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{{Short description|2006 video game}}
{{dablink|This article is about the video game. For the song, see ].}}
{{Infobox CVG {{Infobox video game
|title = Gears of War | title = Gears of War
| image = Gears of war cover art.jpg
|image = ]
|developer = ] | developer = ]{{efn|Additional development by ]. Ported to Windows by ].}}
|publisher = ] | publisher = ]
|designer = ] | producer = ]
| designer = ]
|picture format = ], ] (])
| programmer = Ray Davis
|engine = ], ]
| artist = {{Unbulleted list|Jeremiah O'Flaherty|]}}
|released = {{vgrelease|North America|NA|], ]}}<br />{{vgrelease|Europe|EUR|], ]}}<br />{{vgrelease|Australia|AU|], ]}}<br />{{vgrelease|Japan|JPN|], ]}}
| writer = {{Unbulleted list|Susan O'Connor|]}}
|genre = ], ]
| composer = ]
|modes = ], ], ], and ]
| series = '']''
|ratings = ]: 18 anos<br />]: Mature (17+)<br />]: 18<br />]: 18+<br />]: Z
|platforms = ] | engine = ]
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|]|]}}
|media = ]
| released = '''Xbox 360'''{{Video game release|NA|November 7, 2006|EU|November 17, 2006|AU|November 23, 2006}}'''Windows'''{{Video game release|NA|November 6, 2007|EU|November 9, 2007|AU|November 15, 2007}}
|input = ]
| genre = ]
| modes = ], ]
}} }}
'''''Gears of War''''', sometimes referred to as '''''Gears''''', is a tactical ] ] developed by ] (the creators of the Unreal Tournament series) using ] technology and published by ]. Released for the ] on ] ] in select stores in the United States, it was broadly released in major U.S. retailers on ] ]. The game was released on ] ] in Europe outside of ], where ] did not publish the game after it was denied a rating.<ref>{{cite news|title=No ''Gears of War'' release for Germany|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=20475|publisher=]|date=]|accessdate=2006-10-19}}</ref> A limited collector's edition was also released, which included a disc of bonus content and an art book titled "Destroyed Beauty" that detailed much of the game's ].


'''''Gears of War''''' is a 2006 ] video game developed by ] and published by ]. It is the first installment of the ], and was initially released as an exclusive title for the ] in November 2006. A ] version, developed in conjunction with ], was released in November 2007. The game's main story, which can be played in single or co-operative play, focuses on a squad of troops who assist in completing a desperate, last-ditch attempt to end a war against a genocidal subterranean enemy, the Locust, and save the remaining human inhabitants of their planet Sera. The game's multiplayer mode allows up to eight players to control characters from one of the two factions in a variety of online game modes. Gameplay features players using ] and strategic fire in order to win battles.
Gears of War centers on the soldiers of ] as they fight to save the human inhabitants of the ] Sera from a relentless subterranean enemy known as ]. The player assumes the role of ], a former prisoner and war-hardened soldier. In cooperative play, the second player plays as Fenix's friend and fellow soldier ], or "Dom". The two soldiers join Delta Squad, and battle the Locust Horde through the course of the campaign.


The game was a commercial success, selling over three million copies within ten weeks of its launch. It became the fastest selling video game of 2006, the second-most played game over ] during 2007, and one of ]. The game received acclaim for its gameplay and detailed visuals, and is considered to be ], winning over 30 "Game of the Year" awards in 2006 and helped popularize the use of a ]. A remastered version, '']'', was developed primarily by ]. ''Ultimate Edition'' was released for the ] in August 2015, and for ] in March 2016.
