User:The Fifth Horseman/Alien Assault

Alien Assault is a 2009 turn-based tactics video game by Teardown.

Originally released in 2008 as Space Hulk, the game was taken down due to licensing issues between the developers, Games Workshop LLC and THQ Inc.. The game's creators then attempted to acquire a license to use the Space Hulk name and associated trademarks but their attempts were rejected, prompting rebranding of the game as Alien Assault and replacing all connections to the Warhammer 40,000 IP with a generic science fiction setting.

Space Hulk
In 2008, a pair of hobbyists under the name Teardown have released a freeware PC game based on Space Hulk. Despite a relative lack of publicity, Teardown's production has quickly generated interest in the online community, with the website receiving over 10 000 views in the first few days between going online and the game's actual release.

Legal issues
Within a month the game was removed from the developers' site. They noted that the web download traffic was creating problems, and that Games Workshop were threatening legal action due to THQ's current ownership of the Warhammer 40,000 video game license.

License Hoax
On April 1st 2008, Teardown have announced they obtained THQ's permission to use the Warhammer 40,000 license. After being reported on by Rock, Paper, Shotgun, the news has been subsequently revealed as an April Fools prank

Rebranding into Alien Assault
According to the development team, their attempts to negotiate for the release of the game with THQ were refused, resulting in the game being rebranded under the name "Alien Assault".

Sequel
In January 2011 Teardown has announced the intent to produce a sequel, under the working name Alien Assault 2 - The Return. The sequel's design documentation is developed publicly, with the community taking an active part in the process.

"New direction" hoax
In April 2011, an announcement has been made that the sequel to Alien Assault would instead become a parody of Space Hulk and Warhammer 40,000 under the name Rubbermallet: Space Sulk. The announcement has been subsequently revealed as another April Fools hoax.