Comments (Page 281)

The Egg Silo is a interesting thing.... DK

But i think this would just be down to a Oversight and we would have to suspend our disbelieve on this one.

" I don't want to open up old wounds, but that whole egg thing and then seeing canisters in Prometheus is problematic and needs some explaining"

Certainly and RS had explained the whole Derelict event before.  his more recent comments on the subject was something EVOLVED in the Cargo Hold..... is this to lead us to the Cargo was ONCE just Urns... i find Urns turning into Eggs something hard to swallow.

Alien left us with a number of things to ponder, one being the HOLE that Kane Descended down..... this leads some to speculate the Chest Burster was a Queen and then went down and Laid all those Eggs!

What was in the Cargo Hold Prior?  Urns? Empty?  I think the Protective Mist Barrier is what we should be concentrating on and i have ALWAYS felt that the Ship had a EGG Cargo that had been Placed on the Ship prior to the Space Jockey Event....

Regarding the AVP movies.... the Biggest Problem was by trying to make them take place in our Time-Line... instead of the Time-Line the Games had them set in!

It appeared FOX/RS were happy at some point with the Alien Engineers route...  the Question they would have to ASK would be WHAT next.... Once Alien Engineers gives us Xenomorphs, if they evolved this Plot to directly Answer what happened in ALIEN then its a case of WHAT next?

More Xenomorph Movies?

The other Elements to Alien Engineers were interesting, and would have been something NEW and Fresh to the Franchise, and if we just had Xenomorphs, then maybe Fans would expect more of the same in Sequels.

Somebody had decided that actually BRANCHING out to explore other Themes in Alien Engineers and expand on them would give them something NEW to introduce within the Alien Franchise rather than the same Xenomorph Formula.    And so the ALIEN Prefix was dropped and other aspects from Alien Engineers expanded upon to allow them to present a Persudo-Prequel that could BRANCH off on a different Tangent!

In Hindsight... they toned down the Xenomorph Connections a little too much, so they could not Close the Door to the Xenomorph and move onto their Plans... Ultimately giving in to what some Fans would have wanted (Eggs, Xenomorphs and Origins Explained).

Regarding the Technology....

The LARGEST difference is actually the INPUT and DISPLAY Technology in the Movies...  Holographic Interactive Display Units, Flat Screen TVs and Colorful Hi Resolution Displays are a THING that 70's/80's Technology just could not give us...

It was hard in them days to create certain things that are from the Future and its why the ships as far as the VDU and other Interactive Technology the Crew Interact with for Information and use to Control aspects of the Ships.  It was just not possible to create such things... back then.

With our Technology and Effects now we can show on screen such things in higher Technology that we are NOT-YET able to really do.... the Holloway Hollogram/Map Scene is a Perfect Example.  We Do-Not yet have such things as common place... but we surely would in 50-100 years... but we can create the illusion of such Technology on screen...

Back in the 70's it was more harder to do...

I actually find the Technology in the Prequels and ALIEN to be closer than you think, apart from Interactive Technologies (VDU, Control Systems) the rest of the Ships internal and external design/look are actually closer than we think.

We need to look at Reality.... and in Terms of Current and Near Future/Past Space Travel or even Underwater.... SIMPLICITY is key!    We have Technology for more Fancy Control Rooms than we see in ALIEN... but our Space/Under-water Technology would actually still use Basic and Simple  Displays etc.... and Current/New such Craft would have more of a of a Alien Covenant Lander Pilot/Control room look to them....   the ones in ALIEN are not Far Far off the Covenant Drop Ships Pilot Room... its only the lack of Flat VDU and the limited Color and Resolution that sets them apart..... which is because of a lack of Technology in the 70's/80s but saying that some Movies did create better Technological Illusions.

I am not a massive FAN of this piece, mainly due to the STAR TREK ENTERPRISE Saucer Section Head lol

This work with some other designs by other Artist does show they was thinking of showing us a Evolved Dr Shaw or at least they are representations of some ideas David had in mind for her!

Regarding the Breeding Machine! i think it fits with the Eventual Plot, a lot of fans were Disappointed with Prometheus and its LACK of Xenomorph explanations.. yet the Dr Shaw Infection maybe gave us some Clues to how such Horrific Beasts could have came to be.

We had to consider Davids Agenda.. we had to consider IF he was curious to what the Engineers were creating and WHAT would have became of Dr Shaws Fetus.

Left Alone to Ponder WHAT does this Substance do, and Witnessing Dr Shaws Fetus.... then this would be a IDEAL starting point to consider WHAT this substance can do.

Want to Create a Xenomorph/Deacon like Organism... the closest we saw in Prometheus was via the Infection via a Females Reproductive System.    If David wanted to see what would have became of the Dr Shaws Child... he would maybe want to RE-CREATE it...

