Sega will hatch 'Alien' games on the Hollywood Reporter (thanks Dark Horizons and Ant) reveals plans for new PC and Console games based on the series of Alien movies, making specific mention of an RPG and an FPS, with the first game to be released in 2008. It is specified that this deal is separate from the new Aliens versus Predator movies, but the fan of the third and fourth Alien flicks will be disappointed to know that these games will not follow the specific plot of any of the movies, though conversations are underway to secure the participation of principal actors like Sigourney Weaver and Lance Henriksen. Sega says "We're taking licensing to the next level with this franchise," and the article also makes mention of other Fox properties with the potential for similar treatment in the future: Big Trouble in Little China, The Fly, and Fantastic Voyage. SEGA and Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising to Bring Alien Franchise to Next-Gen Systems is the subsequent official announcement of this news that offers a slight variant on these details, saying 2009 is actually when to expect the first game, and making liberal use of the term "next-generation," which is of course codeword for consoles, with no mention of the PC or any specific platform. Here's a bit from the Hollywood Reporter:
Mike Gallo, senior producer of the "Alien" games at Sega, said the new games will not follow the strict story lines of any of the four films in the series but instead will provide a new experience by drawing from the history and lore that is the foundation of the films.
"We'll go out of our way to tie the games into the films in unique ways," he said. "We're also looking at all 'Alien' source material for inspiration, in addition to the films. We may incorporate some characters that fans know and love, and we may let gamers find answers to questions that were left unanswered in the movies."