==Story==
{{spoiler}}
''Gears of War'' takes place on a planet known as ''Sera'', inhabited by the human survivors of a once-glorious ]. For a ], however, they fought among themselves. Eventually they knew the hush of ] that blanketed the land.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty">"Destroyed Beauty - An Inside Look at Gears of War"</ref> That was until the discovery of Imulsion, a ], low-] ]. Discovered by an ], it was unusable until a woman named Dr. Helen Cooper created the ''Lightmass Process'', which enabled ] of cheap ].<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/> The ] soon collapsed due to its extremely low price and the elimination for the need of ] and ]. The few countries that had an overabundance of Imulsion under their feet soon found themselves at war with nations who were not as lucky, and so began the ''Pendulum Wars''.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/> During the 79-year ], the ''Coalition of Ordered Governments'', or ''COG'', became a legitimate minor political party. Founded long before the Pendulum Wars by fanatical ] Alexiy Desipich, the party operated according to an obscure world-government philosophy based on eight guiding principle values: Order, Diligence, Purity, Labor, Honor, Loyalty, Faith, and Humility.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/>
]]]
The Pendulum Wars ceased on what is now called ''Emergence Day''. In less than 24 hours, a ravenous ] known as the ''Locust'' burst from under the ground and attacked every major city on Sera. By the time human forces pulled together to form an effective defense, it was too late. The Locust Horde had already taken control of the majority of the world's ], ], and ] centers. Billions lay dead, approximately one quarter of Sera's population.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/> The COG took matters into their own hands and re-enacted the ''Fortification Act'', allowing ] to be placed on all remaining survivors from the initial invasion. All survivors were ordered to evacuate to the ''Jacinto Plateau'', a safe ] that the Locust Horde could not penetrate from the underground due to its thick ] ].<ref name="manual"/> Survivors who could not make it to the ] were given the following apology: "For those citizens who can't make it to Jacinto, the Coalition appreciates your sacrifice. Please forgive us, this is the only way."<ref>{{cite bweb|url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/gearsofwar/video_player.html?id=cnExxDSt5bgNvzTX|title=Gears of War COALITION concept trailer|work=]}}</ref> ] ] were used in a ] strategy to deny the Locust Horde survival on the surface, forcing them to stay in their underground warrens.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/> This war would continue for another fourteen years.
Somewhere around the tenth year, Jacinto was being fortified into an unassailable ]. Its once-magnificent cities, envied for their beauty, were soon converted into military defense platforms. The plateau's natural ] and utility systems were destroyed or flooded with ] to delay the Locust Horde's inevitable attack.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/> People who had made it to Jacinto Plateau, but were not in the army, were called the ''Stranded''. The Stranded are living in horrible conditions and ], and have to find ways to defend themselves. When the Locust began their attack on Jacinto, Marcus abandoned his post in a response to a ] from his father, a renowned ], at the ''East Barricade Academy'', but he was too late to save him. At his trial in the ''House of Sovereigns'', Marcus was charged with ], cowardice, and failure to obey orders. The COG found themselves running low on able-bodied soldiers, so they turned to untraditional sources of men: the infirm, the young, and the condemned.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/> Marcus Fenix was ]ed, and freed by his friend Dominic Santiago. Shortly afterwards, the Locust Horde overran his prison. The ''Gears of War'' campaign begins here.
] (left to right): Baird, Cole, Marcus, and Dom]]
===Characters===
{{main|List of Gears of War characters and adversaries}}
''Gears of War'' focuses primarily on the characters of Delta Squad and their encounters with the Locust Horde. Delta Squad's members fluctuate throughout the first act, consisting first of Min Young Kim, Carmine, Marcus Fenix and his best friend Dominic Santiago, but during the last four acts of the game, Delta Squad consists of the former ] Marcus, Dom, and the dynamic duo ] and ]. Players take control of Marcus Fenix, freshly rescued by Dominic Santiago (controlled by a second player in cooperative play) from the Jacinto Maximum Security Penitentiary. In multiplayer on the COG side, there are all the Delta Squad characters to choose from, plus Victor Hoffman.
