Gears of War 2 - The definitive summer blockbuster smashes onto New Zealand shores on Nov 7
Rivalling the media spectacle and fan anticipation of a blockbuster movie’s opening weekend, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system is set to launch its exclusive title, “Gears of War 2,” this Friday, Nov. 7. Many fans and critics around the world are predicting that “Gears of War 2,” available only on Xbox 360, will be the biggest gaming blockbuster of summer 2008.
“Each summer season in this current console generation, Xbox 360 has led the industry with the best line-up of blockbuster video games, and we are poised to lead the charge again in 2008 with ‘Gears of War 2,’” said Phil Spencer, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios. “Holding the title of fastest-selling video game of 2006, ‘Gears of War’ has sold more than five million units to date, and this next chapter in the franchise will raise the bar yet again.”
Under the creative leadership of Cliff Bleszinski, the team at Epic Games Inc. has pushed the franchise into bold new territory, greatly expanding upon the game’s themes of hope, survival and loss. In “Gears of War 2,” the last cities on Sera are sinking, swallowed by a new Locust threat from below. As Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad pursue the Locust, the mission turns deeply personal for Dominic Santiago as he uncovers clues in the search for his missing wife, Maria.
“Epic’s goal was to create an emotionally engaging experience that will not only satisfy core gamers, but also attract new players who want to experience something akin to watching a heart-pounding movie that draws you in and doesn’t let you go until the very end,” said Bleszinski, design director at Epic Games. “With ‘Gears of War 2,’ we’re taking storytelling in the Gears universe to places it’s never been before, and we hope it’ll deeply connect with everyone playing the game alone or with friends.”
“Gears of War 2” is available as a Standard Edition with a recommended retail price (RRP*) of $99.95, as well as a Limited Edition with an RRP* of $119.95. The Limited Edition is packaged in a collectible SteelBook DVD case and includes a 48-page hardbound book titled “Beneath the Surface: An Inside Look at ‘Gears of War 2,’” which is filled with character profiles and exclusive concept art. The Limited Edition also includes a bonus DVD containing the making-of documentary, a keepsake photo of Dominic and Maria Santiago, and a coveted Xbox LIVE token to unlock a gold-plated Lancer for online play.
In addition, all copies of the game come with an Xbox LIVE token to download the Flashback Map Pack as a bonus. The Flashback Map Pack will be available immediately at launch and consists of five popular maps from the original “Gears of War,” including Canals, Gridlock, Mansion, Subway and Tyro Station. Each map has been specially updated with new graphics for “Gears of War 2.”
“Gears of War 2” is leading a blockbuster line-up of the best and broadest games that the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system has to offer this holiday season. Whether you are a fan of music, movies, sports, action-adventure, role-playing or games that the entire family can enjoy, Xbox 360 has the highly anticipated games and exclusive content including highly anticipated music games such as “Lips,” “Rock Band 2,” “Guitar Hero World Tour” and “DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE3”; movie-themed titles “You’re in the Movies” and “Scene It? Box Office Smash”; sports titles such as “Fifa 09”; games for the family such as “Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts”; and role-playing games such as “Fable II” and “Fallout 3.”
Additional press materials as well as art and video assets are available at http://gearsofwar.xbox.com/presskit.htm.
About Epic Games
Epic Games, Inc., based in Cary, NC and established in 1991, develops cutting-edge games and cross-platform game engine technology. The company has created multiple million-selling, award-winning titles in its Unreal series, most recently shipping “Unreal Tournament 3” for PC, PLAYSTATION®3 and Xbox 360. Epic’s breakthrough game, “Gears of War,” sold five million copies and won over 30 Game of the Year awards. The highly anticipated sequel, “Gears of War 2,” releases November 7, 2008. Epic’s Unreal Engine 3 is the current holder and three-time consecutive winner of Game Developer magazine’s Best Engine Front Line Award. Additional information about Epic can be obtained through the Epic Games Web site at www.epicgames.com.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games ), including such franchises as “Age of Empires,” “Flight Simulator” and “Zoo Tycoon”; Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com ), including such games as “Gears of War” and franchises such as “Halo,” “Fable,” “Project Gotham Racing” and “Forza Motorsport”; and MSN Games (http://www.games.msn.com ), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as “Bejeweled” and “Hexic.”
About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is a premier video game and entertainment system. It is home to the best and broadest games. The digital center of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content, including personal pictures and music, with a unified online social network to create an entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360 .