Aliens Infestation

Short description: 2011 video game

Aliens: Infestation

Developer(s)| WayForward Technologies
Publisher(s)| Sega
Director(s)| Adam Tierney
Producer(s)| Brian Burleson
Designer(s)| Adam Tierney
Cole Phillips
Programmer(s)| David Wright
Artist(s)| Marc Gomez
Writer(s)| Adam Tierney
Cole Phillips
Jeff Pomegranate
Series| Alien
Platform(s)| Nintendo DS
Release|

* AU: September 29, 2011
* EU: September 30, 2011
* NA: October 11, 2011

Genre(s)| Metroidvania
Mode(s)| Single-player

Aliens: Infestation is a 2011 Metroidvania video game developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Sega for the Nintendo DS handheld console. It is a tie-in to the Alien franchise. The cover art as well as the character designs and avatars were drawn by comic book artist Chris Bachalo.

The game received generally positive reviews, with many calling it a successful callback to the original Alien series and an improvement over the previous games, with particular praise towards the atmosphere, graphics and art design.

## Contents

* 1 Gameplay
* 2 Plot
* 3 Development
* 4 Reception
* 5 References
* 6 External links
* 7 Features
* 8 History
* 9 See also
* 10 References
* 11 External links

## Gameplay

Gameplay of Aliens: Infestation is comparable to the Metroid video games, where players are encouraged to search and backtrack for weapons, upgrades, and keys. The player controls one of a party of four marines[1] and explores the U.S.S. Sulaco as well as LV-426 and Phobos in order to investigate the Union of Progressive Peoples (UPP) and Weyland-Yutani's involvement in Xenomorph development. The game incorporates a permadeath mechanic. If a marine falls in battle, another in the party will take their place.[1] The player loses if the entire party is wiped out. Fallen characters can be replaced with any of fifteen displaced marines found throughout the game, each with their own unique dialog.

## Plot

The USS Sephora has discovered the USS Sulaco adrift in space after the events of Aliens and Alien 3. The Colonial Marines are sent aboard the Sulaco to investigate and recover the life form detected aboard the ship.

## Development

Aliens: Infestation was developed simultaneously with Software:Aliens: Colonial Marines, releasing ahead of Marines' completion. Because Gearbox Software was busy developing Colonial Marines for PC and home consoles, they chose to delegate the development of a Nintendo DS tie-in to another studio. Gearbox chose to contact WayForward because of the latter company's experience in developing the science-fiction action game Contra 4. Gearbox, Sega, and 20th Century Fox accepted WayForward's initial concept for the game.[1]

When doing their research, game director Adam Tierney focused heavily on Ridley Scott's Alien and James Cameron's Aliens as inspiration. WayForward hired comic book artist Chris Bachalo to design and illustrate the game's characters; some of Bachalo's temporary names for these characters remain in the final game.[1] To capture the films' slasher appeal, while still keeping the player emotionally invested, the development team created 20 unique characters, with the game's dialogue re-written 20 times, to make sure it offered the biggest 'gut-punch' when one dies. In conjunction with the game's 'party of four' mechanic, the developers wanted players to grow attached to their favorites, which, in-turn, increased the likelihood of getting one killed.[2] The game's difficulty was balanced so that the player would lose unique characters at roughly the same rate they are introduced.[1]

The gameplay of Aliens: Infestation was inspired by Metroidvania games such as Super Metroid and Software:Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, along with first-person shooters such as Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas and Software:Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. This resulted in gameplay similar to a Metroidvania but with FPS elements such as manual reloading and taking cover. According to Tierney, the most difficult part of development was the creation of the titular xenomorphs, which were to behave like the creatures in the films but simultaneously function as video game enemies. The team chose to include various forms of Alien based on their appearances in different films.[1]

## Reception

Reception

| Aggregate score

Aggregator| Score
Metacritic| 76/100[3]
Review scores
Publication| Score
Destructoid| 8.5/10[5]
Eurogamer| 8/10[6]
Game Informer| 8.25/10[7]
GamePro| [8]
GameRevolution| B[9]
GameSpot| 8/10[10]
GameTrailers| 7.7/10[11]
IGN| 8/10[12]
Joystiq| [13]
Nintendo Power| 8/10[14]
The Digital Fix| 7/10[15]
Digital Spy| [16]

Aliens: Infestation received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3]

Digital Spy gave it four stars out of five, saying, "In many ways, it feels like the Aliens game we should have been given back in the 16-bit era when the movie series was still relatively new. Whether it has been worth the wait is debatable, but this is certainly a worthy addition to the DS library." However, The Digital Fix gave it seven out of ten, saying that "It can be uneven at times in terms of quality but it is highly enjoyable, especially if you are fan of either the franchise or even if you are just a fan of 'Metroidvania' games."[15]

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 McFerran, Damien (July 1, 2023). "Aliens: Infestation - The Nintendo DS Metroidvania Classic". Time Extension. Hookshot Media. https://www.timeextension.com/features/the-making-of-aliens-infestation-the-nintendo-ds-metroidvania-classic.
2. ↑ Tierney, Adam (2018). "Aliens Infestation". A Profound Waste of Time: 19.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Aliens: Infestation for DS Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/aliens-infestation/critic-reviews/?platform=ds.
4. ↑ Agnello, Anthony John (October 17, 2011). "Aliens: Infestation". G/O Media. https://www.avclub.com/aliens-infestation-1798227944.
5. ↑ Sterling, Jim (October 12, 2011). "Review: Aliens: Infestation". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-aliens-infestation/.
6. ↑ Schilling, Chris (September 30, 2011). "Aliens: Infestation". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/aliens-infestation-review.
7. ↑ Hilliard, Kyle (October 11, 2011). "Aliens: Infestation: The Metroid Formula Infests The Alien Franchise". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/aliens_infestation/b/nintendo_ds/archive/2011/10/11/the-metroid-formula-infests-the-alien-franchise.aspx. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
8. ↑ Meunier, Nathan (October 17, 2011). "Review: Aliens: Indestation (DS)". GamePro (GamePro Media). http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/224027/review-aliens-infestation-ds/. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
9. ↑ Schaller, Kevin (October 20, 2011). "Aliens: Infestation Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/53257-aliens-infestation-review.
10. ↑ Walton, Mark (November 17, 2011). "Aliens: Infestation Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/aliens-infestation-review/1900-6346310/.
11. ↑ "Aliens: Infestation Review". Viacom. October 27, 2011. http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=15227.
12. ↑ George, Richard (October 11, 2011). "Aliens: Infestation Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/10/12/aliens-infestation-review.
13. ↑ Fletcher, JC (October 11, 2011). "Aliens Infestation review: Bursting with flavor". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2011-10-11-aliens-infestation-review.html.
14. ↑ "Aliens: Infestation". Nintendo Power (Future US) 272: 85. October 2011.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Gallagher, Gareth (October 25, 2011). "Aliens: Infestation". Poisonous Monkey. http://gaming.thedigitalfix.com/content/id/416/aliens-infestation.html.
16. ↑ Langshaw, Mark (October 13, 2011). "'Aliens: Infestation' (DS)". Hearst Communications. https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a345320/aliens-infestation-ds/.

## External links

* MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

## Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

## History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

## See also

* IGDB - game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/.
2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/.
3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1.
4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521.
8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media.
9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned.
10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner.
11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames.
12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games.
13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/.
14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/.
15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/.
16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/.
17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames.
18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628.

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