Gears of War turning November 12

  • By Brendan Sinclair, Guy Cocker, GameSpot
  • Posted Aug 3, 2006 9:02 am PT

Epic Games shooter to hit North America the Sunday before the PlayStation 3 launch, UK day-and-date with Sony's system.

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.

416 Comments

  • acarrillo

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 8:56 am PT

    Yes!!! i tell every one pS3 start to software this year and coming strongest and wait for more! Blu ray coming to burn!!!

  • Conjuredevil

    Posted Nov 7, 2006 7:42 am PT

    hmm

  • axes03

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 10:53 pm PT

    "Before more of you bash MS and Bill Gates, how about you gain some intelligence now (before running your mouth), and go and see exactly how much MS and the Bill and Melinda foundation put into the world/community at large, to help improve life in MANY different ways. Through research, disease research, donations of computers and money, opening schools, etc. etc. etc. Now, tell me what Sony does for the world/community at large, that makes them not the "giant evil corporation" that you all put an image of on Microsoft. Fact is, Microsoft isnt evil and does quite a bit of good for everyone. Just people like to bash the "evil MS"... bleh... Just another case of ignorance = hate"
    Nickfreak you somehow read my mind...........AWESOME DUDE!!!!!

  • cesar_l2

    Posted Aug 12, 2006 8:30 pm PT

    THIS WILL BE THE GAME OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • i_love_my_ds

    Posted Aug 11, 2006 7:25 am PT

    this game doesnt interest me at all

  • pathogenb

    Posted Aug 10, 2006 6:51 pm PT

    "evilyoda861
    Gears of War hasn't impressed me at all, no vids and few pics so they will have to do extremely well at launch and for the rating of everyone, if I find that it doesn't really take advantage of the next gen graphics and physics and all that cool stuff then it will never be in my 360...BLLLARRHHHG! Just puked. "

    dude, gameplay videos have been available at least since E3. it looks freakin' great.

  • evilyoda861

    Posted Aug 7, 2006 10:10 pm PT

    Gears of War hasn't impressed me at all, no vids and few pics so they will have to do extremely well at launch and for the rating of everyone, if I find that it doesn't really take advantage of the next gen graphics and physics and all that cool stuff then it will never be in my 360...BLLLARRHHHG! Just puked.

  • pbcnoob

    Posted Aug 7, 2006 7:25 pm PT

    i lik this. hopeful the reloading mechanism is harder said then done. and hte stragety online thing, better have alot of cover.

  • truevibe

    Posted Aug 7, 2006 3:35 pm PT

    If the gameplay is as fun as halo and the story is as good halo, then this game will succeed. one thing we all know is the graphics far exceed any other 360 game currently out on the market

  • jackson84

    Posted Aug 7, 2006 1:53 pm PT

    I hope gears have a good long story line

  • Metal_Rodney

    Posted Aug 7, 2006 10:40 am PT

    Gears Of War does indeed look mighty fine - definitely on my wish-list. I'm mildly concerned at the lack of pre-release demo, but hey, I can wait for a review to confirm my suspicions of its excellence. I've not bought a game on release day since San Andreas, and I wasn't in full-time employment then.

    As for the release of Gears Of War hurting PS3 sales, it won't happen in and of itself, but it will have a long-term effect if it really is as good as they say. The PS3 WILL sell out, and quickly, so potential buyers may well be ground down by the wait and price. When a game like GeOW turns up it can be just the push someone needs to change track. You wanna wait who-knows-how-long for your flashy new overpriced machine, or you wanna blow your dough on the 360, Gears and a few more games, and still have cash left over for the Wii? If I was in that position I know what I'd do.

    Oh, and PS3 fan-boys / 360-haters: Don't mistake that for an anti-Sony opinion - I still reckon PS3 will be quite cool, just don't expect me to cream myself over something that costs 75% of my monthly take-home wage in one shot.

  • jacques117

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 8:19 pm PT

    Amen NikeFreak, Amen.

