Outside of niche rpg fan communities, the response to this game's fate has been pretty varied--so much so that I'm not sure how well it would have done anyhow. Look at the responses to the news on several of "mainstream" gaming sites and blogs. Sure, you've got people that are upset, but there are also a surprising number of people saying things like "Aliens RPG lol" and "Aliens RPG? Whose bright idea was that? Colonial Marines better not be cancelled."

 

Of course those are respected sources, and not filled with graphicwhoring FPS lovers (my first impression when I look there).

 

KOTOR sold well, KOTOR2 sold well, I am sure NWN2 sold well, ME sold well, Oblvion sold well... Fallout 3 sold very well and got critical acclaim. RPG isn't quite as "dead" as some people want you to believe.

Fallout 3 sold very well and got critical acclaim. RPG isn't quite as "dead" as some people want you to believe.

 

Fallout 3 is really, really not acclaimed in my country. Frenchies still love Fallout 2, that's to say that they hate the new one.

Outside of niche rpg fan communities, the response to this game's fate has been pretty varied--so much so that I'm not sure how well it would have done anyhow. Look at the responses to the news on several of "mainstream" gaming sites and blogs. Sure, you've got people that are upset, but there are also a surprising number of people saying things like "Aliens RPG lol" and "Aliens RPG? Whose bright idea was that? Colonial Marines better not be cancelled."

 

Of course those are respected sources, and not filled with graphicwhoring FPS lovers (my first impression when I look there).

 

KOTOR sold well, KOTOR2 sold well, I am sure NWN2 sold well, ME sold well, Oblvion sold well... Fallout 3 sold very well and got critical acclaim. RPG isn't quite as "dead" as some people want you to believe.

 

All of those games you just listed have one thing in common: They are each associated with one of the two big rpg powerhouses--BioWare and Bethesda. Of *course* they sold well. Even though KOTOR II and NWN2 were Obsidian's, they still benefitted greatly from this, although neither game helped Obsidian get there name out there to the public in a more recognizable fashion. To this day, it's still very common to have people thinking BioWare developed KOTOR II and/or NWN2.

 

Obsidian is in a much more precarious position right now. They have two franchises in the works which they can call their own outside of BioWare's influence, but they don't have the hype advantage of being associated with a highly successful property anymore either. To further complicate matters, the publisher they are stuck with has a lousy track record in terms of marketing games that aren't Sonic related. Aliens would not have been a major seller. I know that sounds negative, but that's just the way I see it. The poor marketing of Sega, combined with the low name recognition of Obsidian and the dwindling popularity of the aging Aliens franchise would have saw to that.

Oblvion sold well...

 

I'd call Oblivion an RPG-lite at best, really more of an action game. Level scaling, barely have a need to pay any attention to your class build, what a mess...

Just mentioned those because there haven't been too many other RPG releases recently.

 

But okay; The Witcher. Even more unknown dev than Obsidian, yet they did pretty good.

It only did good because it was allowed to be finished and released, though.

Damn, this sucks. I hope it's not true, or at least not the whole story. Obsidian are one of the few companies around I genuinely respect. I really hope this isn't as bad as it looks. Because right now, it looks pretty destabilising financially. I suppose OEI could transform The Black Hound into NWN2 NX3 (or could they? Does anyone know the copyright issues on this?), but that wouldn't bring in that much compared to a new game. If J.E.S. would agree. If what's been said is true, the situation for OEI isn't unsalvageable, but it is precarious, IMO.

Edited February 13, 200916 yr by Darth InSidious

So I cannot promise you this is the flat out truth, but I assume it is:

 

Joystiq has been reporting that Sega has pulled funding from two big games based on Fox's "Aliens" franchise: the RPG at Obsidian and "Colonial Marines," in development at Gearbox. There has been speculation that the games might be canceled as a result.

 

However, I've just spoken to a source in a very good position to know what's up with both games who told me that they're definitely not canceled. Production is expected to continue and the games, both of which are well into development, will come out. But quite possibly not with the developers they're at. It's looking like it could be a "Splatterhouse" situation (if you don't know what that means, find out here).

