Aliens: Colonial Marines due spring 2012

Gearbox's much-anticipated co-op shooter Aliens: Colonial Marines largely dropped off the radar after it was announced in 2008, but the Borderlands developer has always insisted it was still on its way. Today, publisher Sega pulled back the curtain to reveal a new trailer, more details, a single screenshot, and a release window--spring 2012.

Described by the official site as "a true sequel to James Cameron's classic Aliens," Colonial marines promises drop-in/drop-out co-op for up to four players. Marines will venture into movie environments such as Hadley's Hope, the Sulaco and LV-426, armed with weapons including pulse rifles, motion trackers and flamethrowers on "self-contained missions within an over-arching narrative."

As is customary for first-person shooters nowadays, there'll be character customisation and an "upgrade" system. Marines will unlock new perks, weapons and cosmetic options as they gain experience.

Aliens: Colonial Marines is scheduled to launch on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in spring 2012. Back in 2009, Sega said a Nintendo DS version was being handled by another developer, but there was no word on this today. Colonial Marines will be on show at E3 this year, doubtless behind a very long queue full of people quoting their favourite Aliens lines. Stay frosty.