Gears of War shipping early?

By Tom Bramwell Published 26 October, 2006

MS explains US launch drama.

Epic's Xbox 360 exclusive Gears of War is finished and should ship to US retailers on 7th November. "Waaaait-a-second," you say, "wasn't it down for the 12th?"

Well, the 12th is Emergence Day, Microsoft has been explaining, when it will be staging all sorts of celebratory events, but in actual fact the game ought to be on the shelves of some retailers as soon as the 8th, which is handy.

It's due out over here on the 17th - and it'll be interesting to see whether retailers break the street date, as sometimes happen in these situations.

In the meantime, our American friends will be enjoying an Emergence Day packed with activity, including a 24-hour Gears tournament on the 12th, with the winner receiving a Gears-branded guitar and a pass into the finals of the forthcoming "Global Gears of War Tournament", due to take place in 2007.

There'll also be sweepstakes and an exclusive free Gears of War gamer pic and theme only available on 12th November, while Megadeth and CliffyB will be hopping onto Live to take people on, too.

What a mad world. Mad World, incidentally, is also the accompaniment to a rather interesting new Gears of War trailer, which you ought to be able to find on Xbox Live Marketplace.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000. Follow him on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (66) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • bauhaus #1 6 years ago

    please yes!

  • jonsaan #2 6 years ago

    Oooh I'm first. How about that?

    Nooooooo. Beaten as I post. Life just isn't fair.
    Edited by jonsaan at 26/10/06 @ 09:26

  • smoothpete #3 6 years ago

    Yay! Come on UK, break the date, you know you want to

  • Penguinzoot #4 6 years ago

    I reckon the game was near enough complete for ages now anyway. MS just wanted to hang on to it until Emergence Day. i.e. US PS3 release day ;-)

    Edited by Penguinzoot at 26/10/06 @ 09:36

  • mkreku #5 6 years ago

    Even if they did hold back on the release, the only thing that means is that Epic will have had bundles of spare time to add that extra polish that separates the great games from the good games.

    It'll be interesting to finally see Unreal Engine 3 in action.

  • asphaltcowboy #6 6 years ago

    Being released on the 7th and a tournament on the 12th?

    Will anyone be good enough for a decent tournament?

    Oh well, suppose it's more interesting than a tournament full of super-l33ts!

  • asphaltcowboy #7 6 years ago

    @mkreku:

    I doubt it, it's got to be produced and shipped out to manufacturers don't forget! That takes a couple of months at least normally.

  • Scurrminator #8 6 years ago

    is this region free?

  • cyacomini #9 6 years ago

    the TV spot on Live! is tip top and fabulous - grab it now.

    Really shows the U3 engine to full effect, in 720p if you have a 'good' TV.

  • foxy2006 #10 6 years ago

    too much hype over this game.
    And the voice acting is laughable.

  • m1rk #11 6 years ago

    Megadeth? Wow
    /shreds

  • cyacomini #12 6 years ago

    @Foxy2006

    that's right, too much hype - which means it'll be shit awful. Look what happened to Halo2 after all.


    *big heap o' sarcasm

  • Eraysor #13 6 years ago

    I want to play against Megadeth >_

  • penhalion #14 6 years ago

    Er Halo 2 WAS shit awful!

  • cyacomini #15 6 years ago

    *falls of chair laughing.

  • Dizzy #16 6 years ago

    A Gears branded guitar?

    :)

    Anyway.. games looks awesome... I have a feeling Live will explode with this game just like it did when Halo 2 appeared.

    Anyway... GoW, RB6, DoW, NWN2 and SC will kill my budget...

  • spongebob #17 6 years ago

    I wonder if it's really that good. Maybe it's just not my type of game anyway.

  • RE*AC*TOR #18 6 years ago

    The game LOOKS great. However, as far as I can tell its a similar mechanic to GRAW and R6:Vegas. Run to cover, shoot and repeat. Except this game is possibly even more linear.

    Unless I'm missing something entirely - feel free to enlighten me...

  • haowan #19 6 years ago

    Well, it works for Rainbow 6 and GRAW. Those games seem pretty popular no? I predict a hit, regardless of the cheesy voice-acting, which most are claiming is part of the point now anyway. You know, cheesy 80s action flick type stuff. I don't buy it myself, but we'll see.

