The 'Alien' Xenomorph has invaded Fortnite (Ripley and her cat, too!)

The Xenomorph and Ripley from the iconic science fiction film "Alien" have landed Fortnite, but act fast. You can only get them in the battle royale game for a limited time.

The famed "Alien" characters popped into Fortnite item shop Thursday (Feb. 25) to join the games current Chapter 2: Season 5, which features the Mandalorian from "Star Wars" lore. 

The new skins could rotate out of the shop soon and are available individually or in two packs: a bundle with the Xenomorph and Ripley (with her cat Jonesy) for 2,200 V-bucks and a Space Gear bundle for 1,500 V-bucks that includes a Power Loader Arm pickaxe, Cheyenne dropship glider and the Burst Case Scenario emote showing the famous "Alien" chest burster in llama form.) But check the store carefully if you'd prefer just to buy a piece or two; 1,000 V-bucks is roughly $7.99 USD.
'Alien' Horror: 9 Terrifying Xenomorphs from the 'Alien' Movies

The xenomorph and Ellen Ripley from "Alien" have landed in Fortnite. (Image credit: Epic Games)

The Xenomorph, Fortnite said in a description of the newly arrived alien, "has been described as the perfect organism [with] its structural perfection matched only by its hostility." But Ripley is the perfect remedy not only as the last survivor of the Nostromo, but as one of the great action heroes of our era, Fortnite reassured us. "She can take on anything on the island."

Fortnite is free to play, but if you want to reach Level 100 and unlock the featured Mandalorian and Baby Yoda content before the end of the season this month, you'll have to buy additional Battle Pass content in two ways — a monthly subscription with exclusive skins ($11.99 USD) or buying a basic season pass for 950 V-Bucks.

Related: The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda invade Fortnite

Space is the way in Fortnite these past few months, with a lot of cool content dropping in from different franchises. One of the big enemies this season is Predator, whose defeat will kick-start a series of Predator cosmetics challenges. Another one is the Mando himself, who is waiting around for unwary hunters near his famed ship, the Razor Crest. 

Previously in this Fortnite season, a Mando limited-time-mode in early February allowed players to win a Beskar umbrella. The store also dipped into future space machine mode with brief availability of the T-800 Terminator and T2-style Sarah Connor skins.

Space dominated several seasons in 2020, too. The last Marvel-themed season finale included Battle Buses flying in space against the world-devouring Galactus, an enemy who had been approaching the Fortnite island for weeks. Also, an ancient astronaut subplot (and accompanying skins) made up of much of the summer season last year. 

Be sure to regularly check in on Fortnite's shop for assorted space content and skins, as you'll usually see a few odd examples popping up every month. Our hope is that "Star Wars Day" in May will see Fortnite re-release some of its exclusives from that franchise, including the Stormtrooper, Rey, Finn and a Millennium Falcon glider; the latter showed up briefly on the island in Winterfest 2019 and hasn't returned since.

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Elizabeth Howell
Staff Writer, Spaceflight

Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before joining full-time. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, flying parabolic, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. Her latest book, "Why Am I Taller?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science at several institutions since 2015; her experience includes developing and teaching an astronomy course at Canada's Algonquin College (with Indigenous content as well) to more than 1,000 students since 2020. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday. Mastodon: https://qoto.org/@howellspace