Posts Tagged ‘Aliens vs Predator’

I am sure you have heard by now that Sega is publishing a new Aliens vs. Predator 3 (working title) game for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.  Sega has also suspended development for two other titles it had been working on, Aliens: Colonial Marines, and the Aliens RPG.  Although they aren’t cancelled as of yet they have stopped working on them.  I for one am tired of this publisher getting in the way of my Aliens and Predators games.  The new Aliens vs. Predator 3 game will be developed by Rebellion who made the original PC version under publisher Fox Interactive and Sierra Entertainment back in 1999.  Rebellion until recently was working on Star Wars Battlefront III.  They passed that game back to veteran Battlefront developer Pandemic.  Musical chairs anyone? 

I love the original AvP game!  Aliens vs. Predator was frightening even on a small PC screen while walking through dark corridors with night vision activated.  The game would make me jump out of my chair!  Rebellion did a good job recreating the same fear and environments from the movies.  Aliens vs. Predator spawned many spin-offs and expansions like Aliens vs. Predator Gold by Rebellion and Aliens vs. Predator 2 by Monolith.  The Monolith game was different in subtle ways, but just as good and kept fans hungry for more.  Since the release of AvP 2 there were many iterations developed for all consoles and home computers for years and the genre took off.

You shouldn’t begin a new paragraph with a question, but here it goes.  Why in the heck did Sega make the switch from making Aliens: Colonial Marines with Gearbox, and the Aliens RPG project with Obsidian to only one new Aleins title?  Rumors point to Gearbox’s under performing Brothers in Arms title Hell’s Highway and to the developers restructuring and layoffs which may have temporarily shelved the game.  Sega has a history of canning the Aliens games.  Remember Aliens: Colonial Marines for the PS2?  The stillborn game never made it off the drawing boards after much fanfare and excitement for the title.  Sound familiar?  Now, what about the Aliens RPG project that’s been in the press all these months?  Even less is known about this title, although it’s rumoured that Obsidian entertainment had been hard at work before Sega’s  ”shelving”.  Obsidian had announced development of the game back in 2006.  During last years D.I.C.E. summit they stated that the game was, ”Coming alone nicely”.  You may remember Obsidian’s experience developing great RPGs like KOTOR 2.  The studio is a great choice by Sega for the game.  So why suspension in development of this interesting, highly anticipated title for the millions of Aliens and Predator fans alike who live for these gory sci-fi games?  Frankly, no one knows.  Sega says, ” We will have more news to share about our Aliens franchise games in the near future”.  ”Sega does not comment on rumors or speculation about its products… Please stay tuned for future correspondence regarding our products.”  What a load of crappola.  I personally believe the Japanese company is just fearful of taking risks like other large publishers.  This is why in this industry small developers and publishers frequently prevail.  People want something new and fresh.  Not just tried and true games like the AvP series though I’m sure it’ll be a load of fun.

An interesting DDB New Zealand Ad.  I love it!

I’m sure the new Sega game will satisfy fans in the short term and make some cash for the company.  Aliens vs. Predator 3 won’t put Sega on the map for the long term in my opionion as a hit publisher for the genre.  However, I will give them credit where credit is due.  Sega did pick the best developer for the AvP 3 game, Rebellion.  Sega at least can’t go wrong with that choice even if they aren’t willing to take a chance with a couple of new IPs.

-dude