Alpha Protocol Dev: "An Absolute Failure Of A Production"

After several delays, Alpha Protocol finally launches this week. However, after the first reviews have come in, those who initially expressed interest in the "Espionage/RPG" are having second thoughts.

And it seems one of the game's developers responded to one of the more mediocre reviews over at Joystiq; his comment - by "a tired dev" - is long and scathing; in other words, he didn't show up to defend his game, but rather to agree with the review(s). He levels a whole lot of blame in the direction of Obsidian Executive Producer Chris Parker, who he said believed "he was the world's greatest designer ever," and wouldn't listen to any of the other team members. This resulted in a bunch of "absolutely sh**** systems" within the gameplay (of which I have first-hand knowledge). The poster also mentions Sega because as the publisher, "they kept changing the design requirements, which never gave the producers and designers time to actually decide on one set of features to make and polish." He then just says the game should've been scrapped, and does appear excited about a few other impending Obsidian titles:

"This game was just an absolute failure of production, and it's no wonder that so many of the developers left the company, even after the 40% staff layoffs. I am still happy about some of Obsidian's other current projects, New Vegas included, because they are going pretty well. Their big unannounced project is looking great and is already much better than AP ever was, and that may end up being the game that everyone was looking for with AP.

Sega should have canceled AP instead of Aliens..."

Well, firstly, we're apparently the only source left (maybe besides GameSpot) that actually abides by review embargo dates (my piece of paper says June 1), so you don't have our analysis yet. But you will, and it will be up on June 1...not like anybody should be rarin' to read it. It's a little depressing when a developer on a game turns around and says something like this but after playing, it's understandable. I've often wondered how certain games ever make it out the door; of the literally dozens upon dozens of individuals it has to pass through before getting the final okay, not one stood up and said, "er...this isn't good, people"...? So weird.

Related Game(s): Alpha Protocol

5/29/2010 10:30:02 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (51 posts)

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Oxvial
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 10:50:32 AM
Reply

First AvP kinda suck , next they come with Iron Man 2 =S....wonder if Ap gonna be the worse of those three.

7 up, 1 down

Godslim
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 4:53:10 AM

ah man iron man 2 is probably one of the worst games i have ever played!

0 up, 0 down

spiderboi
Monday, May 31, 2010 @ 11:13:26 AM

Tried out Iron Man 2 demo. Man did that blow. Everything felt so wrong. Flying. The weapons. Fighting. Melee. A machine gun that give damage like a toothpick-spewing dispenser. And where's the chest unibeam??? Comparing tho with Iron Man 1 demo, the gameplay here is a bit more bearable, BUT...IMHO IM1 demo had waaay better graphics. It just seem grainy when IM or WM were shown up close.

0 up, 0 down

MartyRules
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 10:51:08 AM
Reply

Did they even test it before relesing? Wii don't need a cluter of bad games like a certain console.

8 up, 2 down

BTNwarrior
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 10:53:24 AM
Reply

Well I was kind of looking forward to this game. Not any more though, thanks for the warning dev

5 up, 1 down

coverton341
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 11:37:40 AM
Reply

That really really sucks for the people that were looking forward to this game. I know there were quite a few people on this site that were anxiously waiting for this title to come out. I remember even catchy a ton of flack because I jokingly said "oh this title is still coming out?"

Ouch.

1 up, 1 down

JackC8
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 11:37:45 AM
Reply

An honest man - mark this day on your calendar! :) Contrast that with the guy who came out after the game was delayed and told us they were polishing it into a AAA title.

Oh well, hopefully this unannounced thing will be better. And I'm still hoping for Aliens: Colonial Marines. I think something like that, if done well, could be awesome.

2 up, 1 down

sonic1899
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 11:56:51 AM
Reply

When you create something, you're supposed to have an unconditional passion for it, regardless of how good or terrible it is. For these guys to doubt their own product, it doesn't only send a message that it's no good, but that they probably shouldn't have made it in the first place. So why should I spend my money on something the creators feel shouldn't exist?

