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Top 10 original video games of 2010

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Hollywood usually takes most of the slack when it comes to criticism for lack of originality, but in fact, the video game industry is even worse at creating original content, it’s a world dominated by franchises of every kind, from sports to action games, publishers and developers are usually taking the easy and safe way: sequels. And spin offs. And remakes. Etc.

We’ve compiled a list of top 10 original games that are scheduled for release for 2010 — and it was quite a challenge: out of the 130 games confirmed for 2010 by major publishers and developers, we found 19 that were original. Just 19.

10: Brink (Spring 2010)

Brink, an FPS developed by Splash Damage and published by Bethesda, centers around a two sides: Resistance and Security, and is a team based multiplayer shooter much like Quake Wars, which was also developed by Splash Damage. It looks promising as a multiplayer game, as it’s story based, much like Quake Wars, where one battle takes place over several maps, with a story connecting everything together.

9: Alpha Protocol (Spring 2010)

Alpha Protocol, developed by Obsidian Entertainment — developers of Star Wars: KOTOR 2 and Neverwinter Nights 2 — is a third person action RPG where the player assumes the role of Michael Thorton, a CIA agent who’s been betrayed and must not only fight his way through enemies, but also uncover the conspiracy that set him up.

8: Singularity (Q2 2010)

While time travel is a known concept in games, albeit underused, it’s still something that is difficult to fit in wiht the overall storyline, and the time feature never seems to be used properly. In Singularity, the player will have control over a TMD (Time Manipulation Device), a “weapon” which will be used to solve puzzles, for instance, if a door is locked, instead of looking for the key, you use the TMD and speed up time for the lock only, which will rust, and voila, door opened! Or use it on an enemy and watch him turn into a skeleton. The concept certainly seems intriguing, and offers some truly original puzzles.

7: Dante’s Inferno (February 9, 2010)

Dante’s Inferno has already caused a lot of controversy, from the fake E3 2009 protest, to gameplay elements where players can slay children. The gritty, hell based game is loosely based on the actual Inferno by Dante in The Divine Comedy, and the player assumes the role of Dante, who has to fight his way though monsters and demons in the 9 circles of hell, and decide whether he’ll be good and spare some (like children) or go reckless. It definitely looks as one of the darkest games of 2010.

6: MAG (January 26, 2010)

MAG (Massive Action Game) is a PS3 online FPS multiplayer who’s main feature is a massive 256 player online matches, with 128 players per team, divided into 8-player squads, 4 squads into a platoon, and 4 platoons into a company. With 256 players on the map, MAG is set to deliver some of the most intense and frantic combat yet, and will offer detailed stats and rankings, where higher ranked players will be able to command the battle and give orders to individual squads and platoons.

5: LA Noire (Q3 2010)

LA Noire, an open ended adventure game set in a recreated 1940s Los Angeles, which players can freely roam around, and chose to solve a number of murders around the city. The game has a great feeling of classic noir films based in LA, like LA Confidential, The Maltese Falcon and Chinatown, and draws inspiration from such works as well.

4: Rage (Q4 2010)

It’s been a while since Id Software has made an original game — actually, the last original game Id Software made was Quake, back in 1996. Id finally shows something new with Rage, a fusion between a first person shooter and a racing game set in a post-apocalyptic Mad Max styled world. It’s built with the all new Id Tech 5 engine, and shows very promising visuals, to say the least.

3: Heavy Rain (Q2 2010)

Heavy Rain has been on the radar since it was originally showcased at E3 2006, and will be released almost four years later, in Q2 2010. The gorgeous looking game centers around a serial killer known as “The Origami Killer”, and players assume roles of different characters who try and solve the murders. It’s one of the most stylish and atmospheric games to come out in 2010.

2: Alan Wake (Q2 2010)

What Heavy Rain is for the PS3, Alan Wake is for the Xbox 360. Developed by Remedy, Alan Wake is a psychological thriller inspired by the likes of Twin Peaks and Stephen King novels, where players assume the role of Alan Wake, a writer who seeks refuge at a quiet place where he can write his next novel (much like Stephen Kings “Misery“). However, when his wife vanishes, it’s up to him to get her back.

