Thu, Feb 21, 2008 | 12:46 GMT

GDC: Gears of War 2 announced at Microsoft keynote

Gears of War 2 has been announced during Microsoft’s GDC keynote.

It’s set for a November 2008 release, said Cliffy B, and will, obviously, be exclusive to Xbox 360.

In addition, Epic bosses Tim Sweeney and Mike Capps made a lengthy demo of the constantly updated Unreal Engine, including “over 100″ Locust enemies running around a typical Gears of War environment. Advanced character lighting was shown , as were new water effects and soft-body physics.

“There’s much greater contrast in the shadows, much greater specular lighting,” said tech chief Sweeney. “Much more detail on the character overall.”

Destructible environments were also shown off, again in Gears of War environments.

The demo and announcement were made during the GDC keynote from Microsoft’s John Schappert, which has just finished.

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10 comments

DrDamn
20/02/08, 8:03 pm

Screenshots?

patlike
20/02/08, 8:05 pm

Nothing. From what I could gather, Cliff came out on stage, said, “Blah de blah” and the conference ended.

DrDamn
20/02/08, 8:13 pm

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/joystiq-live-from-the-microsoft-gdc-keynote/

patlike
20/02/08, 8:14 pm

Those shots are from the Unreal Engine demo bit. It says there was a video at the bottom there, though.

Shatner
20/02/08, 8:49 pm

Not the most unexpected revelation ever.

You have to hand it to Epic though. They alternate from being darlings of the 360 fanbase to darlings of the PS3 fanbase back to darlings of the 360 fanbase with perfect poise and grace.

Well played Epic, well played.

patlike
20/02/08, 8:54 pm

I can’t wait for Gears 2. I really can’t. I loved the first one.

Blerk
21/02/08, 8:47 am

Super news for the Gears fans. Of which I am not a member.