Gears of War spins gold

Epic Games' shooter is complete and off for duplication; Emergence Day events include Xbox Live tourney, giveaways, free gamerpics, themes.

While Sony and Nintendo are preparing to wage war in retail with two brand-spanking new consoles, the PlayStation 3 and Wii, the two companies' other rival, Microsoft, is banking on the success of a game for its holiday push. That title is Gears of War, the latest shooter from Epic Games (Unreal Tournament 2004).

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that development on the game has been completed and the gold master has been sent off for duplication. Gears of War will be available beginning November 7 and nationwide on November 12--commonly referred to as Emergence Day by the game's creators.

To hype the game's release, Microsoft Game Studios is holding several Emergence Day festivities beginning at 12:01 a.m. on November 12 (no time zone was specified). Xbox Live Gold members will be able to participate in a 24-hour leaderboard tournament, with the winner getting a Gears of War-branded guitar and a place in a worldwide Gears of War tournament in 2007.

In addition, winners will also be drawn each hour to receive prizes such as Samsung surround-sound systems; a free Gears gamer pic and theme will be on Marketplace; metal band Megadeth and game's designer Cliff Bleszinski will play with fans online; and MTV will air a Gears of War: The Road to Launch featurette.

Those who can't wait for new Gears of War content can hop onto Xbox Live Marketplace and preview the new TV ad for the game. The video is available in 720p (59MB) and 480p (10MB) resolutions.

Gears of War is rated M for Mature and will retail for $59.99--the first first-party game for the Xbox 360 to retail above $49.99. For more information, read GameSpot's previous coverage.

264 Comments

  • eddienom

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 6:53 pm PT

    This game is going to be best game for the xbox 360 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • baker231

    Posted Nov 4, 2006 12:29 pm PT

    This game is going to be amazing. Just 3 more days, already planning on skipping my classes. It will be well worth the wait.

  • Deadlocked4Life

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 12:46 pm PT

    What can I say that hasn't already been said? This game is going to be epic and awesome, and I'll bet we see quite a few sequels some time down the road. That's cool with me, though, as long as they keep up the quality and don't let their single player experience slip in favor of beefy online modes. *cough* Halo 2 *cough* I'll see guys with my chainsaw in hand this tuesday. Bring it.

  • _Sam_

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 5:13 pm PT

    When I get a 360, I'm getting this game!

  • mikiempalador

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 7:51 am PT

    In the end the X360 finds a serious candidate for the pole position in its game list. This is what X360 needed and finally it has! the console-brand battle is going to look a lot more interesting now!!!

  • xeuse51

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 11:51 pm PT

    Halo fans eat your heart out. Here is your new competition. This game is going to kick so much a$$ it's going to be rediculous. Can't wait. Especially because it comes out on my birthday.

  • Nakkie34

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 12:06 pm PT

    damn

  • BigDaveyDogz

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 11:56 am PT

    I got the CE on reserve...so close I can taste blood!...Locust Blood!!!!! >

  • daddo-splat

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 10:49 pm PT

    Damn the videos on live in game engine damn Iam wetting my pants cant wait

  • Gundamforce

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 7:56 pm PT

    Cant wait for this game.

  • combatkiller

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 4:38 pm PT

    So Damn Close!!!!

  • bossjimbob

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 2:28 pm PT

    Quote: Chubbums "thekey you should be one of those analysts, being as to how their predictions are always completely wrong. I didn't realize $300,000,000 in PS3 sales worldwide would be overshadowed by $36,000,000 in Gears of Wars sales. That's just rounded off with no tax of course, but to be fair lets bump up GOW sales up to $40,000,000 because who knows how many people are going to get the CE. Still $300,000,000>>>>>>>$40,000,000."

    Yes, and comparing hardware sales to software sales is an equal comparison. [/sarcasm]

    Considering that there will only be 500,000 PS3s for sale at the start of the holiday shopping season vs. more than 6,000,000 Xbox 360s already in homes, I think it's pretty obvious that Gears of War will sell more units than the PS3 (partly due to supply shortages and also due to high pricing). Not that it's a fair comparison, of course, but in the world of Chubbums it makes total sense. Somebody get this guy an analyst position at some fly-by-night Internet brokerage....

  • gearsof_war

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 12:46 pm PT

    that is so freaking awsome on nov.7 4 days before my b-day i'm going to buy that son of a **** game. And my friends are going to so jelous. they'll do any to play the game but i'll hold them off with my shotgun

  • Stu1515

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 4:22 am PT

    1 week for you U.S'ers, i dont have an xbox360 yet, nor do i live in america, but im excited

  • combatkiller

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 1:38 am PT

    YES!!!!

    Its so close i cant take it!!!

  • nick1500

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 9:36 am PT

    Yes finally the reason is coming out. The reason to hate Sony and to love 360 again. Gears of War is a serious hardcore title which will burn any sony ps3 lovers heart. Well maybe they could play resistance fall of man. But hey like this game totally rocks. Definately going to get it on the day of release. Rock On

  • SUB_ZERO_basic

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 2:35 am PT

    The USA are so lucky to get gears of war on the 7th on November, the UK has to wait till the 17th to get thier hands on a copy and we are going to miss the tournament.

  • SpudmonkeyInc

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 8:54 pm PT

    txmethod - is that really what my preorder will get me? Cause I will crap my pants if that's true.

