15 years ago, gamers and horror fans alike were able to witness the greatest battle between the universe’s deadliest species in the form of Sega and Rebellion Developments’Aliens vs. Predator. For over 35 years, the epic battle between the merciless Xenomorphs, the honorable Yautja, and often oblivious humans has intrigued readers, gamers, and film audiences alike. From the simple but explosive origins as a late 80s Dark Horse Comics series,Aliens vs. Predatorhas gone on to become the definitive crossover concept, going on to appear in dozens of other comics, video games, and two theatrical films. However, 2010’sAliens vs. Predatorhas remained the major AVP game. With the two properties’ recent resurgence in popularity, Disney should strive to produce more high quality AVP games.
The History of Aliens vs. Predator Video Games
When Dark Horse first published its firstAliens vs. Predatorcomic series, it was an instant success in terms of art, writing, and profitability. Crossing over 20th Century Fox’s most intriguing and violent aliens was a match made in heaven and both Fox and Dark Horse were quick to build on that concept. Most audiences were first widely introduced to this concept in 1990’sPredator 2, released one year after Dark Horse’s first AVP comic issue, wherein Michael Harrigan discovers a Xenomorph skull aboard a Predator’s ship. Based on the positive response to the prospect of Aliens and Predators crossing over fromPredator 2,Fox immediately strove to produce an AVP film, but that project wouldn’t see the light of day until 2004.
In the meantime, Aliens and Predators began duking it out on video game platforms, beginning with 1993’s beat ‘em upAlien vs Predatorfor the SNES. This game received mixed reviews, and soAVPwouldn’t begin its dominance in video games until the release ofCapcom’s three player arcade beat ‘em up, 1994’sAlien vs. Predator. Based on a rejected script for theAVPfilm, 1994’sAlien vs. Predatorsaw the return ofPredator 1’s Dutch Schaefer as he and fellow cyborg Linn Kurosawa join two Predators in fighting off hordes of Xenomorphs on Earth. 1994’sAlien vs. Predatorwas well received, often regarded as one of the best arcade beat ‘em ups ever produced, but it wasn’t the only successfulAVPgame to release in 1994.
Rebellion’s Celebrated History With Aliens vs. Predator
Released a few months after Capcom’s AVP, Rebellion Developments debuted their first entry in the AVP franchise withthe first-person survival horror gameAlien vs Predatorin October 1994for the Atari Jaguar. Here, Rebellion created the definitive formula forAVPgames, featuring three unique campaigns where gamers play as a colonial marine, a Predator, and a Xenomorph. While it barely had a story, it was widely praised for its gameplay and atmosphere. Rebellion improved 1994’sAVPin nearly every way with the release of 1999’sAliens Versus Predatorfor PC. Still featuring three distinct campaigns, 1999’sAVPfeatures a simple yet intriguing story and more robust gameplay, such as Aliens being able to crawl on walls, and Predators being able to play more stealthily.
The Gameplay, Narrative, and Legacy of 2010’s Aliens vs. Predator
WhileAliens Versus Predatorreceived a direct sequel in the form of 2001’sAliens Versus Predator 2, this game was developed by Monolith Productions and Rebellion wouldn’t begin developing anotherAVPgame until 2008. In response to the renewed popularity of theAVPfranchise from the widely panned 2004Alien vs. Predatorand 2007Aliens vs. Predator: Requiemfilms, Sega collaborated with Rebellion to develop a newAVPgame as a part of their deal with Fox to produce a set of newAlien-themed games. Just like their two prior games,Aliens vs. Predator2010 featured three distinct campaignsas well as fun multiplayer with PVE and PVP modes.
Set afterAlien 3,Aliens vs. Predatorsees Karl Bishop Weyland, played by Lance Henriksen from theAlienandAVPfilms, open a Yautja pyramid to recover an Alien Queen, harvest her eggs, and begin producing Xenomorphs as weapons. However, an EMP frees the Xenomorphs and sends the planet into chaos.As Xenomorph Specimen 6, players hunt down humans, free the Queen, and subdue a Predator with a facehugger. Meanwhile, an unnamed rookie Marine is sent to quell the Xenomorph threat but is left having to uncover Weyland-Yutani’s true intentions on the planet as he fights Xenomorphs, Predators, and combat androids alike. Simultaneously, a Predator called Dark is dispatched to respond to Predator distress calls, destroy the pyramid, and eliminate Specimen 6’s Predalien hybrid.
2010’s Aliens vs. Predator Unanswered Future
All three campaigns in 2010’sAliens vs. Predatorintertwine with one another, with Specimen 6 leading the Alien infestation and producing the Predalien, the Marine using a wide arsenal of firearms to fight threats such as Praetorian Xenomorphs and Weyland himself, and Dark stopping the outbreak overall. The game ends with the Marine and a few survivors being “rescued” by Weyland-Yutani as the real Weyland travels to the Xenomorph homeworld often depicted in Dark Horse Comics. Meanwhile, Specimen 6 was recovered and begins a new outbreak as a full-grown Queen on the same ship and Dark journeys to the Xenomorph homeworld as well, after recovering an ancient Predator mask. Despite these cliffhangers,Aliens vs. Predatornever received a sequeland became the last majorAVPgame released.
After 2010’sAliens vs. Predator, two otherAVPgames were released, 2013’sAVP: Evolutionand 2016’sAliens vs. Pinball, before Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019.
The Potential of New Alien vs. Predator Games
Under Disney’s ownership, both theAlienandPredatorfranchises have received newfound critical and financial success, especially from2022’sPreyand 2024’sAlien: Romulus. However, despite Disney owning both theAlienandPredatorproperties for nearly six years, virtually noAVPcontent has been produced save for Xenomorphs and Predators appearing simultaneously in some video games, such asFortnite. Aliens and Predators have begun crossing over with Marvel Comics’ heroes such as the Avengers and Wolverine, but not with each other yet. Disney is seemingly aware of the two species’ long celebrated relationship with one another, as both received new comic runs under Marvel’s 20th Century Studios imprint, but has yet to combine the two again for some unknown reason.
However, amid the success ofAlien: Romulusin 2024,Romulus’ directorFede Álvarez expressed interest in co-directing anAlien vs. PredatorfilmwithPrey’s director Dan Trachtenberg. 20th Century Studios President Steve Asbell later announced that a newAVPfilm will “probably” be made. This is not currently an official project, but both Álvarez and Trachtenberg are working on sequels for their respectiveAlienandPredatorfilms. The prospect of a newAVPfilm has caused fans to speculate on what a modernAVPstory could be. With recentAlienandPredatorgames receiving positive reviews, such asAliens: Dark Descent,Alien: Rogue Incursion, andPredator: Hunting Grounds, modern game features and long respect for AVP could lead to a truly spectacularAVPgame in the near future.
A New Alien vs. Predator Game Story and Gameplay
Disney could potentially hire Rebellion to develop anotherAliens vs. Predatorgame given their past success with the property. Depending on what the newAVPwill be like, this game could be structured similarly to that film or feature a completely new story, such as one following the Queen fromAlienssurviving her space exit, causing chaos on a new planet, and getting the attention of Predators. Instead of playing entirely in first person, Rebellion could have the Predator be played in third-person and feature stealth gameplay similar to theirSniper Eliteseries. Meanwhile, the colonial marine could still be played in first-person but feature a more survival horror-focused story andgameplay similar toDead Spaceor evenAlien: Isolation.
