How Alien: Rogue Incursion Connects To The Alien Universe

Alien: Rogue Incursion will soon bring its virtual reality horror to the Meta Quest 3. With this port around the corner, fans should get to know how Rogue Incursion ties into the wider Alien universe.

Survios' Alien: Rogue Incursion originally launched in December 2024, introducing fans to a more visceral means of experiencing the IP's legendary brand of sci-fi horror. To broaden the game's horizons and reach even more eager Alien fans, it'll be available to Meta Quest 3 users on February 13. To find out more about Rogue Incursion's place in the dystopic world of Alien, The Best War Games spoke with lead software engineer and project lead Eugene Elkin along with lead producer Margherita Seconnino.

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By Tom Chapman

How Alien: Rogue Incursion Brought The Franchise Into Virtual Reality

Rather than introducing a new character, Alien: Rogue Incursion puts fans in the shoes of ex-Colonial Marine Zula Hendricks. Hendricks debuted in the Aliens: Defiance comic series that ran from April 2016 to June 2017 and has since appeared in a sizable collection of Alien comics and novels, cementing herself in the franchise long before Rogue Incursion came along.

Seconnino spoke at length about how Alien: Rogue Incursion plays into the world of Alien, particularly concerning Rogue Incursion's comic roots. She discussed how the team interfaced with the creatives who work on Alien literature, and how that feedback was worked into the game:

"When we were developing Alien: Rogue Incursion, our goal was to stay true to the core elements that make the Alien universe so gripping—survival, corporate corruption, and the constant threat of the Xenomorphs—while also introducing something new. We chose Zula Hendricks—a character from the Alien comic books—as our protagonist, leveraging her personal mission that connects to the larger themes of the franchise. Her journey allows us to explore fresh perspectives while staying grounded in what fans love about Alien.

We also worked closely with Alex White, a talented author of multiple Alien novels, to ensure our story was authentic and fit seamlessly within the established lore. Their input and vast knowledge helped us strike a balance between honoring the franchise and introducing new twists.

Zula’s mission to expose the secrets of Gemini Exoplanet Solutions brings a deeper exploration of the franchise’s recurring themes—like the dark side of corporate power—while offering players an exciting new narrative. We wanted to create a story that fans would connect with while still offering something fresh and engaging."

Why The Alien Universe Fits VR

In talking more about how well-suited this setting is to VR scares, Elkin touched on some of the specific attributes of Alien's horror. He spoke about how Rogue Incursion managed to express the nuances of fear evident within the series:

"The Alien setting works so well for VR because it enhances everything that makes the universe so intense, and vice versa. In VR, you’re not just observing—you're actually in it, experiencing that sense of isolation and constant tension firsthand. It’s one thing to hear a Xenomorph in the distance, but in VR, it feels like they could be right behind you. The immersion really amplifies the fear and suspense. We’re also able to highlight those smaller details, like the claustrophobia of narrow hallways or the sense that the world is truly alive around you. Those elements are so much more impactful in VR, making the whole experience feel more alive and immediate. It’s about drawing you into the world and making the tension feel real."

The horror of a Xenomorph is certainly a major element of Alien's fear factor, but Elkin rightfully points out the "smaller details." The combination of extraterrestrial terror with the complete and total isolation of space compounded by the tight, metallic corridors of gritty corporate facilities helps give Alien's best outings such memorable frights.

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