Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 beta attracted 1.29 million testers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/gears-of-war-3-beta-attracted-1-29-million-testers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/gears-of-war-3-beta-attracted-1-29-million-testers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/gears-of-war-3-beta-attracted-1-29-million-testers/#comments The cogs did their part, as 1.29 million fans enlisted in the recent Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta and pre-ordered the game in hordes. In all, Epic gathered 249 years worth of match-time data from players spanning 145 countries during the four-week public testing phase, which wrapped up this past Sunday. And it was all up and running, for the first time, on dedicated servers. (Oorah!)

While neither Microsoft nor Epic specified how many beta testers got in early through their "Epic Edition" copies of Bulletstorm, the pair was quite pleased to announce that Gears of War 3 has surpassed one million pre-orders (the other ticket into the beta) -- and we're still four months away from the game's September 20 launch. That's got to be some kind of record, right?

Uh-huh. Gears 3 now holds the distinguished honor of being "the fastest pre-ordered Xbox exclusive title to reach this milestone in the history of the platform." (*Golf clap*)

Pore over some more beta stats after the break.

Continue reading Gears of War 3 beta attracted 1.29 million testers

JoystiqGears of War 3 beta attracted 1.29 million testers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 May 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaepicepic-gamesgears-of-war-3microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiospre-orderstatsxboxxbox-liveWed, 18 May 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Share Gears of War 3 beta invites beginning May 8]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/share-gears-of-war-3-beta-invites-beginning-may-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/share-gears-of-war-3-beta-invites-beginning-may-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/share-gears-of-war-3-beta-invites-beginning-may-8/#comments The "Never Fight Alone" phase of the Gears of War 3 beta will begin May 8, allowing players to invite friends into the foray. Participants in the beta will earn "buddy tokens" by finishing challenges or completing tasks ... like giving Microsoft more money.

Every person who has played a game in the Gears beta will receive a buddy token. Additional ways to obtain a token are by purchasing any Gears content off the Xbox Live Marketplace or by adding a 12-month Xbox Live Gold subscription to your account. Tokens can also be earned by having played 20 hours or more of the Gears 3 beta -- time already spent does count -- and by playing more than 100 hours of "any Gears of War title, lifetime to date."

Players have until May 4 (this Wednesday!) to complete the tasks and earn up to five tokens. Participants don't need to take any addition action for their tokens, and the alpha-numeric codes will be distributed by email starting May 8 (so make sure your account details are up to date). This will give players a week to team up with their buddies for some Gears 3 action before the beta ends on May 15.

JoystiqShare Gears of War 3 beta invites beginning May 8 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 May 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaEpicEpic-GamesGears-of-War-3gears-of-war-3-betamicrosoftxboxxbox-liveMon, 02 May 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Full Gears of War 3 beta launches today, more content next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/full-gears-of-war-3-beta-launches-today-more-content-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/full-gears-of-war-3-beta-launches-today-more-content-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/full-gears-of-war-3-beta-launches-today-more-content-next-week/#comments If you're just joining the Gears of War 3 beta today, then you're not that big of a fan, are you? Sure, it means you've pre-ordered the game from GameStop (or another participating retailer outside of the US) and secured your ticket to the beta, but true Gearsheads have been playing through their copies of Bulletstorm for a full seven days now. What's your excuse?

Your half-assed engagement means that you're already way behind in the race to unlock the most demanding rewards before the beta ends on May 15, including the "Thrashball Cole" character skin and the Gold-Plated Retro Lancer weapon skin (both pictured). And, of course, you've already excluded yourself from adding the Flaming Hammerburst to your permanent arsenal -- it was only available to beta players last week.

If you're saying to yourself, "I really don't care about the unlockables -- I just don't wanna get owned by all the 'cheaters' who have been playing the beta forever already." Well, for one, you're lying to yourself. But you can also check out some tips for preparing to enter the beta from senior gameplay designer Lee Perry over on Ars Technica. And you can relax a little, too. Bulletstorm early access players were limited to Team Deathmatch on two maps, so they're just as new to the King of the Hill mode and the Trenchtown and Old Town maps as you are.

