1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF FEBRUARY 11 | IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE!

Cover Story: It Came From Outer Space!

This week, 1UP explores the cosmos.

To be perfectly honest, this week started with the title. At some point in a meeting back in 2012, one of the editors mentioned the name "It Came From Outer Space," and we collectively realized that this had to become a cover story. Cut to next scene and some fantastic art work by Eric Sapp, and that offhand comment has become a reality. It makes sense, too -- the influence that celestial science has had over our medium is staggering when you stop to think about it.

The idea of outer space has been ingrained in video games almost from the beginning. Arcade staples like Space Invaders, Asteroids, and Galaga all dealt with coming into contact with extraterrestrial life. Some of our medium's most iconic series, from Mario to Final Fantasy, eventually made their way off the ground and into the massive expanse of space. Then there are the wealth of modern franchises like Mass Effect and Dead Space that are set amongst the stars. But dive even deeper, and you'll quickly find that space-based science fiction is at the core of so many of our medium's biggest inspirations. Alien, Star Wars, Starship Troopers...the list is endless.

Every time we think that outer space's creative well has run dry, something like FTL comes along that proves just how much potential the setting still has. The settings, characters, themes, and ideas associated with the cosmos are so broad, that no genre could be complete without an entry that dabbles in the celestial.

This week, we're going to explore all manner of celestial beings, from benevolent saviors to cosmic weapons. We'll take a look back at some of the most iconic extraterrestrials, and take a peak forward at some upcoming space adventures that have the potential to be truly special. And of course, we're eager to hear what the 1UP community thinks about exploring space in their video games. Are you getting sick of flying through the wild blue yonder, or did the recent news of Chris Roberts' Star Citizen reaffirm just how great outer space can be? Regardless, join us this week in gazing up at the night sky and marveling at what might be out there. -- Marty Sliva

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11

The Six Faces of Extraterrestrials in Video Games

We take a look at the digital archetypes of alien beings.

Star Fox: Charting Possible Courses for the Future

What lies ahead for Nintendo's space adventure?

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Lavos and Chrono Trigger's Otherworldly Roots

The giant space parasite that destroyed the world reminded us how truly alien something could be.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Spacebound: How Aliens Shape the EarthBound Story

The Mother series' extraterrestrials go a long way in giving the games a unique atmosphere.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Aliens: Colonial Marines Review: No Hope Left

Developer Gearbox's Alien FPS will make you scream for all the wrong reasons.

Five Great Aliens Alternatives to Colonial Marines

Bummed by how uneven Gearbox's new shooter turned out to be? Soothe your pain with its best predecessors.

A Video Game Time Capsule

What would aliens assume about humanity from holding a controller?

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15

The Big Three: The Evolution of StarCraft's Zerg, Terran, and Protoss

How Blizzard's major races grew over the course of a decade, and what it meant for strategy.

Podcast 1UP Takes a Trip to Outer Space

Tune in for an extra special interview with one of the localizers of Earthbound.

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• !!!!!!!

  Posted: userComment.createdDate by  JudyCrews51
  

  just before I saw the receipt 4 $4119, I didn't believe that...my... friend had been realie receiving money in there spare time from there new laptop.. there best friend started doing this 4 only about 13 months and just now repaid the depts on there apartment and got a gorgeous Acura. I went here,  wwwEXIT35.COM

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• Space Invaders Arcade

  Posted: userComment.createdDate by  PapaPhewpills
  

  One of my all time favorite games ever!

  Made a tutorial on how to make a high score run on it here:

  http://www.critical-bits.com/2013/03/space-invaders-arcade-high-score.html

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• The Space Sim--Where Hath Thou Gone?

  Posted: userComment.createdDate by  Pacario
  

  Space is still big business in games, of course, with Dead Space 3 just released, Halo still selling bajillions of copies, and revivals like X-COM getting rave reviews.

  But I can remember a time when people enjoyed soaring through the stars, dog fighting aliens and defending giant space stations.  Wing Commander, Freespace, Colony Wars, even Star Wars: Rogue Squadron and Star Fox.  Where have you all gone?

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  • wondered too

    Posted: 07/07/2013 by  nightshade2013
    

    ive wondered also...all the new ones are indies on steam......

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