Aliens vs Predator Resurrection
Okay, most folk have known about this for a little while already, but today's the day official word and oh-gawd-so-pretty pictures spill into the public domain. It's Aliens! It's Predators! It's by Rebellion, creators of the still-splendid original AvP game! Admittedly, Rebellion have been churning out rubbish for the last couple of years, but I'm quite sure that, with this, they intend to reclaim their crown as one of the most accomplished FPS developers in all the world. Y'know what this is? This is redemption. Information, pictures and frothing follows.
Bigger pictures may be summoned by dancing widdershins three times around your nearest cathedral, or alternatively by clicking upon these smaller images.
Without having seen anything of it first-hand, I shall fall to the press release for the bulk of the details. As you'd expect, though (based on the first two AvP games), it's a three-way argy-bargy between Xenos, Preds and Colonial Marines - so no worrying that it's the tedious settings of the AvP movies. This is very much its own, back-to-basics thing. Each species gets its own campaign, and is playable in multiplayer. Head-chomping and flesh-removal, please.
Interestingly, the press release notes that this is the first in Sega's 'series' of Aliens-related games, which throws up yet more few questions about Gearbox's team-based FPS Aliens: Colonial Marines. AvP is due in 2010, but it seems like madness to release another Aliens FPS in the same year. So is ACM coming in 2011, or has it been canned while Gearbox knuckle down to get Borderlands right? Rumours have swirled for a while that ACM is as dead as Newt, but Gearbox have claimed otherwise. The planned Aliens RPG from Obsidian, meanwhile, does seem a slightly more certain casualty. Boo. Just come right out and tell us, Sega. It's the only way to be sure.
Regardless: I am very, very excited for this puppy. AvP - especially its increditastic skirmish mode - has long been one my favourite FPSes. The idea of it getting a modern do-ever has me all a-tremble. Cinemaland may have been terribly cruel to Aliens and Predators of late, but in games they might yet find glory anew.
No serious footage yet, but the following teaser trailer gives a very brief hint of what to expect in motion. Mostly though, it's a very slow look at a logo. Yeah, nothing gets the blood pumping like staring at at a couple of fonts. Presumably we can expect a torrent of halfway useful videos come E3, though.
And from the corporate horse's mouth:
LONDON AND SAN FRANCISCO (May 20, 2009) – SEGA Europe Ltd. and SEGA of America, Inc. today reveal details of the much anticipated FPS action horror game, Aliens vs. Predator™ (working title). It will be the first title to be launched in SEGA’s forthcoming series of Aliens games licensed by Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox Licensing).
Developed at Rebellion by the team responsible for the original 1999 classic, in the all-new Aliens vs. Predator players will have the chance to take the role of the three infamous species; the Colonial Marine, the Predator and the Alien. Each of the three species has its very own distinct story-driven single-player campaign mode that interweaves with the campaigns of the other two species. Aliens vs. Predator will also feature unique 3-way online multiplayer, allowing gamers to pit the three species against each other in the ultimate battle for survival and for the right to be crowned the deadliest species.
On planet BG-386 a colonist mining group discovers an ancient pyramid containing a dark and horrible secret. Across the stars a race of warriors is alerted to the discovery of their pyramid and a hunting party is dispatched to ensure that it remains sealed at all costs, whilst deep inside the ruined pyramid a malevolent intelligence awakes from centuries of dormancy.
The Marine’s story is an incredible fight against the odds, and the horrors lurking in the dark. Beset on all sides yet armed to the teeth, the Colonial Marine represents humanity’s last stand with the firepower to fight back.
As the Alien, players will discover what it’s like to be the most murderous and lethal creature in the universe, with the ability to traverse any surface with awesome agility in order to get close enough to unleash its deadly teeth and claws.
A master of the hunt, the Predator grants the player a suite of exotic weaponry and equipment with which to stalk its unknowing prey. Earn the greatest honour by ambushing prey up-close and butchering them for a gory trophy kill.
“The original Aliens vs. Predator game was a landmark title for Rebellion, and we are both proud and excited to be revisiting the license with SEGA and Fox L&M. Our new technology will enable us to produce a truly terrifying and visceral experience,” said Jason Kingsley, CEO and Creative Director at Rebellion.
“Aliens vs. Predator is a powerful franchise for Fox and provides endless possibilities in the interactive space,” said Gary Rosenfeld, Senior Vice President, New Media for Fox Licensing. “SEGA and Rebellion have created an excellent gaming experience that will help this legacy live on.”
Aliens vs. Predator is set to be released on Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Windows-based PC in early 2010.