  • t8yman #20 6 years ago

    the tv/ theatrical trailer on xbox live absolutely rocks
    surpised it hasnt shown up on egtv yet
    see it here kids

    http://www.xboxyde.com/stream_3272_en.html

    its all in game rendering too
    Edited by t8yman at 26/10/06 @ 10:35

  • parablax #21 6 years ago

    peace sells, but who's buying?

  • asphaltcowboy #22 6 years ago

    Collectors Edition from sendit.com £39.98 - preordered mine!

  • #23 6 years ago

    "Unless I'm missing something entirely - feel free to enlighten me... "

    Yes, you are.

    It's fun.

    That's the whole friggin point of games.

  • AcidSnake #24 6 years ago

    I'm really hyped about Gear Ofs War!
    The song by Megadeth....

    I have no 360 so my fave band will just have to make me scream with joy with the Gears Of War song...

  • S.J.Rogers #25 6 years ago

    Thanks t8yman

    That looks cool..!

  • Mordum #26 6 years ago

    @jamesphilp

    "Yes, you are.

    It's fun.

    That's the whole friggin point of games."


    Thankyou... so many people tend to forget that when picking apart games on forums like these. Have'nt been lucky enough to get my hands on the game, so my opinion will have to wait a few weeks. Certainly looking the part though.
    As for the trailer, I downloaded it off Live last night, it did'nt win me over on first viewing, but the more I watch it the more I like it.

  • TheGrandChappo #27 6 years ago

    Nice, hope it arrives early like Pro Evo6, i got that yesterday :o))

  • bauhaus #28 6 years ago

    Anyone in the Brighton area, there is a CHIPs game store in portslade, the bloke don`t give a toss, as soon as he`s got it it goes on the shelf, I`ve been a bit gobsmacked to see 360 games in there like 3/4 days before release

  • andrewwd #29 6 years ago

    They should have had Megadeth in that advert instead of the Tears for Fears cover. I mean, I can see they were trying to be a bit different and everything, but it just comes over as really contrived and jarring. In fact I've just watched again on mute, with Holy Wars...The Punishment Due over the top; much better.

  • riz23 #30 6 years ago

    Nice one Bauhaus. I'm a Hove boy at the other end of Portland road. I'll check that info out.

  • t8yman #31 6 years ago

    I found that "choices" video put them on the shelves as soon as they are in stock too, I got SC:DA last thursday, only 1 day early I know, but I didnt check on wednesday!!

  • optimusprym8 #32 6 years ago

    urgh Portslade! Meh will have to trundle down there at lunchtime :p

  • coojam #33 6 years ago

    That trailer is amazing. I just hope the actual game has as much thought put into it.

  • Xerx3s #34 6 years ago

    Er Halo 2 WAS shit awful!

    No it wasn't. You might not have liked it, but it was far from shit, but you would have to actually have played it to know that.

    its all in game rendering too

    No, it's not. It's got touch up written all over it. If you think that it's in game, you will be disappointed.

    Reckon that EG will give this a 7.

  • MoGamer2006 #35 6 years ago

    Is anyone else as bored of first person shooters featuring lantern jawed space marines battling evil aliens as I am...?

  • Roamer #36 6 years ago

    Even if they did hold back on the release, the only thing that means is that Epic will have had bundles of spare time to add that extra polish that separates the great games from the good games.

    They had lots of time to create microtransaction packages, I bet.

    Oh, and I've heard the "overhyped" syndrome also applies to Gears of Ware, not to fussed about it anymore. Still, it looks kinda cool - although I feel that the weapon animations look a bit wussy...

  • Roamer #37 6 years ago

    @Xerx3s:

    You have to admit though, that the original Halo was just your average shooter with horrible multiplayer? (except the co-op mode, that was pretty cool.)

  • Lukus #38 6 years ago

    For the love of God, nobody say anything.

  • t8yman #39 6 years ago

    all hail the all knowing Xerx3s

    quoted from major nelsons blog

    "Dash Details: Exclusive “Gears of War” commercial that will run in Cinema and on TV. This gripping ad was produced entirely in game engine. Emergence Day is imminent!"

    s'funny, cos the standard of the in game most of us have seen elsewhere is about up to this standard, but I guess you know better then?


  • foxy2006 #40 6 years ago

    terrible choice of music for that new trailer.
    Makes the whole thing seem even more like the self important hype wagon that gears of war is.
    I guarantee that youll play this for a few days and get bored shitless with it.

