Newsflash:

Gears of War 2 Goes Gold

Published october 6, 2008

Microsoft and Epic Games, Inc. announced today that Gears of War® 2, the blockbuster action sequel to the five million unit selling original, has gone gold.

"After two years of pouring our heart and passion into Gears of War 2, the team is immensely happy with what we've created," said Epic Games Design Director Cliff Bleszinski. "This is Epic's best work yet, and we can't wait to see the response from fans and newcomers to the series alike."

Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad are ready for a new challenge.

Gears of War 2 tells the story of humanity's last stand against the nightmarish, underground Locust Horde, and is the follow-up to one of the most popular Xbox 360® games in history. Rated M for Mature by the ESRB and available exclusively on Xbox 360, Gears of War 2 has an MSRP of $59.99 for the Standard Edition and $69.99 for the Limited Edition.

With just 28 days until the worldwide launch November 7, take this chance to immerse yourself in the Gears universe with some of the following activities:

• Online experience: Visit the Last Day site to reveal events that transpired in the six months between the end of the original Gears of War and the start of the new game. Portions are unlocked over time through the discovery of physical COG tags hidden all around the world up through release date. Every tag tells a tale.
• Video documentary: This seven-part documentary series, updated weekly, goes behind-the-scenes with Epic Games as they describe the influences and ambition behind creating the blockbuster sequel.
• DC/Wildstorm comic: The ongoing comic book series, written by comic industry veteran and Gears of War 2 scriptwriter Joshua Ortega, began its six story arc this week. The first story arc bridges the gap between the original game and the sequel, and introduces a new gear, Jace Stratton! The first issue is now available.
•  Gears of War: Aspho Fields: Written by New York Times best-selling author Karen Traviss and published by Random House/Del Rey, Gears of War: Aspho Fields goes back to the pivotal battle of the Pendulum Wars, where Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago helped turn the tide for the Coalition. The book will be available October 28.
• Collectibles from NECA: The second series of seven-inch figures featuring the men of Delta Squad and new adversaries from the Locust Horde are available from NECA Club.

Gears of War 2 has gone gold and will ship November 7. For more information and news, visit the official site.