As first reported by io9, tabletop RPG Alien series is releasing later this year by the makers of Tales from the Loop and Forbidden Lands.
Free League Publishing is partnering with 20th Century Fox to release the roleplaying game before 2019 is over.
A statement from the publisher says the game will take place after the 1986 movie Aliens in the year 2183. You’ll be able to explore the Outer Rim Frontier, which for an open-world tabletop game, there’s a lot of room to cover.
For those who enjoy a longer campaign setting, game masters will be able to fully create and craft their own stories surrounding the lore. The RPG will also feature locations and characters familiar within the Alien universe.
“The Alien saga isn’t about superheroes with superior firepower,” says game director Härenstam. “It’s about placing ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, and testing the endurance of the human spirit against inhuman atrocities and impossible odds. Such a harsh yet hopeful universe has captured our imagination for 40 years with good reason, and we’re excited to explore new stories and perspectives as players must face their demons (in a true and metaphoric sense) and brave the horrors of the unknown.”
To help set some boundaries within Alien: The Roleplaying Game and keep things more concise for players who may not have a lot of time each session, Free League is designing what they’re calling a “Cinematic” mode. This feature will include pre-made scenarios players can finish during a single session.
The team says the name of the first cinematic storyline is Chariot of the Gods and will be released with the core book when it is available. There will also be more expansions in the future tying in with series’ future.
It will be fun to be able to set out in your own spaceship and explore other derelict ships with their own mysteries to solve.
The game also delves heavily into the conflict between rival organizations meaning there will be plenty of corruption to uncover on top of fighting facehuggers and stomach crunching Xenomorphs.