Gears of War Ships November 12th

Kotaku is reporting that Epic has confirmed a November 12th retail date for Gears of War, the highly anticipated shooter for the Xbox 360. This announcement confirms a date found by individuals participating in a viral marketing campaign via Xbox Live. From the announcement: "'Our vision is to deliver a one-two punch of cinematic action paired with a thrilling and compelling interactive experience,' said Cliff Bleszinski, lead designer at Epic. 'With Gears of War we've created a title that will place gamers directly in the shadows of a ravaged world, surrounded by the beautiful remnants of a destroyed city and the horrific dangers that hide in the rubble.'"

Comments

PC Version

[anjin-san 3]

November release? Sounds great! How about a PC version?

Re:PC Version

[anjin-san 3]

I'd rather play it at 1280x720 resolution with a mouse and keyboard. I have a 360, but this genre of game always feels crippled on a console.

Re:PC Version

[twistedsymphony]

Except Gears of War isn't an FPS... It's 3rd person action game that requires you to use a lot of cover. It bares more similarities to a Splinter Cell then an FPS.

Re:PC Version

[MrSquirrel]

Why is it console players think their consoles are more powerful than computers? My desktop which I built 3 and a half years ago for just under $1,000 has much better graphical and processing power than the 360 (I spent $135 on a new graphics card last winter). Why do I like gaming on a desktop? Well, aside from the better graphics/physics allowed; one reason is loading time! Consoles go "oh oh optical disk reading yeah oh so good yeah uh uhhhh"... my computer goes "Go 10,000 rpm raptors, read that data!". Control -- yes, you CAN hook up a standard 103-key keyboard and a crappy mouse to a 360... but I have a nice desktop keyboard and mouse -- efficient buttons, macro-enabled, just plain AWESOME.

Game controllers are great for action/arcade style games... but for FPS and RTS games, extreme precision is needed -- the kind of precision that is impossible with a gamepad. Auto-aim is a ridiculous concept that exists because console controls are so sub-par at controlling First Person Shooters.

Now for the meat of the point -- computers are superior to consoles in power (even budget-build computers). Look at Halo (probably the game you're referring to when you say that computers suck because a console FPS outsold a couple PC FPS games -- console FPS games do NOT "routinely" sell out PC games, hell, there aren't half as many FPS games for the console as their are for PC) -- originally slated to be a PC/Mac game, MS bought Bungie and said "Hey, that awesome Halo game you're developing? You're going to throw it away it and rebuild it half as good as it was before for our upcoming Xbox gaming system"... the result? Many things were scrapped because consoles can not perform as well as their PC cousins (even elements they thought would still be possible weren't -- look at the flamethrower [you can obtain it in Xbox using noclip hacks]), when they ported the game over to PC, it was beautiful (better graphics, better multiplayer, features impossible with the xbox [like the flamethrower]).

Consoles are INFERIOR to computers -- you have to get that through your head. Now, all that said, I still play consoles -- because some games types work so well with consoles (Smash Brothers Melee -- you couldn't have a game like that be as fun on a PC).

Re:PC Version

[MrSquirrel]

Wow -- if ignorance is bliss, you must be quite happy. If you would have read my post, you would have seen that I actually enjoy consoles.

Fact: A PC is much more powerful than a console. Fact: Something doesn't have to have ultimate processing power to be fun (case-in-point, I am looking forward to the Wii coming out... even the the PS3 is "ohmygodsopowerful").

Re:PC Version

[bigman2003]

Actually you can play a 360 at 1280x768 resolution- or more.

I play GRAW on my 360 at 1280x1024 all the time. And it looks damn good.

I move my 360 from an HDTV to 19" LCD- depending on how desperately my wife wants to watch TV. I have the two video cables so it is fairly easy to move- but now I *really* want an extra power supply. That would make it real easy.

Keyboard and mouse isn't the best way to play a 3rd person game.

