all of the gushy, Mass Effect love, I present you with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD-LgkR-AHo)
I remember when this game was supposed to be out in October 2009, it is now announced for June 2010, so I am expecting to be able to buy it in March 2011.
GDC dev walkthrough of a bit of the Saudi Arabia level -
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/gdc-10-alpha-protocol/63046) It's the 360 version and there's some nasty looking DOF issues by the looks. The AI seems a bit retarded as well.
Judging by the end of the clip, it would seem at least some of the story exposition is done via flashbacks.
Hoping the AI is just due to scaling down difficulty for video purposes, otherwise, that would be one of the worst AIs I've seen to date.
I'm more concerned about its technical stability rather then its Artificial Intelligence. Obsidian makes great story-driven games but they also forget to remove any bugs or glitches that appear in their games as well; thus, ruining the cinematic experience and story-driven nature of their games. Just look at Neverwinter Nights 2 (and its expansion packs) and you'll see what I'm talking about.
I hope Alpha Protocol is an exception in this regard.
but they also forget to remove any bugs or glitches that appear in their games as well
It wasn't on their 'to do' list that day?
It wasn't on their 'to do' list that day?
My original point is that their games (KotOR II, Neverwinter Nights 2) usually have a high amount of bugs/glitches. (I got stuck on Citadel Station in TSL for 2 months before finally figuring out a solution and progressing normally.) Even more so then the average triple AAA title. This isn't their fault obviously, (due to high amounts of release pressure from the game publishers) and BioWare has the same problem as well. (I'm not a blind fan-boy!)
Anyway, given the amount of delays Alpha Protocol has received, the game should be bug free and the experience should run smoothly when its released.
The character models look dated, screen tearing is distracting and those extra months of post-delay polish don't shine through.
Ahh, Obsidian at its best. This is going to be an excellent game and this line proves it.
Ahh, Obsidian at its best. This is going to be an excellent game and this line proves it.I don't know why they're criticizing textures; they look fine to me. It's not like Mass Effect didn't have graphical anomalies; feel free to watch the sex scene. :raise:
This interview (
http://www.irontowerstudio.com/forum/index.php/topic,1473.0.html) is also rather enlightening. :)
Who cares about textures.
Obsidian expects you to put down the controller after about 16 hours... Someone please tell me this isn't true.
I don't know why they're criticizing textures
They aren't, they criticised the character models and the ever-mysterious polish.
Who cares about textures.
Someone please tell me this isn't true.
Not necessarily because of the time it takes to complete. Probably the time when bugs will have you throw the controller away...
Remember K2. Remember.
Not necessarily because of the time it takes to complete. Probably the time when bugs will have you throw the controller away...
Remember K2. Remember.This game better not have many bugs after being delayed almost a year.
This game better not have many bugs after being delayed almost a year.Well they will not be able to blame Lucas Arts this time around.
Yes, Ztalker I remember TSL, it is still one of my favorite games despite the bugs.
Despite whatever bugs we may encounter in Alpha Protocol, I'm still going to play it for its story. Its not like Mass Effect didn't have any bugs or glitches; and despite what Joystiq says, I think the textures in Alpha Protocol look perfectly fine as it is. (Judging from the screen-shots.)
I think a lot of the gripes stem from the fact that AP is a multi-platform title (as well as Obsidian's first PS3 title). There have been few, if any, simultaneous multi-platform titles that haven't suffered because of the inevitable compromises that need to be made in development.
Hmmm... the 16 hour estimation has me a bit worried, I like my RPG stories lengthy and stretched out. I also have a feeling 90% of those hours will be spent in combat anyway, so hopefully the story is still good. I can deal with bugs, as long as the framerate isn't constantly locking up, and anything above 2004 graphics is playable for me.
Well they will not be able to blame Lucas Arts this time around.
Yes, Ztalker I remember TSL, it is still one of my favorite games despite the bugs.
It's my favorite too...after all the patches. I remember buying the game on the first release day and trying to swoop race...with a swoop glued to the ceiling.
Just saying it could be lethal for Alpha Protocol to have stuff like this. I hope it's epic though. RPG/Shooter/Spy game. Want.
16 hours for power-gamers=closer to 60 hours for me, since I take my time and explore every nook and cranny for sidequests. With any luck they'll add content after that.
16 hours isn't lengthy, but then, Mass Effect was only ~12, IIRC.
On bugs, I'm just hoping that's why the game's been so long delayed; but as DP says, it's pretty likely it'll come with a fair few. Then again, that's not exactly a problem specific to Obsidian. Mass Effect had a fair number of bugs on release, as did KotOR. Didn't stop them selling.
16 hours isn't lengthy, but then, Mass Effect was only ~12, IIRC.:lol: If you did a speed playthrough with no side quest then just maybe you could be able to finish ME in 12 hours or less.
Saying ME is 12 hours is like saying you can finish Oblivion in less than 8 hours. Yes, you most likely can finish the main quest, but the game is made up of not only the main quest, but the side quests too. If you want to only include the main quest in the length, then go play a shooter.
Except, who actually wanted to do, "Find x amounts of plutonium. Find x blablabla. Find y blablabla. Find z blablabla. Go to the same building 400 times, on these really boring planets that we only created to waste your time, and kill the same looking guys, in that same hallway."
I'm still trying to swallow the 16 hour estimate; I mean, a good main quest should probably have something like 10-12 missions. And then if we factor in the side quests at each hub, I'd say around 5-6 at each hub, so let's say 20 side missions. Is each mission like 15 minutes in length, even excluding dialog???
Most "professional" reviewers usually speed through the entire game, with only tasting side-quests, which is usually how games are reviewed at almost a week's notice. This can work in the game's favor... or not. IIRC, the same tactic was used in KotOR II, where even a few journalists ended up revising their dissertations when they replayed the game to discover the "Train you party members into Jedi" portion; definitely not a very positive indication of the reputation of video game journalism. :¬:
This new editorial (
http://www.gamezenith.com/?p=301) happens to push all of the buttons concerning why people should be more enthusiastic for Alpha Protocol, and for all the right reasons. Now that Splinter Cell: Conviction has been released (and subsequently panned for brevity and poor stealth mechanics), and Mass Effect 2 has been marred by a perceived lack of RPG-ness, Alpha Protocol has the chance to fill a niche and subsequently claim the throne of not only RPG of the Year, but possibly even Game of the Year. That is, unless if Obsidian's own New Vegas doesn't trample it. :xp:
I realize that Splinter Cell: Conviction isn't really the most "stealthy" game ever made, or better then the original games in the franchise; but must we bash it? I mean, it isn't all that bad as you think. Quite the contrary, I think it's actually a decent, fun game to play. Even with the stealth elements reduced. (Though, you must know that I've been playing the Splinter Cell games since I was 6.) Plus, the story, along with the music and cinematic presentation worked out better then I anticipated.
Anyway, I'll still play Alpha Protocol when it comes out. It is Obsidian after-all.