Creative Assembly, the studio behind Alien: Isolation, has confirmed that the upcoming sequel, Alien: Isolation 2, will continue to draw inspiration from the iconic 1979 Alien film, even though the game’s setting has shifted from the confined space of a space station to an open outdoor mining colony. The change in environment presents new design challenges, as the team must maintain the retro-futuristic aesthetic that defined the original movie and game while adapting it to an outdoor setting. The first Alien movie and its corresponding game are known for their claustrophobic atmosphere, with players navigating the corridors of the Nostromo, a space vessel being hunted by the deadly Xenomorph. Alien: Isolation 2, however, takes place on a Weyland-Yutani colony world, allowing for greater exploration and new design opportunities. Principal environment artist Archie Whitehead emphasized that the team is still using the original film as a guiding influence, ensuring that the new setting feels authentic to the 1970s era of science fiction. Principal UI artist Laura Mouther explained that the team is not trying to reinvent the wheel but is instead building upon the visual and thematic elements of the first game and movie. She noted that the design of technology, such as CRT monitors, must be adapted to the outdoor environment, where elements like rain or dust could cause damage. The team is using examples like a CRT monitor with holes in the back to show how such devices would realistically be affected in the new setting. Whitehead added that the design process involves thinking about how a 1970s person would create technology, as modern materials like LEDs and LCDs weren’t available at the time. He and his team use historical references, including photos of movie sets and even World War II bomber parts, to create authentic designs. The goal is to ensure that every detail in the game reflects the era’s design sensibilities, avoiding anachronisms that would break immersion. While the new setting offers fresh challenges, the team remains committed to staying true to the spirit of the original Alien experience.