  • noodles12345678

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 5:04 pm PT

    leeacarrillo thats true i hate having to upgrade my pc but thats what it takes to be a pc gamer. if you dont wanna spend all the money then yea 360 is the way to go. i dont mind playing games at low-med settings as long as i get a good framerate. but some games that were made to look good like doom3, far cry, f.e.a.r, and call of duty 2 i usually upgrade for those kind of games.

  • leeacarrillo

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 2:33 pm PT

    People talk about how Xbox 360 games come out for the PC. You guys are the ignorant ones. Do you know how much it cost to upgrade your computer to make it look as good as the 360. It costs more. My PC cannot run any of the new games and I payed $500 for my graphics card 2 years ago. Now it is obsolete and I am tired of upgrading. Thats why I bought the Xbox 360 so I dont have to upgrade every little while.

  • trigun123

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 1:52 pm PT

    This game should be fun and im not gonna get a ps3 when it first comes out anyhow so....i mean its a good idea but those of us who really want a ps3 will get it regardless and the rest of us can enjoy what should be a good singleplayer game....not too sure about multiplayer but oh well. anyhow if youre looking for shooter fun i still say stick to the PC.

    oh and as far as this idiot:

    XBOXSUCKS847
    yeah im pretty sure this game will blow because fps's in general blow now a days, i mean come on after the goldeneye/perfect dark era, fps are all the same looking crap with online and better graphics..time to stop playing with 12 year old kids and start playing some real games..AND TO ALL XBOX FANS IGNORE MY NAME, oh and fps are better on pc like halo for pc was good.

    are you joking me? i mean if you wanna play a shooter where you cant even jump and all you do is run and gun then by all means stick to N64 crap fest games, its time to move on, i mean i dug out my old console for some nastalgia and i almost threw up at the level of games we used to play, old games suck compaired to new games and anyone that enjoys crappy old FPS titles with dated gameplay has something wrong with them

  • CyphenX

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 1:29 pm PT

    I want Gears of War more than I want Halo 3, this is, so far, my most anticipated game ever. I can't wait.

  • gcode2

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 12:33 pm PT

    We have all seen next-gen graphics already. Xbox 360 beat PS3 to the punch in showing the world how everything is going to look. Now, the graphics won't be that different, it will just be the hardware you play it on. PS3 will give just about the same graphics as Xbox 360, some games will look better than others. The only difference is the controls, the controller, adn the interface (dashboard, etc.). Basically, PS3 is just5 an alternative to what XBox 360 has already shown us. PS3 vs. Gears of War? Well, people who already have the Xbox 360 will buy GOW, but if they don't already have it, people won't mind paying a extra 50 bucks to get the PS3 since getting a xbox 360 plus gears of war will come up to the price of the cheaper version of PS3

  • rbriceno

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 10:39 am PT

    What!!!!!, it about freaking time they announced the date, I just hope it doesn't become a Matrix like game and suck asssss!!!!!

  • thekey

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 10:28 am PT

    resistance fall of man can't even think about holding a candle to Gears of War.

    If it dreamed of beating Gears of War in sales, it would apoligize.

  • dm235

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 9:13 am PT

    PS3 will have Resistance: Fall of Man (same style of game, different era), and then UT2007, which should be a online, refined version of GoW.

    It probably will help 360 sales, but I don't think it will hurt PS3 sales at all. Besides, I'm guessing most people who actually want a PS3 will pre-order long before GoW hits stores.

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 8:21 am PT

    GeoW looks superb! This will harm teh PS-3. But I have no doubt that all PS-3s will sell out.........

  • nikefreak

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 8:06 am PT

    Yes, All that rambling could be considered another reason to buy a PS3, or another reason to rethink what this guy is saying...

    1. Japanese releases of games are the best.
    Wrong. This has been changing, with both Japanese developers and analysts both saying now, and predicting in the future, most games will NOT be made in Japan, and instead the US and Europe are becoming the new mainstream publishers of games. Japan ONCE ruled the gaming scene, but that is all changing.