We see Evidence that to some Degree he had carried out such Replications of the Experiment on Female Engineers, and after perhaps running out of Subjects, and them NOT Quite yielding the expected Results... then you can clearly see what David would then want to Test on Human Hosts and Reproductive System.

I think its a bit Harsh to say RS really screwed up because he was having little respect for Dr Shaw by having her used to Create Horrific Organisms...     to a degree Cameron was pondering letting a Child Get Face Raped by a Face Hugger but Ripley came to the Rescue.   I think what we have is more of a case of trying to show us HOW anything related to the Xenomorph came to be... and showing us that Female Humanoid Reproductive Organs/Cells are the KEY

@Chris Yup

"Honestly, I think the franchise needs to revert to where it was going with Prometheus - expansion and new exploration. We need a fresh look at this timeless franchise and Prometheus did a great job of setting that up. Covenant was a step backwards, Alien 5 would be a deviation, AvP 3 would not work (yet) and games just would not do the franchise enough justice, canonically.

We need Scott to finish his vision and not be swayed by the opinions of those of us who refuse change. The beast is not cooked, but it's just not that interesting anymore. We know too much about it. I want to see what David does - I want to see his arc continue and I want to see the Engineers come back - discover what he's done and follow his trail to LV-426 or wherever they meet.

So, Alien Awakening gets my vote!"

I think there are a number of flaws to the Alien Covenant Plot... that lead us to speculate certain things.

On one hand we are lead to there being NOTHING as far as Life by virtue of seeing and hearing Nothing... just as Daniels Points out.    But on the other hand we see that David had gone out and documented numerous Life-Forms (many Aquatic) that he had used in his Experiments.

Which indicates that NOT everything was killed via the Bombardment, or that many Organisms had evolved via the Black Goo.  Its pretty much quite vague but many of the Organisms he had drawn do have some degree of similarity to what we have on Earth.   some of his experiments appear to me as though they were the results of the Black Goo, the Question are they results of the after-effects of the Bombardment?  Or directly from Davids continues experiments via using the Black Goo and Neomorph Spores... i am drawn to the latter.

The Bombardment scene i see ONLY evidence that the Black Goo, is infecting the Engineers and Replicating inside of them and then Escaping from the Engineers to spread further infection.

The scene was short and its to Gauge if any Organism related to the Neomorph infection had escaped from the Engineers,  but i see little or no evidence for it, but we also dont see the Engineers turn to like Stone either.

So we cant work out WHAT happened in the coming minutes or hours after the Bombardment Scene had ended.   What we do see is that there is NO Life-forms within a certain area near the Engineers City, we see no Evidence of any Organisms running rampant apart from FRESH ones created by contact with the dormant Neomorph Spores.... and we also see the Engineers just dead like Stone!

Prometheus leads us to conclude the Black Goo leads to Creation of other Life... "sometimes to create, one must destroy" However the only left over life on LV-223 (apart from the Last Engineer) was the Worms... which could have came in from the Outside... we see NO evidence of Organisms resulting from the Outbreak... unless we assume the Worms were a result of this...

However.. if we could consider the Black Goo infection has a Limited Half-Life and any Infected Organism from it has a limited Life Span before they die off... then it would explain why there appeared to be Limited LIFE on LV-223 and maybe go somewhat to explain NO Signs of LIFE on Planet 4

Another thing to consider is Contingency Plans... you think the Engineers have no Safe-Guards?  This would sound very Stupid of them...

In Prometheus all of those Engineers were running to the Big Head/Ampoule Room, we have to ask WHY?  and we see this Room was Sterile, those Black Goo Urns remained In-Active until the Humans (likely due to No Helmets) had contaminated the Room..  The Engineer Head was Preserved as if the Infection had CEASED!   Yet his Space Suit on the Outside seemed to be Hollow!   So maybe Under Certain Conditions the Infection is HALTED when in that Environment, until the Humans Contaminate it.

With Alien Covenant i had speculated before the release of the movie what the Cathedral Dome could be as far as that GOLD Technology On-Top and WHY our Engineers appear as Stone... and i pondered could it have been a KILL-SWITCH Device that Activated some kind of Energy Weapon that Destroyed Organic DNA thus not allowing the Black Goo to carry out its work or after-affects (Creation of Horrific Organisms).

I think its likely that either such a Device, or just the way the Black Goo had been Programed just lead to DEATH and nothing was created via the Bombardment.

I suspect the Neomorph Spores are either via some of the Black Goo Particles landing FAR away from the Impact Zone and maybe out of RANGE of any Safety KILL-SWITCH device.

