Publisher Sega today officially announced Aliens: Colonial Marines, the Gearbox Software-developed FPS title based on the popular movie series.

The squad-based shooter will support four-player cooperative play, and is set to hit stores within the year.

Featuring a story-driven single player campaign centering around a team of soldiers facing an alien assault, Aliens: Colonial Marines will attempt to recreate the look and feel of the original films while providing a tense FPS experience.

The game will also boast a four player co-op mode, with each player taking on a distinct role within the squad. Additional multiplayer modes will be announced at a later date.

Elements taken directly from the Aliens sequel will include pulse rifles, flamethrowers, and the Sulaco spaceship. A soundtrack described as "brooding" will also accompany the claustrophobic environments.

Weapons, skills, and equipment new to the Alien universe will also make an appearance, though none were specified.

Aliens: Colonial Marines will be released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC in late 2008.

The sharp eyes at Gaming Target noticed that an Aliens teaser page on Sega.com revealed two companies involved with the new Aliens games mentioned this morning. The page, since updated, listed both Obsidian Entertainment and Gearbox Software in the copyright section. Obsidian most recently worked on Neverwinter Nights 2, while Gearbox is best known for the Brothers in Arms games. It's not much of a surprise seeing these two companies involved, as the official press release announcing the deal between Sega and 20th Century Fox mentions the development of a role playing game as well as a first person shooter. The press release also corrects this morning's Hollywood Reporter story in saying the first game will be released in 2009, not 2008.