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Gears of War 3 preemptively confirmed for April 2011

[UPDATE] Following delay of Epic Games' mystery game unveiling, Xbox Live has reportedly posted a screen saying "the epic story concludes [next] April."

Source: See below.

What we heard: Someone at Xbox Live is getting fired. At least, that appears to be the case if a leaked screen that has surfaced on the blog All Games Beta is legitimate.

Whoops?<br/><i>Image credit: AGB</i>

Whoops?
Image credit: AGB

Yesterday, the self-described "11th-hour delay" pushed Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski's mystery game announcement on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon until Monday, April 12. The title in question had widely been assumed to be Gears of War 3--so assumed, in fact, that Edge magazine has already posted leaked details about the title.

However, it looks like a staffer at Xbox Live didn't get the memo. AGB is displaying a screen, which it claims appeared on the online service last night. "Gears of War 3 announced," trumpets the image on the Xbox Live menu bar, "the epic story concludes April 2011." Currently, the image is no longer visible.

The official story: "We have made no official announcements, but please stay tuned."--Microsoft rep.

Bogus or not bogus?: Probably not bogus. Sure, the image could be easily faked, but plans about a third installment in the series have been around for years. As far back as November 2006, Microsoft has been making references to a "Gears of War Trilogy."

Reportedly leaked details say Gears of War 3 will feature mechs, undersea levels.

Reportedly leaked details say Gears of War 3 will feature mechs, undersea levels.

Also, Edge reported back in March that Microsoft plans to release Gears of War in April 2011. The company apparently pushed the game out of 2010 so it wouldn't divert consumer dollars from the fall launch of Project Natal, the Xbox 360's camera-based motion-sensing system.

However, the first quarter of 2011 is when Electronic Arts will publish a still-untitled shooter from Epic Games' Polish studio People Can Fly, maker of the Painkiller games. Releasing Gears of War 3 during that quarter would pit one Epic game against another--something the cash-flush North Carolinian studio and Unreal Engine 3-maker wouldn't tolerate.

Last but not least, not making Gears of War 3 would be economic folly for Microsoft. The first two games have been massive hits, with Gears of War 2 topping 5 million units sold worldwide and the original selling over 3.2 million copies in the US alone.

There's also the matter of ancillary revenue from Gears of War novels, comic books, and a film adaptation, although the latter has apparently run into production issues of late. To quote Danny DeVito in the David Mamet film Heist, "Everyone needs money. That's why they call it 'money.'"

[UPDATE] Following the publication of this report, numerous GameSpot users have reported seeing the same announcement on Xbox Live this morning. So, not bogus!

274 Comments

  • N0tYrBeezin

    Posted Jun 14, 2010 7:14 am GMT

    @metroid24
    Learn to use punctuations, sentences and paragraphs. My eyes bleed just by reading your post.

  • metroid24

    Posted Jun 14, 2010 3:41 am GMT

    @N0tYrBeezin yeah what ever man none the games on the ps3 were impressive to me thats why i didnt buy 1 even Mgs4 was a let down to me and i love the series say what u want but the ps3 dont got squat on the 360

  • alluman91

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 6:44 am GMT

    I can't wait to get my hands on that bad-ass Pendulum War Lancer and Sawn-Off shotgun! Just hope my Xbox 360 get's back in time.. The damn thing got the RRoD.

  • metroid24

    Posted Apr 18, 2010 2:41 am GMT

    @N0tYrBeezin say what u want man but as far as im concerned thar are no good great games on the ps3 i gave killzone uncharted restintence and even mgs4 a chance so far those games did not impress me much so dont call me ignarent i just want good gaming and ps3 didnt deliver whine all u want

  • downloadthefile

    Posted Apr 14, 2010 5:37 pm GMT

    yeah get some good multiplayer for gears 3.

  • BatshtCrazy

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 7:18 pm GMT

    fix multiplayer gears 2 MP suxks

  • GBPackersrule

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 7:04 pm GMT

    Well, besides the obvious ending in Gears 2, this makes sense. Sony's Resistance 3 is also slated for a 2011 release, so that pretty much clicks. After all, Resistance 2 came out a day before Gears 2 did. That is Sony's big ticket, so they would be crazy to pass this up. Not trying to start a fanboy war (because I know some fanboy will thumbs down my comment... like I care) but those are the facts.

  • dukre115

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 4:29 pm GMT

    I don't see what the problem is here. Gears of War 2 was awsome. Everybody I know said that part 1 sucked

  • maximo

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 1:28 pm GMT

    EPIC please fix Multiplayer in the next installment...

    The amount of lag and poor connections is unforgivable in the GOW2

    In order for this game to move forward, I would hope that dedicated servers be used to combat this. Just look at CODMW/MW2 and ESPECIALLY BFBC2 for a grweat lag free experience!

  • digi-demon

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 12:44 pm GMT

    Being a Big Gears fan I wish it was out this year - cant wait for more chainsaw death!.

  • Dynamo11

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 12:09 pm GMT

    Fail.... all though I CANNOT WAIT for the final (?!) installment!

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 10:34 am GMT

    Already pre-ordered

  • kupacmac

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 9:14 am GMT

    I watched a video on Xbox live of an interview with Bleszinski and they asked him if there'd be a third. Of course he gave the official "not at liberty to say", but pressing him he made a comment along the lines of "yeah why would we make another one when the first 2 sold so well?". It was painfully obvious there will be a third.

  • izmickey

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 8:24 am GMT

    Although i agree with what some say, the story in GOW games... isnt that great but its still a badass game to play. Can anyone let me mooch off their xbox360 so i can play this game....my brother sold his xbox360.

