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Role-Play Alien RPG: Horror in Space!

In this ongoing class, we play the Alien RPG, award winning game of science fiction horror.
Mikael Hellstrom, Ph.D.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(98)
Class
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What's included

1 live meeting
2 in-class hours per week

Class Experience

What will be taught?
This class teaches learners the fundamentals of tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) while exploring science fiction horror themes. They will develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaborative teamwork, and storytelling skills as they navigate terrifying encounters and reflect on the consequences of their choices.

What topics will you cover?

Character Creation: Dive into deep, narrative-driven character building, exploring your character’s past, motivations, and emotional depth.
Science Fiction Horror: Experience scenarios inspired by Alien, including cosmic terror, isolation, and survival under extreme pressure.
Storytelling and Strategy: Learn how to navigate intense encounters, plan survival tactics, and collaborate effectively with teammates.
Reflection and Growth: Explore how characters cope with trauma and reflect on their personal and group dynamics in downtime sessions.
How is your class structured?
The class spans multiple sessions, each focused on a different chapter of the narrative:

Session 1 (week of December 16th): Character creation or choose your character, with an in-depth focus on personality, history, and skills.
Session 2 (week of December 23rd): The first act of the first scenario—an encounter with the horrors of space.
Session 3 (week of December 30th): The second act of the first scenario
Session 4 (Week of January 6th): The third act of the first scenario - who will be left alive?

Players can join mid-campaign using pre-created characters, making the class accessible for those who can’t attend every session.

How will you teach?
As the Game Master, I’ll narrate the story, guide learners through challenges, and embody non-player characters (NPCs) to create a fully immersive experience. Each session includes:

Collaborative storytelling with engaging narrative prompts.
Interactive gameplay using a mix of verbal descriptions, visual aids, and game mechanics.
Discussions to reflect on in-game events and character development.
What's your teaching style?
My teaching style is adaptive, immersive, and learner-focused. I create a safe and inclusive space where learners feel empowered to explore creativity, take risks, and make meaningful contributions. The game is structured but flexible, allowing learners to shape the story with their decisions and ideas.

How much will learners interact with you?
Learners will interact with me throughout the class as I guide the story, moderate discussions, and facilitate gameplay. They’ll collaborate directly with me to create characters, plan strategies, and engage in role-playing scenes. Feedback and guidance are provided continuously to enhance their experience and learning.

Other Details

Parental Guidance
This class explores themes of science fiction horror, inspired by the Alien movie franchise. The content includes elements of suspense, danger, and encounters with terrifying monsters, which may be unsettling to some learners. The game also features character death as a potential outcome, emphasizing survival under extreme circumstances rather than traditional heroic gameplay. While the content is age-appropriate for teens and no explicit media is shown, the themes of isolation, corporate corruption, and cosmic horror are central to the narrative. Parents should ensure that learners are comfortable with these topics before enrolling. We will use Foundry VTT to facilitate the game. No additional accounts are required for learners unless specified. Please ensure learners are in a quiet, distraction-free environment during gameplay.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined March, 2021
5.0
98reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Doctoral Degree from University of Alberta
I have run horror role-playing games for more than 30 years.

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$19

weekly
1x per week
120 min

Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
2-5 learners per class

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