Gears of War

[Cuddly Knife]

Gears of War turning November 12
Epic Games shooter to hit North America the Sunday before the PlayStation 3 launch, UK day-and-date with Sony's system.
By Brendan Sinclair, Guy Cocker, GameSpot
Posted Aug 3, 2006 9:02 am PT

Last week, Epic Games vice president Mark Rein promised a "BIG announcement" on the company's Gears of War message boards. One poster implied that the announcement would be the game's release date, to which Rein responded, "Sounds like maybe the announcement that is going to be made isn't what you think it is."

Regardless of whether or not it was the big announcement, the Gears of War release date has been confirmed. The game's publisher, Microsoft, today announced that "Emergence Day," when the game will be available in North American stores, will take place on Sunday, November 12, of this year. UK stores will begin selling the game November 17.

That puts Microsoft's biggest Xbox 360 title this holiday season in US retailers less than a week before Sony launches the PlayStation 3 and at UK storefronts day-and-date with the new console. There has been a great deal of speculation as to how Microsoft would counter the PS3 launch, from Bill Gates suggesting that Halo 3 could see release alongside the rival machine to shot-down rumors of a price drop for the system.

Gears of War will be available in two packages: a $59.99 standard edition and a $69.99 limited edition. The more expensive version will feature metallic packaging, a Destroyed Beauty art book, and an extra DVD with a "making of" video.
Anyone pumped for this one? I know I am, you should be too. RBH, here's a third-person shooter for you. Get Live!!!

[Ritchie Nolasco]

I'm extremely excited for this game. I just pre-ordered the collector's edition and the store manager told me that mine was the 185th pre-order (for all versions) for the day! Damn, it looks like we can expect to see very long lines come E-Day this November.

[Cuddly Knife]

Ouch!! I better pre order mine, or I'll be the only one not playing this game on E-Day!

[Glockstar]

I think every 360 owner and their brother is pumped for this game.

The hype and the wait kind of reminds me of Brute Force. Let's just hope that GoW turns out better tho'.

I'm sure it will. And I'm sure it will be the best selling 360 game yet. Better than GRAW; better than Oblivion; and even better than Call of Duty 2.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Anyone pumped for this one? I know I am, you should be too. RBH, here's a third-person shooter for you. Get Live!!!

The first thing that caught my interest about GoW was that it was a third-person shooter. I've been on board ever since, though I'm keeping my expectations in check (like I do with most other games).

I know one thing for sure, I'm definitely not pre-ordering this one. If it were to release during a weekday, then I probably would. Since the game is coming out on a Sunday, EVERY store that sells games will already have it in stock before that day (just like Halo 2 and NCAA 07). My plan is to get to either Target or K-Mart (or dare I say....Wal-Mart) early that morning and pick the game up then. If not, then I could always make it to Circuit City, Best Buy or (ugh....Blockbuster) and get it there. My local Gamestop opens later than those stores, and EB opens an hour later than that, so I'll have it by the time they open up shop. Also, I only want the standard edition. The Limited Edition stuff sounds nice, but unless I get those items as a pre-order bonus (or is at the same price as the Standard like Jade Empire), I won't even bother with it. The making of DVD just sounds like a better pre-order bonus and in a LE, IMO.

[Ritchie Nolasco]

I passed by another store recently just checking how GOW is doing. The store assistant excitedly told me that they have more than 800 pre-orders for the game alone to date (actual supply will come in at 1,270 copies) and encouraged gamers to camp outside the store the night before release. A very long line will undoubtedly form come launch day.

November 12 could possibly be the biggest gaming day of the month, not November 17 (PS3 launch day).

[Glockstar]

I'm still unsure as to exactly when "Emergency Day" is tho'. :confused:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6160472.html

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/741/741726p1.html

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I'm still unsure as to exactly when "Emergency Day" is tho'. :confused:

I was just about to say "it's the 12th, it's the 12th", but after reading the two articles you posted, it sounds like the actual Emergence Day is the 12th, but the game will be available on the 7th?

I always thought the game was going to sell starting on the 12th in all stores, that's why I wasn't going to pre-order the game. Now, it may have been a good idea for me to pre-order it if available on Nov 7th (or 8th).

Either way, I don't see myself standing outside at midnight for it or any game.

[Glockstar]

I have a bad feeling that it's like this: the game is to ship out on the 7th (a Tuesday), then be available for sale on the 12th (a Sunday).

Here's what's bad about it: Certain retailers are bad at following directions and have a tendency to break the street date. So if I'm right, then things could get screwy.

But hopefully there'll be enough copies around and the questions of when and where won't be an issue.