Some of the characters received ] from ] icons. Marcus Fenix is voiced by ], best known as the voice of ] in '']'', and Augustus "Cole Train" Cole is voiced by ], who plays "Terrible" ], the "Pain Train", in the Office Linebacker commercials made for ]. The Cole character is clearly based on the mannerisms and catchphrases of the Tate character.


''Gears of War'''s success led to the development of ] including a sequel, '']''. In addition, it has also spawned ] for books and comics, and a ] based on the series is currently in development.
===Plot===
'''Act 1: Ashes''' - As the game opens 14 years after Emergence Day, former soldier Marcus Fenix is freed from the Jacinto Maximum Security Penitentiary by his close friend, Dominic Santiago, who needs Fenix's help in the fight against the Locusts. Both manage to escape the prison moments before it is destroyed by a Corpser, and then meet up with the other members of Delta Squad, Private Carmine and Lieutenant Kim, with orders to find Alpha Squad and secure possession of the "Resonator", a device intended to map out the Locust underground tunnel network for the Lightmass Bomb. En route to Alpha's last known location, Carmine is killed by a Locust sniper and Kim perishes at the hands of General RAAM. Dominic and Marcus are able to meet up with two privates from Alpha Squad, named Cole and Baird, at the House of Sovereigns. After defeating a Locust Berserker, the team confirms with headquarters that the Resonator is safe, and are then ordered to an Imulsion mining facility 10km from their position. Marcus is also granted the rank of sergeant due to completing his mission and the death of Lieutenant Kim.
'''Act 2: Nightfall''' - Dom suggests the fastest way to reach the mine would be to borrow an APC from a Stranded named Franklin, who owes Dom a favor from deals in the past. After reaching the camp, Franklin reluctantly agrees to give them his "Junker" on the condition that Cole and Baird remain at the Stranded camp to help them defend against the Locust. Marcus and Dom head across the ruined city as nightfall descends, bringing out the carnivorous bat-like creatures known as Kryll that attack anything in the dark. The two fight through the Locust forces to reach the gas station where the Junker is kept, and then drive it back to the camp, defending themselves from the Kryll with an ] light attached to the Junker, which can kill the Kryll. The two arrive just in time back at the Stranded camp to help defend it from a large Locust onslaught. Once the situation is secured, the team moves onwards towards the mining facility in the Junker.
'''Act 3: Belly of the Beast''' - Delta Squad reaches the outskirts of the mining facility just as the Junker ceases to function. They make their way on foot through the abandoned facility and into the Imulsion mine tunnels, heading towards a predetermined location where the effect of the Resonator should have maximum effect, all the while defending themselves against constant Locust onslaughts. The team eventually reach their target destination, and after securing the area, set off the Resonator device and narrowly escape back to the surface. Unfortunately, the team quickly learn from HQ that the data collected from the Resonator blast was much too limited to be of use for the Lightmass Bomb. However, a device found by Baird seems to already contain a near-complete map of the tunnel system, with the data linking back to Marcus' father and his home at the East Barricade Academy.
'''Act 4: The Long Road Home''' - Delta Squad ride a Raven helicopter to the East Barricade Academy, now ruined and heavily controlled by Locust, losing a helicopter to an attack by Nemacyst air spores in the sky. The team is dropped off just outside the Academy and are forced to fight their way through massive numbers of Locust to the mansion where Marcus' father lived. Cole and Baird discover another APC in need of repair at the back of the manor, and they rush off to repair it while Marcus and Dom search the manor for the data. After finding the hidden laboratory in the basement, they leave their cloaked robot Jack to download the data and defend the house against waves of Locust attackers. As Jack finishes downloading the tunnel maps, the two soldiers rush for the newly repaired APC behind the manor with a gargantuan reptilian-like Locust called a Brumak already charging towards them. The Squad and Jack reach the APC just as the Brumak smashes through the manor, escaping the pursuing monster.