Or they are the result of a Urn/Canister leaking into the Stream that Flows down the Mountain after the Juggernaught had crashed.

There's a middle ground! What's most frustrating for me isn't that what I'D like to see happen isn't where they're taking the franchise, but that they cant manage to write a story that does actually take a little from everyone! There's a story that can be written that deals with the engineer/philosphical/religious/lore themes AND the Action/Horror/Corporate Intrigue/Monster themes! And after Prometheus and Covenant they're not far off, one more movie could and should close this storyline. Then we can get new stories after Alien 3 or Alien Resurection whatever, that explores the universe Alien Awakening will leave us with. I feel like what's to blame is that they aren't being thoughtful about this franchise, they are just trying to "strike gold". The world available to them is more than enough to create a visually stunning, captivating film that draws from the deep well of meaning that the Alien Universe has to offer...

@DK I totally agree a big  issue with the prequels, and the very idea of them, is that laziness you're referring to. Sure the whole junker/CEO Limo explanation is fine, but it's boring. It would have been so much better if they took the time to actually create a pre-Alien 1979 world. They could have shown the contrast between the Nostromo and the Prometheus while still resembling each other. An easy example of that would have been to not have touch screen tech, instead have at least buttons.. But you know thats pretty nit picky and I can suspend my disbelief no problem!

dk

That's main reason what some people thinks what Engineers just blow up. But they no - Engineers blow up by tentacles, arms, heads and another parts of neomorph like creations.

Judging by the fact that he is a mad Nazi robot he would probably say because you have to erase the imperfection of unworthy creations/creators.

But because he is mad, he could response that the whole thing is intended as a wedding gift for the newly weds from the picture.

Survival of the fittest is an interesting idea. 

I have one problem with this scene though. The goo infecting the populace lasted about 30 seconds if that. It is tough to take it all in without rewatching/slowing down to catch the details. That is why I don't read much into it- this cut was in a theater where you had one chance to watch. Blink and you could miss a lot. 

I think we basically settled the Runner not having them since the facehugger impregnated the host in an already oxygen rich environment. Maybe not the strongest reason but that was pretty much it.

As for the spinnerets, I remember hearing that. It makes sense for the Aliens hive but maybe not Alien, unless we acknowledge the DC as the true version imo. 

I remember SM saying a common theory was that they're spinneretes for cocooning.An interesting thing though,the dog/runner didn't have dorsal fins.

ignorantGuy It is sci fi and I doubt anyone here was thinking of gender roles/politics. I think most of us look to Giger's works for reference.

Those whom know The Giver will understand when I say I am feeling The Stirrings/Wantings.

More on Alien: Blackout

FoxNext on Variety article

https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/alien-blackout-interview-1203103736/

Some mobile games are thoroughly engaging.

I was hooked by The Walking Dead: Road to Survival for about 12 months....and Im not even that big of a fan of the series. It was just a well crafted, addictive, satisfyingly enjoyable game to play....mostly because of the RPG and character building elements. 

Hopefully Blackout can do the same. 

Looks like we might be onto something here!

https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/alien-blackout-interview-1203103736/

FoxNext on Variety:

“Alien: Blackout,” the mobile survival horror game revealed earlier this week, is part of a broader 20th Century Fox initiative to tell new stories in the franchise around Amanda Ripley. The initiative, branded around the “ReadWatchPlay” slogan, won’t include any other games, nor is it tied to a new feature film, 20th Century Fox’s FoxNext tells Variety.

“ReadWatchPlay is referring to individual entries for each one,” said TQ Jefferson, vice president of external development at FoxNext. “It’s exploring different elements of Amanda Ripley’s saga.

 “The slogan is the rallying cry for the activity that is going to touch upon Amanda Ripley’s story in the immediate future.”

Yeah, great ... Turning educated woman protagonists in breeding machines is very revolutionary especially if you are considering that you are known for directing feminist movies.

I for one am glad that this probably ends here. If I wanted hentai I would not asked it from RS. 

The more I look at this, the more I wonder about the evolution- especially the carapace. Pay attention to the weird looking stuff around the head that seems to develop into the finished carapace:

Shaw:

The OP image:

, and then the Neomorph:

Finally, the Xeno:

They seem to be, for the most part, cheap accessories to larger scale projects. In a different thread, I wondered if this might be something to test interest for a AAA game.

Perhaps Blackout could be a lead-up?

I think the negative reactions stem from a track record where by mobile games tend to lack any real engaging content. They seem to be, for the most part, cheap accessories to larger scale projects. I do not game much on my phone and the few I have tried failed to keep me engaged beyond a week. The best so far are RTS games in my opinion, but an Isolation style hand held just doesn't scream epic. I won't pass judgement yet, but I was definitely hoping Blackout would have been something bigger, considering the lead-up.

Love it. Shame her fate was not as epic as this concept art depicts.

It would have been interesting to see this in David's lab with Shaw's deformed body next to it- sort of a Resurrection Ripley clones vibe.

post X 2

I am surprised how many people gave negative reaction to the mobile game announcement. I am actually pretty excited about it. It's good they try using different platforms to promote the franchise. I am definitely buying the game

Maybe what happened when various types of Aliens hatched out from all the thousands of Engineeers was this; all the different types  of Aliens all fought each other until the winner was the Alien we all know( a Darwinian style survival of the fittest took place )?

Something in the same genre as star wars battlefront 2 could be a good way to go. Unlocking different marine weapons or alien types depending on how well and how much effort you put in would get me in.

Sounds cool. I am looking forward to the mobile game and the online shooter. 

Visiting LV-223 would be interesting to play on. Fighting Xenomorphs, Trilobites and the Deacon... and an engineer as a boss at the end of the game. 

Off screen (meaning a series) would be fine and actually all the better. Bring it!

 "Requiem did us True ALIEN and Predator fans a favor"

LOL! I never imagined anyone would write that for any reason ever. Context- I know but still...

@Thoughts Dreams

I did mentioned that both AVP movies DIDN'T feel like either ALIEN nor PREDATOR. AVP, both AVP (2004) and Requiem felt more akin to a Kaiju flick than anything close to ALIEN or PREDATOR hence why AVP (2004) also sucked. Requiem did us True ALIEN and Predator fans a favor and ended that mock-kaiju flick started by AVP (2004) and I bet if Paul W S Anderson had a choice to make more AVP movies they would have continued to be dumb action Kaiju flicks.

The whole problem of a prequel is like nin said- it ultimately disappoints. 

Setting this franchise aside for a moment:

I have a few harsh things to say about prequels in general: it comes off to me as laziness or an admission the writers cannot think of a creative way forward. It can cause more frustration for fans- "well if that's what happened to explain the original movie, what happened before the prequel- and on and on into the past. Lastly, technology looks more advanced in prequels and should look less advanced- the excuse that the Prometheus was more advanced than the dirty old tanker that was the Nostromo because an old tanker of a cargo ship didn't need all the tech for its mission- is a lame one. Everyone knows its because movie making is better and they want to use the most advanced stuff that they can.

I don't think continuing after Resurrection would have been bad at all.

I hate that. I want a single player WRPG shooter set in the Alienverse!!!

Prequels are almost always tricky business.People spend decades coming up with their own theories only to be disappointed that what Hollywood had in mind and what they had in mind are two very different things.

AVP was Alien's first shot at a prequel,yet they had done literally nothing to expand or explore the universe.By killing Charles Weyland they basically sabotaged any chance of them being taken seriously as prequels,that corporate angle that dk talked about in another thread is lost.

I think the main reason that Fox turned Alien Engineers into Prometheus was because of the AVP's.Both had done a good Job of embarrassing both Alien and Predator.So make a soft Alien reboot that's barely Alien.I guess they underestimated how much fans wanted a legitimate Alien film which of course is where Covenant came in.

I recall reading news about Blomkamps Alien 5 and most were happy to report on Alien news that wasn't Prometheus 2.I guess it helped that Alien 5 had been announced some months after Alien Isolation,which not only redeemed Alien from The dismal Colonial Marines but also had been the one thing Alien most everyone had agreed upon since Aliens.Fox had to have thought if a video game can be this good,how about another movie.

“I prefer a great story and suspenseful gameplay”

-

”Pass. Would rather have a good single player experience.”

I agree with these segments.

Also, Chris has there really been a hunger for this type of game for years? I didn’t know that, well maybe that’s the case with AVP in mind and considering the massive game studios that stick purely to mmo games, presumably based on a demand on the market, as BigDave touched upon.

I think a new AVP or an Aliens Colonial Marines game could benefit with online gameplay with frenetic action and teamwork, while an Alien survival-horror game works best with a single player experience, putting more emphasis on a fleshed out story, character arcs and tension, masterfully done in A:I.

Alien: Battle Royale with lootcrates and microtransactions... The future is now!

Excellent news! MMO shooters aren't my first preference but Ill likely play it anyway, especially if brings Prometheus/Covenant expanded universe aspects to the game :)

Neomorphs, Trilobites, Engineers and Deacons. Oh yeah!

I like BigDave's idea for an RPG Alien game. Let BioWare (Mass Effect) or Visceral Games (Deadspace) have a crack!

It does work for an expanded universe for sure.It's not really the future on film,but it helps build a more consistent and constant universe off screen.