[Superior Beatslayer]

I was just about to say "it's the 12th, it's the 12th", but after reading the two articles you posted, it sounds like the actual Emergence Day is the 12th, but the game will be available on the 7th?



No, the game will be available on the 17th.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I have a bad feeling that it's like this: the game is to ship out on the 7th (a Tuesday), then be available for sale on the 12th (a Sunday).

Here's what's bad about it: Certain retailers are bad at following directions and have a tendency to break the street date. So if I'm right, then things could get screwy.

But hopefully there'll be enough copies around and the questions of when and where won't be an issue.

I thought retailers are "supposed" to get fined for breaking street date, if caught.

I have a feeling this game will not sell out in every store. If all else fails, try BB. When Halo 2 came out, I walked right in there and had a choice between regular and collector's edition, and they had a big box full of copies. So that could definitely be a fall back store, and this is one of the very few titles that they should have in, since it's being shipped a little early. I wouldn't be shocked if a store like Gamestop sells out, since they appear to be really cheap when it comes to getting in extra copies of games to sell. If I can walk into Target at 8am on the 12th and pick up GoW, I'll do it and use the pre-order from Gamestop on something else.

No, the game will be available on the 17th.

Are you talking about the Canadian street date?

[Fivespot]

The reason EB and Gamestops don't seem to have as many extra copies as stores like Target or Walmart is simple. Unlike many other retail industries, videogames cannot be returned if too many copies are ordered. So smaller stores need to be careful to not order too many copies of a game and get stuck with items that cannot be returned.

GOW is different however since so many copies will sell between launch and the holidays. They could order 200 copies and probably sell them all!! Same with Halo2 - it was really easy to find copies of that game. Madden is another one or GTA.

[Glockstar]

I thought retailers are "supposed" to get fined for breaking street date, if caught.

No, I don't think they can get fined. But it pisses off the publisher/distributor pretty good.


I have a feeling this game will not sell out in every store. If all else fails, try BB. When Halo 2 came out, I walked right in there and had a choice between regular and collector's edition, and they had a big box full of copies. So that could definitely be a fall back store, and this is one of the very few titles that they should have in, since it's being shipped a little early. I wouldn't be shocked if a store like Gamestop sells out, since they appear to be really cheap when it comes to getting in extra copies of games to sell. If I can walk into Target at 8am on the 12th and pick up GoW, I'll do it and use the pre-order from Gamestop on something else.

Target: that's my plan. (And if I were buying a Wii, that's where I'd go for that as well.) Because the same thing happened with me and Halo 2. I had the game pre-ordered at EB, and was one of the shmucks who waited in line at midnight to pick up my copy (had scheduled to take the next-day off). But Target ran an ad where they were giving away the strategy guide free so I thought I'd drop in there the next morning and see if I couldn't get one. It was an absolute breeze; there was only one other person there buying the game! Then I went back to EB and returned the copy that I stayed up all night for. Neat, huh. :o

I haven't reserved or pre-ordered a game since the GR deals ended.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

The reason EB and Gamestops don't seem to have as many extra copies as stores like Target or Walmart is simple. Unlike many other retail industries, videogames cannot be returned if too many copies are ordered. So smaller stores need to be careful to not order too many copies of a game and get stuck with items that cannot be returned.

GOW is different however since so many copies will sell between launch and the holidays. They could order 200 copies and probably sell them all!! Same with Halo2 - it was really easy to find copies of that game. Madden is another one or GTA.

It feels different with my local Gamestop and EB. At Gamestop, they always say (and even had a sign up about this too) they don't get in too many copies of any games, so pre-ordering will ensure your copy. At EB, it's completely opposite. Unless it's a small, unknown title, EB usually has enough for walk-ins to last a bit. Of course, Gamestop could be completely lying just to increase its pre-order counts.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Target: that's my plan. (And if I were buying a Wii, that's where I'd go for that as well.) Because the same thing happened with me and Halo 2. I had the game pre-ordered at EB, and was one of the shmucks who waited in line at midnight to pick up my copy (had scheduled to take the next-day off). But Target ran an ad where they were giving away the strategy guide free so I thought I'd drop in there the next morning and see if I couldn't get one. It was an absolute breeze; there was only one other person there buying the game! Then I went back to EB and returned the copy that I stayed up all night for. Neat, huh. :o

I haven't reserved or pre-ordered a game since the GR deals ended.

Besides getting rid of the last bit of unwanted games, I haven't done much pre-ordering either. Wouldn't have had GoW pre-ordered if not for the Just Cause stinker along with a GI pre-order deal.

Speaking of GoW, I think I may have found your answer to Emergence Day:

According to OXM, which was answering a question about GoW Launch,

"The actual release date for Gears of War is more of a release 'window'. The game will begin reaching stores on November 7 and will be widely available by November 12. So basically, if your store doesn't get the game on the first day, you'll need to keep checking back, as it'll arrive sometime during that five-day window...."

