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Sega Is Not Keen On A Second Alpha Protocol

Poor sales and mediocre ratings to blame.

The bad mamba of mediocre reviews coupled with poor sales has blasted the idea of an Alpha Protocol 2 out of publisher Sega's mind for the time being.  
 
In an oddly early and candid chat about Alpha Protocol with CVG, Sega president Mike Hayes dashed all hopes of a sequel. "Let's speak very commercially; the game hasn't sold what we've expected, therefore we won't be doing a sequel," Hayes said. 
 

 Unfortunately for the other guy, Thornton's pistol skill was low.
 Unfortunately for the other guy, Thornton's pistol skill was low.

This decision doesn't discount the fact that the game had some cool ideas. Hayes called the espionage RPG concept of Alpha Protocol "brilliant," before coloring the rest of his comments with a stone cold business reality, namely the effect that Metacritic scores have on sales. "You know, this whole thing with Metacritifc where you have to be in the high 70's- to mid-80's minimum [to have success]--well, with RPGs, you have to be in the late 80's."

== TEASER ==Alpha Protocol did a lot right, for sure. The dialogue and alternate narrative paths were interesting, but the gaggle of technical issues and freaky shooting mechanics were big bummers that sapped the experience. In our review, it was said, "There are brilliant moments in Alpha Protocol, but they're all but muted by poor gunplay and a list of unfortunate technical issues." Now, it looks like Obsidian won't get a chance to try it again. 

173 Comments

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BradNicholson

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Edited By BradNicholson

The bad mamba of mediocre reviews coupled with poor sales has blasted the idea of an Alpha Protocol 2 out of publisher Sega's mind for the time being.  
 
In an oddly early and candid chat about Alpha Protocol with CVG, Sega president Mike Hayes dashed all hopes of a sequel. "Let's speak very commercially; the game hasn't sold what we've expected, therefore we won't be doing a sequel," Hayes said. 
 

 Unfortunately for the other guy, Thornton's pistol skill was low.
 Unfortunately for the other guy, Thornton's pistol skill was low.

This decision doesn't discount the fact that the game had some cool ideas. Hayes called the espionage RPG concept of Alpha Protocol "brilliant," before coloring the rest of his comments with a stone cold business reality, namely the effect that Metacritic scores have on sales. "You know, this whole thing with Metacritifc where you have to be in the high 70's- to mid-80's minimum [to have success]--well, with RPGs, you have to be in the late 80's."

== TEASER ==Alpha Protocol did a lot right, for sure. The dialogue and alternate narrative paths were interesting, but the gaggle of technical issues and freaky shooting mechanics were big bummers that sapped the experience. In our review, it was said, "There are brilliant moments in Alpha Protocol, but they're all but muted by poor gunplay and a list of unfortunate technical issues." Now, it looks like Obsidian won't get a chance to try it again. 
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RE_Player1

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Edited By RE_Player1

Cool news story bro

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ApertureSilence

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Edited By ApertureSilence

Giantaku?

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MisterMouse

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Edited By MisterMouse

That is unfortunate because there were some positives in that game that cant be found elsewhere.

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Tiwi

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Edited By Tiwi
@RE_Player92 said:
" Cool news story bro "
what the fuck is this supposed to mean?
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sixghost

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Edited By sixghost

You heard it hear fifth.

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yinstarrunner

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Edited By yinstarrunner

Well that's sad.  Alpha Protocol was a pretty unique game and I'd love to see if Obsidian could refine it and make it better.

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dussssstin

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Edited By dussssstin

I found it funny how the game kept prepping for a sequel. 
 
It's a shame they didn't take all that delay time to make the game better.

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deactivated-64ba3d2213a4d

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That's a shame, Alpha Protocol was a great game. It had its quirks, but there are very few RPGs that dont.

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FrostyHerpiez

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Edited By FrostyHerpiez

I was excited for this game at first...but then once i realized sega was involved something told me they would crap that game up...and they did

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deactivated-5ba16609964d9

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There were some interesting ideas I hope other games borrow but I am not really surprised by this news.

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bretthancock

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Edited By bretthancock

This has been the story with every Sega published game for what seems like 6 years.

