One of the biggest gripes people had with Aliens: Colonial Marines was the lackluster (to say the least) Xenomorph AI, but now it seems that some of the issues can be traced to a single letter typo.
This was posted back in October of 2017 by ModDB user jamesdickinson963, who created the TemplarGFX mod that was well-received for its improvements to the game. We reported on the mod back in 2016 when it was on Version 2. Now currently on Version 5, jamesdickinson963 has been continuously working to make the game a more enjoyable experience.
Just recently this revelation has been getting some traction with gaming journalists, with Engadget, Gizmondo, Ars Technica, and others reporting on it. The story started spreading after a Resetera Forums post sharing what the modder had discovered and testing the results.
The Xenomorph AI was heavily criticized after the launch of Aliens: Colonial Marines.
PC Gamer has also investigated the effects of correcting the typo on Alien AI:
“In my experience, they’re not only considerably more aggressive, they’re also much better at tracking the player. As an experiment, I tried just running away from one, a maneuver which would normally confound a xenomorph, and it stayed right on my tail.
The change is less noticeable in some situations, and it’s tough to say just from playing how much of the xenomorphs’ clumsiness was caused by this typo, but they certainly seem to move more efficiently once it’s corrected. They waste less time getting to the player, crawl and lunge more often, and generally move in more of a beeline rather than their usual drunken stroll. I mean, they’re still plenty dopey, but hey, what did you expect?”
We’ve reached out to Gearbox Software for comment and will update the story if we hear back from them.
If you still have yet to try Aliens: Colonial Marines, it is currently on sale with all DLC for $2.99 via Fanatical.
Update:
Gearbox has responded to this news in the form of what seems to be a joke employment listing.
Feeling teathered to your current job? We have the perfect opportunity for you: https://t.co/uhACLaDDUU
— GearboxOfficial (@GearboxOfficial) July 16, 2018
The position they posted specifies: “Review all code for typos. Just that.”
Once on the application page, the application only includes a single question: “
https://media.giphy.com/media/P8IXl0kmQgmDS/giphy.gif
https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/903/458/f7b.gif
Haha!
https://i.imgur.com/57iHARO.jpg
I wish you'd interview Randy. Just be sure to pronounce everything correctly.
Speaking of the thread subject.
Terrible company.
Too right. While I don't hate the game and enjoy a play of it now and then, how they handled the situation was just awful. Zero accountability taken and petty attacks on legitimate critics. Definitely not supporting them as a studio in the future.
What little good did come of ACM seemed like more a product of TimeGate, Demiurge, Nerve Software, and Check Six Games, than it was of Gearbox.
I'd find that hilarious if I didn't think Gearbox/Pitchford were awful and didn't give a shit about anything to do with the game.
Without thinking, I immediately started checking the job summary for typos. Would've been a good way to weed out those who need not apply. But I guess they didn't want to risk the joke.
Wouldn't expect anything less from Gearbox at this point, honestly.
Yep. It would be a waste of money this far in. It's like paying to put a brand new exhaust system on a car that needs to be completely re-built from the ground up. And I mean every single thing down to the tiniest bolts.
Eventually you have to reach the point where you either accept it for what it is, (a total loss) and put it out to pasture. Or call the scrap guy, and get a few bucks for it.
There's really nothing that can save the game for me, personally. Every now and then I enjoy the first few minutes on the Sulaco, the walk to Hadley's, and the Raven chase down in the hive. But that's about it. Other than that, it stays in the wallet.
It's really too late in the game at this point. Best thing to do is get a different developer to start a new game under extreme scrutiny.
https://www.moddb.com/mods/templargfxs-acm-overhaul
Not sure why this is beeing picked up now...
The game was a basic Aliens shooter that I had enough fun with, but my biggest gripe was aliens constantly getting stuck running into walls, going in the opposite direction from me. These things are supposed to be trying to kill me, but it was like they were wind-up toys going in random directions.
I completed the game on the 360 and lacklustre A.I, as disappointing as it was to be encountered, was far down the list of OMG..how did this get through?/WTF is this sh#t moments i had with the game.
It's been 5 years, the game failed to capture any of the potential it had and was a cluster f##k from start to bloody finish.
It joins a list of disappointing Alien games, films and Graphic novels that have had my time and money.
Sadly i expect it won't be the last.
Now, *slash* *slash* and dead.
Never played the game again.
It's been 5,5 years and the game is still popular clickbait I guess.
Maybe it's time to move and the perhaps Randy can finally stop getting death threats.
Perhaps he'd be willing to compensate me for the two lungs and diaphragm I just injured laughing so hard. Seriously dude, you'd have a better chance trying to sell that the sky ain't blue on a clear day. Oh my Lord.
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford on gamer criticism: 'some people are sadists'
Alien Colonial Marines Cost CEO Randy Pitchford $10 Million Of His Own Money
Such power exists?