“Game Over, Man?”: New Aliens Game Leaked as ‘Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2’

The universe of the Alien franchise is expanding once again in the video game space. Reports have surfaced confirming a high-profile leak for a new title, strongly suggesting a direct sequel to the 2021 cooperative shooter, Aliens: Fireteam Elite. The new game, reportedly titled Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 (AFE2), had its existence inadvertently revealed through a rating on the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website—the industry’s gold standard for leaked announcements.

This news confirms earlier rumors surrounding a project codenamed Project Macondo and solidifies the commitment by 20th Century Games to the popular squad-based combat style of the Xenomorph-slaying series. For fans of high-octane PvE action, this leak marks an exciting development in the current gaming news cycle.

ESRB Listing Details and Publisher Shift

The ESRB rating, which grants the game an M for Mature (17+) designation due to “Blood and Gore, Strong Language, and Violence,” suggests the sequel will maintain the visceral, action-oriented tone of its predecessor, aligning with the “Marines vs. Xenomorphs” feel of the 1986 film, Aliens.

Key Details from the Leak:

• Official/Tentative Title: Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Windows)
• Developer: Expected to be Cold Iron Studios, the team behind the original.
• New Publisher: The rating notably lists Daybreak Game Company as the publisher, a shift from Focus Entertainment and 20th Century Games’ previous arrangements. Daybreak is known for its experience with large-scale online games and MMORPGs, which hints at a possible continued focus on live-service and long-term content for AFE2.

The appearance of a full ESRB rating is a strong indicator that the title is well into development and close to an official reveal, likely aiming for a release window sometime in 2026 or late 2025, according to earlier unverified reports.

Project Macondo: Leaked Gameplay and Features

Prior to the ESRB leak, details surrounding the project, then known as Project Macondo, suggested several changes from the original game that could significantly impact the gameplay experience and are of high interest to the gaming community and investors in the entertainment software sector:

• Fixed Character Archetypes: The sequel is reportedly moving away from the highly customizable marine characters of the first game to feature fixed, preset character archetypes. Each character will have a unique callsign, signature weapon, and defined abilities, creating a more “hero shooter” dynamic.
• New Annihilation Mode: A revamp of the classic Horde Mode, tentatively named “Annihilation Mode,” is expected to be a major feature, offering intense, wave-based co-op gameplay against increasingly difficult Xenomorph swarms.
• No In-Game Voice Chat: Intriguingly, earlier documents suggested the game may forgo native in-game voice or text chat, advising players to use platform-specific communication systems—a controversial design choice in a modern co-op shooter that relies on team coordination.

This development follows other recent Alien-branded releases, such as the tactical RTS Aliens: Dark Descent and the VR title Alien: Rogue Incursion, demonstrating a concerted effort by the IP holders to diversify the brand across multiple gaming genres. Fans are now eagerly awaiting the official announcement, especially to see how Daybreak Game Company’s expertise in persistent worlds will shape the future of this AAA franchise and if the shift in character design will maximize player engagement.

The sequel, if it capitalizes on the engaging squad mechanics and high replayability of the original, could be a key earner in the highly competitive multiplayer gaming market. The use of a public ESRB listing as an unscheduled announcement creates instant, high-value buzz around the upcoming science fiction shooter, driving both conversation and future pre-order sales.