Gears of War demo coming soon?

  • By TimSpot, GameSpot
  • Posted Oct 16, 2006 3:15 pm PT

Source: The UK branch of Xbox.com, courtesy of Microsoft maniacs Xboxic.com. What we heard: Given the amount of hype that is going into the launch of the Xbox 360 game Gears of War, it would seem that pumping out a demo would be a priority for Microsoft Game Studios. The marketing team behind the...

Source: The UK branch of Xbox.com, courtesy of Microsoft maniacs Xboxic.com.

What we heard: Given the amount of hype that is going into the launch of the Xbox 360 game Gears of War, it would seem that pumping out a demo would be a priority for Microsoft Game Studios. The marketing team behind the game has already held public events for common folk to try the game out before its release in November, so it also make sense that a demo would be appearing on Xbox Live Marketplace soon.

Unfortunately for those eagerly anticipating a free trial of the game before it is released, it doesn't appear that a demo will be out before the game hits stores. In early August, Mark Rein, president of Gears developer Epic Games, said, "I don't see any way we could do a demo before the game comes out." He went on to explain that making a demo would take up valuable time that could be spent polishing up the retail version for its release.

But today, a few gamers think that Rein may have been putting up a smoke screen, with a surprise announcement of a demo coming soon. Some keen-eyed Web surfers tipped off Xboxic.com to a page on the UK branch of Xbox.com. In a page header promoting content downloads for Marketplace, a graphic clearly reads "Gears of War Demo" (pictured above--click to enlarge) alongside already released games Frogger, Pac-Man, and Joust. What's more, on the page for game demos on Marketplace, there is clearly a picture of Gears of War.

So that's it, right? A Gears of War demo is on the way, and likely soon given that it's up on Xbox.com now.

Once again, it looks as though gamers' parades are getting "Rein"ed on. On the Gears of War forums, Mark Rein addresses the issue with a resounding, "No"--and it wasn't just about a prerelease GOW demo, it was about a demo in general.

"There is no Gears demo and there won't be before launch. I suspect that is a generic header with the Gears image in it," said Rein. "There aren't any plans at the moment to make a demo of Gears. We have other things we're going to be working on as soon as Gears has gone gold but I can not elaborate on them at this point in time." Later in the thread, he said that he has asked Microsoft to take the page down. As of press time, the image remained on the site.

Rein leaves little hope for gamers with his comments, so it appears as though Gears of War will be out-of-the-box only.

The official story: Microsoft rep: "We have not made any announcements at this time."

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus. The Locust Horde is spared a few more days before they're riddled with bullets.

160 Comments

  • exposed1987

    Posted Feb 5, 2008 10:13 am PT

    o man i cant wait for gears of war i bet the online gameplay will be SICK ima buy the pc version

  • arw1980

    Posted Nov 10, 2006 7:46 am PT

    I won't spend $60.00 on a game before I sample it. I've been burned in the past too many times. I think that in the long run even if they have to hire more people to get a demo created it would be worth it. I'm sure I'm not the only person who won't buy a game unless they've sampled it first.

  • xnindoboy

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 5:37 pm PT

    I hope they do. this games going to be the definition of awsome. and that chain saw brings a smile on my face.=)

  • lord-azrael

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 7:41 am PT

    what i dont understand is if they had a demo at E3 and TGS why not just release that as the demo?And another question WHY SO MUCH HYPE FOR A AVERAGE LOOKING GAME

  • rsjet

    Posted Oct 18, 2006 11:15 pm PT

    djsaskdja:

    Thats because they want you to spend alot of time on the site...bringing in ad money. Its a common business practice.

  • Alcotamaysees

    Posted Oct 18, 2006 8:53 pm PT

    A gears of war demo. That would test microsoft's servers. Everybody with a 360 would download it.

