Xbox 360 Gears of War 2 to launch in November

Microsoft reveals blockbuster lineup for 2008 that includes Gears of War 2, Fable 2, Ninja Gaiden II and Too Human; exclusive footage now available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Today at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2008 in San Francisco, Microsoft Corp. provided an exciting glimpse at what promises to be another landmark year for games and online entertainment on the Xbox 360 platform and officially announced the launch of Gears of War 2, exclusively for Xbox 360 this November.

Providing a dramatic close to Microsoft’s GDC keynote address, Epic Games Inc.’s lead designer Cliff Bleszinski announced that the epic saga of Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad continues exclusively on the Xbox 360 this November with Gears of War 2. This highly anticipated sequel to the 4.5 million-selling blockbuster Gears of War delves deeper into humanity’s struggle for survival against the nightmarish Locust Horde, and promises to take high-definition visuals to a whole new level.

“To our team the original game was just a tease, the appetizer to the Gears of War characters and new style of gameplay. We were so amped to get to the next chapter, and dig deeper into the universe of this franchise,” said Cliff Bleszinski, lead designer for Epic Games. “Gears of War 2 is an even bigger, better, and more badass experience than the first game, and we can’t wait to get it in the hands of eager gamers this November.”

In addition, acclaimed developer Peter Molyneux of Lionhead Studios took the stage to showcase exciting new multiplayer features for Fable 2, introducing dynamic cooperative play, a first to the franchise. Molyneux also announced that later this year, and before the launch of Fable 2, gamers can get a sneak peek at the game’s world when the Fable 2 pub games debut as a stand-alone download on Xbox LIVE Arcade. When Fable 2 launches, gamers will have the ability to transfer currency earned in the pub games directly to their character in Fable 2. This unique and first-of-its-kind experience, which can be found only on Xbox LIVE Arcade, will give the millions of Fable fans and gamers all around the globe the opportunity to jump into the Fable 2 world with money already in the bank.

Tomonobu Itagaki also revealed new Ninja Gaiden II game-sharing features, including Ninja Cinema, which is enabled solely through Xbox LIVE, providing exciting and innovative entertainment experiences for the more than 10 million Xbox LIVE members worldwide by enabling players to record and upload their best ninja moves to Xbox LIVE.

Microsoft also showcased the epic action game from renowned Canadian developer Silicon Knights, Too Human, at a media event before today’s keynote address. In Too Human, players are treated to a nonstop barrage of action powered by the seamless integration of melee and firearms combat, plus deep role-playing elements fuelled by breathtaking visuals enabled by the power of Xbox 360.

We believe that this year, the most anticipated games will be found exclusively on Xbox 360, including the next chapters of top franchises such as Gears of War, Fable and Ninja Gaiden, as well as new titles such as Too Human.

Xbox 360 enthusiasts everywhere can get VIP access to this year’s Game Developers Conference (GDC) from the comfort of their living room by allowing them to download breaking Xbox 360 news directly from the event to their TV. The free high-definition* content includes footage from the keynote address by John Schappert, Corporate Vice President LIVE, Software and Services for the Interactive Entertainment Business. Additionally, footage includes never-before-seen gameplay, demos, screenshots, game trailers and interviews from the GDC show floor. To download GDC content, go to Xbox LIVE Marketplace or visit www.xbox.com/LIVE.