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Three different Aliens vs. Predator bundles dated in Europe
Sega, Rebellion, some Aliens, Predators, and even Space Marines are all teaming up in February to get your money. Sega announced that Aliens vs. Predator will be released in Europe on February 19 of next year. The game will arrive in three versions, each for three different levels of enthusiasm about the FPS. The Standard Edition is for the average gamer looking for a new game. The Survivor Edition comes in the requisite steel case and includes codes for extra multiplayer maps, to be released after the launch date. The Hunter Edition is for the collector who may not even be opening the game, as it includes a facehugger model, a lenticular postcard, and a "Weyland-Yutani sleeve badge." How do we sign up for the bundle Lance Henriksen's getting -- the one with your own likeness in the game? That one's probably really expensive. %Gallery-79584%
Lance Henriksen reprises 'Bishop' role in Aliens vs. Predator
Lance Henriksen, who was most memorably cleaved asunder as android (ahem, "artificial lifeform") Bishop, will see another continuation of his Aliens film role in Rebellion's Alien vs. Predator game. Henriksen plays Karl Bishop Weyland, the descendant of Weyland-Yutani corporation founder Charles Bishop Weyland. The 69-year-old actor is happy with his virtual likeness (seen above) and is quoted as saying, "I might score from this game!" Joystiq is quoted as saying, "Maybe if it's from a facehugger, Lance." Considering Henriksen's appearance in one of the most gore-riffic scenes in film (at the time), we should reiterate that Aliens vs. Predator will release in February 2010 on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC -- in countries that don't require toned-down violence. Rebellion has stated that it will not be "releasing a sanitized or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices." Sorry, Australia and Germany.
Rebellion won't release 'sanitized' AvP in Australia
In a statement released this morning by Rebellion's Jason Kingsley, concerning the Australian Classification Board's so-called "ban" of Rebellion's Aliens vs. Predator game, the CEO expressed his studio's disappointment with the board's ruling, but added, "as we understand the law in that country the authorities had no choice as we agree strongly that our game is not suitable for game players who are not adults." The subtle swipe at the Australian ratings system, which tops out at an MA15+ classification, turned into a full-on blow as Kingsley concluded, "We will not be releasing a sanitized or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices." Ouch! You feel that too, Germany? "It is for adults," Kingsley insisted of AvP, "and it is bloody and frightening, that was our intent." Clearly, that's why PEGI assigned an 18-rating. Check out the box art for PAL territories that will release the game -- for adults -- come February 2010 worldwide: %Gallery-79584%
Australian Classification Board vs. Aliens vs. Predator [update]
It may not have acid blood or infrared vision, but the Australian Classification Board has won its battle against Rebellion's upcoming Aliens vs. Predator game. "The game contains first-person perspective, close-up depictions of human characters being subjected to various types of violence, including explicit decapitation and dismemberment as well as locational damage such as stabbing through the chest, mouth, throat, or eyes," the board reports. Apparently, the game's excessive gore and violence exceeds the requirements for a MA15+ rating. Without an option for an R18+ rating, Aliens vs. Predator becomes the latest title to join the ever-growing list of essentially "banned" games in the territory. Sega is left with two options should it want to pursue an Australian release: Attempt an appeal with the board, or censor the game's content to meet Australian standards. Should AvP follow in the footsteps of the edited Left 4 Dead 2, Australian gamers should get ready to be disappointed yet again. Update: Rebellion responds. Oh snap!
