Alpha Protocol

Infobox VG
title = Alpha Protocol


caption =
developer = Obsidian Entertainment
publisher = Sega
designer = Chris Avellone (lead designer), Brian Mitsoda (creative lead)
engine = Unreal Engine 3.0
released = March 2009
genre = RPG, Action
modes = Single-player
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=Rating Pending
platforms = Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows

"Alpha Protocol" is an upcoming third-person action RPG, developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Sega. The game revolves around the adventures of rookie CIA field agent Michael Thorton.

Plot

After a mission goes awry, Michael is cut off from all of his contacts and betrayed by his superiors and is being hunted by the United States government. In response, Michael uses the eponymous "Alpha Protocol", though it is normally reserved for more senior agents, and begins to operate under cover, to uncover the conspiracy.

Combat

Alpha Protocol is played from a third-person perspective, allowing the player to see Thorton and his surroundings at all times. As Thorton is a trained CIA operative, the tools at the player's disposal include numerous firearms, close-quarters combat, and spy gadgets.

In addition to the action elements, though, players also earn Advancement Points, which can be placed into any of the ten different skills in the game. [http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/alpha-protocol/preview/alpha-protocol-first-look/a-20080422121024489075/g-20080313162151178085/p-2 GamesRadar First Look] ] These skills will increase Thorton's ability to use certain weapons and grant different abilities to him. These abilities are free to use, but require a "cooldown" period before they can be used again. One ability that has been mentioned in previews allows Thorton to scan a group of enemies in slow-motion before popping out of cover and shooting each of them more rapidly than he would be capable of normally. [http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/alpha-protocol/preview/alpha-protocol-first-look/a-20080422121024489075/g-20080313162151178085/p-2 GamesRadar First Look] ]

The player can choose which skills to advance, allowing them to reinforce their play style. Examples include making Thorton more capable of stealth, more deadly in hand-to-hand combat, or better at gunplay. [http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/alpha-protocol/preview/alpha-protocol-first-look/a-20080422121024489075/g-20080313162151178085/p-2 GamesRadar First Look] ]

Dialogue

As with any RPG, Alpha Protocol features numerous characters to interact with. The dialogue system in the game allows the player to choose from three different attitudes when speaking to an NPC. Obsidian has said that these options are based on the personalities of the "three J.B.'s": Jason Bourne of the Bourne Identity novels and films, James Bond of the eponymous film and book series, and Jack Bauer of the television series 24, although the game itself does not use these names. So, during a dialogue sequence, the player will be able to choose from options like "professional" (Jason Bourne), "suave" (James Bond), and "aggressive" (Jack Bauer). [http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/alpha-protocol/preview/alpha-protocol-first-look/a-20080422121024489075/g-20080313162151178085/p-2 GamesRadar First Look] ] Each NPC will react differently to these choices; one character might be intimidated by an aggressive stance, but another character may find an aggressive stance to be insulting or childish.

Obsidian has also indicated that dialogue will not be repeatable, so that players will not be able to simply repeat dialogues over and over until the result is favorable to them. Fact|date=July 2008

tructure

Alpha Protocol has a hub structure, in which Thorton must utilize safehouses in each of his hub cities (which include Rome and Moscow) in order to lay low between missions. From the safehouses, Thorton can change clothing, access a weapons locker, telephone contacts, and attempt missions in the cities. Some missions are critical to the progression of the story, while others are optional.

Conversations may be gone through only once every game, so players will most likely have to play at least four games to see every bit of dialogue. Players may also earn money to buy weapons, sell weapons for money, and travel all around the world.

References

External links

* [http://www.alphaprotocol.com Official Website]
* [http://www.sega.com/news/?n=1851 Press Release (SEGA of America)]
* [http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/alpha-protocol/preview/alpha-protocol-first-look/a-20080422121024489075/g-20080313162151178085 GamesRadar.com Preview]
* [http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=187643 computerandvideogames.com Preview]