Gears of War 2 hits 5 million, new add-on due July 28

Epic Games' shooter franchise sales now more than 11 million; new retail-only expansion will feature all previous DLC with seven new multiplayer maps, one deleted campaign chapter; new content also coming to XBL a la carte.

It's no secret that Epic Games' Gears of War 2 is a major hit, but Microsoft took the opportunity to remind the world of it again this morning. The company announced that, since the game's release last November, the Xbox 360-exclusive shooter has sold more than 5 million units worldwide, bringing franchise unit sales--including Gears of War for the PC and 360--to more than 11 million units to date.

The Cole Train is moving to the next stop...

Ostensibly to commemorate the milestone, Microsoft has also announced a new expansion for Gears of War 2, the All Fronts Collection. Available only at retail on July 28 in North America and Europe for $19.99, £14.99, or €19.99, the collection will feature all three multiplayer map packs--Flashback, Snowblind, and Combustible--as well as the new Gears of War 2: Dark Corners add-on. The collection will also include an introduction from Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinksi, an Xbox Live theme, a collectible poster, and a strategy guide.

Gears of War 2: Dark Corners will sport seven new multiplayer maps--Allfathers Garden, Memorial, Sanctuary, War Machine, Highway, Way Station, and Nowhere--described in detail below. In addition, it will have a single-player chapter eliminated from the release version of Gears of War 2. Called Road to Ruin, it will see game heroes Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago return to the locust hollow "in a scene that can be played two ways, guns blazing or in all-new stealth mode." Dark Corners will be available a la carte directly from Xbox Live for MSP 1,600 ($19.99) for those who already own the map packs and don't want to deal with a trip to the store.

The Locust are still rather temperamental.

GameSpot will have more details on Gears of War 2: Dark Corners as they become available. Microsoft described its seven new map packs thusly:

--Allfathers Garden: Honor the sacred grounds of the Coalition founders in this explosive map, where powerful weapons catalyze fast and furious action at this COG landmark.

--Memorial: Set near the Eternal Flame, which pays tribute to the fallen soldiers on the battlefield, a hard-fought battle ensues at the Tomb of Unknowns. Putting their flank formation and evasive skills to the test, players will fight to control the Boomshot.

--Sanctuary: Once a peaceful ground for reflection and remembrance, all that remains of the Sanctuary is the chill of death. Feast your eyes on the arsenal of weapons available as you make your way through the tight paths and blind corners of the Locust-damaged temple corridors.

--War Machine: In the abandoned train station that once served as a hub for travel, players will need to master the Longshot, Mulcher, and Boomshot weapons to advance the fight while evading fire from the platforms above.

--Highway: Take the fight deep into the Locust Hollow in the complex passages of this underground highway system brimming with enemy vermin. Stick together, separate the enemy, and have an exit strategy ready or it'll be a one-way trip.

Oh my God! They killed Carmine! You bastards!

--Way Station: Sitting in limbo between death and "processing" are Locust way stations filled with fallen COG soldiers. Tread lightly and practice patience as it's better to sacrifice firepower for stealth while navigating this minefield of hidden grenades.

--Nowhere: Set in the middle of what was once a destination for weary desert travelers, the land is now barren and devoid of life. Pick off your enemies with the Longshot sniper rifle and make your way to the stairwell with a well-fortified team during this intense firefight.

244 Comments

  • insanitycheck7

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 10:05 am PT

    Gears of War just keeps chugging along.

  • bargasboyz

    Posted Jul 29, 2009 8:48 pm PT

    problems:1:lag 2:shooting someone that dosent get shot 3:smoke grenades that stun and drop you 4:a host that quits during an icredible stat game 5:shooting someone before they shot you but you still die anyway 6:shooting someone thats has been stunned or dropped by a smoke grenade shoot'em point blank miss,and get killed by the same guy 7:need i say more

  • faintear1983

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 9:28 am PT

    'I haven't gotten any of the map packs. Pity for those that did, they are really getting screwed.'

    LOL No we aren't. We've been playing and enjoying them for months. They are worth the fee twice or three times over for the fun you get out of them. Shame you haven't been able to play them! :p

  • crazyleftykid

    Posted Jun 22, 2009 10:25 am PT

    now that i think about it, the Carmines are like Kenny....

    each game one of them dies....

    in GOW3 they should have marcus just say "They killed Carmine", when the next one dies

  • deezy_f

    Posted Jun 21, 2009 11:36 pm PT

    @Maxpower15

    I suppose you can only get 'Dark Corners' through the 'All the Fronts Collection' map pack(s).. I'm kind of glad that I waitied, because I haven't bought any of the packs to date. I will probably reconsider after this deal comes around.