 

My source described the situation at both Obsidian and Gearbox as "fluid," having to do mainly with the quality of the work. Sega, apparently, is not seeing what it wants on the schedule it wants to see it. Which is probably why, as Joystiq reported, it has pulled funding and those developers are hurting.

 

It remains to be seen how Sega will proceed, whether and when it will assign the games to new developers, and when they'll come out. But the plan definitely remains that gamers will be getting an Aliens RPG and "Aliens: Colonial Marines," as well as the recently announced "Aliens vs. Predator," in the not-too-distant future.

 

http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2...developers.html

 

So that is an interesting development, (if true) The games are not canned but the developers haven't made the kind of progress Sega wanted. I'm not shocked really, these games were announced way back in 2006 to be out in 2008, it is now 2009.

So I cannot promise you this is the flat out truth, but I assume it is:

 

Joystiq has been reporting that Sega has pulled funding from two big games based on Fox's "Aliens" franchise: the RPG at Obsidian and "Colonial Marines," in development at Gearbox. There has been speculation that the games might be canceled as a result.

 

However, I've just spoken to a source in a very good position to know what's up with both games who told me that they're definitely not canceled. Production is expected to continue and the games, both of which are well into development, will come out. But quite possibly not with the developers they're at. It's looking like it could be a "Splatterhouse" situation (if you don't know what that means, find out here).

 

My source described the situation at both Obsidian and Gearbox as "fluid," having to do mainly with the quality of the work. Sega, apparently, is not seeing what it wants on the schedule it wants to see it. Which is probably why, as Joystiq reported, it has pulled funding and those developers are hurting.

 

It remains to be seen how Sega will proceed, whether and when it will assign the games to new developers, and when they'll come out. But the plan definitely remains that gamers will be getting an Aliens RPG and "Aliens: Colonial Marines," as well as the recently announced "Aliens vs. Predator," in the not-too-distant future.

 

http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2...developers.html

 

So that is an interesting development, (if true) The games are not canned but the developers haven't made the kind of progress Sega wanted. I'm not shocked really, these games were announced way back in 2006 to be out in 2008, it is now 2009.

 

Actually, This shock me more than the games being canned. I mean, Obsidian and Gearbox are really nice teams. What is sega looking for? I'm afraid.

Joystiq has been reporting that Sega has pulled funding from two big games based on Fox's "Aliens" franchise: the RPG at Obsidian and "Colonial Marines," in development at Gearbox. There has been

speculation that the games might be canceled as a result.

 

However, I've just spoken to a source in a very good position to know what's up with both games who told me that they're definitely not canceled. Production is expected to continue and the games, both of which are well into development, will come out. But quite possibly not with the developers they're at. It's looking like it could be a "Splatterhouse" situation (if you don't know what that means, find out here).

 

What a shock, my guess is they'll move the project to in-house development. I'm starting to wonder if I should even look forward to this game anymore if that's the case.

Ok guys, Actually I cannot say much but I have info....

 

Obsidian + Aliens RPG from what I have heard is SAFE I think it may have been delayed but this is due to the team focusing on Alpha Protocol, not a problem Aliens RPG.

 

Secondly, Aliens Colonial Marines is also not canned at all... but Gearbox are in trouble, you may find out what I mean soon, I doubt they will be the developer of Colonial Marines for long, due to a number of things...

 

Finally, some good news, the Rebellion AVP game is supposed to be pretty damn cool already.

 

 

I really shouldn't be saying this... But I really feel sorry for you guys and since Obsidian cannot talk I figured I would.

Edited February 13, 200916 yr by ryan@seganerds

That sounds a little more credible. Pulling a game this far along in development seems rather... imprudent? If it were to happen, you'd expect all parties involved to be quite seriously down the drain - which, thankfully, doesn't appear to be the case. SoZ is still in the first flush of sales and while it won't rake in cash like the original, or even MotB, it's still bringing in something, and that there were people to spare to do it suggests that the company isn't in such dire straits, IMO.

