Tagged: aliens
Mass Effect didn’t have non-humanoid aliens because it would’ve been costly
There were quite a few alien races represented in the Mass Effect trilogy. Although they may have scales, blue skin, or might even look like roaches, they were basically humans with a palette swap. That’s disturbing, but considering how limited consoles were during this generation, that may have been a necessary step.
Apparently, BioWare thought the same, too, for they considered having non-humanoid squadmates in the games, but they discovered that it would have taken away from the rest of the game.
All the party members in the games were based on the humanoid skeleton because the development effort for non-humanoid playable aliens would have been great. Instead, the studio pushed to make a “larger, more polished game.” Also, all squadmates had to function like human characters in the sense that they’d have to be able to carry guns.
Honestly, I’d love to see the galaxy’s first Hanar spectre in the next Mass Effect game. Now, that would be freaking amazing! Also, I think next-gen consoles have more power and RAM that can be dedicated to render more than one type of “skeleton” in games.
Aliens: Colonial Marines gets new cinematic trailer
A new cinematic trailer for Aliens: Colonial Marines is now out. In development at Gearbox, the game was originally slated for release in spring. However, the game has now been delayed to fall instead.
It is in development for PC, PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii U.
Rumor: Aliens RPG, Colonial Marines Cancelled
Kotaku reports that Sega has cancelled the Aliens role-playing game that was being worked on at Obsidian; it was announced back in 2006, but little has surfaced since. The site’s sources say that the cancellation has resulted in more than 20 employees being laid off. Similarly, Sega is also said to be “reviewing” Aliens: Colonial Marines, a shooter in the works at Gearbox, leaving its fate unclear.
Seemingly confirming Kotaku’s sources, Joystiq’s sources claim Sega has stopped funding both of the aforementioned games. Obsidian’s layoffs are also said to have affected the team working on Alpha Protocol, which is still expected out later this year.
All this comes days after Sega announced Aliens vs. Predator. It is set for release sometime next year.
Aliens FPS Announced
Aliens have overrun the Sega headquarters! The new lords at Sega have announced that it has signed Gearbox Software to create a first-person shooter based on the Alien film franchise, which they got in a recently announced deal. The game will be developed for next-gen systems, alongside the Obsidian RPG as well as Alien Syndrome.
Famous for the Brothers in Arms series, Gearbox is also known for their work on Half-Life and Halo PC and is one of the best in the field. The FPS Alien title, as per the announcement, will retain the atmospheric look and feel of the original films while using the power of next-gen platforms to “create an entirely new interactive Alien experience.”
As expected, no release date was mentioned.
Alien RPG Announced
The second game to come out from the Sega-Aliens deal is a next-gen RPG being made by Obsidian Entertainment, the people awesome RPGs like Star Wars KOTOR II and Neverwinter Nights 2.
In the works for the PC and unspecified consoles, the Aliens RPG will “build upon the distinctive look and feel of the original films while utilizing next-generation technology to create an entirely different and unique Alien experience,” according to the press release.
So why Obsidian? “With Obsidian Entertainment’s development pedigree, they were our first choice to bring the Alien franchise to the RPG universe,” said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, SEGA of America, Inc. “They are the only developer for us that could effectively combine the Alien mythology with compelling RPG gameplay to create the ultimate Alien experience.”
No release date was mentioned.
Alien Syndrome Contracted
Having recently announced their Aliens deal, Sega disclosed its first game based on the franchise: an action-RPG for Wii and PSP dubbed Alien Syndrome. Being developed by Totally Games, the game will offer both single and multi-player campaigns, as well as a co-op multiplayer mode supporting up to four players.
Alien Syndrome puts players in control of the strong and enigmatic heroine – Earth Command Trooper Aileen Harding – as she battles through a wide variety of environments including onboard infested spaceships and bizarre alien planets, taking on a mixture of fearsome aliens and colossal bosses. Players can choose from a wide selection of character specialties and skills to hone their character before embarking upon their sci-fi adventure. As they progress through the engrossing campaign, protected by different types of armour and using a variety of melee and ranged weaponry, players can improve their heroine’s statistics and discover powerful new abilities.
Alien Syndrome offers 20 different weapons to use, ranging from flamethrowers, quad-barrelled lasers, nanobot swarms that dissolve enemies and incendiary grenades that unleash fire geysers from the ground. Each weapon offers different advantages and disadvantages, dependent upon how it is used and which speciality the player has chosen to adopt. With the sheer variety of weapons and abilities available to players, any number of combat strategies can be used to defeat hordes of more than 100 different alien enemies.
Alien Syndrome on the Wii will utilise the Wii Remote’s unique gyroscopic feature by enabling players a full range of motion when slashing through enemies, unloading devastation on bosses, or running and gunning through hallways. Players will also be able to access various new game modes and mechanisms. These extra features include using the Wii controllers to craft new items, to enhance existing items and character abilities and to hack into computer systems.
For gamers on the go, Alien Syndrome on the PSP is wi-fi enabled so that up to four players can embark upon playing cooperatively through the alien infested levels in various multiplayer modes.
Alien Syndrome is set for release during Summer 2007. Here are the first screenshots:
Stoked Rider: Alaska Alien Announced
If snowboarding and aliens sound very odd to you, that’s because IT IS. Bongfish has announced Stoked Rider: Alaska Alien, the next installment in its snowboarding series… this time with extraterrestrials!
Equip your alien rider and drop him at the highest peaks of tremendous mountains. Wherever you want. Explore a never seen before terrain inspired by Alaska’s impressive summits or match online with your friends and players from around the globe. New equipment doesn’t only look good, it really makes you better. And you will get better yourself. Those times, where you can start a run, grab a cup of coffee and the rider reaches the bottom of the valley by himself, are over. Snowboard gaming is about the gamer. STOKED RIDER: Alien Alaska will challenge YOU.
“So?” you ask, “Where and when can I get the game?”. We’re not telling you yet, because until now we couldn’t find a publisher for most regions (with notable exceptions). And that has not got anything to do with the quality of STOKED RIDER: Alaska Alien. We’re getting great feedback from everyone. Cooperate business just claims that snowboarding games don’t sell. We say: Rubbish! Our STOKED RIDER series was played by more than 600.000 players around the world over the last six years! One thing is sure: there will be a simultaneous world wide release via online distribution – and this will take place this winter season. Bongfish is taking a next generation approach here too.
Prey Linux Dedicated Server Binaries
The Prey Linux dedicated server binaries are now available from 3D Realms. To set up a dedicated server one will require the full game, as some files from the CD (or DVD) are required.
Destroy All Humans… Again!
Leaked reports from alien civilization better known as the Furons suggest that Destroy All Humans! 2 is in the works. Pandemic Studios is at it once again, bringing the smartass alien Crypton 137 to Earth in a bid to destroy all humans… once again.
Announced for the PS2 and Xbox, the sequel will retain the original’s smart sense of humor and will take the player back to the swingin’ sixties – the time of free love, the Cold War and other era icons. Players will have access to an upgraded arsenal of weapons and enhanced mental abilities to battle the mass of humans, including a variety of new enemies from secret agents and giant creatures to Soviet Forces and ninja warriors. They are also adding multiplayer co-op, five new open worlds to explore and the “irreverent” humor which made the original so enjoyable.
No release date was mentioned, but the game will be on display at E3 and first details and screenshots can be expected then.
BDGamers 