Metareview: Rogue Warrior (PS3, Xbox 360)
Richard "Demo Dick" Marcinko's first appearance in a game as Bethesda's Rogue Warrior doesn't seem to have left a fantastic taste in the mouths of many critics. Aside from the overabundance of profanity, complaints range from "generic" to "last-gen." It probably doesn't help that the game's being released during an ... ahem ... less than favorable part of the year. We wish you the best, Demo Dick! We hardly knew ye! MSXbox-World (4/10): "The reality is that there's little challenge as most of the stealth elements are as scripted as they come ... There's an almost last-gen feel to the game, with one embassy snow level being reminiscent of a level in Hitman." Gamervision (3.5/10): "There are only a few locations in the story, and they all look and play essentially the same. In fact, it feels as though they could have been presented in any order without losing much storytelling ... The only thing that is even remotely memorably is the voice of the protagonist, Mickey Rourke. He's constantly throwing out quips and one-liners in his grizzly, gritty voice, but even this seems forced." HellBored (2.1/10): "There is absolutely nothing about Rogue Warrior that deserves any attention ... Combine paltry numbers of enemies, small levels, and an absurdly easy approach and you can run through the entire thing in ... four hours." GamePro (1.5/5 Stars): "It's at best a generic FPS, and at worst a nigh-unplayable mess ... The game's dark, murky textures and limited visibility make aiming a chore, and prominent clipping, slowdown and texture popping only serve to further hinder the adrenaline-fueled covert-ops experience Rogue Warrior tries so hard to recreate" %Gallery-51192%
Unlock skins with Aliens vs. Predator pre-order at GameStop
Click image for full-size action pose Aliens vs. Predator is kind of a misleading title. Aside from the titular extra-terrestrials, mankind's future badasses, the Colonial Marines, will also be able to get some in Rebellion's upcoming FPS romp. And for some of your pre-sale cash at GameStop, you'll be able to use one of the more badasserer (we're still working on that one) humans around: Sgt. Kaneko. This dude "wrote the book on small-scale Xeno containment," which is great because we hear there's a lot of Xeno in the game that needs, uh, containing. Joining Kaneko are Number Six -- the blue thing on the left that looks like it's from The Darkness -- and Alien Head Predator, the "most successful Xenomorph Hunter of all time." That's how he she it got that neat Cylon mask! Both are very adept at being super scary-looking and can be yours if you pre-order at GameStop. Unless you live in Germany, in which case you get nothing.
Latest Aliens vs. Predator trailer shows strengths of the former
Alright, look. We've tried to remain as impartial as possible in the undying debate of Aliens vs. Predator, but we think the winner of this struggle is clear. Sure, Predators have cloaking devices and wrist-mounted swords, and humans have ... well, inimitable pluck, we guess. However, Aliens possess fanged proboscises. Sorry, other guys, but acid-coated tongue-jaws are an impossible act to follow. You can see the Aliens' strengths in action in the latest trailer for the Sega's AvP, posted above. For reasons which will become clear to you upon viewing, we've affectionately titled the video "Aliens vs. Predator: Sorry About Your Face." [Thanks, Ikarop.] %Gallery-70493%
Aliens vs. Predator vs. your eyeballs
The Sega blog recently uploaded some fresh images from Rebellion's Aliens vs. Predator and they contain all of the items necessary for a good Aliens vs. Predator screenshot post: humans killing aliens; aliens killing humans; and billiards in a smokey bar? Okay, that last one isn't part of the game (it's a promotional thing for the movies in New Zealand, actually), but there's no way we're letting something as awesome as that escape a mention on Joystiq. Head into the gallery below for the new screens.%Gallery-70493%
GameStop knocks $10 off Wet and Rogue Warrior pre-orders
GameStop is looking to entice those on the video game-purchasing fence (it's a real thing ... look it up!) regarding upcoming Bethesda-published titles Wet and Rogue Warrior by offering $10 off each game's price should they pre-order through the retailer. If you decide to snag both games (what are you, a millionaire?), we only ask that, should you leave the two games alone in a room, you keep the door cracked. We'd hate to see what kind of super-killer offspring they'd produce. [Via Bethesda Blog] Source – Wet at GameStop Source – Rogue Warrior at GameStop
Impressions: Aliens Vs Predator
