Gearbox-Developed Aliens: Colonial Marines Confirmed, Dated

Sega has put to rest all rumors that Duke Nukem Forever developer Gearbox Software's Aliens: Colonial Marines is on the verge of cancellation, announcing that the game will be launched in spring of 2012. First announced way back in 2006, both Sega and Gearbox have remained relatively quiet about Aliens: Colonial Marines, a squad-based first-person shooter. The game's future was called into question following a round of layoffs in 2008 and then again after the announcement of a similar title earlier this month, but Wednesday's announcement of a release date confirms that Sega still intends on shipping the game. Colonial Marines is one of at least four games based on the Aliens film franchise that Sega has had in development since acquiring the license nearly five years ago. An RPG by Fallout: New Vegas developer Obsidian was cancelled, UK independent developer Rebellion developed last year's Aliens Vs. Predator, and a new action game by Total War developer The Creative Assembly earlier this month. "Aliens: Colonial Marines, designed as an interactive successor to the landmark films from Twentieth Century Fox, is a dream project about which our studio is deeply committed and passionate," said Gearbox president Randy Pitchford. The game, which is in development for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows PC, will be displayed at E3 next week, according to Sega. This will be the first time the game has been playable in a public setting.