
Microsoft has just sent word that Gears of War has officially gone gold, which means the game is ready to be pressed, boxed, and shipped. To mark this occasion, several Emergence Day activities have been announced. Set to begin at 12:01 a.m. on November 12th, the activities range from tournaments to gaming with Megadeth.
- A 24-Hour Leader board Tournament. The tournament winner receives a one of a kind "Gears of War" branded guitar as well as an automatic bye to the finals of a Global "Gears of War" Tournament planned for 2007.
- Hourly sweepstakes drawings and prize giveaways including the chance to win one of several Samsung HT-P29 Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound Systems
- An exclusive free "Gears of War" Gamer pic and theme only available on Emergence Day
- Game with Fame sessions with legendary heavy metal band and "Gears of War" fans Megadeth, the game's lead designer Cliff Bleszinski and other members of the Epic Games team
- Never before seen videos including a special Emergence Day transmission from Cliff Bleszinski
- An MTV "Gears of War: The Road to Launch" Sneak Preview
Full press release:
October 25, 2006
Emergence Day Events Revealed As "Gears of War" Goes Gold
Emergence Day looms closer as Microsoft celebrates upcoming launch of "Gears of War" with release of special sneak preview trailer available now on Xbox Live; announces full list of special events timed for day of launch
Microsoft Game Studios and Epic Games, Inc. today announced that "Gears of War" has gone gold. To celebrate the passing of the "gone gold" development milestone, a sneak preview of the TV and cinematic trailer is available now on Xbox Live.
Emerging onto store shelves acrosss the nation on Nov. 12, "Gears of War" is set to deliver exciting action and horrific battles that can only be created by a chainsaw bayonet this Holiday.
Xbox Live will celebrate Emergence Day with 24-hours of special events beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12. Xbox Live Gold members in North America will have a chance to participate in online tournaments, download videos, win prizes and participate in a variety of activities including:
· A 24-Hour Leader board Tournament. The tournament winner receives a one of a kind "Gears of War" branded guitar as well as an automatic bye to the finals of a Global "Gears of War" Tournament planned for 2007.
· Hourly sweepstakes drawings and prize giveaways including the chance to win one of several Samsung HT-P29 Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound Systems
· An exclusive free "Gears of War" Gamer pic and theme only available on Emergence Day
· Game with Fame sessions with legendary heavy metal band and "Gears of War" fans Megadeth, the game's lead designer Cliff Bleszinski and other members of the Epic Games team
· Never before seen videos including a special Emergence Day transmission from Cliff Bleszinski
· An MTV "Gears of War: The Road to Launch" Sneak Preview
Gamers should continue to check back to www.xbox.com for more details on these and other Emergence Day events.
From Epic Games, "Gears of War" thrusts gamers into humankind's epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet. This M-rated game blends the best of tactical action games with the best of survival horror titles. "Gears of War" features cinematic, beautifully rendered interactive environments with high-definition visuals. "Gears of War" will be widely available at retailers nationwide on Nov. 12 for $59.99. A Limited Collectors Edition will also be available that will include a an official "Destroyed Beauty" art-book and a bonus DVD featuring an inside look at the making of the game, all enclosed in a highly collectible metal tin box for $69.99.
About Epic Games
Epic Games Inc., based in Raleigh, NC and established in 1991, is a developer of cutting-edge computer and video games. The company is best known as the creator of hit PC 3D action games Unreal and Unreal Tournament, both award-winning blockbuster hits having each sold more than one million copies. Epic is also responsible for the Unreal Engine, which is the underlying technology for a wide range of games including, 2002 Console Game of the Year winner, "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell ™" by Ubi Soft; PC Gamer's 2000 Game of the Year, "Deus Ex" from Ion Storm/Eidos; "America's Army: Special Forces," by the United States Army, and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (PC) by Electronic Arts. Additional information can be obtained through Epic's Web site at http://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 the upcoming "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®."

