Gears of War [Xbox 360] Announced

[Evil Avatar]

Gamesindustry.biz has posted the Press Release (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/press_release.php?aid=8883) announcing Epic's Xbox 360 title, Gears of War.

Blending the best of tactical action games with the best of survival horror titles, "Gears of War" is the first game developed by Epic Games exclusively for Microsoft Game Studios and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. "Gears of War" thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet.

In this third-person tactical shooter, gamers live and breathe the role of Marcus Fenix. A disgraced former war hero, Marcus seeks personal redemption as he leads his fire team against an onslaught of merciless warrior fiends. Gamers immerse themselves in an experience so intensely emotional and gut-wrenching that playing will be like controlling a blockbuster action movie.

"Gears of War" utilizes the breathtaking new Unreal Engine 3 to create cinematic, high-definition visuals for a gaming experience that truly ushers in the next generation. Gamers will experience beautifully rendered interactive environments and characters so lifelike they appear to be made of flesh and bone. The next-generation visuals create a world in which the tiniest detail is vivid in the largest battle.Like all the Unreal Engine 3 titles, the screenshots (http://www.tothegame.com/screenshot.asp?id=4305) are just amazing. Has Epic finally done it? Have they finally beaten id Software as the best shooter developer AND the best engine developer?

[Tyrant]

It looks even more impressive in motion:

http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=1650

[Vandenh]

Yeah VERY cool and probably the killer game for 360. I dunno about it being better than the Doom 3 engine... it is not because a lot of people didn't like the game that the tech is bad :) Doom 3 engine has some killer tech. I guess we can put Quake 4 against Gears on the 360 and see for ourselves end of the year :)
I am just very excited about Live and new 360 FPS games. Since XBox I have become an FPS addict (I stopped playing FPS games on my PC online because of the huge amount of cheaters).

[KamaItachi]

This seems to be the title to get hyped over when it comes to the 360, which is understandable as it looks gorgeous. I think this'll be the title to convince me to pick up a box at launch.

[raVen]

The Unreal 3 engine is most definately better than the Doom 3 engine, look at any of the tech videos to find out.

Am I right in saying that this is a console exclusive, and will be released on the PC as well?

[sTubbs]

Remember this, like all of the other 360 games shown so far [and throughout E3], is running on ALPHA HARDWARE that is approximately one third the power of the final console. In my opinion, it is by far the most impressive next generation title shown [obviously discounting all of the pre rendered rubbish that both Sony and Microsoft are guilty of]. If this is an indication of what a launch title can look like in the next generation, we are in for one hell of a ride.

[Philo]

The alpha kit is 2 processors out of 3, so it's 2/3 the power.

And anyway, when you see these games being played, they're being played on PC with equivalent specs to an X360. Don't wet your pants, this is about as good as it gets (which IS damn good.)

[Evil Avatar]

It looks even more impressive in motion:

http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=1650

Yea, I watched that one and the Killzone 2 trailer just now. To be honest, the Killzone 2 trailer is much better looking, it is more involved and has more in-depth looking gameplay where Gears of War seems to have better raw tech.

Of course, I'm biased, I'm a fan of Killzone. :)

[Meusli]

"Yea, I watched that one and the Killzone 2 trailer just now. To be honest, the Killzone 2 trailer is much better looking, it is more involved and has more in-depth looking gameplay"

The only problem there though is it wasn't showing gameplay footage.

[Borgboy]

The alpha kit is 2 processors out of 3, so it's 2/3 the power.

And anyway, when you see these games being played, they're being played on PC with equivalent specs to an X360. Don't wet your pants, this is about as good as it gets (which IS damn good.)

They are being played on Macs, not PCs. And they are not equivalent...They are running on approximately 1/3 the power of the final version. The number of processors is irrelevant, it's 1/3 the power. [Source: 360 Running at One-Third Power (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/615/615667p1.html)]

[Borys]

If this is an indication of what a launch title can look like in the next generation, we are in for one hell of a ride.

Too bad it isn't a launch title, eh sTubbs?

PD:0 was a launch title (postponed indefinitely) and it looked nowhere as good.

[eatme]

The alpha kit also has a Radeon 9800 Pro in it, instead of the real card. Supposedly beta kits just went out this weekend, and should be running some games at E3. We'll see, I guess.

Re Killzone, yeah, it's official: only Fight Night and the Epic engine demo were rendered real-time. Sorry guys, the rest are prerendered. Anyway, I'm sure they'll have plenty of impressive, actually real-time stuff once the PS3 gets closer to launch.


So: when do they cancel Perfect Dark 0 and just focus on games like this?

[Rirath]

I'm definitely impressed here. And hey, I like Doom 3 pretty well, even brought the expansion... but I really hope the Unreal 3 engine pwns. Epic deserves it.

[Morrolan]

Indeed, there is no contest between Unreal 3 and Doom 3, though Doom 3 is undoubtedly a very pretty game.

[Taco]

Has Epic made a game since Unreal Tournemant?

Edit: Not disputing the Engine comment though. Not only does Unreal 3 engine look better, but unlike the initial Unreal, they released versions for other companies to use over the last few years. Wasn't just some massive gap where they were developing it.

But who knows, I don't think the Doom3 engine has been pushed anywhere near its max, and lets see if Unreal performs as well.

[ElectricMonk]

shocker! preview of game looks better than 8-month old technology!

[Taco]

What the hell are you talking about, Quake4 + Quake Wars = 8 months old?

The only argument that could be made is that Quake is being targeted for the PC, and thus has been scaled down from max potential where Gears of War has not.

[Borys]

Shocker!

People are comparing one year old Doom 3 engine to an engine that isn't even completed yet!

[Liquidize105]

Realism is overrated.

I think I'm about ready to stop playing all games dealing with war and shooting.

There has to be more to it than this.

[Furious Wang]

PD0 was delayed? Oh Jesus...

[BlindSwordsman]

Gears does look amazing! We cant wait to play. :) I think Killzone demo was pre-rendered footage btw ;).

[kokyunage]

People are comparing one year old Doom 3 engine to an engine that isn't even completed yet!

Exactly! Doom3 engine will probably have at least 3 games out by the time Unreal3 comes out with its first game. *yawn* how about some real news? :p

[Evil Avatar]

Has Epic made a game since Unreal Tournemant?

Epic co-developed Unreal Championship, Unreal Tournament 2003, Unreal Tournament 2004 and Unreal Championship 2 and they are currently involved in the development of Unreal Tournament 2007 and Gears of War.

They have developed more titles in less time than id Software with better multiplayer technology and if the videos are true to form, with better rendering technology also.

Shadows aren't everything, after all.

[[HATE]MyLife]

Shadows aren't everything, after all.

That's right. In Doom 3, they're the only thing.

[Fonz]

Best Shooter developer and best engine developer isnt iD its vavle software, 300,000 hl,hl2,cs,cs:source players playing right now cant be wrong :-p