  • KerryKing34

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 1:59 pm PT

    Multiplayer is only fun if you're playing with a party of people you know.

    If not then the long load times and time spent trying to find a game teams brings the experience down.

  • volcomstoner180

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 11:50 am PT

    i love gears of war

  • PROvY17

    Posted May 12, 2009 7:21 pm PT

    lol i agree with NyGin07 too much lag

  • NyGin07

    Posted May 11, 2009 12:40 pm PT

    hey maybe 5 mil in sales will finally make it stop lagging!! hooray!!

  • fps_d0minat0r

    Posted May 11, 2009 7:51 am PT

    @ advocacy

    why whats wrong with the map packs???

    are they glitched or something???

    does it still take years loading a game?
    have they increased the limit from a mere 10 players?

  • mopar_tech

    Posted May 11, 2009 6:49 am PT

    Prosses gotta have it

  • cozmo13000

    Posted May 11, 2009 6:13 am PT

    War Machine!! One of gears of war 1s best maps!

  • shamarke

    Posted May 11, 2009 5:09 am PT

    lol They killed carmine!

  • Rex100

    Posted May 10, 2009 2:50 pm PT

    MaxPower15, you need to go back and read what this news article says because you aren't getting it. The article says, "the collection will feature all three multiplayer map packs--Flashback, Snowblind, and Combustible--as well as the new Gears of War 2: Dark Corners add-on." Okay, lets go over what that means. When it says, "the collection will feature," that means what the expansion is going to consist of. After that, it lists the maps packs it will come with plus the add-on. Therefore, you will get all these things for $19.99. Now, does that make sense?

  • advocacy

    Posted May 10, 2009 1:42 am PT

    I haven't gotten any of the map packs. Pity for those that did, they are really getting screwed.

  • SHAdOWgeneral

    Posted May 9, 2009 2:52 pm PT

    AWESOME! i'm getting this

  • MaxPower15

    Posted May 9, 2009 11:36 am PT

    Did I read this right? The retail addon that has all the dlc content costs the same as the dark corners dlc? There must have been a mistake somewhere because it makes no sense.

    Why would the bigger item cost the same as the small item?

  • Hairy_Pirate

    Posted May 8, 2009 5:35 pm PT

    This add-on is a joke for all the people who have already purchased the map-packs. So you can get everything previously released, and a poster, and a stragy guide for $20? Or only the new maps for the same price through DLC? Who comes up with this stuff? Its a great deal if you havent already bought any maps, but if you have then you're getting ripped off!

    Plus when you download something it saves the developer tons of money becuase they dont have to create, ship, or stock any material items. The price should be less for the DLC guys.

    Hook up your loyal supporters by handing out freebies to those who already have the perviously released maps. This is why the word Epic is now so closely related to the word fail...

  • Killer6b9

    Posted May 8, 2009 2:44 pm PT

    So when is the price drop? It is still $60 where I am. :-/

  • srdjan311

    Posted May 8, 2009 9:22 am PT

    yeehh gears rocks!

  • Fady117

    Posted May 8, 2009 4:18 am PT

    One thing i didn't get though: will only Dark Corners be available for 1,600 pts, or the whole package for 1,600? nice add-on btw.

  • Kezman118

    Posted May 8, 2009 3:02 am PT

    lol july 28th is one day past my bday, but i guess i should thank EPIC for the delayed bday present in advance.

  • princesslawless

    Posted May 7, 2009 9:06 pm PT

    i guess i should finish 1 & start on 2 sometime soon .. lol

  • jeffmclark1973

    Posted May 7, 2009 6:23 pm PT

    Ugh!! Now I have to re-buy the whole thing.... um.. maybe not.. but I probably will end up re-ruying it...ugh,, can't wait for 3!!

  • Max1363

    Posted May 7, 2009 4:55 pm PT

    Great!

  • XxDaRkAnZeLxX

    Posted May 7, 2009 3:16 pm PT

    i gotta say... Epic sure know how to make a DLC that makes $20 worth.

  • jlee14

    Posted May 7, 2009 2:55 pm PT

    Why not for pc, I am agreeing with those pc gamers. I payed for the first one and its buggy as crap, plus lag, plus 1000 other problems. While you console gamers are just spending money for what your getting.. I think it should work both ways.. I mean if it cost a lot of money to port it on pc then they shouldnt have done that. Instead of bringing my hopes up and releasing it on pc then making it into a crappy game. I mean I'm just saying.. Make it fair

  • thee_kINGJESTEr

    Posted May 7, 2009 2:03 pm PT

    I have purchased the previous maps and I'm a bit disappointed that I'll have to pay full price for the 7 new maps. I don't really care so much about the new level, because at this point it's all about the online play. Sure, there are many bugs but the game is fun.