  • Deadlocked4Life

    Posted Oct 18, 2006 4:08 pm PT

    A demo would be pretty awesome to calm the impatient gaming public (myself included), but I'm sure the game is going to be awesome. With Microsoft pumping so much PR and cash into this product, it had better be a hit. As for me, I'm just waiting for my preorder to come in on the 7th.

  • faytal-ehtee

    Posted Oct 18, 2006 3:45 pm PT

    Beyond_Teh_Gun
    "Demos can make someone hate a game they are hyped for, I for one, do noty want a gears demo, Emergence day is 11/12/06, there will be no Premergence day "

    premergence day lol i like that.

  • gr8arm

    Posted Oct 18, 2006 11:45 am PT

    If there is already a demo at E3 and TGS why would it be so difficult to put on XBOX live? This almost makes me doubt the quality of the game. I know that they don't need to put out a demo because Gears of War is already so hyped it will sell millions anyway. But if the game is so good what do they have to fear by putting a demo out? Also, does anyone know exactly what the difference between the collector's edition and the standard edition is? If it's just some artbook and a "making of" documentary that is not worth 10 extra dollars. Does it at least have a cool tin box, sort of along the lines of Halo 2?

  • faizali86

    Posted Oct 18, 2006 9:34 am PT

    this game is definitely going to be better than halo (maybe a little overrated too) but i think its just being hyped to overshadow the ps3 launch.

  • Sanguis_Malus

    Posted Oct 18, 2006 7:26 am PT

    Many of us have been waiting in eager anticipation of this game for a long time now, we can wait some more and be patient, I'm sure it will be worth the wait........IT BETTER BE !!!

  • bluewitnesss

    Posted Oct 18, 2006 6:27 am PT

    I can understand why a demo has not been released. Epic is not sure they have a winner on their hands. If you knew for sure that the game you were working on was a good game you would do anything you could to show that to the masses. This really should be seen as a step back for Epic. Look at the Double Agent demo out now on the markentplace. This thing is buggy as all get out, but they released it anyway. They have the confidence in their already established franchise to get the hype out. Oh, you say you GOW is a new franchise and should be kept under raps. Look at Lost Planet. New game and it looks and plays great. I just don't understand how letting people play a snippet of your game would be bad press unless you don't have a lot of confidence in your game to start with.

  • Aromon

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 10:00 pm PT

    Those sneaky little mother.... freakers. This sounds a little too suspicious if you really think about it. Wasn't there a PLAYABLE DEMO AT E3!!! Didn't EGM Editor Hsu just play a newly polished demo of Gear's not even a month ago? I understand Epic using the excuse that they have better more important things to do, but that is a lie. They want everyone to be effected by the hype, which will be positive right up until Emergence Day. If they release a demo, and some people dislike it, it could impede their launch success. Yes, it looks awesome, but Killer App awesome? Not even Halo is loved by everyone, therefore, the hype must grow and grow until everyone either wastes their money (No!!!!) or celebrates Emergence Day. My prediction: Killer App and Game of the Year (SCORE: 9.6)

  • CJ2Bond007

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 7:19 pm PT

    I don't really care if there is a demo or not. I already have the game pre-ordered, and I'm getting it no matter what. So big whoop if I have to wait until the actual release date to play the game. We've all waited this long...

  • darthfrag

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 6:11 pm PT

    This whole "no demo" thing is just odd. I understand the point of using your time to polish the game before it comes out, especially since M$ is really trying to make this the mega-title of the holiday buying season, but how long have we had a "Lost Planet" demo? I've been stoked for that game ever since the E3 demo came out. I also doubt I would've taken a chance on "Dead Rising" had I not played the excellent demo. While I'm sure this game is going to sell exceptionally well right out of the gate, it would probably do even better if they had a demo out pre-release.

  • D_Mainge

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 5:26 pm PT

    I think the demo might be released after the game.

  • sniperwolf199

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 3:42 pm PT

    Smart move by Xbox, keeping it hyped but no demo, a demo at this point in the game would make or break the sales. Better to keep people guessing at this point.

