While an Alpha Protocol delay has been rumored for some time, it took publisher Sega until today--October 6, the day that Obsidisan's espionage role-playing game was supposed to be on store shelves--to confirm that the title is now due in 2010.

Official word on the delay emerged via the game's official site, which lists the PC and Xbox 360 editions for release on May 6 and the PlayStation 3 version for "Spring." Amusingly, Joystiq notes that the site was briefly listing all three as "out now."

Update: The game's official site has once again been revised, with all three versions--PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360--now listed for "Spring, 2010."

This marks the second major delay for the game, originally due in February 2009.

Indications are rising that Obsidian's "espionage RPG" Alpha Protocol may not arrive this year, with two major retailers now listing the game for release in mid-2010.

Updated listings on GameStop and Amazon.ca claim that all three versions--PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3--are now slated for June 2010. Both sites previously listed the game for October 2009--a timeframe announced earlier this year by publisher Sega.

Neither Sega nor Obsidian have yet to issue any comment--we've reached out to both.

This morning, a leaked internal document from Sega included a Sony product evaluator's criticism of developer Obsidian's upcoming RPG Alpha Protocol, which specified that the game "felt barely RPG" and was initially "too challenging." Obsidian has now responded, with company representatives telling forum goers that "people who play one level don't see the RPG experience."

Studio marketing manager Matthew Rorie wrote:

We're not really sure how much this gentleman played of Alpha Protocol, or what his ideas of an RPG are. Suffice to say, the game is 100% an RPG; we don't really make any other kind of game. You earn XP, you get levels, you choose your skill progression, you modify your weapons, you interact with NPCs (or kill/sleep with them), the world reacts to ... Read more

Sega's presumably accidental publication of a confidential talk with PlayStation maker Sony did more than just leak word of downloadable PS2 games for PS3--it provides a rare glimpse into the workings of the industry and the deals that determine exclusivity, what controller is in a commercial, and whose game will be displayed where at E3.

The document, which inexplicably appeared recently on Sega's Media FTP, covers a number of topics, such as Sega asking Sony for a list of "Sega IP that would work well with the motion controller"--an "easy way to differentiate the PS3 SKU."

Interoperability between PlayStation 3 and PSP games was a major focus--"think of features that would make users want to buy both PS3 and PSP SKUs," wrote Sega. In fact, "SCEA would be really interested in having [Sega] at their booth next E3" should Gearbox's upcoming Aliens: Colonial Marines somehow support such functionality.

The discussion even ventured into marketing, with Sony offering Sega cash should it "show PS3 controller on TV ads" and possibly "helping on ... Read more

The latest trailer for Obsidian's espionage RPG Alpha Protocol examines how players "customize their Michael Thorton into the spy they want to be" in various safehouses.

The best part? When Thorton examines a memento from a past excursion and laments, "why can't all terrorists be as fun to kill as you?"

Published by Sega, Alpha Protocol hits PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on October 6.

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"We really tried to make the different approaches not necessarily equivalent but always balanced," explains Alpha Protocol creative designer Travis Stout in a new developer diary, "and there's always something and interesting and fun going on in each path."

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Publisher Sega recently announced a release date of October 6 for Obsidian's PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 espionage RPG, with the creative tagline "The Espionage RPG."

Obsidian's spy-themed action-RPG Alpha Protocol will ship off to North American retailers on October 6, publisher Sega has just announced.

The game is now tagged "The Espionage RPG," going by the box art issued today, with all three versions--PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360--to be released simultaneously.

In addition to Alpha Protocol, Obsidian has two other projects in the works--Fallout: New Vegas and a secret mystery title--with its Aliens RPG recently confirmed to be cancelled.

Obsidian's espionage RPG Alpha Protocol lets players create their own perfect secret agent--a stealth assassin who strikes from the shadows and vanishes without a trace.

You can also toss all that malarkey out the window in favour of tailoring your spy for firefights, explosions and all-round devastation, as new screenshots demonstrate.

Alpha Protocol is out for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in October.

This CG trailer for Obsidian's upcoming espionage-themed RPG Alpha Protocol was a bit perplexing at first. Everything gets straightened out in the end, though. In all of the endings, in fact.

Alpha Protocol arrives on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in October.

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This new development diary for Obsidian's espionage-based RPG Alpha Protocol explains the "Dialogue Stance System," or DSS. The system allows players to quickly choose their attitude in a dialogue situation, rather than a lengthy line of words.

Alpha Protocol arrives on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in October.

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Fallout: New Vegas developer Obsidian is also readying for the debut of its own original property, Alpha Protocol. This walkthrough trailer gives us an extended look at one mission from the espionage-based RPG, showing the importance of handler choice.

Alpha Protocol hits the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in October.

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Locked in a poorly-lit interrogation room, members of the Obsidian Entertainment development team are forced to answer questions on the high-tech Alpha Protocol.

Published by SEGA, the black ops action RPG sneaks onto PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in October. Then breaks your neck and 'splodes your house.

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Obsidian Entertainment's upcoming spy-themed action-RPG Alpha Protocol is shown off in the following trailer. As the impact text implies, Obsidian hopes to effectively mix RPG trappings with the brand of third-person action that the kids are into these days.

Alpha Protocol is looking at an October release on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

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Having missed its original February release date, Obsidian Entertainment's spy-RPG Alpha Protocol is now slated to arrive on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in October.

Publisher Sega revealed the new release window in a press release, which was posted by VG247. The company added that players can be "smooth like James Bond, cold and precise like Jason Bourne, or just plain explosively kick-ass like Jack Bauer."

Earlier this year, Sega canceled the Aliens RPG that was in development at Obsidian. The resulting layoffs at the studio were said to have affected the Alpha Protocol team.

Okay, as door-unlocking minigames go, the one in Obsidian's upcoming RPG Alpha Protocol isn't exactly shocking. However, as a door-picking minigame connoisseur, a master of unlocking, this developer diary represents a fascinating glimpse of future criminal recreation.

Alpha Protocol arrives on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in February 2009.

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Publisher Sega has released the first trailer for Obsidian's espionage-centric RPG Alpha Protocol, which packs the spy's regular diet of bullets and beautiful naked women.

Alpha Protocol arrives on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in February 2009.

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Currently making their way online are screenshots from upcoming Sega games. We have images from Alpha Protocol, Empire: Total War, Golden Axe: Beast Rider, Madworld, Samba de Amigo, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, Sonic Unleashed, Space Siege, Stormrise and Valkyria Chronicles.

Alpha Protocol (PC, PS3, X360) Empire: Total War (PC) Golden Axe: Beast Rider (PS3, X360)... Read more

Sega just sent over a dozen new screenshots from Alpha Protocol, the espionage-centered action-RPG in development at Obsidian Entertainment. Alpha Protocol is currently scheduled to hit PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in February 2009.

At a press event earlier this week, publisher Sega clarified the release plans for its stylish tactical RPG Valkyria Chronicles and Obsidian's spy-centric RPG Alpha Protocol.

Previously penciled for a vague fall arrival, Valkyria Chronicles (PS3) is now slated to debut in North America this November.

Meanwhile, Alpha Protocol (PC, PS3, 360) is projected for a February 2009 release, firming up that "early 2009" estimate.

Sega has released the first Alpha Protocol screenshots, showing off the recently announced spy action RPG from Neverwinter Nights 2 developer Obsidian Entertainment. Alpha Protocol is currently scheduled for an early 2009 release on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.