  • Bounty317

    Posted May 7, 2009 1:32 pm PT

    They will NEVER release a Gears 2 on PC, they announced that 6 MONTHS prior to the Gears 2 release date cause Unreal Engine 3 cant exactly run on PC cause its way too compicated and would cost more money to code than what its worh. Get a console and you would never have this problem (Cheaper too)

  • MushroomRevenge

    Posted May 7, 2009 1:13 pm PT

    Im glad this is coming out. I don't feel map packs are ever worth the price so I never buy them, this is twice the maps plus a single player part.

    Also, War Machine is FINALLY in Gears 2!

  • kokonut1971

    Posted May 7, 2009 12:15 pm PT

    Epic fail for me. no pc version in site.....got ripped off with the first game and they seem to not want to continue to release the rest of the other parts of the game on pc..so they will not get any money from me.

  • FLEEBS

    Posted May 7, 2009 10:33 am PT

    I can't believe the price will be the same for those who have already purchased the previous map packs. That is a lame rip-off.

  • Leonardo_dv

    Posted May 7, 2009 10:31 am PT

    And when will Gears of War 2 for PC?????

  • senorbusyman

    Posted May 7, 2009 10:18 am PT

    i just want the new campaign story line!

  • res0i39c

    Posted May 7, 2009 10:09 am PT

    I was going to get the new maps. But now, I'm going to wait till this is out.

  • rgc

    Posted May 7, 2009 9:50 am PT

    Great news for the Gears of War fans in Brazil because the DLC content is blocked here.

  • armor_king_2

    Posted May 7, 2009 9:37 am PT

    yahooo
    gears of war

  • natefactor07

    Posted May 7, 2009 9:18 am PT

    I loved the first Gears of War but Epic really had an epic fail when they released this game and its matchmaking system. My friends and I sit there in the matchmaking menu for like 15 minutes before it finds a team for us, and sometimes it doesn't find a team at all. It's such an unbelievable waste of time and I can't believe they failed like that. Gameplay is great, graphics are great, sound is great, but I can't play online cause the matchmaking is broken, so after beating the campaign, I'm done with the game. It's really sad and makes me want to return my game cause I got jipped. I'm a GoW fan but since I can't play multiplayer there's no point of me owning the game or getting this new DLC. GG Epic on your EPIC FAIL!

  • tomjay31

    Posted May 7, 2009 8:58 am PT

    that's BS for someone like who's already paid for the available DLC. seems like they're just trying to milk people as much possible. sorry, but i'll pass.

  • quanloco

    Posted May 7, 2009 8:52 am PT

    Nightshade that is what a fanboy would say. It's like me saying MGS4 is the only good game for ps3 and we all know they have 3 good ones.

  • CoolKidX

    Posted May 7, 2009 8:46 am PT

    yay for gears of war

  • Mr_Fujiv1

    Posted May 7, 2009 8:39 am PT

    dammm! now i wished i had a 360 well i wished i had this game but i mean if you gotta pay another 15 quid that total's up to like 55 - 60 pound thats alot for one game

  • Kamira12

    Posted May 7, 2009 8:29 am PT

    all the folks who are saying gow is rubbish and buggy and stuff can anyone name any game tht is better than gow or has no bugs???

  • Trooperdx3117

    Posted May 7, 2009 8:28 am PT

    God damnit thats annoying I just payed 30euro for Gears of war 2 and now I hear that this is being released for 20euro

  • HaloFanBoy17

    Posted May 7, 2009 8:27 am PT

    There is one good thing about this expansion pack and that is that it will feature a new chapter that was left out of the sequel, in which Marcus and Dom go on a stealth mission shortly after arriving in the Hollow. I had actually read this yesterday on GameDaily's website before it was posted here.

  • Cwagmire21

    Posted May 7, 2009 8:26 am PT

    My first comment "doesn't meet criteria" because this report is chalk full of gears fanboys who don't want to admit the online is buggy.

  • TrueGamer135

    Posted May 7, 2009 8:16 am PT

    also make a dlc pack for 400 pts were its a golden lancer and hammerburst pack

  • TrueGamer135

    Posted May 7, 2009 8:15 am PT

    they should at least make the dlc from the xbox either 800 or 1200 microsoft points i mean people who buy it at the store pay 20 and we pay 20 but at the store you get way more stuff

  • tamm2809

    Posted May 7, 2009 8:15 am PT

    Jajajajajajaja, i think you are a fan boy of playstation nightshade869, GoW is awesome, and the amount of sales for this expansion will shut you mouth.

  • nightshade869

    Posted May 7, 2009 7:09 am PT

    @ratile

    You should seriously reconsider actually buying that console.

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