'''Act 5: Desperation''' - The team now rush for the train station to get aboard the Tyro Pillar, an armored freight train carrying the Lightmass Bomb at its front. Locust attack them at the station and prevent Cole and Baird from jumping onto the train as it speeds past, leaving only Marcus and Dom to battle through to the front of the train as it travels across the wasteland towards the Locust stronghold. They unfortunately encounter General RAAM at the front of the train, guarding the Lightmass Bomb, but the two are able to defeat him. With a destroyed bridge quickly approaching as the train speeds ahead, Marcus uploads the tunnel data into the Lightmass Bomb and activates it, escaping the train by jumping into a nearby Raven helicopter, with the help of Dom and Cole. Dominic grabs Marcus seconds before the train falls off the tracks and into the Imulsion below. Struggling to hold on to Dominic's hands with only one of his, Hoffman comes over, and, to the team's surprise, offers his hand to help Marcus up. Marcus grabs his hand and is pulled onto the King Raven. The bombs from Lightmass launch into the Locust tunnels beneath, successfully eradicating most of an important Locust stronghold. Hoffman's voice later announces their victory to the rest of the world, but the haunting voice of what is assumed to be the Locust Queen clearly tells the player that the Locust have not been defeated, and will fight back, possibly foreshadowing the premise of a sequel to Gears of War.


==Multiplayer== ==Gameplay==
{{See also|Gears of War#Gameplay|l1=Gameplay in the Gears of War series}}
''Gears of War'' supports both ], regular multiplayer over Xbox Live and ]. There are two multiplayer modes in ''Gears of War'', Cooperative and Versus mode. Multiplayer also adds the "downed" state, which works similar to down comrades the player must help in the single-player missions. When a player has taken too much damage from enemy, their character becomes incapacitated instead of dying instantly. The player remains in this state until they bleed out and die, other players can revive their teammates (in the Execution versus mode or as leader in Assassination only), or are revived by another player. A player can only be revived twice, and on the 3rd down they are dead instantly. However, in cases where the damage is severe as to cause mutilation or disintegration of the body (including chainsaw attacks, short range shotgun blasts, boomshot hits, sniper headshots, or grenade explosions), the player is dead instantly.


''Gears of War'' is a ] that places emphasis on using ] to avoid taking damage while moving towards enemy forces. The game uses a number of weapons, but predominately featured is the ], which has a mounted ] ] that can deal melee damage at close range. Playable characters can carry two primary weapons, grenades, and a smaller, secondary weapon such as the Snub Pistol. Weapons are reloaded with a tap of the RB button, and a second tap within a given time (active reload) rewards the player with a damage bonus. However, failing to perform the "Active Reload" correctly will cause the gun to become momentarily jammed while the player's character fixes it. When the player takes damage, the "Crimson Omen", a red cog representing the player's health gauge, will fade into the screen, becoming more defined with larger amounts of damage. The player or bots can seek cover to recover their health, but if they take too much damage, they will become incapacitated. Once this occurs, a skull will fill the center void of the omen. The player or bots can then be revived by a teammate, executed by an enemy, or remain incapacitated until they "bleed out", dying from blood loss.
===Cooperative===
] in ''Gears of War'' multiplayer allows two players to play through the game from start to finish. The game offers the ability to invite players on the users’ friends list and have them instantly pop in (known as "Drop in, Drop out" gameplay) the player’s game to help them out. ''Gears of War'' chooses each player's character depending on certain factors. The first player or multiplayer game host plays as Marcus Fenix (the main character) while the second player as Dominic Santiago, Marcus' best friend.


