Ex-Obsidian dev: Aliens RPG 'canceled'

Game designer David Kondor's resume says it's "game over" for console and PC RPG inspired by the 1986 film.

Two weeks ago, Sega announced that it would publish a new game in the Aliens vs. Predator series, based on the eponymous comics and films. The following day, GameSpot learned that the Japanese publisher had indefinitely suspended work on another Aliens-inspired project, an untitled role-playing game from independent developer Obsidian Entertainment.

Bill Paxton will have to wait for the Big Love game now...

Today, the game's ambiguous fate was cleared up, courtesy of the resume of former Obsidian designer David Kondor. Kondor's resume on the professional networking site LinkedIn lists the last project that he worked on before leaving Obsidian as a "canceled third-person action Aliens RPG (Xbox 360, PS3, and PC)." Previously, the designer worked at Iron Lore Entertainment, Tilted Mill Entertainment, and Turbine.

Reps for Obsidian confirmed that Kondor was an employee for about a year, but deferred to Sega for comment on the Aliens RPG. As of press time, the Japanese publisher had not issued any new information on the game's status or that of Aliens: Colonial Marines, the first-person shooter in development at Gearbox Software (Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway, Borderlands).

"We will have more news to share about our Aliens franchise games in the near future," a rep for the company told GameSpot when news of the Aliens RPG's suspension first hit. "Sega does not comment on rumors or speculation about its products. ... Please stay tuned for future correspondence regarding our products."

95 Comments

  • TheClown24

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 7:30 am PT

    Aliens: Colonial Marines is already on the play.com pre-order chart, a game that has this much interest surely cant be canceled

  • 0oJazZMano0

    Posted Mar 9, 2009 5:16 am PT

    Predator Concrete jungle 2 ,(free roaming)for next gen please! that and Colonial Marines!!

  • julianwelton

    Posted Mar 2, 2009 6:27 pm PT

    If I find out that Aliens: Colonial Marines is canceled I'm going to be very angry.

  • PredatorRules

    Posted Mar 2, 2009 5:20 am PT

    that sucks

  • Phoenix534

    Posted Mar 1, 2009 11:28 am PT

    NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Jedilink109

    Posted Feb 27, 2009 10:44 pm PT

    I hope they don't cancel the other game too!!! :'(

  • ssfire8

    Posted Feb 27, 2009 7:09 pm PT

    cool this game is going to great

  • Shadow_Fire41

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 10:39 pm PT

    .......................oh look, yet another RPG cancelled, in favor of a over rated shooter, sports game, or something else similar.

  • Dmartcho

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 9:18 pm PT

    Ever since I played the original Aliens vs. Predator game for the PC I've loved all that is Aliens and Predator. That game was way ahead of its time, especially in the multiplayer!

  • world69star69

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 9:00 pm PT

    Good, now go make Neverwinter Nights 3 or a new Planescape Torment already Obsidian!

  • bodylotion

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 8:38 pm PT

    really wish another Alien game would come out since it's one of my favourite movie(s) ever

  • avenger2089

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 6:53 pm PT

    i think they should make a new predator game, with extremely good graphics, open world, lots of weapons, a good story and a good control sceme

  • jazilla

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 6:28 pm PT

    good luck finding another job in the game industry Kondor.

  • oldhead666

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 6:02 pm PT

    the avp games were awesome! more is always good.
    i never really thought this game would ever come out, couldnt imagine the aliens universe creating a very compeling rpg, much more suited to shooter as i think you can better convey the aliens atmosphere.

  • Hazzerz

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 5:23 pm PT

    AvP was just the worst thing to ever happen to both of those franchises. Good riddance.

  • DangerClown

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 3:07 pm PT

    I'd rather they cancel a weak game than besmirch a good license with mediocrity, as so often happens.

  • Ryir554

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 2:55 pm PT

    sad that this game is done for, hopefully Colonial Marines is good.

  • FLEEBS

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 2:31 pm PT

    Bummer. If done well, an Aliens RPG could be super awesome. Slightly off topic, it stands to be said that a vast majority of modern sci-fi stories/games/movies get some influence from Aliens. Aliens is awesome.

  • parrot_of_adun

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 2:15 pm PT

    Would have been cool, but as long as Colonial Marines is fine, then I don't really care.

    Also, "buffdaddy69", Gearbox FAAAR more qualified for a FPS than Bethesda. And I have a feeling Borderlands will out-do even Fallout 3.
    Colonial Marines is in some of the best hands possible.

  • Ballroompirate

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 2:11 pm PT

    God help them if they cancel the Aliens FPS game.

