Original developer of Atari Jaguar survival horror classic begins work on new game - Codename Xeno
Jane Whittaker returns with a new take on a classic formula as Athena Worlds starts work on PC development
London (25/04/2025). Veteran developer and founder of Athena Worlds, Jane Whittaker, has today announced work has begun on a new and exciting survival horror game IP, currently titled Codename Xeno. The game is expected to launch on PC first with consoles later, following fan feedback on an evolving development plan.
After crash landing on planet XL-243, players will quickly find they are not alone and the battle for survival begins. Combining deep character AI, crafting, resource management and stealth mechanics, the game is aimed at being a landmark open-world game of exploration, survival, high stakes tension and combat.
Helmed by one of Alien vs Predator's (1994) original developers and programmer, Jane Whittaker, Codename Xeno has been gestating for more than 30 years, and under the steady hand of Athena Worlds, a studio specialising in open world games, will soon be ready to share more information.
Athena Worlds founder and CEO, Jane Whittaker, said, "Alien Vs Predator for Atari defined my career. It defined a genre, often regarded as the first true survival game, with over 100 awards and recently honoured with number 3 in the top 10 scariest games of all time awards. It spawned an enduring franchise. Whittaker, one of the two programmers of AvP (gameplay and AI programmer) added, "It is no exaggeration to say we changed the face of gaming and 30 years later, I still receive messages from fans asking if I'll return to that genre with a new franchise.
I can now announce that Athena Worlds, thanks to support of a soon to be named key publisher, will be returning to a genre that I hold very dear to my heart with a whole new survival horror IP, Codename Xeno.
We have brought together the perfect team to realise this dream project. Development is being led by Athena Worlds' co-founder Mike Meaden (producer Star Citizen, Squadron 42 and Forza Horizon), with original character designs by Blizzard scholarship award winner Blaire Wathen.
AVAILABILITY: In Development, for PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
ABOUT ATHENA WORLDS: Athena Worlds is the coming together of some of the world's finest minds and most experienced developers in the creation of open world gaming, character AI and 3D graphics. The company focuses on simulation via its Athena Simulations brand in addition to RPG, open-world, strategy and exploration games under the Athena Worlds label and commercial simulation under the Luminaries brand.