Re:PC Version

[bigman2003]

Whoops- I forgot my link:

http://hardware.teamxbox.com/reviews/xbox-360/40/X box-360-VGA-HD-AV-Cable/p1/

Re:PC Version

[beckerist]

Yet again, irrelevant to the topic at hand. ALSO, my 360 is the most powerful AND least expensive "PC" in the house. For those college students (and recently graduated collegiates, ie: yours truely) that don't want to spend thousands on a machine that they're going to play games on anyway, consoles are the best route. The problem with computers is that there's no standardization outside the basics. A 360 is a 360, cut print that's a wrap. A "PC" is anything with an internal harddrive, processor and basic input/output... Try running Halo on a Pentium III 750mHz computer with 64 megs of ram. Now try running Halo on an Xbox (which isn't too far off, I might add)...tell me which one is "better." Don't believe me? http://gear.ign.com/articles/306/306618p1.html There!

Re:PC Version

[Anonymous Coward]

1280*720 is the maximum size of the Xbox 360 internal video buffer. Scaling up does not increase resolution.

Re:PC Version

[Quarem]

Game controllers are great for action/arcade style games... but for FPS and RTS games, extreme precision is needed -- the kind of precision that is impossible with a gamepad. Auto-aim is a ridiculous concept that exists because console controls are so sub-par at controlling First Person Shooters.

What does precision aiming have to do with a game being fun? I've played a lot of FPS games on both PC and console, and the most fun I have had has been playing Halo 2 on Xbox Live or over System Link. Sure the aiming is not as pixel perfect precise on a console but there is still a skill involved and it's a lot of fun.

Your post in general has an angry biased tone. Just chill. If you do not like playing FPS games on consoles that is fine, that's all you had to say.

Re:PC Version

[MrSquirrel]

My post was angrily toned towards MBraynard's accusation that the 360 is better than a PC. I don't hate FPS games on consoles, I will reference my two favorite console games of all time: Goldeneye and Perfect Dark. Both great games; innovative, fun multiplayer, interesting weapons (I love the Farsight in PD), and overall full of wholesome goodness. ...but not all console FPS games are like that -- "tactical" FPS games like Counterstrike on Xbox feel cumbersome and like a bastard-child of the PC version. I play Halo and Halo 2 with friends and I enjoy the multiplayer -- it's a great way to have an 8 person gaming session without requiring a LAN party (I like Halo on PC better for single player -- the multiplayer is fun [plus more levels/weapons/vehicles than Xbox], but it's more difficult to play in a room full of your friends). Some games just "work" on the console; others are atrocious (especially most ports). Equally, I've played Farcry: Instincts on Xbox and was horribly dissappointed (I am still completely pleased with Farcry on the PC, which came out roughly 2 years, I believe, prior to "Instincts") -- "Instincts" was suppossed to be a step-up from the original Farcry, but it failed to please me as much as good 'ol regular-Farcry could. Consoles don't work for every game, just as PC's don't (can you imagine Katamari Damacy on the PC?).

Re:PC Version

[MrSquirrel]

A 750 mhz PIII? Please, I got an 850 mhz PIII machine for FREE (craigslist). How much did you pay for your Xbox? Try comparably priced machines and the results get much better (plus on a PC you have internet / media capabilities [not forced to buy Xbox remote to watch DVDs] / etc). Am I ripping on consoles? No, I love consoles -- I can't wait for the Wii to come out and I thought about the 360 (if I wasn't a poor college student). Spend thousands on a machine they're going to play games on? Please, try less than $600 --
$499.99 decent compy http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82 E16883102668
+ $89.99 decent graphics card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82 E16814131007
= less than 600 bucks (cheaper than a PS3)
Now tell me -- if you're a college student (I am), wouldn't it be smarter to buy a computer than can play games AND be productive (and it has a DVD burner so you can copy your roommates' movie collections)? Plus, when you get out of college and get a full-time job, having a PC you can upgrade (not like it's a bad PC: 64-bit AMD 3200 + ATI x850 = some good stuff) seems like a better idea than being stuck with a never-changing console.
That machine will play games with better peformance and graphics than the Xbox-360 (I have a 2.8 Ghz P4 Northwood and an ATI Radeon X700 -- a machine inferior to the one I priced up - it beats the 360).
Would I still buy a 360 if I wasn't on a tight budget? Of course! There are some very fun games for it (plus Halo 3 will be an exclusive) -- but I don't have the means to buy everything I want (otherwise I'd beat Japan to that moonbase).
For my money, PC gaming trumps console gaming.

Re:PC Version

[elrous0]

"Better" is in the eye of the beholder. Some would argue that the Xbox/360 are "better" simply because there is nothing that compares to Live on the PC. Others couldn't care less about Live, or online play at all.