  • mkreku #41 6 years ago

    It's not the name of the game, it's the motion of the engine.. Damn, I'm so poetic.

    Anyhow, the game might be a load of poop, but I'm still interested in the engine. Remember, kids, this is the engine that's supposed to power like.. 50% (slight exaggeration) of the games coming out in the next few years!

    See it as a tech demo, if you don't enjoy it as a game.

  • JediMasterMalik #42 6 years ago

    I can see this going down as KillZone did, not as badly, because it looks pretty good, but because of the hype, people will be dissappointed. Though not having played it, I can't say either way, it could be brilliant.

  • Lukus #43 6 years ago

    It's got solid previews everywhere.

  • mingster #44 6 years ago

    lol .. i'm in Hove as well..
    Chips is usually a bit pricy.

  • ChromeMud #45 6 years ago

    @MoGamer2006

    "Is anyone else as bored of first person shooters featuring lantern jawed space marines battling evil aliens as I am...?"

    No!
    Cheese is the new fashion.
    Everytime I watch the film Predator it makes me smile,even with all the
    cheese it's entertaining.
    That's how I see this game,absurdly big blokes with big guns
    shooting BIGGER aliens,it's cheesy fun!
    If I was you I'd stick to Lumines,a puzzle game that doesn't involve
    cheese,a slice of cheese or cheesy peas even!
    Edited by ChromeMud at 26/10/06 @ 14:22

  • Roamer #46 6 years ago

    Agreed - cheese is good. Gears of War looks very good in that respect. I'm not entirely convinced it'll live up to the expecations though.

  • Salubrious_K #47 6 years ago

    I'm not entirely convinced by this game although I'm certainly convinced by the hype engine surrounding it.

    I think I will definitely buy this for the online co-op. But other than that I'm not sure. It doesn't stop me wanting it to be good though.

  • NthSimulachum #48 6 years ago

    Well...what next for a third person shooter, if not burly space marines, constipated cops or US special ops people?

    18th Century poets, blasting their critics with their Source-powered Gravitas gun?

    12th Century fisherman, assaulting their feudal lords with nets and poles?

    27th Century deputy-sales assistants, outfitted with zero-point energy clipboards?


    The possibilties are endless eh?


  • MoGamer2006 #49 6 years ago

    Sorry, it's not 'cheesy' - it's just cliched and unoriginal.

  • ChromeMud #50 6 years ago

    MoGamer2006

    "Sorry, it's not 'cheesy' - it's just cliched and unoriginal."

    Oh dear!You're one of those people waving the
    'this is unoriginal!' flag.
    In that case,I'd suggest you leave the gaming scene as
    there are millions of people who enjoy sequels
    and reused character designs with same old same old
    man jump platform,man shoot alien,man race car games!

    aaargh typo!
    Edited by ChromeMud at 26/10/06 @ 18:53

  • MoGamer2006 #51 6 years ago

    That's right, I am - your insight serves you well.

    Don't panic, CM - I appreciate that GOW's success both critically and commercially is essential to your emotional well-being and therefore any dissenting voices must be quashed, so take some comfort in the fact that I think the game looks fairly enjoyable to play.

    I just think it's a shame that the characters and setting aren't a little more... interesting...

  • captainrentboy #52 6 years ago

    That marketplace trailer is rather sweet,and I didn't realise the game's bosses got so frikkin large.
    The one thing I'm slighty worried about with this game is its setting and just environment in general,every single pic or video I've seen seems to show the cogs running around the same rundown street or block and that's it.Anyone have any pics that are something other than run down derelict building in the rain?

  • Pooley #53 6 years ago

    Has anyone actually reviewed the full game yet? It's not that far from release, so you'd think at least one site/mag/journalist would have been able to have a go at final game.


    Mattar paneer FTW!

  • The-Bodybuilder #54 6 years ago

    Gears of War = The new halo...

    As in the game that will get the most cynical, unnecesary hate (on this forum, more than anywhere else, "suprisingly";) simply because it's hyped (but not an "artistic" game).

    Soon we will be faced with any GOW-related threads being filled with GOW haters (or just those who don't like it) posting anf enforcing thier opinions on the game, ala every halo-related comments section that has been made since Halo (and because even worse with Halo 2).