"It has no relationship to the movies," we were told at a recent Sega event. Thank goodness: gamers would be outraged if the Aliens Vs Predator franchise were to be tainted by the recent films. Another good sign: Rebellion, developers of the fan-loved 1999 PC game, are at the helm of this current-gen reboot.Like its predecessors, AvP will offer three unique game experiences based on each of the warring species: Aliens, Predators and puny, delicious humans. We were able to see two of the game modes: one scenario with the gun-toting marines and another as the stealthy Predators.In spite wielding powerful automatic rifles, playing as a marine is a terrifying experience. Light is hard to come by in this universe, meaning players will have to rely upon sound and the HUD's radar. Aliens are able to crawl out of any vent and traverse across walls and ceilings, making them rather difficult to spot. Players will have a few tools at their disposal: turrets that can be thrown and deployed anywhere, and an infinite number of flares to throw (although only two can be active at once).%Gallery-63762%
Sega sticks with 'early 2010' AvP release, despite own website announcing February launch
Like a magnifying glass over a Xenomorphic ant (scariest image today!), Sega has quietly focused its release ray on February for Aliens vs. Predator's spawning at retailer. As noticed by Destructoid, the company's game page now gives the title a sub-orbital drop window of February, where the game previously had a vague early 2010 release.We followed up with Sega and a company spokesperson stated, "Early 2010 is all we can confirm at the moment." Better talk to the website guys, huh?%Gallery-63762%
Aliens vs. Predator 'Marines' trailer highlights the plight of puny humans
Sega's Aliens vs. Predator recently received a new trailer, titled "Marines" -- seriously, are they trying to make us confuse this game with Aliens: Colonial Marines? It's bad enough that there's like, seven Aliens games being developed right now. You don't need to make this any harder on us, guy-in-charge-of-naming-trailers.However, the moniker does fit -- the video above tells the terrifying story of the unsung third party in the AvP conflict: Humans. Traditionally, most shooters let their human protagonists mow down waves of extraterrestrials with little trouble -- however, said extraterrestrials usually don't have acid spit. Nor can they turn invisible. Nor do they have giant arm swords. Nor do they make alien babies in our chests. Hey, we had a good run, humanity. Looks like it's time to pack it in.
Rebellion acquires Vivendi properties, details future plans
You may recall that, last week, Rebellion announced plans to release several of its titles on GOG.com. Here's the thing you might have missed: Rebellion didn't actually make the games that it was releasing on the service. As it turns out, Rebellion purchased the rights to several of Vivendi's properties in the wake of its merger with Activision last year. Big Download reports that Rebellion has "complete ownership of the IP" to Evil Genius, Ground Control, Empire Earth, Lords of the Realm, and Lords of Magic.In addition to allowing the release of previous titles in each series, Rebellion also has the right to create new entries if it so wishes, with CEO Jason Kingsley telling Big Download, "we're putting our plans together for new titles in each series." Any sequels are on hold for the moment, though, as Kingsley notes that Rebellion is "super busy" with both Aliens vs Predator and Rogue Warrior.Rebellion is offering the Vivendi properties via GOG.com and Steam as part of its first steps into digital distribution, which Kingsley calls an "exciting area" for the company; one that "makes developing a smaller high quality game more possible for a developer working on their own."
Rebellion games hit GOG.com, we give them to you (just like that) [update]
Before teaming up with Sega recently for a new iteration of Aliens vs Predator, UK development house Rebellion made a handful of classic PC titles (yes, we know, including the original Aliens vs Predator). Starting today and continuing over the course of the next few weeks, GOG.com will be offering the company's titles through its site (DRM-free, XP and Vista compatible game, priced to move), starting with Ground Control (Dark Conspiracy expansion included) and Evil Genius. Lords of Magic, Empire Earth, "and more" are in the pipeline for the next few weeks.To celebrate the release, the fine folks at Good Old Games were nice enough to hand us a few codes -- seven in all, just to keep you on your toes -- for not just the games released today but, well, anything on the site you'd like. That's right, folks, you can use the codes on anything from Elixir's Evil Genius to Ubisoft's Beyond Good & Evil to Epic's Unreal Tournament (and everything in between, in case you were wondering). All you have to do is keep your eye on the Joystiq Twitter page over the course of the day to try and win one of them. Hit the break for an exhilarating explanation of how to redeem a code.Update: All codes have been redeemed! Thanks to everyone who participated and to GOG.com for providing us with the codes.
