Artist David Liu recently shared on X, an unproduced Alien vs. Predator game concept, which offered a close look at a pitch that ultimately never moved forward despite a significant amount of early development work. Noisy Pixel then spoke with Liu about what went into the project and the pitch.
According to Liu, the concept dates back to shortly after the release of the prequel film Prey (2022), where worked with a designer to build out a full pitch package centered on a side-scrolling, arcade-style format inspired by the 1994 Alien vs. Predator arcade game. Liu stated that the project was structured around combat-driven gameplay, with the goal being to capture the feel of classic beat ‘em ups within the franchise. Liu produced a wide range of visual development materials, including key art and concept pieces to outline the game’s tone, characters, and direction as part of supporting this pitch.
Liu noted that pitches like this can take around a month of focused work, though timelines vary depending on scope and that some can be assembled in a matter of days, while others take months of iteration. He stated that strong visual development can sometimes carry a pitch by helping define the art direction early, even if that alone does not guarantee approval.
Liu also noted that the pitching process has shifted in recent years, with many publishers now expecting a playable prototype or vertical slice, and this can make traditional pitch decks less effective on their own. Even with all the preparation done, the project struggled to gain traction. Liu stated that he still isnt even sure if the concept was ever formally reviewed, but believes the project was effectively “dead on arrival,” with no meaningful follow-up or feedback.
Liu concluded by stating that the Alien vs. Predator project is not in active consideration and is not sitting in a backlog waiting to be revisited, and the pitch is no longer in play.
