Gears of War 2 coming November 2008

Microsoft and Epic Games have been denying rumors of a Gears of War sequel since the original came out in 2006, with only a "wait and see" comment here and there. At the Game Developers Conference today, Microsoft had a short teaser trailer and Cliff Bleszinski came on stage to announce that Gears of War 2 would be arriving this November. Our network site Gears of War Realm has the latest:

Providing a dramatic close to Microsoft’s GDC keynote address, Epic Games Inc.’s lead designer Cliff Bleszinski announced that the epic saga of Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad continues exclusively on the Xbox 360 this fall with Gears of War 2. This highly anticipated sequel to the 4.5 million-selling blockbuster Gears of War delves deeper into humanity’s struggle for survival against the nightmarish Locust Horde, and promises to take high-definition visuals to a whole new level.

To our team the original game was just a tease, the appetizer to the ‘Gears of War’ characters and new style of gameplay. We were so amped to get to the next chapter, and dig deeper into the universe of this franchise," said Cliff Bleszinski, lead designer for Epic Games. "Gears of War 2 is an even bigger, better, and more badass experience than the first game, and we can’t wait to get it in the hands of eager gamers this November."

There's sure to be more info available at E3 2008 later this year, keep an eye on Gears of War Realm for all the latest news.

Gears of War 2 Announced for November [Gears of War Realm]
Gears of War 2 teaser trailer

vVv Vision talks about WSVG, Gears of War patches, and MLG

During the recent WSVG event in Dallas, Realm Media Networks was able to talk to the top two Gears of War teams about the tournament and Gears of War in general. Here's the full transcript of the interview with the vVv Vision, the 1st place team.

Team Members

Jerry Prochazka, Manager (vVv LordJerith)

Ryan Watson (vVv Takedown)

Ethan Holmes (vVv Bawabus)

Kevin Green (vVv StOnEs)

David Held (vVv puff)

Realm Media Networks: How did you guys get into this tournament?

vVv LordJerith: We were signed up for the event, then Matt, the CEO of WSVG, contacted us and gave us his own personal invite. He wanted us to come out to check out the World Series of Video Games. We are excited ... it was really good tournament for us. So it was really great for us to get the invitation, the World Series of Video Games has been a really accomodating and good event for us.

RMN: So are you guys professional gamers, do you play in a lot of tournaments full time?

vVv Stones: Yeah we've been playing in MLG. We just won in MLG Meadowlands [In Meadowlands, New Jersey], the first tournament for Gears of War so far, well, the first really big tournament. [see vVv Vision at Meadowlands]

RMN: So how's the setup for this competition compared to the setups of the other competitions?

vVv Takedown: Here's we're kinda thrown in the back behind Fight Night Round 3 and Quake 4. We're all kind of set in the back a little bit more. At MLG they have the main stage and the big screens and stuff, I think it's a lot better. Gears of War doesn't stand out as much here as it does there.

RMN: So much do you guys play, outside of competition?

vVv puff: We try to get as much practice as possible. Whenever we get off of work, I don't since I don't have a job so I gotta get a job. (everyone laughs) We get on around 8 and practice until about 11. If we're doing good, we're going to keep playing. We get as much practice as possible.

RMN: So how do you guys practice?

vVv puff: We try to run different strategies around different kind of teams to see what they do, and just mix it up.

RMN: Favorite maps & weapons?

vVv Takedown: War Machine, Shotgun

vVv Bawabus: War Machine, Handy B Button without it I wouldn't be good at this game

vVv Stones: Manshion, Shotgun

vVv puff: Clock Tower, Pistol or Boom shot

RMN: Since Gears of War has come out there has been some patches, that made some subtle changes. How has that affected you guys?

vVv LordJerith: This is one of those classic situations where the game developers have kind of shut out the voices of the competitive community in favor of more casual gamers. Fortunately for the competitive community, we can adjust to the developer's desires to favor the casual gamers. Some times it is unfortunate, specially with a title as popular as Gears of War, that the developers don't take time to satisfy both communtities.

In this particullar last patch they took out the weapon sliding glitch, which although a glitch, we discovered actually increased the pace of the game. It made the game more interesting. Obviously when they removed it, we adjust and continue to move forward. But even though it's a small community, because of the growth of competitive gaming it would be nice if the developers gave some of the top teams a little more ear.

Such that Microsoft has done with Shadowrun by bringing in the top Halo teams and Counterstrike teams to help develop the game, ensure it's balanced and keep it fast paced.

