ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game

ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game · ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game

ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game

ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game immerses you in a harsh, blue-collar future dominated by greedy corporations, USCM fireteams, dubious science, and creatures with far too many teeth. Sessions unfold like a gripping thriller: shadowy corridors, beeping motion trackers, dwindling oxygen, and split-second decisions. You might seal a bulkhead, negotiate with a company representative, or make a run for it. The horror is raw and human, with survival as the ultimate goal. Cinematic one-shots deliver a powerful experience in a single night, while campaign play allows your crew to pursue paydays and uncover answers amidst jobs, derelicts, and colony crises.

This game is for adults only, intense at the table, and ideal for 2 to 5 players. Newcomers can jump in quickly, while seasoned players will appreciate the lethal stakes and tough choices. It caters to horror enthusiasts, sci-fi fans, birthday groups seeking a scary movie atmosphere, and corporate teams that thrive under pressure. A professional Game Master manages tone, safety, and pacing, allowing you to concentrate on the narrative. Ready to choose yours? Browse our Game Masters who facilitate ALIEN online or in person.

How to play ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game

You roll a handful of six-sided dice based on your attributes, skills, and gear. Any 6 is a success, and extra 6s push the result further. If the roll fails, you can push once to reroll most dice and take on stress. Stress adds special dice that both help and threaten, because a 1 on them can trigger a panic check that can make you freeze, scream, or act rashly. The Game Master sets stakes and consequences, you say what you do, and the table resolves it in quick, tense scenes, with short combat rounds when timing matters.

Players bring a character and a willingness to embrace fear, teamwork, and tough choices. A professional Game Master provides pre-generated characters for one-shots, clear safety tools, maps and props, and rules expertise. Cinematic one-shots use a tight three-act structure and personal agendas for fast, brutal play. In campaigns, you build a crew, ship, and contacts, take jobs, and face slower-burn horror over many sessions. You can play at a table or online; see online play options for how a session runs remotely.

Two players immersed in moving 3d printed d&d miniatures on a game board.
Two players immersed in moving 3d printed d&d miniatures on a game board.

Common questions

Do we need ALIEN rules or film knowledge to play?

No. You can start with zero preparation. A professional Game Master teaches the core dice pool in just a few minutes and keeps the rules flowing smoothly. One-shots typically use pre-generated characters with clear objectives, allowing you to jump right in. For campaigns, you receive assistance in building a crew and ship. Familiarity with the films enhances the atmosphere, but it is not essential. If you enjoy tense sci-fi and teamwork under pressure, you will be fine. Browse Game Masters who run ALIEN.

How is ALIEN different from D&D?

ALIEN is a survival horror game. You need to manage air, ammunition, and time while avoiding fights you can't win. The stress mechanic provides bonus dice but can also trigger panic, causing you to freeze, flee, or act impulsively. Characters have personal agendas that lead to tough decisions. Combat is quick and lethal, focusing less on grand heroic battles and more on stealth, barricades, and triage. Progress is achieved by staying alive, solving problems, and escaping with something to show for your efforts. It feels more like a thriller than a heroic fantasy.

Cinematic one-shot or a campaign, which suits us?

Cinematic is designed for a single night. Pre-generated characters, secret agendas, and a tight three-act structure create rapid tension and genuine risk. Ideal for 3 to 4 hours, it suits groups seeking a sharp, movie-like experience. Campaign play allows you to build your own crew, ship, and contacts. The pace is slower, the horror remains, and the risk is adjusted so that survival over multiple sessions is achievable. A professional Game Master assists you in selecting the tone, from bleak to pulp. Compare GM approaches on playstyles.

How frightening is it, and what age group is it suitable for?

It is intense. Expect suspense, violence, body horror, corporate cruelty, and themes of isolation. Most groups set it to 18+ only. Your professional Game Master will conduct a short safety briefing and use clear tools so players can adjust content or pause a scene. If you prefer a more stringent fade-to-black on certain topics, mention it upfront. The horror stems from pressure and consequence, not from shocking players. The aim is to create a scary story that everyone enjoys and remembers comfortably.

How deadly is it, and can characters betray one another?

Death is a genuine possibility, particularly in cinematic scenarios where resources are scarce and time is of the essence. Wounds accumulate quickly, and a poor panic at the wrong moment can lead to chaos. Personal agendas can create tension, but they are designed to enhance the story, not to spoil anyone’s enjoyment. The group discusses boundaries, and the professional Game Master ensures that any conflict is safe and meaningful. In campaigns, lethality is managed so characters can develop, but danger is still the focus. Expect scars, not certainties.

What group size and session length are most effective?

ALIEN is designed for 3 to 4 players, but can accommodate between 2 and 5. Fewer players enhance feelings of isolation and focus, allowing for clearer spotlight moments. With five players, the ship feels busier, leading to more chaos when panic sets in. A typical session lasts around 3 to 4 hours, making it ideal for one-shots. Campaign sessions can also fit within this timeframe, or extend slightly to allow for downtime and travel. Your professional Game Master will adjust the pacing to ensure the tension builds without dragging.

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Genres you can play in ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game

  • Survival

    Chilly nights, empty packs, and tough decisions. Survival stories challenge your resilience and teamwork as you manage resources, outwit…

    View genre: Survival
  • Gritty

    Difficult decisions, limited resources, and lasting consequences. Picture Game of Thrones, where trust is tenuous, debts must be repaid…

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  • Dystopian

    Struggle to breathe in a world that monitors your every action, think 1984. Conceal, hack, and resist as you navigate oppressive laws…

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  • Conspiracy

    Unravel layers of deception as you pursue leads through dimly lit rooms, encrypted files, and betrayals. Paranoia escalates with each clue…

    View genre: Conspiracy
  • Military

    Close-knit squads under fire, tough decisions, maps laid out, and the strain of supply lines. Think Band of Brothers, but you call the…

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  • Alien

    From careful first contact to invasive terrors, you confront the unknown mind beyond Earth. Think Arrival for the marvel of communication…

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What players are saying

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did a fantastic job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a large portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't really know how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but as honest criticism. Cheers, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varied experience levels, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His positive attitude made the game enjoyable for all. I really appreciated how he could clearly explain what was needed for our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his extensive knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a fantastic time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided an excellent experience. Thanks!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was incredibly engaging. I organised a session as a gift for my boyfriend, who is really passionate about it, and he was very pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • Baptiste was a fantastic GM who adapted seamlessly to our group and helped us make great progress in this one-shot. However, there was one issue with the character sheets provided; they were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were quite rough. For instance, our cleric was missing spells, including a healing spell, even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left their game saying it was the most fun they’d ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another game with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach let the players immerse themselves in the game by giving them control over how they wanted their actions to unfold. I would definitely work with her again.

    John

  • A great first experience with D&D. Amber was excellent at explaining and guiding the game, allowing us as players to quickly get into the flow and focus on the story. Collaborating on attack strategies with my colleagues was a fun activity that provided valuable insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a very enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

  • Pim is truly a legend as a DM! He's cheerful, adaptable, and incredibly experienced. With a group of novice players, he managed to create an amazing experience in just a few hours. He maintained control in a fun manner and engaged every player in the story, whether they were vocal or reserved. If you go adventuring with him, it will certainly be unforgettable!

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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