The game features a five-act campaign that can be played alone or cooperatively with another player. The campaign focuses on COG Army soldiers ] and Dominic Santiago and their efforts in the Delta Squad to wipe out the Locust forces on their planet Sera. The player is joined by AI teammates that will help fight the Locust. Certain sections of the campaign feature two paths that can be taken as selected by the first player. If there is a second player, their character will automatically take the other. The campaign can be played at three difficulty settings in the first game. From easiest to hardest, these are "Casual", "Hardcore" and "Insane". The "Insane" difficulty is unlocked once the game is beaten on either the "Casual" or "Hardcore" difficulty.<ref name="Gears of War IGN Wiki">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/gears-of-war/Achievements|title=Gears of War Achievements|publisher=]|date=7 November 2006|access-date=2015-08-08|archive-date=2015-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829073618/http://www.ign.com/wikis/gears-of-war/Achievements|url-status=live}}</ref>
Cooperative Play differs from the single-player game in some ways. On the sections of levels that offer multiple paths, the first player chooses their own path and effectively sends the other player onto the other. Both players are separated and each tackle separate parts of the level. If either player is downed while on these split paths, both characters will begin from the previous checkpoint. While outside these paths the players may revive each other and use unique flanking maneuvers impossible with the AI.


Multiplayer ''Gears of War'' features up to four-on-four competitive gameplay, with teams representing the Gears or the Locust. Players must execute downed foes, otherwise these will revive after a time. In Assassination matches, the team's leader is the only one that can track the other team's leader and pick up new weapons, after which teammates can pick them up, with the goal to eliminate the foe's leader. An Xbox 360 patch added the "Annex" mode, which is similar to '']'', in which players must try to control a shifting control point for a certain amount of time to win.<ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Jonathan |date=2006-10-26 |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/741/741993p1.html |title=''Gears of War'' Map Quest |publisher=IGN |access-date=2006-10-28 |archive-date=2006-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107034922/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/741/741993p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The PC version of ''Gears'' introduced "King of the Hill", a mode not present in the Xbox 360 version, which uses a fixed control point but varies the conditions on which it is controlled.<ref name="ign gears pc interview">{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Onyett |title=Gears of War interview with Lead Designer Cliff Bleszinski and Producer Rod Fergusson |date=2007-07-26 |publisher=IGN |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/808/808367p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011044134/http://pc.ign.com/articles/808/808367p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=2007-08-09}}</ref>
===Versus Mode===
Multiplayer is team-based, supporting up to eight players (four COGs vs. four Locust) engaging in battles over ] or through ]. In versus mode, matches consist of several rounds between one and nineteen. Each player starts each round with the same standard set of weapons, but more powerful weaponry can be found across each map to be contested by the opposing teams. The team who has won the most rounds at the end of a match wins.
There are two types of versus modes, player matches and ranked matches.
*'''Player matches''' have no effect on the Gears of War leaderboard ranks, allows users to invite friends or use split-screen mode (either two ] or a Gamertag and a guest) and allows the host to swap the map's default weapons for those of their choice. By weapon swapping, what once might have been a sniper rifle could be a pair of grenades, thereby drastically changing the gameplay of the match and also allowing the option to turn on friendly fire. There are no achievement available for playing in Player matches.
*'''Ranked matches''' keep track of player statistics, give players a 'rank' on the ''Gears of War'' leaderboard, forbid invitations, can't be played in split-screen mode, and can be played to get ].


