New Lost Planet demo on Thanksgiving

Gamers who grabbed Gears of War this week might have noticed a promotional insert in the package that mentioned a new downloadable multiplayer demo of Capcom's Lost Planet: Extreme Condition. However, Capcom representatives wouldn't talk when asked about how soon that demo would hit the Xbox Live Marketplace.

The publisher finally answered that question today with the announcement that the Lost Planet multiplayer demo would be available to download on November 23, Thanksgiving Day in the US. The demo will allow up to 16 players to play on a single map with multiple weapons, robotic combat suits, and four game types.

Capcom also renamed the day after Thanksgiving. Previously known as Black Friday, the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in earnest, Capcom wants to call it White Friday, the beginning of the company's preorder campaign for the snowbound sci-fi shooter. As part of the campaign, advance purchasers will receive access to a special version of the multiplayer demo that includes a second map.

Lost Planet is rated T for Teen and is expected to ship to North American retailers in January 2007. For more information on the game, check out GameSpot's latest hands-on impressions.