RMN: I saw just a couple days ago, it's expected to be announced at E3, about Gears of War would be coming to the PC. Do you guys have any feelings/opinions on that, how the control would differ on a keyboard/mouse?

vVv Bawabus: The different setups with Shadowrun they spent a lot of time balancing the control of the PC and the consoles, because obviously a mouse is much more precise than just moving a stick around to aim. With the way Gears is setup I really see no way they can balance it over than making it so that the aimer doesn't really track with the mouse completely. But that would just be frustrating to PC players.

Honestly, I don't see PCs developing as much as consoles can just because it feels better with the control for a lot of people. PCs obviously cost a lot. It's just easier for more people that are better at games to get into them on consoles.

RMN: So how would you feel if you had to compete across platform for those games, like Shadowrun, that are available for both PC and consoles?

vVv Bawabus: Actually, we've been practicing a lot and I don't think at this point gaming would make much of a difference if both PCs and Consoles got into it at the same time. Yeah we'd beat them, it wouldn't matter. (team laughs in agreement)

RMN: So what are you going to do with the money?

vVv Takedown: I'm probably going to save the money and use it for travel to get to other events.

vVv Bawabus: I'll probably be saving some of the money for college, or other funds, and then donating the rest to charity.

vVv Stones: Dunno, probably throw some rims on my car. New intake, new exhaust? And then I'll probably use the rest to pay my college tuition.

vVv Puff: I'll probably use mine to save it, and then I can move out of my mom's house finally.

RMN: Thanks guys! Congratulations on your win!

Links:
WSVG Dallas 2007 full story
WSVG Dallas 2007 image gallery
vVv Vision website

No Name Noobs discuss Gears of War and the WSVG

During the recent WSVG event in Dallas, Realm Media Networks was able to talk to the top two Gears of War teams about the tournament and Gears of War in general. Here's the full transcript of the interview with the No Name Noobs, the 2nd place team.

Team Members
Eric Sagonowsky (HoTDoG)

Christian Dupree (SLizZotH)

Anthony Sarillo (Sarillo)

Nick Kolcheff (NiCk)

Realm Media Networks: How did you guys get into this tournament?

Hotdog: We've been practicing for months. We went to MLG in Meadowlands about a month or two ago, and then we decided to WSVG to make some money, and have some fun.

RMN: So do you consider yourself professional gamers?

SLizZotH: Yes we ARE professional gamers, not CONSIDERED professional gamers.

RMN: As professional gamers, what do you think of the setup they have here for Gears of War?

SLizZotH: It's alight, nothing special. But that's because they didn't have enough competition.

Sarillo: For Gears of War it wasn't that special, it could have been a lot nicer than it was. But it was still a fun tournament and there wasn't too much competition.

NiCk: I think the WSVG wasn't prepared for Gears of War, and Gears of War wasn't really ready to handle something like WSVG. I think the next game will be much more organized and a lot more fun.

RMN: So is there anything in particular they could have done better here?

Sarillo: If they had a main stage where all the exciting stuff happens, like the other games out there. Overall it was pretty fun.

NiCk: I just kind of felt they hid Gears of War back in the corner. They really didn't pay much attention to it.

RMN: How often do you guys play?

Hotdog: We practice nightly for 2-3 hours, sometimes 4 or 5. We just do scrims [scrimmage, unranked multiplayer matches] pretty much everyday and take weekends off.

Nick: Scrim time is usually from 5 until 10. We scrim everyday, except for Friday and Saturday. Sometimes we scrim on Sunday, but we usually take weekends off. That's our time of peace, time to be with our friends.

RMN: Favorite Maps/Weapons?

Hotdog: Clocktower/Shotgun

SlizZoth: Canals/Sniper

Sarillo: Canals/Shotgun

Nick: Clocktower/Lancer

RMN: Gears of War has gotten patches since release, changing mechanics as well as fixing bugs. How do you guys feel about the patches?

Nick: First patch made the game a little bit better. The only bad thing about it was that the walls were a little bit sticky. They tried to patch something and ruin another thing. This latest patch completely changed the game. You can't weapon slide anymore. Now it's a fight over the weapons, and now you fight for a long time because you can't slide it. So a lot of teams just play back now.

Sarillo: You definitely have to play smarter, there is no room for mistakes.

RMN: There have been a lot of rumors recently about Gears of War coming for the PC? What do you think of that?