  • Depresso

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 6:51 am GMT

    gear 1 multiplayers would have been happy just with larger maps, a few new weapons and characters NOT a change in the game mechanics !! Bring back running and shooting, this is not Resident Evil. Shotgun battles, more humour, even in multiplayer. Gears 2 was great single player but messed it up big time on multiplayer, shame. You better get it right as the competition is waking up.

  • Kan0nF0dder

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 6:46 am GMT

    Pass.

  • stEElyDaN909

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 3:28 am GMT

    "Reportedly leaked details say Gears of War 3 will feature mechs, undersea levels."

    Deploy the Blue Marine!

  • Gelugon_baat

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 1:35 am GMT

    More news and bits to keep the legions of Gears of War hardcore fans rabid and foaming at the mouth!

    ("FUUUUUUUU-FRUP-BUP-FUB-BRUP...")

  • grove12345

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 12:34 am GMT

    Wait who let the cat out of the bag about Gears 3? Oh thats right the ending to Gears 2 did. Left it demanding a sequel.

  • LoserMike

    Posted Apr 12, 2010 12:06 am GMT

    Good to see more top games being released during the slow months between January and June.

  • Glade_Gnarr

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 10:04 pm GMT

    So another fight finished for the 360, I smell a nextbox announcement for e3 2012.

  • SuprSaiyanRockr

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 9:36 pm GMT

    I hope this turns out well. I also hope nothing else is leaked.

  • Adam_the_Nerd

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 6:52 pm GMT

    There better be a Gears 3 Beta! Ironing out the bugs will make for a fantastic multiplayer experience!

  • easykill_astari

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 6:10 pm GMT

    rly, so many good games this year, so many good games next year

  • silentsniper321 posted Apr 11, 2010 5:55 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    silentsniper321

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 5:55 pm GMT (hide)

    pass

  • BRGDZ

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 5:20 pm GMT

    2011 damm thats too long soon there will be gears of war Breakfast cereals

  • Wolf3037

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 5:08 pm GMT

    Im surprised its taken this long and will take this long to get gears3, since the launch of gears2. Well, its better not to over milk a series and take things slow and steady...unlike COD.

  • twistedmalice

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 4:45 pm GMT

    I can't wait. It looks awesome

  • Cheesemanook

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 2:31 pm GMT

    Hmm, mechs, undersea levels? This sounds interesting.

  • piztolero

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 11:30 am GMT

    Isn`t great but.....i love to kick ass...!!!!

  • cjasko94

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 11:27 am GMT

    Story in the Gears series isn't that great..

  • m0tl3ysl4y3r

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 11:24 am GMT

    I still need to get the first two Gears of War for PC

  • TJS52

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 10:26 am GMT

    God i hope the stories actually good in this one but its still fun

  • xGlenn11x posted Apr 11, 2010 8:51 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    xGlenn11x

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 8:51 am GMT (hide)

    @ Amander123
    Yes, Gears and Mass Effect have the two of the best stories on the platform. I would have to toss in Fallout 3 and Bioshock for their plots as well.

  • xGlenn11x

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 8:46 am GMT

    @ hihatrider
    I agree with some series, but if you look at the majority of series, 7 games would be too many. Trilogies are a good way to tell the major plot line of games. While 7 parts would be neat for some, I just don't see it happening with many games.

  • hihatrider

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 6:57 am GMT

    starting to get bored with the trilogies. how about righting a story to be a 7-parter from the beginning? if it's a good series then 3 games isn't enough.

  • habibangel

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 5:56 am GMT

    I like how the Microsoft rep says they have made no official announcements instead of the usual we don't respond to rumors.

  • scottoj

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 5:50 am GMT

    The story in Gears is soooo good. I cant wait for gears 3. i hope they fix the online though. gears 2 online was awful

  • June-GS

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 5:33 am GMT

    LOL. If that clueless idiot who "didn't get the memo" doesn't get fired tomorrow, Microsoft would be the most forgiving company ever.

  • howie1926

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 5:05 am GMT

    @ramgoalie9

    That's fine if casual gamers love the motion controls. Of course Microsoft is going to try there hand in the motion control society that PS and Nintendo are already dominating in. And yes the Wii has shipped a lot of systems. But if you have not noticed, they are slowly dying off. Even Nintendo them selves said so. They realize that the "fade" is dying. They are punishing what could be a great system with shovelware instead of making quality games for it. Sure it has it's Mario's, Medroid's, and Zelda's that we all love. But what else is there?

  • Zerosumgame

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 4:31 am GMT

    If this is the best game your have ever played, then you might need to play a little more games.

  • maroon111 posted Apr 11, 2010 2:19 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    maroon111

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 2:19 am GMT (hide)

    Gears of war is the best game ever i played

  • Zaka

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 1:38 am GMT

    I've been waiting for this a long time ago!!

  • Amander123

    Posted Apr 10, 2010 10:12 pm GMT

    Cant wait for this!! Gears of War and Mass Effect = best 360 exclusives ever. Gotta love enticing and epic stories

  • gimlifn

    Posted Apr 10, 2010 9:57 pm GMT

    right on Mandowolf just fix the lag and everything would be great. Dedicated servers please epic!

  • Ghosthunter54

    Posted Apr 10, 2010 9:41 pm GMT

    Maybe they should push back natal instead of GOW 3 since I think more people will buy GOW 3 than Natal anyway. (unless you count little kids and grannies like the wii does).

  • DSfanatic5

    Posted Apr 10, 2010 9:39 pm GMT

    You'd be an idiot if you didn't see a third game coming. On top of that, I hope the third game doesn't feel "shorter" like number 2. I hope I get to fight a real boss battle, maybe experience something exciting (like the first game). Either way, Cliffy B will wear a tight printed shirt and except all Spike TV awards, drive off in his Lamborghini, and pretend like he didnt rip off Resident Evil 4 for his own success.

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