  • AC305

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 3:04 pm PT

    I don't usually buy demos, but this one will be an exception.

  • 13

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 2:09 pm PT

    Wow this topic has been done to death on the EPIC and xbox forums. Enough! No demo until after launch.

  • loopykilla

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 1:41 pm PT

    all i have to say is, the splinter cell double agent demo was obviously rushed, as it frustrated me almost to the point of not wanting to buy it. (almost) and that's probably one of the reasons they aren't releasing one pre-launch

  • yonathan25

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 12:53 pm PT

    dont interest me i already preorder

  • sasuke55

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 12:29 pm PT

    I think for one they have this whole marketing thing done for Emergence day and if they put a Worldwide demo on XBL or XBM then that would be contridicting the whole point to build a HALO2 sized hype for this thing. Plus after playing several demos I don't want a demo that's a demo of the half done game its not good.

  • hagame

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 12:28 pm PT

    not to scare anyone but, is it just me or does that image imply that the GOW demo could in fact cost some Marketplace points to download?

  • blindsided82

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 12:16 pm PT

    trenken wrote:
    No demo tells me their hiding something that's going to rear it's ugly head when the game comes out. I'm not going to run out and get this game before I see overwhelmingly positive reviews, or I play a demo. Because there is always something major wrong with every game hyped up this much. For Halo 2, it was the disgustingly horrible cut scenes. The worse I've seen in years. No that didn't affect the gameplay, but it was something kept secret until after release. What will Gears' dirty little secret be? blindsided82: Crappy cut scenes? Man, what do you expect from one of the only games that had the nuts to make all their cutscenes from in-game graphics? Sure other games had better CGI cutscenes, but only because it was a completely different process and entity from what went on in the game itself. You can't compare Halo 2 cutscenes to Final Fantasy cutscenes. They were well done considering the fact that they kept the in-game graphics throughout.

  • George_GameGuy

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 12:12 pm PT

    I LOVE IT that Epic is taking the time to make sure that Gears of War remains the Best Game of the year, just like it has been at all of the trade shows. Let the demo be released after the game comes out. I want the time to be used building the actual game, and that is what Epic is using the time for. Good job, Epic!

  • blindsided82

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 12:10 pm PT

    NittyGunns wrote:
    if you pre-order gearsof war..at any eb-or gamestop you can get your game on the 7th..and everyone else on the 12th...go look it up.. Man, too bad for those who didn't just preorder it. That is, if you were really into the game and planning on buying it. Wait, looking it up... oh, it seems everywhere has Gears slated to arrive on the 7th, including Wal-Mart, Circuit City, and Best Buy. So much for the 12th.

  • jackson84

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 11:52 am PT

    Oh well I've waited this long, and plus I'm getting Splinter Cell tomorrow to hold me down till Gears comes out

  • dhjohns

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 11:07 am PT

    It is not like the demo would have convinced me to buy the game. It would still have been fun to play the game though. Oh well.

  • ultrazone

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 11:00 am PT

    I want a demo, i'm a college student, i'm poor. i need a little snippet of Gears to tid me over til i can afford it.

  • trenken

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 10:52 am PT

    The demo does matter. I'm not buying this game until after I can play it.

  • trenken

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 10:51 am PT

    No demo tells me their hiding something that's going to rear it's ugly head when the game comes out. I'm not going to run out and get this game before I see overwhelmingly positive reviews, or I play a demo. Because there is always something major wrong with every game hyped up this much. For Halo 2, it was the disgustingly horrible cut scenes. The worse I've seen in years. No that didn't affect the gameplay, but it was something kept secret until after release. What will Gears' dirty little secret be?

  • BLACKMOON-X-357

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 10:43 am PT

    for me no demo mean it's not as good as they say it is...to bad if this is the case...