Edited February 13, 200916 yr by Darth InSidious

I'm not shocked really, these games were announced way back in 2006 to be out in 2008, it is now 2009.

Both Alien games were originally projected to come out in 2009.

Edited February 13, 200916 yr by crakkie

Both Alien games were originally projected to come out in 2009.

Were both right and wrong.

 

Sega wanted Colonial Marines out for 2008 originally but the RPG for 2009...

Edited February 13, 200916 yr by Fionavar

Oh, interesting. A crazy idea but maybe are they including Alien Colonial marines into avp3?

 

Well yeh noway for that but all of this rumors are killing me!

Edited February 13, 200916 yr by ikarop

I can't feel the erection for the new Aliens:CM and RPG anymore.

 

But I need to know that if the assets are transferred to SEGA, what of the engine? Is it still Obsidian's to claim?

I didn't want to see this happen either, but realistically--if Sega needed to cut an Aliens game from the list, it's no surprise that they cut the one that would have no doubt brought in the least amount of money for them. In sales, an RPG is going to have a hard time keeping up with say, an FPS.

 

I wouldn't say that certain genres of games sell better than others. It may be so that a FPS game has the potential to sell better, that there exists a larger market because they're easier to play and not as nerdy. But not every FPS/ action game sells better than every RPG. Also, depending on which setting the game has (which part of the market is targeted) different genres might suit the game. The question is really not whether an action game sells better than an RPG or not, but if those who're interested in the "Alien" franchise are inclined to buy a FPS or a RPG. Prime example: Fallout: PoS.

 

And you would be punishing a developer that you support in the process. In addition to that it wouldnt make a difference because all SEGA would see is a drop in sales for whatever product that you are boycotting and think that the fault lies with that particular product. This will lead to less funding for any such projects and a downward spiral that ends in the destruction of all the games we love.

 

The only reasonable thing to do is to try and support the games you like by buying them and encouraging others to buy them.

 

No, if everyone followed my example Sega would go out of business, the availability of computer games would shrink, and new developers and publishers would get a chance to get into the business. That is to say, we do not yet know what has happened to the Alien RPG and I don't think I'll really make that kind of impact, even counting in that I influence others.

Edited February 13, 200916 yr by Rostere

I apologise to those who have posts tinkered with - with things in flux, I am trying to find the balance that Admin needs with rumours that do not breach any relationships. So rumour on!

You should probably delete thatquote ikarop, I don't want to piss off Obsidian.

 

Also, I'm sure this wont piss them off, Sega are really ****ing impressed with Alpha Protocol, loving it.

Don't split hairs, please. Aliens is a franchise that has both a fanbase and popular demand,

 

Says who? Exactly how big (and relevant) is that fanbase nowadays anyhow?

 

I didn't want to see this happen either, but realistically--if Sega needed to cut an Aliens game from the list, it's no surprise that they cut the one that would have no doubt brought in the least amount of money for them. In sales, an RPG is going to have a hard time keeping up with say, an FPS.

I don't honestly know either, but I'd imagine SEGA could tap into the relative success of AVP movies as well with Aliens franchise. I don't think it matters much to the casual observer whether it's a xeno or a pred in the cover, since the connotations are already met.

Edited February 13, 200916 yr by Musopticon?

Oh you! I was feeling like it was importat and that was cause you removed that comments. It was excited lol

I don't understand. If they love AP so much, why are they screwing OBsidian up and not giving them the benefit of doubt for Aliens?

Edited February 13, 200916 yr by Zoma

^Because they cant afford to float it indefinately? Maybe its behind schedule? Maybe didnt reach certain benchmarks?

Alpha Protocol is Obsidian's product, right?

It seems all about money issues but how much is a game like Aliens Rpg or AP worth ? I really want to know

Edited February 13, 200916 yr by ikarop