1: APB (March 2010)

APB is not only the most original MMO game to his the stores in 2010, it’s also the most original game overall. It’s the classic cops vs. robbers gameplay, but on a massive scale, with endless customizations and options, tons of missions and weapons. Created by David Jones, the original creator for GTA, APB is hailed as everything he wanted to do wince he made GTA, and while originally trying to pitch and sell APB to Rockstar as GTA Online, it’s good that APB is on its own now, we need a great, original game. And an MMO that’s not fantasy based.

Obsidian, Sega comment on Alpha Protocol’s delay

Not too long ago we let you know that Alpha Protocol would be getting a delay with news coming to us from various retailer’s websites. Shortly after we told you that Sega had updated their website to reflect the delay but they hadn’t actually spoken of such a delay, until now.

In an interview with CVG, Obsidian’s Feargus Urquhart comments on the delay:

“We’re very happy that Sega has made the decision to hold back the shipment of the game in order to give it the best chance at becoming the publishing success that we at Obsidian and our partners at Sega are striving for.”

Sega’s Alan Pritchard also comments:

“By pushing Alpha Protocol to Spring 2010, we can ensure that the game will be released in the best commercial release window possible and will also receive the focus this true AAA title deserves.”

So, they don’t want to release it around Modern Warfare 2? That sounds about right.

Sega officially announces Alpha Protocol delay

The first we heard of an Alpha Protocol delay was late last month when GameStop and Amazon.ca updated the game’s release date as to June 1st, 2010 and June 10th, 2010, respectively.

Well, today, Sega has officially announced that Alpha Protocol will be getting delayed until a vague Q2 2010. So, this leads up to believe that the release dates listed on the above two sites were just place holders.

Either way, we should be seeing Alpha Protocol hit store shelves for the PS3, PC and Xbox 360 sometime mid-2010.

Alpha Protocol: The Espionage RPG delayed

Those anxiously awaiting the release of Obsidian Entertainment’s Alpha Protocol: The Espionage RPG won’t be happy to hear that the title’s release date is getting pushed back.

Both GameStop and Amazon.ca have recently updated the ship dates which suggest the title will be hitting store shelves on June 1st and June 30th. So, this means those living in the United States will be able to purchase the game on June 1st of next year while those living in Canada will get it on June 30th, also of next year. This goes against the previously published ship date of late October.

Perhaps everyone is really getting out of the way for Modern Warfare 2?

Sega reveals Alpha Protocol pre-order specials

Sega loves offering pre-order incentives with some of their top titles, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that they would do the same for their upcoming action RPG Alpha Protocol. GameStop and GameCrazy will have their own unique pre-order packages, including in-game weapons and ammunitions.

Gamecrazy’s Stealth Pack

• Hamilton Marksman (High Accuracy Pistol: 7 accuracy, 5’s in other stats)
• Pistol Custom Upgrade Kit (+1’s all over)
• Samael Typhoon (High Recoil Control SMG: 7 recoil control, 5’s in other stats)
• SMG Custom Upgrade Kit (+1’s all over)
• 30 Tranquilizer Rounds
• 100 Hollow Point Rounds
• 20 Remote Mines
• 10 Radio Mimics

In addition, you will gain exclusive access to highly modified weaponry that can be purchased later in-game:

• Rittergroupen Rapier (Permanently Silenced Pistol, silenced without need for silencer)
  • Price: $450,000
• UC Purgatory (Giant Ammo Capacity SMGs , Ammunition 10)
  • Price: $450,000

Hit the jump for the GameStop pre-order details.

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Sega shows off their E3 lineup

With just over a day away from E3, Sega has finally revealed their entire lineup of games for showcase this year. Included in the lineup is The Conduit, one of the first titles to utilize Wii Speak, a microphone accessory. The list of games is quite diverse, with an FPS, RPG, and sports titles all in the same lot:

• Vancouver 2010
• The Conduit
• Planet 51
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
• BAYONETTA
• Alpha Protocol
• Aliens vs. Predator

Alpha Protocol Delayed

Seeing as how February has come and gone without Alpha Protocol being released, it can easily be deduced that the game had been delayed. It wasn’t until today that it was confirmed by publisher Sega, though, who noted that the game will now be released this October on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

The action-RPG will have players step into the shoes of a modern-day spy. Sega added that players can be "smooth like James Bond, cold and precise like Jason Bourne, or just plain explosively kick-ass like Jack Bauer."

The game was said to be affected by layoffs at developer Obsidian, which had its Aliens RPG project cancelled.