Gears of War Novel Trilogy Announced

[Evil Avatar]

From Developers Epic Games and Publisher Del Rey comes word of an upcoming science fiction book trilogy based on the Gears of War universe.

Epic Games, Inc. and Del Rey, an imprint of Ballantine Books at the Random House Publishing Group, announced today that Del Rey will publish three novels set in the gritty world of the bestselling and critically acclaimed Gears of War video game series. The first novel, GEARS OF WAR: THE BATTLE OF ASPHO FIELDS, written by #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Traviss, will go on sale October 28, 2008. The Gears of War 2 video game, the highly anticipated sequel to the genre-defining third-person shooter that won over 30 game of the year awards, will be released worldwide exclusively for the Xbox 360 on November 7, 2008.

In GEARS OF WAR: THE BATTLE OF ASPHO FIELDS, the last human stronghold on Sera braces itself for another onslaught from the Locust Horde, as ghosts come back to haunt Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago. For Marcus — decorated war hero, convicted traitor — the return of an old comrade threatens to dredge up an agonizing secret he's sworn to keep. As the beleaguered soldiers of the Coalition of Ordered Governments take a last stand to save humankind from extermination, the harrowing decisions made at Aspho Fields have to be relived and made again. Marcus and Dom can take anything the Locust Horde throws at them — but will their friendship survive the truth about Dom’s brother Carlos?

“After finishing the first Gears of War game, players were left wanting to know more about Delta Squad and the events leading up to Emergence Day,” said Epic Games’ president Michael Capps. “This trilogy of novels opens up whole new worlds of storytelling opportunities, and will add even more context to the upcoming comic book series, game sequel and motion picture. We loved Karen Traviss’ work on the Republic Commando series, and we can’t wait to get her Gears book to our fans.”

“Playing Gears of War is a kick-ass experience,” said Del Rey editor Keith Clayton, “And the Gears of War books should remain true to the spirit of the game. I’m happy to announce that the marriage of Karen Traviss and chainsaw bayonets is a match made in heaven—or hell, if you happen to be a Locust drone.”

For further information on the novel, GEARS OF WAR: THE BATTLE OF ASPHO FIELDS, visit www.delreybooks.com (http://www.delreybooks.com).

For information on Gears of War and Gears of War 2, visit www.gearsofwar.com. (http://www.gearsofwar.com.)

[Talon-]

I predict novels only rivaling the masterpieces that are the StarCraft novels in terms of pure quality...

[violentp]

Let's keep it civil folks. No jokes about the story depth of the game, enough to require multiple novels. Ok, maybe one:

And next the announcement will be the one we've been holding our breaths for the last 36 years: The Pong Quadrilogy.

[Disgustipated]

So when you forget to make an actual story you just release a trilogy of novels?

Novels consisting of "URGGH! WATCH MY BACK!!!!!! OVER THERE!!!! SHOOT THEM!!"

Edit: Sorry Violent.

[mister_slim]

Okay, Karen Traviss is writing the first one. Is there any chance Eric Nylund is writing one? As long as he keeps slumming in videogames I'll settle for crappy tie-in books if that's all the Nylund I can get.

[Deadend]

Will it be slash-fic?

[digitalErich]

GoW had a plot written by a narcoleptic goldfish with a head injury. Then somewhere, someone looked at that piece of poop they called writing and said "Yeah, that's good stuff, people want more of that."

[vallor]

I loved the plug about the upcoming comic book and so on. I like I've dealt that stereotypical used car sales men.

Oh well, I'm sure I've read worse. On the other hand two of the 4 halo books were pretty good, the Warcraft books were entertaining, the Mass Effect novel wasn't terrible, and I cut my teeth on the Dragonlance novels so I don't know why I feel like game world to book is something I should fear. It isn't like we have a deep library of lore or anything that these books can go and screw up.

I am going to make a prediction that Dom and Marcus stay the tightest of friends by the end of the book. All will be forgiven! You heard it here first!

[Hammer]

this should really expand on the deep story of the first gears of war :p

[Wyrm]

This is what happens when a game with a shitty story sells three million copies. The money train chugs along, and more merchandise that the vast majority of us could give a shit comes out.

Of course, I'll probably read them, because this sort of trash is aimed directly at my cerebral cortex. They know I'm too weak to resist.

I read the Starcraft books. The Diablo books. The Warcraft books. I read the Alpha Centauri books (which were actually fucking sweet), I read the Halo books (Nylund's were good). I read the Crimson Skies book, I read Mechwarrior books, and I read the Doom books. I read the fucking Doom books.

And I claim to care about stories in video games. I'm some kind of strange paradoxical hypocrite.

[SilentScreams]

The only videogame books I've ever read are the Hellgate London books. They weren't bad. Better than the game anyway.
I have zero desire to read an entire trilogy of books about a game that couldn't fit a single compelling piece of storytelling into an 8 hour (give or take) campaign.

Also, there's Alpha Centauri books?!
Amazon here I come.

[Morratut]

I will give these a try. Fingers crossed they create a nice backstory to the action.

[Hieremias]

As long as the book contains more homoerotic overtones than pro wrestling, it should remain pretty faithful to the game.

[Fenced]

I had zero interest until I saw Karen Traviss would be writing. Now I'm pretty sure the book will be solid.

[grognard66]

The first Mass Effect book was actually quite good (and some of the Halo novels), so it is possible to write a decent game tie in novel. While I agree that the story in GoW was laughable, they actually did a decent job creating a "back story" which a decent writer like Traviss can rely on as the basis for a fun, action sci-fi book.

[Deepsleeper]

If nothing else, she'll have plenty to work with. It's an entire universe uncontaminated by previous plot or characterization.

[Derella]

I didn't realize there were Alpha Centauri books -- I loved that setting.

[MrBibbz]

I look forward to these.

[Pugwash]

i'm glad by the responses here... i've always been slightly worried that i somehow missed the story in GOW.
At least now if i am that stupid i've got some good company :D

[Variable Gear]

The Pong Quadrilogy.
Make it a quintology and I'll be interested. As long as you can finish the set. Poor OI.

[violentp]

Make it a quintology and I'll be interested.

That would be the novel that tells you who really did it.