[editor's note: yup, this happened]

Nick: No, Gears of War is not really a complicated game. Most PC games are really complicated, it takes a lot of buttons and Gears of War doesn't take all that. So I don't think Gears of War will make a good PC game.

RMN: Since you guys came in second place, the second place prize is three thousand dollars, what do you have planned to do with all the money?

Hotdog: Fly to more events. MLG! And put the rest into the bank.

Nick: Put that money in the bank, son!

RMN: Where do you think Gears of War is headed, as far as competition?

Sarillo: Right now I think Gears of War has a really bright future ahead of it. The only big events it's been at has been MLG Meadowlands and this, WSVG Dallas. If MLG picks it up, it's going to get more exciting after every event. If WSVG keeps it on the circuit, it's going to be really exciting to watch. It's a really exciting game.

Nick: I think Gears of War is going to be on MLG for a while. WSVG is a big question mark, I think if they hold a few more events for it. Maybe with a lot more teams, and maybe give it a main stage I think it'll really hit the circuit hard. I hope it works out for WSVG. There are a few other big organizations out there that haven't picked it up yet, not giving it too much detail yet, but sooner or later they will. The game has a really bright future.

RMN: Thanks guys, it's been nice talking to you!

Links:
WSVG Dallas 2007 full story
WSVG Dallas 2007 image gallery
N3 - No Name Noobs website

Gears of War launches, wiki emerges on Gears of War Realm

November 12th saw the official emergence of Gears of War with online events and major press coverage. Thousands of people flocked online to chainsaw through each other, but many probably finished their game wondering if there was any help to completing the Single Player portion of the game. To help out fellow gamers, our Gears of War network site Gears of War Realm is launching a Gears of War Wiki Strategy Guide. Initially populated by the Gears of War Realm administrators, it will allow a place for players around the world to create the best guide on the internet. A Single-Player Walkthrough has already been started, along with Tips and Tricks and even a list of all the Xbox Live Achievements.

The wiki format allows for anyone to edit any page, and make new pages for any topic they choose. Currently there are no restrictions on who can edit, although vandalism and inaccurate information will be rectified as quickly as possible.

The Gears of War Realm Wiki Strategy Guide

Gears of War Realm giving away the game, faceplate, and t-shirts

It's been anticipated for over a year, teased by CliffyB at shows since E3 2005, but on November 7th it will arrive! Yes, Gears of War will be emerging from the shadows in less than two weeks. In celebration of the game finally being available, Realm Media Network site Gears of War Realm is giving away a copy of the game, two limited edition faceplates, and t-shirts to all the winners of its latest contest.

In celebration of the upcoming Emergence Day launch of Gears of War on November 7th, we at Gears of War Realm are launching our biggest contest yet. The contest will be a referral link contest, so you will place a Gears of War advertisement image on your MySpace page, forum signatures, personal websites, or or anywhere you think you can get clicks.

The contest is running the whole month of November, so spread the word, and end up with one of the most anticipated games of 2006. Even if you already have the game by the end of the contest, it would make a great gift for someone else, and these are the last faceplates Gears of War Realm has to give away.

Emergence Month contest [Gears of War Realm]

Gears of War Realm attends Match Made in Hell [update 3]

Realm Media network site Gears of War Realm attended the Chicago-area screening of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning combined with a preview of Gears of Wars. Known as Match Made in Hell, it allowed people to take in a chainsaw movie, and then go after each other with chainsaws in one of the most anticipated games of the year. Staff members from Gears of War Realm were able to attend and play several multiplayer rounds, and walked away with plenty of t-shirts to give away in the upcoming months.

Pictures of the event are available in the Gears of War gallery, and video from the event is currently being edited, and should be online soon.

Gears of War Chainsaw Promo Event Recap Preview [Gears of War Realm]

Update:
The first of several videos has been posted online at Gears of War Realm, available for streaming through YouTube or as a high-res download.

Update 2:
A single player video is now available with an introduction from Mike Capps, President of Epic Games. Also, several multiplayer videos are now available. Check out Gears of War Realm for all the latest news on Gears of War.

Update 3:
Videos 5 and 6 are now available, and a post with Google Video versions of all previously posted videos is now up as well.

Gears of War chainsaw photo

A particularly bloody meeting between Marcus and a Locust Drone.

Looking for more info on Gears of War? Check out our Realm Media Network site Gears of War Realm