Personally, I have BOTH a 360 and a kick-ass gaming PC. I play them for different reasons.

IMHO, where the console is REALLY lacking (and missing a great opportunity) is with MMORPG's. The talk feature built into Live would make guild battles and raids AWESOME (without the hassle of using a 3rd party app like Ventrilo or Teamspeak). If you could port over something like Guild Wars to the 360, you'd have an *incredible* game that would sell a lot more 360's.

The problem with consoles isn't that there is a problem aiming FPS's, it's that there are TOO DAMN MANY FPS's on the 360. Shooters and sports/racing games are pretty much all it has, outside of the superb Xbox Live Arcade. The console needs more VARIETY, not a mouse and keyboard.

-Eric

Re:PC Version

[beckerist]

Show me a $400 PC that can play Prey, and play it at the framerate and graphic quality my 360 can.
or Battlefield Modern Combat 2, or Halflife 2 even.

Or send me a free one, then I'll believe you!

Re:PC Version

[MrSquirrel]

Show me a $400 xbox that can type papers, do database work, burn DVD's, surf the internet, etc...

Re:PC Version

[MBraynard]

Why would I ever need to do anything like that at home?

I can do all of that for FREE on a free throw-away pc. Anything with a web browser + logmein.com other than burn DVDs (again- never need to do that because I don't steal media off the internets).

Oh no...

[faloi]

Our vision is to deliver a one-two punch of cinematic action paired with a thrilling and compelling interactive experience

Someone let the marketing guys talk to the design team again :(

Re:Oh no...

[gEvil (beta)]

Translation: 3 minutes of gameplay interspersed with 5 minute cutscenes.

Timed for PS3 release...

[SuperKendall]

No accident I am sure that the release is planned just days before the PS3 release... I'll bet they are working mighty hard to make sure that deadline is hit.

It does look like a cool game, hopefully it turns out as interesting as the trailers make it look. Microsoft could use another game that has the same following Halo does.

Re:Timed for PS3 release...

[Jediman1138]

And to that effect, think of all the fans that won't give this game the time of day, simply because they are loyal to Halo.

Personally I think this will be a great game, but I know several people who've already said it's just another Halo rip-off, based on what they've seen of it. Misunderstanding.

Re:Timed for PS3 release...

[Epyn]

You need to revoke their speaking right, is there something spectacularily innovative about Halo that makes it NOT a ripoff of decades of other fps games?

I hope it's good....

[The_Pariah]

I can't see an over-the-shoulder TPS game being the "Halo" game to stop people from buying a PS3. From the E3 video footage, the game seems to be an impressive, although unimaginitive duck & shoot game. kill.switch with a face lift and team play?

Re:I hope it's good....

[the computer guy nex]

This will just make more people buy a 360.

Sony will keep people from buying PS3's. They are doing a good job already.

Odd

[SuperKendall]

I did not realize Halo possibly had a negative game buying influence in that regard. Very odd...

I figure they also have to be shooting for Halo 3 to come out around the same time as well. I still think they'll use Halo 3 as a lever to try and get people to buy the HD-DVD perephial, perhaps with an extra disc of HD-DVD content related to Halo.

Re:Odd

[twistedsymphony]

...Except Halo 3 isn't coming out until 2007 (probably LATE 2007).

Overhyped. and still have no clue what this brings

[88NoSoup4U88]

Gears of War is imo way overhyped, and even then they didn't do a very good job at it, and didn't get the message across.

I always thought that it would be one of the first release titles available for the Xbox360 (or at least, that's how the marketing/interviews I've seen put it down), but it never quite made that.

Also, seriously: What does this FPS have to offer me, other than other games of the same genre? I've seen lots of footage, and alot of it just seems to be pre-scripted scenes (been there, done that), and once again mechanised-animals/cyborgs... *yawn*

Can anyone tell me what Gears of War has to offer, other than the Unreal3-engine in action?

yowza

[Anonymous Coward]

I playtested this game several times and while Im excited to see a full demonstration of the new unreal engine, I will say that GoW itself isnt anything spectacular. Basically it is a checkpoint grind ala halo, but with less story. You start out in some kind of prison whose population have gone amok and you have to fight your way to the evac point. Your enemies are interesting looking, but each one looks the same. Once again, it looks spectacular but if youve every played Unreal, Quake or Halo, the title will bore you quickly. The nonstop firefights can be broken up by your (necessary) use of scenery as cover but it rapidly becomes utilitarian and loses its wow factor. I encourage people to get the game and have a look but if story and drama are your thing, dont expect to be swept off your feet.