  • The-Bodybuilder #55 6 years ago

    Wait till this game gets it's dre-destined 7 from EG. Let's see what happens here.

  • The-Bodybuilder #56 6 years ago

    >"Is anyone else as bored of first person shooters featuring lantern jawed space marines battling evil aliens as I am...?"

    Yep, me too.
    That's why I'm getting this 3rd person game.

    /idiot.

  • t8yman #57 6 years ago

    halo 2 does deserve it though, a game so rife with boosters, cheating and underhand tactics, dont get me wrong, its a great game, just spoilt by the "community"

  • The-Bodybuilder #58 6 years ago

    >"halo 2 does deserve it though, a game so rife with boosters, cheating and underhand tactics, dont get me wrong, its a great game, just spoilt by the "community""

    You can't judge a game by it's community.
    In the same way, people should hate a game simply because it's got hype.

    It's so sad. Because of the hype, it's pretty much destined for 7/10s.

  • captainrentboy #59 6 years ago

    What's funniest is all the G.O.W haters that will flood forums everywhere that haven't even played the game,and more than likely don't even own a 360.That is like a whole new level of sad :)
    I too think this game is destined for a 7 or 8 rating from the majority of websites,the reason?I'd imagine it'll be the lack of originality(How many titles are nowadays though) and it's length.
    I just watched that TV and cinema Ad again,I do love how when Marcus first leaps in that darkened room you're made to think that all those lil twinkly lights are actually something beautiful,until that monstrosity actually reveals itself.Groovy stuff.
    This is definitely one of,if not,the best advert MS have put out since the 360's launch,I think it'll attract a lot of interest in the console and game.

  • Edward_Gamer #60 6 years ago

    Gears of War for the Xbox 360 is going to be the Best Game of the Year, just like the Awards it received at all of the videogame shows it was displayed at!!!

    USA Today said that Gears of War was the Best Game of the Show at the Electronic Entertainment Expo!

  • Mordum #61 6 years ago

    @The Bodybuilder
    >"Is anyone else as bored of first person shooters featuring lantern jawed space marines battling evil aliens as I am...?"

    Yep, me too.
    That's why I'm getting this 3rd person game.

    /idiot.


    You beat me to the correction... damn you. I believe they're not actually aliens either... the Locust reside beneath the Earths surface if I remember correctly. So wrong on both counts (being picky I know... but hey)
    Edited by Mordum at 26/10/06 @ 23:26

  • Inflatable #62 6 years ago

    "I just think it's a shame that the characters and setting aren't a little more... interesting..."

    I would reserve that opinion until you've seen or played the whole game.. Epic said multiple times there's a lot more varity (in settings etc) in the game then they've showed uptil now.. They don't want to spoil the whole game before it's even released..

  • captainrentboy #63 6 years ago

    inflatable if that's true then i'm a lil more relieved,my biggest concern was that it all seemed to be in one run down area.

  • The-Bodybuilder #64 6 years ago

    >"You beat me to the correction... damn you. I believe they're not actually aliens either... the Locust reside beneath the Earths surface if I remember correctly. So wrong on both counts (being picky I know... but hey)"

    I was hoping no one responded before I got to him.
    And you're right about them living underground. But some people don't even want to know the facts before bashing it.

  • MoGamer2006 #65 6 years ago

    Ooops, you're right - slip of the brain. You have to admit, though, it has the vibe of a 1st-person game.

    And as for the creatures coming from underground and not space... so what, it's still the same old toothy monsters seen a thousand times before.

    I'm not bashing - to repeat what I said before, it looks fairly enjoyable - I just feel that thematically and stylistically it's all a bit over familiar.

  • bonker #66 6 years ago

    Have to weigh in here ...

    I'm not about to start hating on GOW but I, too, am sick of the sight of 1st/3rd/whatever person shooters and to me at least, GOW looks like yet-another 'green and brown' frag fest. No doubt that's right up lots of peoples (kids?) alleys but man oh man am I bored off my arse with them!

    Anyway, I hope it does well tho I suspect it'll get marked up for graphics and MP but down for longevity (SP) and variety in the reviews ...

    I don't suppose it's going to change much in the future as the XBOX is so US-centric but MS are never going to shift mega units in Japan or the EU with these gun-obsessed games dominating the format so heavily ...

    Wii360 for me at Xmas methinks ...