  • Dr_Corndog

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 10:22 am PT

    I was under the impression that the reason there wasn't going to be a demo before the game's release was because of all the hype. That is, the game is being hyped up so much, there's bound to be a lot of people who are going to buy it on day one. By releasing a prerelease demo, they'd be running the risk of disappointing some of those would-be purchasers if they didn't like the game, and losing some of those first-day sales. Not that I think that Gears of War will be disappointing, but even a perfect game has a few detractors (e.g. Metroid: Prime).

  • drangel_jam

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 10:14 am PT

    No demo please! This game is already very hyped. The best thing they could release on XBL is commercials a la GRAW. Remember the ones about how ppl would use the camera in real life? That really made ppl pay more attention a small feature.

  • StraTooS

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 9:37 am PT

    The real story is this, and i Quote Mr. Mark Rein: "There Is No Demo"
    There will be no pre-release demo for Gears of War.

  • acummuta

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 9:19 am PT

    Interesting. Well, I plan on getting the game anyways. I've only had ONE demo on XBOX LIVE get me to say "I need that game", and that was Test Drive Unlimited. I was hoping to say that with Splinter Cell Double Agent, but it's multiplayer only. I can't stand when they do that. The MP only demos.

    To supplement, there are games on the demo list that I've purchased. I just bought them before I demoed them anyways...so I still think it's a valuable tool. It definitely stopped me from buying some games. The recent Sonic the Hedgehog is a perfect example. It made me nautious. Literally. The guy flying around all over the screen...the crazy rapid camera moves. Thank God I didn't spend $60 to get sick!

  • Sydwynder

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 9:13 am PT

    djsaskdja, maybe reading the headline would help. It has a QUESTION MARK AT THE END. Pretty self explanatory that its a rumor. Or do they not teach English in Hicksville, Texas. Anyway, I don't really care if a demo comes out before hand cause I'm buyin this game regardless so really , I would rather they debug the retail version first. Good decision.

  • kcarlson1130

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 8:46 am PT

    all the gamestop/eb managers had a chance to demo it late last month. everyone that said they played it said it was awesome. so as fair as i can tell they have a demo already made. so im not sure what that dude was talking about.

  • capthunt

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 8:35 am PT

    pff consoles

  • Thanos_of_MW

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 7:40 am PT

    It would have been nice to have a demo before I grab a copy at the store, but I don't _need_ a demo to decide on this one

  • SqueekyC1ean

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 7:20 am PT

    awww

  • lolgubbe

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 7:19 am PT

    just if i own a xbox 360 but my very high-end new pc is better

  • jcloverboy

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 7:14 am PT

    Not the kind of story we needed to hear - the demo will hit after it comes out - we've known that for some time. Less than a month to go - we should be fine.

  • drack48

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 7:12 am PT

    Lot of good this does me when I just got the red lights of death last night!!! if I don't have my **** 360 back in time for Gears of War..I'm gonna be real bitter. I waitied in line and risked life and limb to aquire that thing on day one. Now I have to wait to get my box from them to mail it in... at least its free but i'm still pissed.

  • YEPEE00

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 7:03 am PT

    Yawn, i'm going to bed tell me when it comes...

  • freerunner01

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 7:00 am PT

    although i would have liked a pre-release demo im not keeping up my hopes, i just the game to come out so i can get it...

  • paradyme777

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 6:36 am PT

    Yeah, I sorta figured. Doesn't matter to me really because it isn't that much further off and I'll have Splinter Cell Double Agent to tie me over.

  • y2josh19

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 6:09 am PT

    They would be shooting themselves in the foot big time if they released a demo. Allocating more resources into the finished product is definitely the best course of action. Gamers are going to want a completely finished product where they know that Epic and M$ put every ounce of effort they could into the game.

  • PattyL_uk

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 6:09 am PT

    wooooohoooo!

  • SephirothSyZtem

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 5:54 am PT

    >.

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!