    2. Final Fantasy and GTA = Releasing on 360.
    3. Capcom = Releasing on 360.
    4. Konami = Releasing on 360. (And inquired to MS about opening an entire division just for XBOX Live Arcade)
    5. MGS = Yay, I would rather play GOW than the SINGLE game on the PS3 that looks half way cool lol...
    6. Cross-platform? PC? Look at your OWN PS3... Alot of developers have jumped ship, or are no longer doing things only for the PS branding... They realized in the next generation, games cost so much to produce, they cant make enough just hedging their bets on ONE console, so they have mostly went the multi-console route... That isnt a MS problem, That is a game industry thing.
    7. The simple fact is, 360 has become more than competition to Sony, it has become simply put, a great alternative to the life-sucking force that is Sony. So you guys go on, buy your PS3 with hardware that is useless, overpriced, and basically copied from others... What do you need all those USB ports for? Oh I forgot, thats Sony making people think "wow, look at all those" When a 4.99 USB hub from BigLots even would do the same thing... Or the BlueRay, when there is no need for it, and MOST of the world wont even be able to use its movie features, as it requires a new HDTV (with HDCP chip and HDMI inputs) and for games, its really unnessary and much higher cost to produce both the drive, and the games/movies for it... The Cell chip, companies have went on record to say Sony has been hyping how capable of a processor it is, and have also said the 360 processing power isnt THAT much lower in realworld application usage than the PS3... All in all, Sony is pulling the same hype-machine bs, that they always pull... And I cant wait to see all you guys buy into it, and then buy into the next add-on they release that you "Need", and that they never properly support. (Remember the Hard Drive addon?... I have it... And the whole what, 2 games that supported it?) The PSP got a "Location Free" player, that allowed you to stream movies, music, etc. to your PSP for a "scant" 299.99.... bleh... When you could do the same thing for FREE via www.orb.com , just Sony didnt want to enable streaming music/video through the browser (even though they could have easily), because they wanted to sell their 300.00 addon... Typical Sony propaganda. Keep buying into it,... The 360 people will still be there in the end to take you into their arms and let you cry on their shoulder when we get most of the good games that the PS3 gets, and more.

    Oh btw, Before more of you bash MS and Bill Gates, how about you gain some intelligence now (before running your mouth), and go and see exactly how much MS and the Bill and Melinda foundation put into the world/community at large, to help improve life in MANY different ways. Through research, disease research, donations of computers and money, opening schools, etc. etc. etc. Now, tell me what Sony does for the world/community at large, that makes them not the "giant evil corporation" that you all put an image of on Microsoft. Fact is, Microsoft isnt evil and does quite a bit of good for everyone. Just people like to bash the "evil MS"... bleh... Just another case of ignorance = hate.

    "quote from zakkas "I don't see how they figure that releasing a single game, even a very hyped one, can do anything to counter a competing console launch.

    Gamers know that PS3 basically means you will be able to play all the games released by the Japanese publishers big and small, the MGS, Final Fantasy, Capcom, Konami, Atlus, etc. While on the Xbox you get access to games mostly developed by US and European developers. Problem for the Xbox is that most of their games are also released on the PC or even on the other consoles via multi-platform ports while the japanese games are pretty much exclusive to the Playstation.

    Morale of the story, Microsoft has to sort out its relationship with japanese developers and publishers if it wants to make it big on the console market. Until then gamers that enjoy games created in Japan are pretty much obliged to get the new Playstations.
    Posted Aug 3, 2006 8:47 pm PT"
    nice post! another reason why i should buy a PS3 "

  • aygol

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 2:29 am PT

    I'm going to buy an Xbox 360 just for Gears of War and Grand Theft Auto IV.
    Viva la Xbox 360 !!!!!!!