Get a grisly first taste of Aliens vs Predator gameplay footage
Last night's E3ified GameTrailers TV gave us our first glimpse at the gameplay featured in Aliens vs Predator, one of three (four?) Sega-published Aliens-based games currently in development. While the cuts between the show's world exclusive-filled host and the game only serve to frustrate our urge for more Alien murderin', Predator pouncin' gameplay, we get what we get and we don't get upset.As the clip of gameplay is sneakily embedded within an interview during the show, we've got no standalone clip to offer after the jump, but instead a suggestion to click right here to check out the thing for yourself. Be sure to rush right back and check out the full gallery of stills from gameplay just below in all their unmoving glory!%Gallery-64472%
Aliens Vs Predator details and teaser trailer unleashed
As promised, Sega has revealed a couple more Aliens Vs Predator screenshots, as well as the first details of the game and a teaser trailer, which you can view above. The three screenies that our gallery now consists of show off what appear to be some impressive volumetric lighting effects from the perspective of an alien, a predator and a marine.Each of the playable species has its own "distinct story-driven single-player campaign mode that interweaves with the campaigns of the other two species." In addition, the game will feature three-way online multiplayer, though the maximum number of online players is unspecified. Check out the Sega UK blog post for more details on the story and be sure to cast your eyes over the very brief teaser trailer above. %Gallery-63762%
Sega reveals first Aliens Vs Predator screenshot
Click for bigger aliens. Update: You can see a trailer and even more screenshots for the game here.The image above is the first screenshot of Aliens Vs Predator, as developed by Rebellion. This image is just a tease of what's to come, as more screens, details and a video will be unveiled later today. In the meantime, click through for the high-res version of what, to us, appeared to be a piece of concept art from the game. We're as intrigued as you are to see the game in motion. It's possible this game could make up for the long wait for Aliens: Colonial Marines ... if it ever arrives.%Gallery-63762%
Rebellion: Timing poses biggest challenge for movie-licensed games
We've always assumed that licensed games suck because publishers rely on the character's face -- rather than high quality -- to get games off the shelves. And we're right. But according to Rebellion, the developer responsible for Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem and Miami Vice: The Game, scheduling is the major factor working against movie-based games."The problem is it's actually quicker to make a movie than it is to make a game these days, by quite a big margin," CTO Chris Kingsley told Develop. "That's always a big problem, because often you're not given enough time to make the game. So you have to fit to the schedule that you have."So, if that's the problem, Joystiq Biomass, what's the solution?
Joystiq impressions: Rogue Warrior
We hadn't seen much of Rogue Warrior before Bethesda trotted it out at its showcase event in London last week. The game centers around the life of real-world Navy Seal Richard "Demo Dick" Marcinko and puts you in his incredibly violent shoes.Unfortunately, the character of Demo Dick is the only unique selling point that the game has and, while his constant swearing (in Mickey Rourke's voice, no less) and vicious finishing moves start off entertaining, the novelty soon wears off. At its heart, Rogue Warrior is a very generic first-person shooter, from what we saw. The game can be played through either stealthily or as a normal shooter, both of which benefit from the inclusion of a cover system. The most interesting parts of the game are the cinematic kill moves. These are very graphic stealth moves that can be performed if the enemy has not yet spotted you. %Gallery-51192%
Mickey Rourke takes lead in Rogue Warrior
Yes, when Mickey Rourke recovered from a disastrous, drug-fueled fall from grace with a stunning performance in The Wrestler and revitalized his career, this is exactly the sort of thing his legion of fans and well-wishers hoped he'd be propelled into. The actor will take the role of "the irreverent, battle-tested Richard "Demo Dick" Marcinko, a real-life Navy SEAL" in Bethesda's Rogue Warrior.In the game, based on the book series of the same name, players will control Marcinko/Rourke as he assaults a suspected North Korea ballistics base. Look for it in Q4 of this year on 360, PS3 and PC.