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ApertureSilence

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Edited By ApertureSilence
@tiwi said:
" @RE_Player92 said:
" Cool news story bro "
what the fuck is this supposed to mean? "
It means this is a barely-news story that has already been reported exactly the same way all over. Usually the thing that sets GiantBomb's news pieces apart is their unique perspective and strong editorial voice. Not the case here.
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bigchief

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Edited By bigchief

Sad, but that's how it goes, I suppose. It might have been good to give them a chance to go again with the criticism of the first under their belt and see where they took it, but I could see that being too big of a financial risk.

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Hilfemaster

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Edited By Hilfemaster

I really liked Alpha protocol so this is bad news.

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dbz1995

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Edited By dbz1995

From what I hear of this game, it deserves a sequel for having talent buried deep within. Pity it won't get that excavation it needs.

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CountDog

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Edited By CountDog

Too bad, I really like this game. I haven't had this weird exciting feeling when playing this game since I had played Mass Effect.

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Jimbo

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Edited By Jimbo

What a shame.  Cult Classicdom awaits.
 
This didn't really deserve to flop, but what can you do, the market is what it is.  Polished turds review and sell better than rough diamonds nowadays.

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deactivated-5e49e9175da37

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Too bad.  I would like to see Obsidian clear its own path in the world instead of working with other people's IPs.  Alpha Protocol could've been their Mass Effect.  Instead it's their Jade Empire.

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jonnyboy

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Edited By jonnyboy

I played a bit of it, slow burner sure but it wasn't that bad.

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zander1123

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Edited By zander1123

What is happening to giantbomb, first headlines that are questions and now close to a copy + paste of a different site. :(

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Tiwi

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Edited By Tiwi
@MurderByDeath said:
" @tiwi said:
" @RE_Player92 said:
" Cool news story bro "
what the fuck is this supposed to mean? "
It means this is a barely-news story that has already been reported exactly the same way all over. Usually the thing that sets GiantBomb's news pieces apart is their unique perspective and strong editorial voice. Not the case here. "
so because it's just an update, it's bad? I don't go "all over" I wouldn't know if I hadn't checked here. I'll ask again. what the fuck is that condescending comment doing there? there's absolutely NO need for it
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Binman88

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Edited By Binman88
@MurderByDeath said:
" @tiwi said:
" @RE_Player92 said:
" Cool news story bro "
what the fuck is this supposed to mean? "
It means this is a barely-news story that has already been reported exactly the same way all over. Usually the thing that sets GiantBomb's news pieces apart is their unique perspective and strong editorial voice. Not the case here. "

No Caption Provided
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endaround

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Edited By endaround
@tiwi: Seriously weird that some people get upset that coming to a gaming news site they get gaming news.
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bigchief

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Edited By bigchief
@endaround:  Yeah, that's...kinda weird. Also dumb.
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deadly_polo

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Edited By deadly_polo

Somewhat of a shame since I really liked the ideas and was in anticipation of Alpha Protocol - but the reviews dissuaded me from purchase. I think that a second game may well have evicted the bad bits, but as we all know money talks loudest.

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paulunga

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Edited By paulunga
@Binman88: 
 
No Caption Provided
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MeatSim

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Edited By MeatSim

All the technical issues really hurt this game.

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Vinchenzo

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Edited By Vinchenzo

Kind of a lame news story. Really didn't need to be said... but everyone can't just blindly hate on the interns. It's not like they do this 100% on their own. They have direction from the staff I'm sure. Really they're just there to put in filler content until the staff writes something.

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CouncilSpectre

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Edited By CouncilSpectre

Bummer.  Played Alpha P about six times.  Loved it.

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LegalBagel

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Edited By LegalBagel

Ouch - was hoping to see a new and improved AP2 that solved the issues.  Unfortunate since most games seem to hit their stride in the second iteration.  A more focused sequel with less (and improved) gunplay/stealth and more cool spy stuff would have been awesome.
 
Surprised they didn't get a shot to make it given the praise the game has gotten for certain aspects, but I imagine Obsidian's track record might have worked against them there.  I wouldn't necessarily trust them to fix everything wrong if given another shot.