  • Guidochua

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 11:01 pm PT

    quote from zakkas "I don't see how they figure that releasing a single game, even a very hyped one, can do anything to counter a competing console launch.

    Gamers know that PS3 basically means you will be able to play all the games released by the Japanese publishers big and small, the MGS, Final Fantasy, Capcom, Konami, Atlus, etc. While on the Xbox you get access to games mostly developed by US and European developers. Problem for the Xbox is that most of their games are also released on the PC or even on the other consoles via multi-platform ports while the japanese games are pretty much exclusive to the Playstation.

    Morale of the story, Microsoft has to sort out its relationship with japanese developers and publishers if it wants to make it big on the console market. Until then gamers that enjoy games created in Japan are pretty much obliged to get the new Playstations.
    Posted Aug 3, 2006 8:47 pm PT"
    nice post! another reason why i should buy a PS3

  • Altair60

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 10:38 pm PT

    If the goal would be to steal profits from the PS3, wouldn't they release it earlier to establish a larger fanbase?

  • HeyzeusNYC

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 10:35 pm PT

    Umm nuttabutta they did with Halo the green box with Halo and Its RAted M

  • nuttabutta

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 10:14 pm PT

    For all the people saying to bundle gears with every 360, that wouldnt work because its a mature rated game and some would not approve...

  • wesmalave1987

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 9:29 pm PT

    Remember, Remember...the 12th of November!!

  • HeyzeusNYC

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 5:18 pm PT

    Idk man for some odd reason I dont think Gears of War is gonna be a good game... I feel like they hyping this game up way 2 much

    Look at BRUTE FORCE.. All the hype and the online co-op.. THAT GAME BECAME TRASH!!!!... ONly first 3 levels were hot.. the rest was horrible I had to play this game stoned in order to like it.. but idk If it comes out to be a good game I'll buy it... But till then I dont think its gonna live up to its hype..

  • jiggster147

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 4:49 pm PT

    I'll be there for that...

  • linkman31

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 2:29 pm PT

    Competition to what ps3 launch? You go play genji 2 on the ps3, I have better games to look foward to.

  • haze_blaze

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 2:20 pm PT

    Gears of War is the 1st game I'm looking forward to on the 360.... but not enough to be any competition to the PS3 launch. The 360 just doesn't have an impressive line up overall.... now when NGII comes out, I'll seriously consider getting one.

  • ninjatotok

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 2:15 pm PT

    stop the war!
    we need world peace!

  • MarcoSnow06

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 9:28 am PT

    Very cool. Way to take Sony down a peg Microsoft.

  • THEKING1337

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 7:43 am PT

    Wow this game looks great, and they got the balls to put it up against the ps3. KUDOS.

  • obiwanvader

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 6:54 am PT

    Finally, a real release date...yea! Since I learned of this game last year, I've heard and read speculated release dates. One was july 7,2006, then sometime in november; and then it was october 2, 2006. November it is though. I've had the LE version on pre-order for two months now at Game Stop, but, never had an actual release date. That's over now! This will have an effect on the PS3 launch, though I can't speculate to what degree. I can't imagine people will want to pay 5-6 hundred dollars (especially mothers buying games for their children this holiday) on a console, when there will be two which cost less, and the 360 already has a fairly decent library with games like GRAW, COD2, OBLIVION, etc., not to mention the games that'll hit between now and november like SPLINTER CELL: DOUBLE AGENT; add GEARS and (Call Of Duty 3 also releases in november) I'd say SONY's got their work cut out for them. Anyway, back to GEARS. November 12th, WOOOWHOOOOOOO!

  • rowersdoitbest

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 5:37 am PT

    wow i deffintly know i will be buying a ps3 instead of this game on nov 17th

  • jwsoul

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 3:44 am PT

    This game looks fuohdfjo amazing

  • LivingDeadNinja

    Posted Aug 4, 2006 7:44 pm PT

    Ok, confirmation. I'm pre-ordering the LE on monday!