  • secondomen

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 1:19 pm PT

    To date non of the Predator or Alien games have been up to par for the movies. I would rather a studio shut down production then put out another Alien/Predator product that sucks. These are 2 of my favorite franchises of all time they NEED a great game!

  • Firebourne

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 1:14 pm PT

    Game over man... game over!!!!!

  • Darkreaper_1

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 1:04 pm PT

    Well this sucks! But then again look what happened when Fallout 3 was cancelled indefinitely all that time ago.

    So why it's bad news in the short run, in the long run, now the idea of an Alien RPG is knocking about, it could very well be a good thing.

  • Warlypwnage

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 12:58 pm PT

    not terrible news, but not good. as long as aliens CM makes it, ill be so happy

  • buffdaddy69

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 12:53 pm PT

    " Bradley7777

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 6:56 pm GMT

    Lancing Posted Feb 26, 2009 2:11 pm GMT

    Bethesda would do a terrible job with an Aliens FPS. Their games are good because of the huge environments and different factions you can interact with, not because of any particularly intense or even visually pleasing moments. Who wants to see poorly-rendered, horrendously animated Xenomorphs? I sure don't. I'd prefer a studio that specializes in FPSs like activision to take the reigns. Yeh u r rite. yes Bethesda made 1 ov the greatest RPG games ever, but an FPS, Aliens-inspired RPG doosnt sound good. I think Gearbox will do the film justice as they have a alot of xp in making FPS, and with the squad- leader engine there will be limitless ways of how to survive the 'infestation'. Also imagine a Aliens FPS without the squad element but the pace of COD:Modern Warfare (I didnt use COD:WAW because i jst dont fink it is as frantic) with all the Ultranationalists and Al-quaeda esque terrorists be replace with differnet forms of Alien e.g. Dog Alien, Warrior, Queen. I heard that the Aliens Colonial Marines will have a massive plot twist in it. I just hope it doesnt involve the Predators because if it does, this hype and and all this under-wraps secrecy will be all for nothing. "

    You sir, are ****. People love Bethsedas games because they

    1. Look Great

    2. There is some actual playability and challenge to it

    3. You actualy control their games and their outcome to how you see fit.

    If you say they don't make great looking games, You obviouslly havent played Fallout 3 or Oblivion...or any good games at that and No, Hello Kitty Island Adventure doesnt count as a good game.

    Making an RPG out of a movie license? No thanks. The only good Movie License games to even come out, was Chronicles of Riddick, Star Wars Knights of The Old Republic and maybe the original Aliens on PS1. How would Predetors make that game worthless too? Nothing is more awesome then seeing an Alien fighting a Peedetor over whos going to maim a some old lady for making them look less cool, Not to mention the breeds that come from when an Alien shoots that face hugger thing onto a Predetors face, You get an even more awesome killing machine.

  • ejstrup

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 12:05 pm PT

    Noooooo this is terrible news. Was looking really forward to the Aliens RPG. But a new AVP is good news.

  • Ottosmann

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 11:22 am PT

    Darn, it definitely sounded interesting.

  • picapunk

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 11:16 am PT

    Too bad, I think this would have made an excellent co-op rpg ala old school Sentinel World and Buck Rogers rpgs, with space and ground encounters, vehicles, different planets, company conspiracy etc... the Aliens franchise has a rich world to draw from... there is not only the movies but also some good comic books, my favorite is Aliens: Labyrinth....

  • Bradley7777

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 10:56 am PT

    Lancing Posted Feb 26, 2009 2:11 pm GMT

    Bethesda would do a terrible job with an Aliens FPS. Their games are good because of the huge environments and different factions you can interact with, not because of any particularly intense or even visually pleasing moments. Who wants to see poorly-rendered, horrendously animated Xenomorphs? I sure don't. I'd prefer a studio that specializes in FPSs like activision to take the reigns. Yeh u r rite. yes Bethesda made 1 ov the greatest RPG games ever, but an FPS, Aliens-inspired RPG doosnt sound good. I think Gearbox will do the film justice as they have a alot of xp in making FPS, and with the squad- leader engine there will be limitless ways of how to survive the 'infestation'. Also imagine a Aliens FPS without the squad element but the pace of COD:Modern Warfare (I didnt use COD:WAW because i jst dont fink it is as frantic) with all the Ultranationalists and Al-quaeda esque terrorists be replace with differnet forms of Alien e.g. Dog Alien, Warrior, Queen. I heard that the Aliens Colonial Marines will have a massive plot twist in it. I just hope it doesnt involve the Predators because if it does, this hype and and all this under-wraps secrecy will be all for nothing.

