For a game so loaded with testosterone, it's refreshing to see Microsoft and Epic Games showing us the softer side of the Gears of War gang. The new ad spot for Gears of War 2 is a moody follow-up to the "Mad World" ad that coincided with the release of the original Gears. Dubbed "Last Day," the spot highlights the "last precious moments that Marcus Fenix and other members of the intrepid Delta Squad spend above ground as they prepare for the most important battle of their lives."
Predictable. And in more ways than one. According to Epic, Gears of War 2 won't be seeing a release in either Germany or Japan, thanks to the game's level of violence and gore. Seeing as the first one wasn't released in Germany, that's no surprise. But Japan?
It seems that most games with standout multiplayer components have that one killer match type you'll spend more time with than all the others combined. With Gears of War 2, that distinction goes to the Horde mode.
@lstormy10, I think it certainly is news. I wager that Gears 1 had some of the highest preorder numbers of any game this generation and possibly last generation (top 10 perhaps). I think Oznerol pointed out Gears 1 was second to only Halo 2 (confirmed here: According to Microsoft Game Studios Vice President Shane Kim, Gears of War preorder sales were second only to Halo 2 in the studio's history.)
The real significant thing about this news is how early Gears 2 surpassed Gears 1 Presales. It did it 24 days before the release of Gears 2.
Someone on VGC posted the following:"Putting some VGChartz numbers in, Gears 1 sold ~880k in NA/EU regions on the first week and Gears 2 will be be a simultaneous release on Nov 7 for NA/EU. I wouldnt be surprised if this number is doubled to ~1.5m to ~2m first week debut for Gears 2.
As a comparison to the most recent HD blockbuster, MGS4 did ~1.7m on its first week for all regions NA/EU/JP simulataneous release. I am quite sure Gears 2 can match or even exceed this first week level in NA/EU regions alone." ---- Personally, I guess I would predict Gears 2 to do about 1.3-1.85 in its 1st week sales.
@apujanata, Good point - but that's the way PR works.
Seriously, is this even news? The first one sold well. Most of those sells were not preorder situations. Isn't it common sense that the sequel gets more preorders than the first one since it is anticipated/hyped and the first one was well received?
@oznerol, It is interesting that Microsoft didn't divulge the percentage increase of GoW2 preorder compared to GoW preorder. There are also no mention about GoW2 pre-order compared to Halo 2 preorder or Halo 3 preorder.
Pre-sales for Epic's cover-heavy action sequel Gears of War 2 (360) have surpassed the total pre-sale orders for the original Gears of War, publisher Microsoft has announced.
7