  • aRcad33

    Posted Aug 4, 2006 7:35 pm PT


    I CANT WAIT!!!
    gears of war only used 92
    % of processor one! thats less than 1/3 of the systems power... are u kidding! wait for future games its goin to be amazing 360 IS THE SHHHHH*TTTTT

  • anobleloss

    Posted Aug 4, 2006 7:27 pm PT

    its simple you guys...this game is basically going to be the next halo for microsoft...and what do i mean by the next halo..people are going to buy a 360 just to play this game its as simple as that. Just about every gaming magazine put this game as the best at E3 so yeah this game is gonna be **** GREAT...and i do think it will hurt the ps3 launch some....everyone knows the ps3 is going to sale out at launch but lets see how it does afterward....customers are going to see a 250 dollar wii a 300-400 dollar 360 and a 500-600 dollar ps3 i wander which one they are going to buy first...........and second

  • mojahid_1st

    Posted Aug 4, 2006 6:25 pm PT

    This is the best news on 360 i've heard all year !!

  • ZERO52

    Posted Aug 4, 2006 4:21 pm PT

    cant wait ill have to preorder

  • pathogenb

    Posted Aug 4, 2006 3:45 pm PT

    "Releasing it so close to the launch of the PS3 is a mistake, they just don't know it yet... "

    not with the PS3 being $600. your underestimation of this game's impact is a mistake.

  • pathogenb

    Posted Aug 4, 2006 3:43 pm PT

    damn. i was really hoping they were going to annouce a demo. we knew Gears was coming out this holiday. ?!!!! not so big news.

  • WarVet

    Posted Aug 4, 2006 3:20 pm PT

    I owned all the last generation consoles, and enjoyed many games from all of them. However, I feel Sony has made a big mistake by selling the PS3 at such a high price. Everyone I know either hasn't invested in the current generation or has a xbox 360 and doesn't want a ps3, and they all think Gears of War is a must have.

  • onemic

    Posted Aug 4, 2006 2:52 pm PT

    It's funny how everyone forgot about one little game coming out a week before gears of war comes out.........FFXII

  • Icekxg

    Posted Aug 4, 2006 2:27 pm PT

    man, I'm more psyched about this game coming out than Sony's new grilling machine!

  • Emosupside

    Posted Aug 4, 2006 12:24 pm PT

    If someone has around 600.00 dollars or whatever the amount is to buy the PS3. Im sure they can afford a sixty dollar game. How can a game compare to a console ?

  • bababowe

    Posted Aug 4, 2006 11:31 am PT

    I have to get in this topic again, but it seems to me everyone thinks that this one game won't hurt sony, but think about it what great game is going to come out at launch that is better then gears of war. thinking.......nothing don't say resistance fall of man cuz it isn't better not from what i have seen/heard about it, but it does look good and i don't think MGS4 is going to be at launch. Then all other games will be out for both with a few exceptions. Face it though lets see drop $600 and then another $60 or $70 or $80 for a game for your overly priced ps3 or go out and get a 360 just to drop another $60, but you will have a game thats looking to be the best this year. With tons more to come out later for the 360 can't say the same for the ps3. You all say that ps2 line up is the best and it probably is, but from what i have seen xbox 360 has the best line up for at least the next year and i don't think Sony is going to top it. Also Microsoft said they had a few great surprises for the launch of the ps3 and i think gears of war will be the half of it, but an important half.

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Gears of War Boxshot
Gears of War

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    314 of 59,103
    (up by 14)
    X360 Rank:
    75 of 1,489
    Tracking:
    44,637 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    13,141 Wish It»
  • Users Now Playing:
    16,864
  • Number of Players:

    1-2, 8 Online | Offline Modes: Cooperative | Online Modes: Cooperative, Team Oriented

  • Top 5 User Tags:
    1. gears of war
    2. gears
    3. gow
    4. epic games
    5. shooter
  • Mature Rating Description

    Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language. Learn more

Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Site Blogs