This is a coincidence. Here I am, working on an Aliens feature for the site, and along comes some brief Aliens: Colonial Marines news. Despite a complete lack of talk on the subject lately, Sega has confirmed that the game is still alive and well, scheduled for a Q1 release. Hurrah!

In addition to this, we also know that the game will be split into six chapters, each one giving you control over a different member of your six-person Marine squad. Each mission contains flashbacks which gives a backstory to each Marine, lending some extra narrative weight to proceedings. The game will use "adaptive cover," and you'll be able to have entrances welded shut and furniture moved to block the Alien advance. 

Also -- and don't cry -- QTE sequences seem to be on the cards.

There have been concerns that the project was scrapped, but Gearbox had certainly not been giving me that impression during my regular "give me information on this game and you'll get a blowjob" emails that I've been sending them. The game has been under development for quite a while, but Sega has been keeping an uncharacteristically tight lid on any information. Whether that is a good or a bad thing remains to be seen. 

The game was included in Sega's updated 2009 release schedule, which includes titles like Bayonetta, MadWorld and House of the Dead: Overkill. It looks like a potentially hot year for the publisher, something which Sega hasn't had for a while. Hit the jump to see the full lineup.

February 2009 Wii House of the Dead: Overkill Horror
February 2009 Wii House of the Dead: Overkill: Collectors Edition
February 2009 PS3 SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection
February 2009 X360 SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection

March 2009 PC Empire: Total War
March 2009 PC Empire: Total War: Special Forces Edition
March 2009 DS Bleach: Dark Souls
March 2009 PS3 Stormrise
March 2009 X360 Stormrise
March 2009 Wii Sonic and the Black Knight
March 2009 Wii Madworld

Spring 2009 PSP Phantasy Star Portable
Spring 2009 Wii The Conduit

Q1 2009 PS3 Alpha Protocol
Q1 2009 X360 Alpha Protocol
Q1 2009 PC Alpha Protocol
Q1 2009 PS3 Aliens: Colonial Marines
Q1 2009 X360 Aliens: Colonial Marines
Q1 2009 PC Aliens: Colonial Marines

2009 PS3 Bayonetta
2009 X360 Bayonetta