According to that, I'm going to take a RBH-unguaranteed guess and say EB and Gamestop should have the game on the 7th or 8th. Stores like Target, Circuit City and Best Buy should get the game around that Thursday (or possibly that Wed or surprisingly on Tues). Stores like Wal-Mart, I'm unsure since I've never bought a game there. If you would have asked me about Blockbuster's date for the game a month ago, I would have said Feb 07, but they'll probably get it in by that Friday-Sunday. If my unguaranteed guess comes true, I'll be better off getting it at GS, since I have little patience and some trade credit there.

One more thing. I think whenever EB and GS gets in GoW, it may just cover the pre-orders (if there's a lot) during its first couple of shipments. The game has gone gold, though, so I wouldn't be shocked if they get enough to sell to walk-ins as well, and just keep getting restocked every couple of days or so until sales slow.

In the newest OXM, there's a Save 15% coupon for Gears that lasts through November, which probably comes out to saving $9 (more on the Collector's edition). It's not good with any other offer, though, in case there's a deal on the strategy guide.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I got the final word on the availability of Gears of War. If anyone pre-ordered it at Gamestop, EB, or any game specialty store (not sure of Gamecrazy is in the mix, but I would bet that Gamerush isn't), the game will be available on the 7th. As far as the exact time, my local store told me that it could be as early as 10:30am and as late as 2pm. Non-preorders were going to see copies available on Thursday, though I wouldn't be surprised if they have more on Wed. In sale ads, I saw that Best Buy and Circuit City were going to have it on Wednesday at 5pm (with CC giving away a free faceplate with purchase, I believe). Toys R Us didn't give a date on availability, but it did show it as a new release, so that's good news.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I was lied to by a Gamestop manager. They are getting this game the same day as Circuit City and Best Buy.

[ExTrEmEGaMeR]

Go get the game it is the best game out I rate it 10/10 sooooo go get it!!!!

[Cuddly Knife]

Has anyone played the multi-player yet? I don't plan on doing it until I beat the single-player, which btw, is kicking my arse. I just can't grasp the whole duck-n-cover deal, and I usually just run in and get blasted. I just got past chapter 3, and it took a hell of a long time to do it. I wish there were more to the story, but whatever. I'm gonna get smoked when I play vs on Live.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I haven't played multiplayer, either. I've been on the single-player, though it isn't kicking my arse (luckily, I'm reloading the game at a less than Ninja Gaiden pace). I'm enjoying the duck-n-cover thing. It's a lot better than killswitch, which felt a bit gimicky. I may play co-op in the future, if/when I do get a 2nd controller.

With the way the game is played with the whole duck-n-cover, would it be any fun in deathmatch multiplayer?

[Fivespot]

Haven't yet played it online with the exception of some coop with TMG and that was a blast. Single player missions (acts) are fairly long -- couple hours each if you look for all the COG tags and such. I recall 4 taking the longest.

After finishing the game on casual I started a new campaign on the harder difficulty setting and it's a whole new ballgame - much more challenging in my opinion.

A tip- learn to use blind fire and look for opportunities to apply it. Once you get good at that, the game is much easier using the duck and cover mechanic. As a matter of fact, I couldn't beat the last guy until I learned to use some blind fire.

[Cuddly Knife]

I'm decent with the shotgun for blind fire, but that must be because I'm up close to the enemy. And if I try to do that too much, the baddies flank me and melee me to death. I suck balls.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I have a habit of sticking with the chain-saw gun and either the sniper or the smaller automatic gun. I suck at throwing grenades, though.

Also, Dom's an idiot. I can't count how many times he bit it while doing something stupid. I don't even bother trying to revive him, since I'll end up getting plucked too.

[Cuddly Knife]

Yeah, Dom's a moron. I don't know how many time he dies in one of the dark areas with the bat deals. That's why I kept dying, too, because I assumed that I had to revive him or it would be game over. I never did use a sniper rifle. I stuck with my main gun with the saw, and either the boom or shotty. And some sort of handgun/HoD.

I beat the game last night, and while it was lacking in story(which is one of my favorite things in a game. Story-telling.), it made up for it in non-stop action, action, action. I would've liked to have seen more fire-fights in areas that were cluttered with breakable object to see sh!t fly, but almostr every fight seemed like it was in a paintball arena, almost.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I think I'm still on Act Two, near the end, but I will not describe what's going on in case anyone viewing hasn't made it that far.

I think the handguns are mainly useful for "Lighting" things. There's no way I'll go in a fight with one of those weak things.