Gears of War 2 release date revealed?

By Robert Purchese Published 9 July, 2008

Potential hint appears on website.

Epic has popped a cryptic clue on its Gears of War 2 website which may hint at the game's release date.

Evidence comes from the splash image showing the hand of protagonist Marcus Fenix (we think) clutching at COG tags with a series of numbers on them. Well spotted, Kotaku.

Clever people who can read ASCII octal values claim these translate to "ESC-N-O-V-9", or "escape November 9".

This is a Sunday, but if you cast your mind back to 2006 you will remember the original Gears of War declared its "Emergence Day" to be Sunday 12th November.

Eventually the game was released in the US on the previous Tuesday and in Europe on the following Friday.

Gears of War 2 has carried a "November" release date ever since it was announced, of course, but when in that month has yet to be clarified.

More at E3, perhaps.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (9) Latest comment 4 years ago

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  • Plug9090 #1 4 years ago

    That'd be so awesome, as November 9th is my 18th birthday ^_^
    I think that'd be my first legitiment 18-rated purchase...

  • bad09 #2 4 years ago

    just before my birthday, nice!

    / adds GOW2 to present list

  • GamerG #3 4 years ago

    From talking to people on XBL this is easily the most anticipated game of the year.

    Its going to sell gangbusters

  • zuljin #4 4 years ago

    Just after my birthday!

    Scorpios ftw! :)

  • bad09 #5 4 years ago

    "Scorpios ftw! :)"

    Zuljin, apparently we are the best lovers and very creative, oh and our love matches are Gemini, Libra and Cancer.

    In case your wondering, I boned up on star signs in my pulling years, every little helps you know :)

  • coojam #6 4 years ago

    You and the other water signs like us more developed Pisceans, though apparently we can be over emotional. Also, is no one else wondering what the cog tags represent? Dead comrades anyone?

  • paulf #7 4 years ago

    another scorpio here - a little older than 18 though - i thought the 9th was touted as the release date long before today? maybe just some rumours i found trialling through the web - i didnt like gears 1 that much so doubt i'll be asking for it as a present though

  • Dodgymat #8 4 years ago

    If it comes out on the 7th then it'll be the same day as Left4Dead. I hate it when 2 games I want come out on the same day :/

  • CreepinJesus #9 4 years ago

    Using the tables here, I make it out that it says: ESC tu~9. Or can I not read those numbers properly?