Sega Removes Obsidian's Spy RPG Alpha Protocol From Sale

From GameWatcher: "In an unexpected move, Obsidian's 2010 spy RPG Alpha Protocol has been removed from sale on Steam at the request of publisher Sega.

Not only that, but you'll be hard-pressed to find Alpha Protocol available for purchase on any of the major stores, regardless of platform."

[dreamoner]

techraptor.net: "According to a follow-up reply, SEGA also confirmed that the publishing rights reverted to Obsidian."

AP2 incoming?

[porkChop]

Woah, what? So Microsoft has the Alpha Protocol IP now. That's really interesting. Obsidian said multiple times that they wanted to continue the series.

[rainslacker]

That's a very good conclusion to make.

There are two scenarios that happen with publishing rights, where the IP belongs to someone else.

1. It's timed, and 10 years is not uncommon, and we're nearing the 10 year mark.
2. Companies can buy back the rights because they want to do something with it, and the original company that had the rights has first right to publish any new title in the series.

Since it's not quite 10 years, and Sega actually did pull the game, the 2nd scenario is more common, and the only reason to buy it back is because they want to do something with it. Otherwise, they'd just let the original publisher keep publishing, while they continue to collect revenues.

Could be a remaster, or a new game in the series.

@Porkchp

I think Obsidian owned the IP, but Sega had publishing rights. Kind of the same deal that Sony had with FF7 for publishing it on console.

[dreamoner]

Looks like techraptor f'd up; SEGA still owns the IP, music rights expired. IP is probably dead at this point... damn it.

[noxeven]

I think it was the music rights expired. At least I still own it

[Sidewinder-]

Turn up the Radio lad!

[darthv72]

Guess that means the version to get will be either XB360 or PS3.

[NiteX]

Didn't those versions run at 20fps?

[Welshy]

@NiteX What has the console performance got to do with anything? If they literally stopped selling it what other option do you have than buying older physical copies on console?

You can low-key mock console framerates if you want, but without physical media still being so relevant on consoles it's just a fact that decisions like this would contribute to almost completely residing a portion of games to the history books.

[spicelicka]

One of the reasons why having BOTH digital and physical options is the best. If this was a digital-only game it would be gone permanently.

[DaDrunkenJester]

Apparently obsidian got IP rights to Alpha Protocal, SEGA's publishing rights expired. So MS can put it back up for sale now since they own Obsidian. Which means there is hope for a sequel. I enjoyed alpha protocol despite it being a little jank

[Smokehouse]

If you already bought it on steam can you still download?

[Woozeh]

Yes. If you already own it, you can still install and play it.

[Movefasta1993]

I still have it on steam so yeah

[Smokehouse]

Thanks guys. I bought it awhile ago but still haven’t downloaded it.

[BlackIceJoe]

I'd love the reason for this is that Microsoft bought the IP from Sega and that Obsidian will be making a sequel, but the realistic reason is most likely because Microsoft bought Obsidian and Sega doesn't want to work with Microsoft.

[porkChop]

Sega confirmed the publishing rights have reverted back to Obsidian, so the IP is in Microsoft's hands. We'll definitely be seeing a sequel next gen.

[BlackIceJoe]

If that is true, I'm really happy and excited, because there is huge potential for that series.

[Ausbo]

Obsidian just said on Twitter that they don’t own it when people asked for a sequel

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

Sega appears to have not owned the IP of Alpha Protocol, they only held the publishing rights.

[Mulando]

Hoped for x1 compatibility or a Remaster-version of it. Was a great game.