Free League Publishing and 20th Century Fox have partnered for an official Alien tabletop roleplaying game, and it’s releasing in time for the holidays. On December 10th, xenomorphs will haunt your tables as a 392-page core rulebook will be released. Other supplements will accompany the release, so gamers will be able to start their own campaign in hostile space with little chance of survival.

The story will take place after the events of Aliens; acting as colonist, scientists, marines, and other sci-fi characters, players will explore the Outer Rim Frontier. While the suspense and survival horror of the Alien franchise will be present, Free League Publishing promises much more narrative freedom.

The full-color hardcover book will establish the world of Alien and provide an effective ruleset designed to enhance the gameplay experience during the campaign. Players can choose between two game modes: cinematic play and campaign play.

Free League Publishing describes the two modes in depth:

Cinematic play is based on pre-made scenarios that emulate the dramatic arc of an Alien film. Designed to be played in a single session, this game mode emphasizes high stakes and fast and brutal play. Player characters are not all expected to survive. The core rulebook will be published alongside the complete cinematic scenario Chariot of the Gods by sci-fi novelist Andrew E.C. Gaska, who is also the setting writer and canon consultant for the RPG. Campaign play is designed for longer continuous play with the same cast of characters over many game sessions, letting players explore the Alien universe freely, sandbox style.

The December launch of the Alien RPG and its supplemental content will be followed by the first expansions to the core game in August 2020.

We’re pumped for a tabletop RPG experience in the Alien universe. What about you?