2 up, 2 down

sawao_yamanaka
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 12:11:26 PM

He's propably making sure you don't waste any money on their garbage. Well that's good at least he puts the blame where it belongs. The head of development should allow input from all the staff but oh well. Sega has been lacking a lot lately.

7 up, 1 down

FlyingKickPunch
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 12:03:45 PM
Reply

I don't see why Obsidian is so upset, they did the same exact thing with Neverwinter Nights 2. I'm beginning to think that they can't make a AAA experience. Oh well. All I can say to those interested in New Vegas... Beware! :)

6 up, 1 down

sawao_yamanaka
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 12:12:02 PM

:) like the pic and yes I agree.

0 up, 1 down

FlyingKickPunch
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 2:16:02 PM

thanks sawao :)

0 up, 1 down

Kangasfwa
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 2:45:09 PM

Obsidian did make KOTOR 2 last gen, which was a great game. Then again, that was 5 years ago...

Last edited by Kangasfwa on 5/29/2010 2:45:35 PM

3 up, 1 down

fluffer nutter
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 12:20:27 PM
Reply

There's another gaming site that I frequent but the guy that did the review has a very bad comprehension problem and is more of a gossip writer than anything which puts a black mark on the whole site. He gave this game an 8 and I do not trust it.

0 up, 3 down

sawao_yamanaka
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 12:40:26 PM

Game isn't worth it. Trust me. Leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

1 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 1:20:47 PM
Reply

Something stank about this game from the word Go. If Obsidian messes up New Vegas I will drill them a New Arsehole.

8 up, 1 down

carl0975
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 1:36:17 PM

I'm not worried about New Vegas, I'm sure it will even be better than Fallout 3(although it might be a bit shorter due to the larger number of weapons, outfits, and dialogue options, which would kind of suck)

Last edited by carl0975 on 5/29/2010 1:36:38 PM

3 up, 0 down

Natalisrubbish
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 2:00:47 PM

Same here world, they sure as heck better not mess up New Vegas after the legacy Fallout 3 left behind.

3 up, 1 down

Zorigo
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 3:56:51 PM

Oh i soo agree with that. Me and my mate are looking forward to new vegas on another level... so if they eff it up...
World wont be the only one doing obscene things... Heck, i'll make a day of it, bring friends a long and make a lunch...

Last edited by Zorigo on 5/29/2010 3:57:34 PM

2 up, 1 down

Imagi
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 1:22:39 PM
Reply

saw this coming

3 up, 2 down

Zorigo
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 1:55:59 PM
Reply

I was originally interested in the premise, but the overloaded box art and lack of info lessened its appeal, so i stopped caring and started paying attention elsewehere

0 up, 1 down

Kangasfwa
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 2:47:47 PM
Reply

Well, sh*t. (as my Grandfather used to say)

Last edited by Kangasfwa on 5/29/2010 2:48:07 PM

3 up, 2 down

Kangasfwa
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 3:07:46 PM

"Chris Parker (also an owner of the company), seemed to think he was the world's greatest designer ever ... [Parker] basically took over the game and dictated exactly how everything would work (or not work, as the case may be) ... [micromanaging] all the designers and programmers directly ... it was obvious 2 years ago that this game should have been scrapped."

Quoted from "a tired developer" across the link

0 up, 2 down

jdt1981
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 2:59:46 PM
Reply

Sad, I was looking forward to this. I didn't know allot people left Obsidian recently maybe they're not the same quality studio that made KOTOR 2 and Never Winter Nights...

0 up, 0 down

FlyingKickPunch
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 5:28:02 PM

BioWare made Neverwinter Nights, Obsidian ruined it with Neverwinter Nights 2. Just to clear that up for ya :)

1 up, 1 down

NeoHumpty
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 5:37:50 PM
Reply

I'm a bit nervous now about all the changes I've been reading that New Vegas will have over 3. Hell, 3 was a bundle of glitches as it was. Time will tell, I guess. I'm betting their unannounced game is a new KOTOR. Part 2 already kinda sucked compared to the first.