Re:Overhyped. and still have no clue what this bri

[jvalenzu]

The FPS genre isn't really renown for gameplay innovation. Superlative execution counts for a lot, as Halo has shown. This game looks to have polish in spades.

Re:Overhyped. and still have no clue what this bri

[jvalenzu]

s/FPS/Shooter/

You have to buy this game

[spezz]

Or CliffyB will eat a puppy

Funny title

[toofast]

I thought the game was called "Gears of War Ships".. I somehow managed to imagine a game based on a transmission gearbox.

Gears of Warships November 12th

[MountainLogic]

Great news! For sometime I've needed a replacement 2nd order reduction gear for my Ohio class battlesip. Too bad I have to wait until November 12th

Tycho's thoughts on Gears of War

[Quarem]

Tycho, of Penny-Arcade, wrote about Gears of War after he played it at E3. He came away quite impressed, and usually he's fairly spot on. The following quote was taken from this page. (Note: Mark Rein of Epic was quoted in a recent interview as saying all the E3 stuff, what Tycho experienced, was running on a single-threaded renderer, but the final version of the game is running on their multi-threaded, Gemini, renderer which makes things a lot smoother+prettier.)

Typically, the spectacle of the Electronic Entertainment Expo is such that each sequential event compresses the one before it, leaving me with three compacted days that begin inflating on the plane ride back and leave me a drooling wretch by Monday. This time is different; I have complete access to the entire week just as though I were lazily thumbing through a file drawer. For example, I knew the moment that I gripped the controller for Gears of War that I was in front of the game of the show. Nothing obscures that information. Gears is really at a "Halo" level of platform definition, and when your hands close around the gamepad on "emergence day," please remember I said so.

When we came out of the room where we had been playing it, a kind of illicit zone like an Opium Den, Kiko and I immediately began to discuss how profound the experience was. At the same time, Mike and Gabe (two separate people!) felt like it was pretty good, but bemoaned its rough framerate and constant tearing. It is our theory that perhaps some boxes were set to 1080i and some to 720p possibly creating performance disparities, because Keek and myself experienced no framerate abberations worth discussing. We did briefly experience a vision of a future where we spend every night playing Gears of War online, but I'm not sure that's connected to the vertical resolution.

If I had to say what defines it, I would say that "everything in the game world feels unrelentingly massive." This is a simulated environment that feels very confident, in that it is about huge armored men hiding behind sturdy cover while bursts of machinegun fire savage your solid fortifications. Everything you do is made to "feel" large, and when you throw yourself against a hunk of ruined automobile you are not left to wonder whether or not you are a bad ass. It is clear from the word "go." A kind of brutal platformer, Gears of War is about leaping from safety to safety, and everything reinforces it. It feels classic instantly. Indeed, you could call it Frogger Plus Firearms and not get it wrong.

Hi, I own an Xbox, Ps2 and 360

[Travoltus]

And I can tell you, the mouse and keyboard are a far more accurate way to move, point and shoot, than any console controller.

I say this after kicking tail in Halo, Halo 2, Perfect Dark: Zero, Area 51 and Doom 3 (all deathmatch) PLUS countless single player games. I've also played Oblivion, Kameo: Elements of Power, Fable, Beyond Good & Evil, Prince of Persia (all 3 new versions), and other 3rd player games, and once again, with Oblivion, PoP, Fable, and BG&E, the mouse/keyboard points me to my target a lot faster than a console controller.

Re:Hi, I own an Xbox, Ps2 and 360

[Travoltus]

Actually it's all about efficiency.

By your logic, the 31337 way to play would be the clunkiest, least accurate and most hobbling controller. Oh, wait........

November seems a pretty full month.

[justchris]

Nov. 17 - PS3 launches.
Nov. 12 - Gears of War ships.

The Wii launch likely won't be much more than a week before the 12th, if not the 12th. Not to mention Guitar Hero 2 ships in November, and FFXII ships Oct. 31. Shopping's going to be a real b*tch this holiday season.