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 10:43 am PT

    lol @ Big Love game... anyway, I'm not very sure an Aliens RPG would have been that great anyway. It's that Aliens shooter that I want to hear about.

  • Gamingcucumber

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 10:32 am PT

    Perhaps for the best, who knows. I would love to see a working Dead Space esque Alien game with perhaps more focus on the RPG part, and on missions. Imagine that defense part in "Aliens" or getting chased in the sewers from Alien 3. It is a franchise with unlimited potential so I hope they make the most of it instead of just cash-in titles.

  • Koi-Neon-X

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 10:30 am PT

    An Aliens RPG would have been great. I hope that it gets a second chance in the future. Also, I'd like to see another Aliens movie!

  • Mr_Versipellis

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 10:29 am PT

    Oh dear.

  • Luvektro

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 10:05 am PT

    Such a shame, most Alien games I played were in fact pretty good, was waiting for this one. Oh well, I'm sure there will be another big Alien game in the future. Oh, where is Alien 5 btw?

  • okgenuine

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 9:46 am PT

    An Alien game with stealth and rpg elements would be pimpin, imo. Have some eerie and scary parts in it.

  • joeythemachine

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 9:31 am PT

    Does it seem odd to anyone else that a classic blockbuster film about shooting hordes of monsters, including a boss fight, can't get a game off the ground, but a highly religious and abstruse poem from a 14th century poet is being optioned as a game and heavily hyped to boot?

  • Yakuz-A

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 9:04 am PT

    So far there's nothing to indicate this might not simply be a case of a disgruntled ex-employee trying to cause distress for his former employers.

  • DivineChampion

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 8:35 am PT

    All lies.
    They're working on it in secret.
    ALL A CONSPIRACY.

  • INMATEofARKHAM

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 8:07 am PT

    Not surprised... but man I had high hopes for this game! (Hopefully Gearbox will get their Aliens game out. As for AvP.)

    If its more DH comic than movie it might work. (key word; Might.)

  • AngelCage-2

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 7:38 am PT

    so?

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 7:11 am PT

    Though Aliens was awesome, I'm still not sure how a RPG would have worked out. Obisidian is a damn good RPG developer though, so it could have been a quality game. Damn shame it was cancelled.

  • Wings_008

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 6:54 am PT

    well, the gaming landscape is getting better "sigh",....... i was being sarcastic by the way

  • bojan_sokol

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 6:38 am PT

    Too bad, i loved Aliens the movie. AvP movie not so much

  • Hekynn

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 6:33 am PT

    Well that sucks we need more rpgs cause all I see these days are FPS games and stealth games.

  • Lancing

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 6:11 am PT

    Bethesda would do a terrible job with an Aliens FPS. Their games are good because of the huge environments and different factions you can interact with, not because of any particularly intense or even visually pleasing moments. Who wants to see poorly-rendered, horrendously animated Xenomorphs? I sure don't. I'd prefer a studio that specializes in FPSs like activision to take the reigns.

  • raahsnavj

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 5:47 am PT

    Interviewer: "So I see you most recently worked on the canceled 3rd person action Aliens RPG... tell me about it"

    "Well, it was cancelled, but not because of me in any way what-so-ever."

    Interviewer: "right..."

  • FLiPMaSTa1

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 5:39 am PT

    I didnt read the artical but I read the post below me and sir I think you did your epic post =) lol

  • Templar_Bladema

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 3:24 am PT

    @Gladestone: Bethesda does action RPGs, it just happens to be in First Person perspective, so what are you talking about. For me, AVP2 was the best, and while Extinction sucked as a game in general, it wasn't bad for an early PS2 console RTS. Obsidian (I refer to them as the left arm of BioWare) probably was working on Alpha Protocol more and didn't have time for this.

    @richioso: Who are you to decide who gets to deserve the controller and who doesn't... wow, I always wanted to say something that epic.

  • richioso

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 3:16 am PT

    @Gladestone1

    What are you talkin about? Let Bethesda do a first person shooter of AVP.

    Put down the controller, mouse and keyboard, you don't deserve them.

  • Gladestone1

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 2:53 am PT

    Can any one come out with a good avp game wow..Havent playhed a good game in a long time with aliens vs predetor in the title..Its been like tottaly crap..Let bethestha get the rights to it.,..

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Aliens RPG (working title)

Game Stats

Full Game Details »Close

Related Games

Recent News

See All News »

Site Blogs