1 up, 1 down

FlyingKickPunch
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 6:52:40 PM

A lot of WRPG's are filled with glitches. I think it's the nature of the beast. Having so many choices for everything and no set order in which to do things is a nightmare for QA.

4 up, 0 down

NeoHumpty
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 7:33:52 PM

I understand some strange things happening. Uncharted 2 even has some, and I'm facing several in Red Dead Redemption now. But, Fallout 3 had some that pretty much broke the game. They fixed some of them, but, most were SO glaringly obvious that they can't be excused so easily. Either they didn't test the game out, or they said "screw it" and released it anyway. Don't get me wrong, I still played through again to Plat it. I just think devs should put it off if it's not ready.

5 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 9:55:42 PM

They do need to test these games better, but I didn't find anything that broke Fallout 3, Oblivion on the other hand...

2 up, 1 down

CharlesD
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 6:41:51 PM
Reply

Kinda called this one, love the quote used for this article ben. Glad I didn't get this one :)

0 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 6:42:02 PM
Reply

Maybe I'll get it for like ten bucks just to see how bad it is.

3 up, 1 down

StangMan80
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 7:44:02 PM
Reply

I wasn't sold on this game. the trailers and from what I've been hearing I was thinking about it, now you can forget about it.

1 up, 1 down

chedison
Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ 11:04:03 PM
Reply

You can pretty much tell it's bad from the trailer, and certainly from the interview video. Or at least I could... It looks like they were trying to hype up a PS 2 game and forgot to release it in 2006.

2 up, 1 down

Jalex
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 12:00:59 AM
Reply

Eh. I must be one of the few who's actually still planning on buying it, then.
All the videos I've seen of it in action were impressive, and I'd really like to try out this new mash-up of genres. That, and I've never missed out on an Obsidian game (really glad for that, too).

3 up, 1 down

bridgera
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 4:03:51 PM

As I posted below, if a Developer says a game is trash and not worth playing, you'll probably be happiest taking that advice.

Maybe you should consider waiting until it hits the $20-$30 bin ?

1 up, 1 down

bridgera
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 4:03:52 PM

As I posted below, if a Developer says a game is trash and not worth playing, you'll probably be happiest taking that advice.

Maybe you should consider waiting until it hits the $20-$30 bin ?

1 up, 1 down

spiderboi
Monday, May 31, 2010 @ 11:15:41 AM

Yeah Jalex. Take bridgera's advice and wait it out in the bin. There are so many titles out there that are worth your immediate attention :)

1 up, 1 down

kraygen
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 1:56:42 AM
Reply

I'm surprised that anyone was surprised by this. I thought this game looked like gutter trash from day 1. Sure espionage rpg sounds good, but one look at one of the video's from this game and it just screams "This game sucks!"

I'm looking forward to ben's review tho, should be hilarious. I can see it now, bad gameplay, terrible dialogue, bad voice acting, graphics will probably get like a 4. Game should have died as soon as the first vid was released.

3 up, 1 down

___________
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 2:55:23 AM
Reply

another sega game bites the dust!!!!!!
thats it im through buying sega games.
can they release 1 great title this gen? just one thats all im asking.

the gameplay in alpha protocol is nothing but tripe, but that aside its still a decent game.
the story is actually quite good and very well put together. and it does 1 thing heavy rain promised to do but failed.
QD and sony were always touting every decision you make in heavy rain effects the story.
which is a load of BS!!!
maybe one or 2 but thats really about it, and it does not really change it all it does is give you one extra cut scene or one less.
like if madison and ethan escape the cops you miss out on the police interrogation but thats really about it nothing really changes.

but with alpha protocol its very different, everything you do can change the game, what happenes story wise, which missions you get or plain miss out on, how people react to you, what equipment or intel you have available to you. the way you act the way people portray you changes the game. heavy rain could only dream of that!!!

that, and that alone makes alpha protocol a decent game since its really the first game to allow the player to shape the game the was he sees fit.
no other game i have played puts this much emphasis on your actions and that really forces you to think before you speak.
no game has ever made me do that before!