Additionally, next Monday, May 2, Epic will reintroduce the Capture the Leader mode, rounding out the beta's full slate of three gametypes on four maps (not to mention, "special events and surprises" will occur "throughout the beta"). But if you wait until then, it's kind of like why bother?

Update: Corrected schedule of gametypes and maps availability.

Continue reading PSA: Full Gears of War 3 beta launches today, more content next week

JoystiqPSA: Full Gears of War 3 beta launches today, more content next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaepic-gamesgamestopgears-of-war-3microsoftxboxxbox-liveMon, 25 Apr 2011 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Gears of War 3 beta available now to Bulletstorm 'Epic Edition' owners]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/psa-gears-of-war-3-beta-available-now-to-bulletstorm-epic-edit/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/psa-gears-of-war-3-beta-available-now-to-bulletstorm-epic-edit/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/psa-gears-of-war-3-beta-available-now-to-bulletstorm-epic-edit/#comments Those jerks in the press (and those other jerks who won codes from us) aren't the only ones who get to enjoy the Gears of War 3 beta anymore. You too can be a jerk (and help fine-tune the multiplayer of a major game!) if you picked up the "Epic Edition" of Bulletstorm.

The beta is open to Bulletstorm buyers today, and will open even further, to those who pre-ordered Gears 3 at Gamestop, on April 25. It will run through May 15.

JoystiqPSA: Gears of War 3 beta available now to Bulletstorm 'Epic Edition' owners originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabulletstormepic-gamesGears-of-War-3microsoftpsaxboxMon, 18 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 beta: The rundown]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/gears-of-war-3-beta-the-rundown/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/gears-of-war-3-beta-the-rundown/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/gears-of-war-3-beta-the-rundown/#comments The Gears of War 3 beta officially kicks off next Monday, April 18, for Bulletstorm "Epic Edition" owners, followed by the April 25 entrance of those who pre-ordered the game from GameStop. As the first public taste of Gears 3, there's a lot of content for fans to digest -- and that's where this handy guide and video preview come in! So rev up the old Lancer and roll past the break to take it all in.

Gallery: Gears of War 3 (multiplayer maps)

Continue reading Gears of War 3 beta: The rundown

JoystiqGears of War 3 beta: The rundown originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaepic-gamesGears-of-War-3joyswagmicrosoftxboxxbox-liveFri, 15 Apr 2011 19:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live April schedule redux: Gears 3 beta, deals on Limbo, Shadow Complex and other MGS content]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/xbox-live-april-schedule-redux-gears-3-beta-deals-on-limbo-sh/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/xbox-live-april-schedule-redux-gears-3-beta-deals-on-limbo-sh/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/xbox-live-april-schedule-redux-gears-3-beta-deals-on-limbo-sh/#comments It's going to be a busy month on Xbox Live. Not only is the Gears of War 3 beta set to drop on April 25 for those who pre-ordered through GameStop (April 18 for those who snagged Bulletstorm), there's also a half-month full of XBLA games, Games on Demand titles and deals -- even some slashed prices on Microsoft Game Studios content, like the Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack and Alan Wake's The Writer DLC.

Let's get to it, shall we?

Gallery: Gears of War 3 (multiplayer maps)

Continue reading Xbox Live April schedule redux: Gears 3 beta, deals on Limbo, Shadow Complex and other MGS content

JoystiqXbox Live April schedule redux: Gears 3 beta, deals on Limbo, Shadow Complex and other MGS content originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betadlcepic-gamesgames-on-demandGears-of-War-3microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiosxblaxblmxboxxbox-livexbox-live-marketplaceTue, 12 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bleszinski: Gears 3 multiplayer has to be good, or 'the franchise is dead']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/bleszinski-gears-3-multiplayer-has-to-be-good-or-the-franchis/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/bleszinski-gears-3-multiplayer-has-to-be-good-or-the-franchis/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/bleszinski-gears-3-multiplayer-has-to-be-good-or-the-franchis/#comments Not only are we excited about the prospect of joining the Gears of War 3 beta next month because, you know, of all the dude-sawing -- we're also hopeful that the tests will prevent a rough start-up for the full game's multiplayer experience. In an interview with IGN, Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski acknowledged (the beta test-less) Gears of War 2's less-than-optimal online offerings at launch, saying the developer "can't afford to make that mistake twice."

