ALIEN (1979)
After investigating a mysterious transmission of unknown origin, the crew of a commercial spacecraft encounters a deadly lifeform. Alien is a modern classic that blends science fiction, horror, and a chilling atmosphere.
We are partnering up with Chassé Theater and during Dutch Game Week you will get the chance to enjoy a special screening of the film’s 4K restored version, with an introduction by Steve Morris, lecturer in Production and Design at BUas.
In cold, boundless space, AI super-computer Mother picks up a distress signal from Acheron, a barren nearby moon. Bound by protocol, it awakens the 7-member crew of the commercial towing vehicle, USCSS Nostromo, from cryosleep. Soon, as Captain Arthur Dallas and his crew descend to the inhospitable celestial body known as LV-426 to investigate the mysterious transmission, they discover a downed extraterrestrial spacecraft and its bizarre cargo. Now, dark questions loom. Was the cryptic signal a desperate SOS or a warning? Either way, something else has somehow found its way into the Nostromo, and its silent corridors will never be safe again. Who can confront the Alien, the unwanted eighth passenger?
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Writers: Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett
Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt
Country of origin: UK, USA
Language: English
Year of release: 1979
Runtime: 1h 57min
The film’s iconic female protagonist, Ellen Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver)—left a massive imprint on video games, directly inspiring or influencing several landmark titles featuring female lead.
Ridley Scott’s locked-room mystery established isolated, hostile environments where players feel helpless. This blueprint directly inspired survival horror and immersive sims like Metroid, Half-Life, and System Shock.
The franchise popularised the visual and personality archetype of the hardened, wisecracking, blue-collar squad rather than clean-cut futuristic knights. This roughneck marine look and attitude became the foundation for iconic sci-fi rosters in Doom, Halo, Gears of War, Mass Effect, and Killzone.
The motion tracker (for spatial awareness and pinging unseen danger) and ammo counters mounted directly onto weapons were popularised by the franchise and later integrated into games like Halo and Dead Space. Sentry guns from the film also became a staple tower/defensive weapon in modern shooters.