  • txmethod

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 7:16 pm PT

    remember to reserve a copy so u can get it on the 7th instead of the 12th

  • Aromon

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 11:50 pm PT

    Logically, only a fanboy could be lead to such idiocracy to truthfully believe that single game titles could be compared to console sales. Sony (and every other entertainment company in the world) has made millions of people their new slaves. And that is what you are, slaves, because you fight for nothing in return, and the rich only get richer. Fanboy or not, Gears of War will be the must play-buy-love game of this harware generation. Period. And any fanboyism will cause you to miss the best gaming experience ever.

  • bonecollector21

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 5:58 pm PT

    I am a sony fan at heart, but i'll be damned if i don't own this game on 7/12

  • fil67862002

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 4:51 pm PT

    Yes tyrnid

  • fil67862002

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 4:51 pm PT

    Yes tyrnid

  • stat30fbliss

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 4:17 pm PT

    Thats pretty cool launch idea. Too bad I dont have a 360

  • tyrnid

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 12:14 pm PT

    Some one anwser plz

    So in the U.S it comes out Nov. 7, and the 24 hour tournament starts Nov. 12 right?

  • trip187

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 11:45 am PT

    Played the GOW demo at E3...

    I was part of the select few that had the opportunity to play GOW at E3 and it was by far the BEST thing i did in 3 days and made the trip from philly worth it.

    Waiting for 2 hrs to play the wii for a few minutes was great...yet slightly unsatisfying. The GOW demo was like 20 ppl or so at a time and 2 teams of 10: Locust vs. Human. It was fun even when you died...i never felt so "IN" a game before. They can really create that chaotic groundwar feel, and not by just making things loud. This game is perfecting and redefining the shooter and it should be respected...all fanboyism aside.

    ps: www.vgxpo.com for the biggest event since E3...

  • premanna

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 8:42 am PT

    i am ready and geared up for war

  • GreenHornet00

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 8:13 am PT

    Paul_TheGreat

    You just wish it was on the PS3. Admit it.

  • chiefmegadeth

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 7:42 am PT

    the ad was freakin awesome everyone wants this game if they dont there sony fanboy trolls
    in denial

  • Paul_TheGreat

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 7:03 am PT

    Overhype

  • Sanguis_Malus

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 6:36 am PT

    Gears of War, F.E.A.R and Rainbow Six Vegas, its going to be a fantastic festive gaming period !

  • dbeddow

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 6:27 am PT

    Dont scare away chubbums please...I like seeing the desparate cry of fanboys. He's just mad because he has limited his options for playing one of the best games to come out this year. Sad really...

  • capthunt

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 6:04 am PT

    w00t

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 5:46 am PT

    It's fun seeing some unhappy Sony fan (Insert name here) getting owned!

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 5:20 am PT

    Gears of War = Game of the Year

    bet on it.

  • nev70

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 3:10 am PT

    DL'd the trailer f****** great !!!! the rain effects are breath taking ,nothing even on pc looks this good i cant wait if you havent got the trailer GET ON LIVE AND GET IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • silverfang6

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 1:34 am PT

    AHHAHA CHAINSAW TIME

  • enemyvillain

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 1:33 am PT

    i hope this game come to japan anytime soon after the game release in the states. cant wait to play it. GoW Rocks!!!!!!!

  • Bathyj

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 1:19 am PT

    Poor Rainbow 6. No one seems that hyped about it with GoW coming out. I'd love to see that trailer in the cinema.

  • gamerTag-shank

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 12:25 am PT

    Hey Chubbums-

    you do realize that Sony is losing money on each console sold, don't you? Comparing the gross proceeds for Ps3 sales to GoW sales is completely meaningless. If you want to compare the 2 (thought I'm not sure what the point is anyway), you need to stick to number of units sold.

  • SecretWasianMan

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 11:46 pm PT

    johndoe 1893, hey whats wrong with being a fat asian kid who picks his nose and likes hentai? You cut me deep man, real deep

    GEARS OF WAR FTW!!!!

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 11:20 pm PT

    can't wait to get it

  • Anthony71B

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 11:15 pm PT

    Hey Chubbums, get a clue. How can you compare a single game to Sony Entertainment's entire total sales? Instead, compare GOW to the games launching with the PS3, and you will find NOTHING like GOW. GOW will be the best game to launch on a console this quarter, and maybe even this year, and I am glad its on the 360. Gimme a break, fanboy.

  • mark_aitchison

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 10:57 pm PT

    Suicidal_Healer the song is called 'Mad World' and it is sung by 'Gary Jules'. It's a cover of an 80's song by 'Tears for Fears'.

  • dmg2020

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 10:53 pm PT

    Trailer was freakin' sweet. Can't wait to get it.

  • johndoe1893

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 10:52 pm PT

    Chubbums is a fat nerdy little asian kid who picks his nose and goes on anime porn. He has no life but to sit on a message board and comment back everytime someone owns him. Chubbums is mad becuase hes seeing how well the 360 is doing and all of the games that are on it andcoming out for it, but hes to stubborn to accept it.

  • gimlifn

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 10:39 pm PT

    You have to realize microsoft is going to make a lot of money off Gears of War games, merchandise and Xbox Live extras that you will have to purchase. The PS3 like most other consoles when they first come out will lose money for Sony in the beginning but when the games and accessories fly off the shelf thats where they will make their money. Gears of War will be awesome I can't wait to get my Collector's Edition copy.

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