The outspoken developer explained, "if we release Gears 3 and it has the same launch as Gears 2 online then the franchise is dead." He later added, "to be fair, over the course of the six title updates, we got Gears 2 in a very good position. And we need to take it to great. And that's what this will help do." We've got another suggestion for making the game "great" -- two chainsaws. One on your gun, and another one on your chainsaw.

Chainsawsaw.

JoystiqBleszinski: Gears 3 multiplayer has to be good, or 'the franchise is dead' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-testcliff-bleszinskiepic-gamesGears-of-War-3microsoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiospcxboxThu, 10 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 beta: Bulletstorm players in April 18, GameStop pre-orderers join April 25]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/gears-of-war-3-beta-bulletstorm-players-in-april-18-gamestop-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/gears-of-war-3-beta-bulletstorm-players-in-april-18-gamestop-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/gears-of-war-3-beta-bulletstorm-players-in-april-18-gamestop-p/#comments Nobody should have to wait for the chance to carve up their best friends with gas-powered chainsaw rifles -- luckily, interested parties can ensure their entry into the Gears of War 3 beta on April 25. All you have to do to grab a golden ticket is pre-order the Locust-massacring shooter at GameStop, and you'll be eligible to participate in the three-week beta testing process.

If you grabbed the Bulletstorm "Epic Edition," you'll be able to get your hands dirty one week earlier, starting April 18.

Participants in the beta will be able to unlock not only the Gold-Plated Retro Lancer, but a whole bevy of bonuses (listed after the jump). All that's left to do now is plan what kind of murders you're going to make first. Us? We're gonna shoot a guy, and then stomp on him, then stand him up, and then do something unspeakable to him with a grenade.

Continue reading Gears of War 3 beta: Bulletstorm players in April 18, GameStop pre-orderers join April 25

JoystiqGears of War 3 beta: Bulletstorm players in April 18, GameStop pre-orderers join April 25 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabulletstormepic-gamesgamestopGears-of-War-3microsoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiospre-orderxboxFri, 04 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 beta launching mid-April, will feature 4 maps]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/gears-of-war-3-beta-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/gears-of-war-3-beta-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/gears-of-war-3-beta-release-date/#comments Who wouldn't want to test that out? Microsoft today announced that the Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta will start in mid-April -- presumably for early-access Bulletstorm owners. The public tryout will feature three, "new" versus modes and four maps (to be decided by a community vote this month). No end date for the beta was given.

Voting for the beta maps opens today on the Gears of War Facebook page and ends Monday, February 28.

Gallery: Gears of War 3 (multiplayer maps)

JoystiqGears of War 3 beta launching mid-April, will feature 4 maps originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaGears-of-War-3microsoftmicrosoft-february-showcase-2011release-datexboxxbox-liveThu, 24 Feb 2011 15:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 gold Retro Lancer to be exclusive multiplayer beta unlock]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/gears-of-war-3-gold-lancer-beta-unlock/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/gears-of-war-3-gold-lancer-beta-unlock/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/gears-of-war-3-gold-lancer-beta-unlock/#comments Aside from the opportunity to test out Gears of War 3's multiplayer before its retail release, the forthcoming beta will feature at least one additional incentive for Gears heads to enter: an unlockable, gold-plated version of the Retro Lancer (modeled above by Cole Train). This new (old) rifle, with bayonet, made a cameo appearance in Gears 2 and will feature in the new game.

Epic hasn't decided exactly how the gold Retro Lancer will be unlocked in the beta for use in the retail version of Gears 3, but, during a press event this week, producer Rod Fergusson offered a rough idea of what it might take. "If you play -- right now, we're still fiddling with the numbers -- but right now we're talking like 90 matches," Fergusson said. "If you play 90 matches and get, say, 100 kills with [the Retro Lancer] weapon, [the gold version is] yours. There's no other place to get it." Fergusson also promised there would be additional unlockables in the beta, though he didn't go into specifics.

The Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta will launch in mid-April, when early access opens to owners of the limited-run, "Epic Edition" of Bulletstorm, available now.

JoystiqGears of War 3 gold Retro Lancer to be exclusive multiplayer beta unlock originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaepic-gamesGears-of-War-3gold-plated-retro-lancergold-retro-lancergolden-retro-lancermicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmultiplayer-betaxboxThu, 24 Feb 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Bulletstorm disc required for Gears of War 3 beta access]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/psa-dont-throw-away-that-bulletstorm-disc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/psa-dont-throw-away-that-bulletstorm-disc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/psa-dont-throw-away-that-bulletstorm-disc/#comments Tomorrow (or midnight tonight, depending on your level of enthusiasm), Bulletstorm will launch across the country. For a select group of Xbox 360 owners, this purchase will be partially driven by the desire to play Gears of War 3 early -- specifically, the Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta that's included with Bulletstorm's "Epic Edition."

Epic's Rod Fergusson warned Twitter users that a code alone wouldn't secure early entry in the multiplayer beta. Entering the code actually adds an option to Bulletstorm's main menu, which will grant access to the multiplayer beta when it becomes available. Just like Crackdown hosted the Halo 3 beta, the Bulletstorm disc is needed to play the Gears 3 beta.

While we're on the topic, Fergusson has also promised more news on the multiplayer beta will be available later this week. Keep your eyes on the 'Stiq for it.

JoystiqPSA: Bulletstorm disc required for Gears of War 3 beta access originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabulletstormeaepic-gamesGears-of-War-3gears-of-war-3-betamicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmultiplayer-betapeople-can-flyxboxMon, 21 Feb 2011 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Bulletstorm 'Epic Edition' includes Gears of War 3 beta early access]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/bulletstorm-epic-edition-includes-gears-of-war-3-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/bulletstorm-epic-edition-includes-gears-of-war-3-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/bulletstorm-epic-edition-includes-gears-of-war-3-beta/#commentsNot sure how you feel about the we-hope-it's-satire taste level in Epic's Bulletstorm? Allow us to help you make peace with the shooter: Buying the newly-announced "Epic Edition" for Xbox 360 will grant you early access to a Gears of War 3 beta. Yum yum beta juice. The beta is scheduled to begin sometime this year. Bulletstorm is still on for February 22.

The limited-run, 360-exclusive Epic Edition will retail for the same $60 price as the standard edition and includes in-game extras in addition to that all-important beta access -- like 25,000 bonus experience points, "visual upgrades" for your leash, new boots and armor, and the "Peace Maker Carbine."

JoystiqBulletstorm 'Epic Edition' includes Gears of War 3 beta early access originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaBulletstormepic-editionepic-gamesgears-of-war-3gears-of-war-3-betamicrosoftpeople-can-flyxboxFri, 17 Dec 2010 09:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 gains multiplayer beta in 2011 'featuring dedicated servers']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/gears-of-war-3-gains-multiplayer-beta-in-2011-featuring-dedicat/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/gears-of-war-3-gains-multiplayer-beta-in-2011-featuring-dedicat/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/gears-of-war-3-gains-multiplayer-beta-in-2011-featuring-dedicat/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Who said delays weren't good for something? In an effort to fill the intervening months between Gears of War 3's one-time April 2011 release and its new "holiday season" 2011 release, publisher Microsoft issued the following terse announcement: "We plan to host a public multiplayer beta for Gears of War 3 in 2011 featuring dedicated servers." With all that extra development time between release and the beta, Epic should be able to implement feedback from gamers into the final boxed product.

We don't have many other details regarding the beta, but we do have a preview of the game's multiplayer component, in which lead level designer Jim Brown told us that dedicated servers should level the playing field for gamers and help the dev circumvent the issues Gears of War 2 experienced at launch.

JoystiqGears of War 3 gains multiplayer beta in 2011 'featuring dedicated servers' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaEpic-GamesGears-of-War-3microsoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmultiplayerpublic-betaxboxThu, 07 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST