While he did express interest in the idea, he also noted that he would want to come up with his own take on the Alien franchise, complete with his own ideas of what a Xenomorph would be. He has even gone as far as messing around with generative AI tool Midjourney to try and create different kinds of Xenomorphs. Ultimately, however, he would be happier with working on one of his own projects rather than a licensed IP.

“Let’s say I took on a licence,” he said. “Which I really don’t want to do; I want to make my own. Let’s say somebody came to me and said, ‘We’re going to give you the Alien licence.’ Immediately I could show you, I don’t know, maybe 100 different aliens I’ve made in Midjourney over the last two years, just because I like it. So yeah, I would love to make an Alien game.”

When it comes ideas about potential discussions with Alien IP owner 20th Century Fox – itself owned by Disney – Schofield noted that he would want complete creative control over the project, referring to it as “not even negotiable.”

“I have to own the creative,” he said. “That’s not even negotiable. Because I won’t make a great game unless it’s mine and I’m so ingrained in it—then I will give you 130%.”

Earlier this year, Schofield had spoken about facing difficulties with getting new projects off the ground since his departure from Striking Distance Studios. Among the things he was working on at the time, he also wrote about a project alongside his daughter.

“Over the past eight months, I’ve been quietly working with my daughter, Nicole, on a new game idea,” wrote Schofield. “She came to me with it, and I immediately loved the idea. Something I hadn’t seen before. We’ve been calling it a new sub-genre of horror—not just horror, but something more.”

Difficulties with getting the project going largely came down to budgetary concerns, however. While he had decided on a budget of $17 million for the project at the time, investors weren’t biting, with some asking him to “get it to $10 million”, and then later going even lower, down to $2 to $5 million.

“So last month, we decided to walk away. Some ideas are better left untouched than done cheap,” he continued. “We had a team of six here in the States and a full crew in the UK. Now, everyone’s looking for work. They’re all talented folks—if you’re hiring, let me know.”

In his post, Schofield noted that, with the current state of the gaming industry and the difficulties with getting funding, he might be done with his career as a game director.

“I’m still around, making art, writing stories and ideas and still cheering the industry on,” he wrote. “But maybe I’ve directed my last game. Who knows? If so thank you playing my games.”

Though it doesn’t offer new content, the patch provides two quality-of-life changes, starting with an increased currency cap. Instead of 50,000 Credits, players can now save up to 100,000. The second is perhaps more significant, making the Challenge Card Packs acquired in SSGT Park’s shop free. Now, you won’t have to feel too frustrated about failing a mission and can spend those Credits on other things.

Launched in August 2021, Aliens: Fireteam Elite is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC. Check out our review of the base game to learn more. Now is an ideal time to try it out, with the PC version discounted by 70 percent on Steam until May 9th.

Set several years after the original trilogy, the player is part of the USS Endeavor which partakes in missions from different colonies. Up to three players will battle waves of foes, ranging from the dreaded Xenomorphs to Synthetics created by Weyland-Yutani. Fortunately, there are a variety of weapons, classes, gear and perks to help make the job easier.

Launch isn’t the end for Cold Iron Studios though. Season One arrives on September 8th and adds a new class Phalanx, new weapons and new rewards. The day one patch also brings Horde Mode along with other improvements. Additional content, like cosmetic rewards, will be available through the Endeavor Pass so stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

The game’s creative director at developer Cold Iron Studios, Matt Highison, took to his personal Twitter to give a few details. First and foremost, he confirmed the game will get free season updates, as well as a free next gen update for those getting the game on previous generation systems. He also reaffirms the game is playable solo, and that were will be no “pay2win” microtransactions or loot boxes. This is for just the base version of the game. There is also a Digital Deluxe Edition, which you can see more about it through here.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite will launch for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC on August 24th.

https://twitter.com/MattHighison/status/1427093608264466434?s=20

Speaking to GameSpot, Cold Iron Studios CEO Craig Zinkievich said that “there is currently no plan for cross-play at this time.” While the developer could add support somewhere down the line, there’s no guarantee that it will. Even if there’s significant demand for the same, don’t expect the feature to be added anytime soon. Oh well – at least there are AI teammates for those who want to wait.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite is out on August 24th and will retail for $39.99 across all platforms. In terms of post-launch support, Cold Iron confirmed four cosmetic DLC bundles as part of the Endeavor Pass. Gameplay updates will be free though what these will include has yet to be confirmed. Stay tuned for more details on the title in the meantime.

Along with the Standard Edition, there’s a Digital Deluxe Edition for $69.99. It includes the base game, the Endeavor Veteran Pack and the Endeavor Pass for access to four cosmetic DLC bundles. Releasing post-launch, these DLC bundles will contain new weapon colors, head accessories and class kit skins. Major gameplay updates after release will be free.

Those who pre-order either edition will receive the Hardened Marine Pack. This offers the Bandana Head accessory, the Digital Red Camo weapon color, Chestburster joke emote and three decals for weapons. For more extensive gameplay showcasing the co-op shooter in action, head here. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

The developer has yet to confirm the release date or price point so expect an official announcement in the coming days. Aliens: Fireteam Elite is set in, surprise, the Alien universe and places you in command of a Marine Assault Unit. When a distress signal emerges from LV-895 in the outer colonies, it’s up to you to slay Xenomorphs, either alone with AI teammates or two other players in co-op.

Along with different weapons and perks, there are different class abilities like an AoE blast, auto-turret and so on. Over 20 different enemy types await with Xenomorph Drones, Runners and Spitters to tackle. Aliens: Fireteam Elite is coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Xbox One.

Aliens Fireteam Elite (PS5/Xbox) is up for preorder at Best Buy ($39.99) https://t.co/5VYoxGmhDp #ad

out August 24th pic.twitter.com/lycnY8DMeR

— Wario64 (@Wario64) June 23, 2021

Cold Iron Studios’ Aliens: Fireteam will have you shooting a bunch of different enemies. There are more than 20 different enemy types to encounter and IGN has revealed new details on six of the Xenomorphs encountered. There’s the Burster, which explodes when killed (and is to be avoided up close).

The Drone should be more familiar to Alien: Isolation players – they stalk the marines menacingly through air shafts and walls before attacking. The Praetorian is the de facto “tank” which soaks up a lot of damage and can ram foes with its bullet-proof head. The Prowler is relatively new and will leap on foes to attack them.

Runners should also be familiar, attacking in packs and using their tails to fight. Finally, there’s the Spitter which shoots acid out from a distance. Expect more details on other enemy types in the coming months, especially with Synthetics from Weyland-Yutani opposing the player.

Aliens: Fireteam is slated to release in Summer 2021 for Xbox One, PS4, PC, Xbox Series X/S and PS5.

Cold Iron Studios’ Aliens: Fireteam was unveiled recently and provides a three player co-op survival shooter experience set sometime after the third movie. It sees a squad of marines venturing to the USS Endeavor and battling hordes of Xenomorphs. IGN First has 25 minutes of raw gameplay available, showcasing the game in action – check it out below.

There are five different classes and more than 30 weapons to choose from which can be customized with over 70 mods. Each has their own unique abilities, as showcased in the gameplay, and you can wield weapons like the flamethrower and even a gatling gun. Though it’s the default difficulty, the development team is serious about providing a challenge at higher tiers.

To that end, there will be mutators, Challenge Cards and difficulty options. Scarce resources and friendly fire were mentioned as some of the tougher mechanics to deal with at higher difficulty. Aliens: Fireteam is out this Summer for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC. Expect more details and potentially a public beta in the coming months.

Recently announced co-op shooter Aliens: Fireteam promises a harrowing survival experience against Xenomorphs when it launches this Summer. Set after Alien 3, it sees the Colonial Marines traveling to the USS Endeavor to deal with an infestation. In a preview event on Discord, Polygon received several new details about what players could expect.

Cold Iron Studios head Craig Zinkievich revealed that along with the classic M41A Pulse Rifle and fragmentation grenades, there would be new weapons like the Charge Coil. These are essentially stick grenades that can shock and stun Xenomorphs. As for the classes, which are designed with “tactical synergy in mind”, some details on their abilities were revealed. The Technician gets an auto-turret; the Demolisher can utilize an AoE blast; and the Gunner can briefly bestow double fire rate and reload speed for the squad.

Along with the usual Xenomorphs, Facehuggers and Praetorians, players can also expect Spitters, Warriors and Bursters to assault them (that too from air ducts and the like). Zinkievich noted that the game “has to be challenging” but there will be difficulty options, Challenge Cards and mutators to help players tailor their experience. There are four story campaigns with three missions each that can either be played in one shot or individually.

As players level up their marines, they’ll receive new abilities, weapons and customization options (along with a Perk Board for modifying abilities). And though it can be played with up to two other players, you can have AI squadmates filling in as well.

Aliens: Fireteam is currently in development for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.