0 up, 5 down

SmokeyPSD
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 3:01:55 AM

Valkryia Chronicles... Bayonnetta wasn't half bad after it was patched either.

2 up, 0 down

___________
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 8:13:16 AM

not a real fan of RPGs and bayonetta was a cheap clone of DMC and a bad one at that.
the most repetitive most over rated game in existence, o besides GTAIV obviously.

1 up, 3 down

Bandit King
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 9:35:52 AM

Valkyria Chronicles, Yakuza 3, Sonic and Sega all stars Racing, Resonance of Fate and Virtua Fighter 5 all more then justify SEGA as a great PS3 developer and publisher. Sega's not the one who made this mess, Obsidian is.

2 up, 0 down

___________
Monday, May 31, 2010 @ 9:34:25 AM

so i have to say it again?
ok maybe it will get through this time.
I AM NOT A RPG FAN!!!!
get through yet???
yakuza 3 was ok but a freaking babysit.
i dont play games to babysit a bunch of kids, i get enough of that in life.
sega all stars racing?
your kidding right?
might as well say rouge warriors a good game!!!

sega suck this gen, face it they have fallen from grace of yesteryear.
they have released so many games and not one sticks up the top.
ubisoft, sony, M$, EA, bethesda, THQ, hell even activision. all these publishers have managed to give us at least one AAA title. sega have not, and could not if there life depended on it!!!
i hope they dont f*ck up sonic 4 i really want that to be a good game, but knowing sega they will find some way to do it.
if anyone can destroy such a bulletproof game such as sonic its sega.

no sega did make the mess if you read the article sega kept changing the design requirements they kept telling the developers to add or change things.
if you have a game thats f*cked and are asked to constantly add things in than where does the time come from to fix the fu*ked things?

0 up, 3 down

Bandit King
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 9:32:46 AM
Reply

Not really a big loss, this game looked terrible when they first showed it off. After playing it (local mom&pop store was selling it early and had it in their demo system) I can't really see where the potential ever was, its a sloppy mess of a game.

1 up, 1 down

KING313
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 11:13:10 AM
Reply

I really really wanted this game and was pretty peeved when I would only be able to rent it and not buy it........Then, GT.com posted a very disappointing review. Then....I saw an article here about a producer saying it was garbage. I removed that trash from my Gamefly list so quick.

1 up, 1 down

spiderboi
Monday, May 31, 2010 @ 11:14:25 AM

Dude (Contraband), what's wrong with you?

0 up, 0 down

CONTRABAND
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 1:02:48 PM

input this URL: w w w. go F*CK your self. co m

1 up, 2 down

bridgera
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 4:01:07 PM
Reply

Well when a Developer says their game is trash, take their advice and don't bother with it.

1 up, 1 down

PorkChopGamer
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 4:12:21 PM
Reply

How an unverified source is quoted is beyond me....I'm still gonna go with my ample gut and buy it. The core gameplay looks interesting enough to warrant the purchase. And I've been too excited about it to shut it down completely. Plus not all the reviews have been terrible. Heck if I wanted slick animation and graphics, I wouldn't be enjoying Nier and Yakuza 3.

1 up, 0 down

Kai200X
Sunday, May 30, 2010 @ 6:02:57 PM
Reply

I was never looking forward to AP. I remember I watched one of the interview on GT and the clips they showed just horrible. Hopefully Fallout: New Vegas will be just as good as Fallout3.

2 up, 1 down

BikerSaint
Monday, May 31, 2010 @ 11:44:13 PM
Reply

Damn!
I still want AP, but I'll definitely wait it out.

For me, the good news to come out of this is I should be able to grab this one out of the bargain bin pretty damned fast.

0 up, 0 down

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