Aliens: Colonial Marines and Aliens RPG may be doomed, sources report

New sources reveal the possible fate of Aliens: Colonial Marines and the Aliens RPG being developed by Obsidian Entertainment.

Aliens: Colonial Marines and Aliens RPG may be doomed, sources report

Game over, man? Sega has yet to confirm the fate of its Aliens games.

READ: 4 Ways Colonial Marines Will Restore Order to the Aliens Franchise

According to unnamed sources at Joystiq and Kotaku, publisher Sega may be yanking its funding away from two games based on the hit sci-fi/horror series Aliens.

The situation appears most dire for the as-of-yet officially titled Aliens RPG, which was being developed by Obsidian Entertainment; the studio is best known for its work on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II (KOTOR II) and Neverwinter Nights 2. The Aliens RPG was announced in December of 2006 alongside Aliens: Colonial Marines, but neither Sega nor Obsidian has shared much about the game since that time.

Perhaps more troubling to fans is the unknown status surrounding Gearbox Studios' much-anticipated shooter Aliens: Colonial Marines. Not long ago, Gearbox Studios CEO Randy Pitchford defended the status of Aliens: Colonial Marines amidst rumors that the Gearbox had laid off employees who worked on the game. The current status of Aliens: Colonial Marines is not known, and Sega has not commented publicly on the rumors as of yet.

The difficulties surrounding the games come as Sega cut 560 jobs amidst international economic turmoil. Just days ago, Sega also announced the production of a new Aliens vs. Predator game developed by Rebellion Entertainment. It's not known if this game announcement ties into the fate of the Gearbox and Obsidian projects, but GamePro will keep you updated.

Below is a summary of the plot for Aliens: Colonial Marines from Wikipedia:

The story of Aliens: Colonial Marines is being written by Battlestar Galactica writers Bradley Thompson and David Weddle.[8] The events of the game are set after those of the film Alien 3.[9] A Colonial Marine search and rescue team has been sent to investigate the U.S.S. Sulaco in search of Ellen Ripley, Corporal Dwayne Hicks, and the rest of the missing marines who were dispatched to LV-426. The Sulaco, LV-426, Fiorina "Fury" 161 prison facility, and the derelict alien spacecraft from Alien all serve as environments in the game, as well as other locations yet to be detailed.

THE VERDICT by Sid Shuman Sid Shuman's Avatar

You know what? Speaking as a huge fan of the Aliens franchise, I'd almost rather that Aliens: Colonial Marines got canceled than be released as a half-assed shooter ala Haze or Quantum of Solace. Frankly, there are only a few game designers that I'd personally trust to produce a worthy Aliens game (Cliff Bleszinksi is one; RE4's Shinji Mikami and David Jaffe are others). I'm more bummed about the Aliens RPG allegedly being canceled, as I thought that had tons of potential. In any event, I'd rather they all take a dirt nap than be disgraced by lackluster games. Someone will do the Aliens series right, some day...

Comments [14]

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ViciousSid

I should add that I think Rebellion will do a great job with the new Aliens vs. Predator game -- they developed the first PC AvP game, and it was (and still is) the best Aliens game on the market. I think the new AvP is in good hands; I wish we could clear up the rumors about Aliens: CM and Aliens RPG.

Fat_bot

I've been looking forward to Colonial Marines, at least from the screenshots, but I could do without the RPG. I don't think the story really lends itself to an RPG, due to the action and constant fear elements... although I'm also not a fan of Obsidian's work. The new AvP game should be sweet though... if it doesn't end up the same as these.

richard_m_morales

ViciousSid wrote:

I should add that I think Rebellion will do a great job with the new Aliens vs. Predator game -- they developed the first PC AvP game, and it was (and still is) the best Aliens game on the market. I think the new AvP is in good hands; I wish we could clear up the rumors about Aliens: CM and Aliens RPG.
Is that the one that was an the Atari Jaguar?
poplok

richard_m_morales wrote:

ViciousSid wrote:

I should add that I think Rebellion will do a great job with the new Aliens vs. Predator game -- they developed the first PC AvP game, and it was (and still is) the best Aliens game on the market. I think the new AvP is in good hands; I wish we could clear up the rumors about Aliens: CM and Aliens RPG.
Is that the one that was an the Atari Jaguar?

no

no no no no no no

The12P

richard_m_morales wrote:

ViciousSid wrote:

I should add that I think Rebellion will do a great job with the new Aliens vs. Predator game -- they developed the first PC AvP game, and it was (and still is) the best Aliens game on the market. I think the new AvP is in good hands; I wish we could clear up the rumors about Aliens: CM and Aliens RPG.
Is that the one that was an the Atari Jaguar?

It was a pc only first person shooter. I recently sold one on ebay.

S4NDM4N_v2

ViciousSid wrote:

I should add that I think Rebellion will do a great job with the new Aliens vs. Predator game -- they developed the first PC AvP game, and it was (and still is) the best Aliens game on the market. I think the new AvP is in good hands; I wish we could clear up the rumors about Aliens: CM and Aliens RPG.

AVP2 was better. Rebellion is meh nowadays. Monolith should take over. They have experience with horror games

LittleAnnieTroogles

I keep saying and many writers now are just missing the point why this is happening. The Gaming industry was just late to the party... The economic recession will and is hitting the Gaming industry HARD. We are gonna lose a lot of great games for a while, at least until the learn how to cut costs of development. I think your gonna see a lot more Wii games, followed by the 360 then the PS3 coming out that are way below the standard we are used to. Enjoy K2 while you can because nobody is gonna pour that kind of cash into a project unless there is 2 million pre-orders and they know that they can make their money back.

A bad game doesn't just mean a loss anymore, it could mean chapter 11, and not many are going to be willing to take the financial risks involved.

rolomay

ViciousSid wrote:

I should add that I think Rebellion will do a great job with the new Aliens vs. Predator game -- they developed the first PC AvP game, and it was (and still is) the best Aliens game on the market. I think the new AvP is in good hands; I wish we could clear up the rumors about Aliens: CM and Aliens RPG.

Also remember Rebellion started the francise on the Atari Jaguar then took it to the PC. AvP was one of the only reasons to own a Jaguar at the time.
Rebellion is to AvP as Infinity Ward is to Call of Duty. They seem to be the only ones to get it right.

TRUPREDATOR

man im so looking forward to colonial marines.from the sound of the cover story that was in game informer,it seemed to be overflowing with potential.it will be a shame if it is lost.avp i would love to see too,if done right im sure id be happy.

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