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RE_Player1

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Edited By RE_Player1
@Binman88 said:
" @MurderByDeath said:
" @tiwi said:
" @RE_Player92 said:
" Cool news story bro "
what the fuck is this supposed to mean? "
It means this is a barely-news story that has already been reported exactly the same way all over. Usually the thing that sets GiantBomb's news pieces apart is their unique perspective and strong editorial voice. Not the case here. "

No Caption Provided
"
i was just joking guys... get some durgers and chill out
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LegalBagel

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Edited By LegalBagel
@tiwi said:
" @RE_Player92 said:
" Cool news story bro "
what the fuck is this supposed to mean? "
It's called generic first post for the quest without getting banned.
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Flappy

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Edited By Flappy

Flappy is saddened by such news.

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l3illyl3ob

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Edited By l3illyl3ob

Unfortunately, "Brilliant moments" hampered by "technical issues" is Obsidian's MO.  Hate to be a hater, especially since I love what these guys stand for and have been trying to do, but has Obsidian actually released a game that was met with critical acclaim and wasn't beset by really large technical issues?  It seems like every single game they've ever made could be described in the exact way Jeff's review described Alpha Protocol.  It's kind of a shame, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried at least a little bit about New Vegas.

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the_hiro_abides

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Edited By the_hiro_abides

As for the news article being posted I give a pass to Giantbomb while they are still settling into the new place. Next week or so I'd feel different.
 
I'm a little bummed this will probably never get a sequel but at least it compelled me to play through it twice.

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ISmoochyI

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Edited By ISmoochyI

makes sense they wouldn't make a sequel 

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Marz

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Edited By Marz

don't know why you guys are hating on the interns, they already said they hired them so that they had more time to do activities like TNT.

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l3illyl3ob

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Edited By l3illyl3ob

Pretty sure Brad Nicholson is a freelancer and not an intern.

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Animasta

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Edited By Animasta

Expected, but sad anyway.

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Binman88

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Edited By Binman88
@paulunga said:
" @Binman88: 
 
No Caption Provided
"

No Caption Provided
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hungrynun

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Edited By hungrynun

Lol Metacritifc.

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checcoz

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Edited By checcoz

 Seen the results with Mass Effect 2, at the current state of things I'd prefer a lot more to play Alpha Protocol 2 than Mass Effect 3.
 
I don't care what others say about the bad control or old graphics, the story and the multiple choices are the bomb and AP succeded in that, ME 2 not.
 
Hell, how much does it cost to make a game nowadays? I'll finance Obsidian by miself if needed :\

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RE_Player1

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Edited By RE_Player1
@Deathpooky said:
" @tiwi said:
" @RE_Player92 said:
" Cool news story bro "
what the fuck is this supposed to mean? "
It's called generic first post for the quest without getting banned. "
kind of got that quest months ago by accident and I couldn't care less about quests... all I meant was this is a cool news story and I consider Brad N, and the rest of the GB staff, bros
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Bones8677

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Edited By Bones8677
@MurderByDeath said:
" @tiwi said:
" @RE_Player92 said:
" Cool news story bro "
what the fuck is this supposed to mean? "
It means this is a barely-news story that has already been reported exactly the same way all over. Usually the thing that sets GiantBomb's news pieces apart is their unique perspective and strong editorial voice. Not the case here. "
Jesus, not another one of these posts. Let it go already.
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Yzzerdd

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Edited By Yzzerdd

" ==TEASER ="
What the hell is that shit?

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williamhenry

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Edited By williamhenry

Totally bummed. I thought AP was great. The story and multiple paths were awesome. I'd play through it again if I had the time, which is something I almost never do. It wasn't a perfect game, but the good it did easily outweighs its faults.

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glitznglam_style

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Edited By glitznglam_style


A great game that lacked polish.  Great story, characters, RPG systems, solid dice roll combat mechanic, lots of replay due to your choices, etc.
 
There's true potential for a sequel here, but instead Sega will continue to be stupid and try to pretend that there is a large hardcore market on the Wii. 
  
See you in the unemployment line, Sega employees. :(    
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Evilsbane

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Edited By Evilsbane
@l3illyl3ob said:
"   It's kind of a shame, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried at least a little bit about New Vegas. "
Worried? I am scared shitless about NV.
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Brackynews

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Edited By Brackynews

 -well, with RPGs, you have to be in the late 80's.    

Sega Pres. speaks the truth. 1989 was an awesome year for RPGs.