==Synopsis==
Three versus modes were available with the original game: Warzone, Assassination, and Execution. A fourth mode, Annex, was made available as the third patch of the game<ref>{{cite web | last = Miller | first = Jonathan | date = ] | url = http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/741/741993p1.html | title = ''Gears of War'' Map Quest | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2006-10-28 }}</ref>
===Setting and characters===
{{See also|Gears of War#Plot|l1=Setting of the Gears of War series}}
''Gears of War'' takes place on the planet Sera. A liquid called Imulsion became a highly valued power source after a scientist discovered how to use it, and the economic shockwave led to several wars between nations. The Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) originally existed only as an obscure world-government philosophy, but it evolved into a legitimate, though minor, political party during the 79-year-long Pendulum Wars. The soldiers of the COG are called "Gears". After "Emergence Day" (E-Day), when the Locust began their attack on humanity, the COG were the ones who took the necessary steps to ensure the survival of human civilization, instituting martial law and taking charge of the effort against the Locust. Fourteen years later, the COG is the only human government left on Sera. One year after E-Day, after losing multiple military battles to the Locust, the COG launched a Pyrrhic tactical and strategic campaign using the satellite-based ] known as the "Hammer of Dawn" on human cities with extremely destructive results. The result gave the citizens of Sera three days to evacuate to the Jacinto Plateau, the only place Locust could not dig through, before going through with the attack.<ref name="Gears of War">{{cite video game|title=Gears of War|developer=]|publisher=]|date=7 November 2006|platform=], ] (Microsoft Windows) |version=1.0.3340.131~1.5 }}</ref>


The game primarily focuses on ] (])<ref name="Gears of War 3 Voice Cast John DiMaggio">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/29/marcus-fenix-talks-gears-of-war-2|title=Marcus Fenix Talks Gears of War 2|publisher=]|date=28 February 2008|first=Patrick|last=Kolan|access-date=2015-08-08|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160206/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/29/marcus-fenix-talks-gears-of-war-2|url-status=live}}</ref> and his comrades in Delta Squad: Dominic "Dom" Santiago (Carlos Ferro),<ref name="Gears of War 3 Voice Cast Carlos Ferro">{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/the-healing-power-of-gears-of-war-3-212177.phtml|title=The healing power of Gears of War 3|publisher=]|date=24 September 2011|first=Fraser|last=Brown|access-date=2015-08-08|archive-date=2015-09-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906052922/http://www.destructoid.com/the-healing-power-of-gears-of-war-3-212177.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref> ] (]),<ref name="Gears of War 3 Voice Cast Lester Speight">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/cole-train-actor-says-he-ll-reprise-his-role-in-ne/1100-6420926/|title=Cole Train Actor Says He'll Reprise His Role in Next Gears of War|publisher=]|date=7 September 2014|first=Emanuel|last=Maiberg|access-date=2015-08-08|archive-date=2015-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901221917/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/cole-train-actor-says-he-ll-reprise-his-role-in-ne/1100-6420926/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ] (]).<ref name="Gears of War"/> Side characters, such as Colonel Victor Hoffman, Private Anthony Carmine, Lieutenant Minh Young Kim, Lieutenant Anya Stroud, and an elderly Stranded man known as Chaps, also aid Delta Squad throughout the narrative. The game's main antagonist is General RAAM, a powerful leader of the Locust Horde's armed forces.
*'''Warzone''' mostly follows the standard ] archetype, with each team trying to eliminate the other. When players are downed they can only get back up when an ally revives them. A "bleed-out" time can be set from 5 seconds to 60 seconds. This is the length of time the person will survive after being downed before they die of blood loss.
*'''Execution''' is very similar to Warzone, except that when an opponent is down, the opposing team must terminate the downed player up close. Should the opposing team fail to destroy the downed player during the allotted time, the player will be revived and will once again become a threat. The bleed-out time is applied here by altering the amount of time before a downed person rises again without any input from the player.
*'''Assassination''' requires that teams focus on killing the other team's designated leader while protecting their own. If a team's leader dies, that team loses the round. As of the most present patch, players die by rules of "Warzone", while leaders die by "Execution" rules. Prior versions before the third patch had both players and leaders dying by Warzone rules, and also required the leader to pick up a weapon before a fellow teammate could use it.
*'''Annex''' essentially a version of ], teams win by keeping control over key map locations, or objectives, long enough to collect a winning number of points. Every map has two to five identified objectives available for capture, with one objective active at a time. Objectives are based on map weapon-spawn locations and have a potential value of 60 points toward either team’s score. Teams collect those points by maintaining ownership of an objective until all its 60 points have been distributed; players do not have to stay at the point to retain ownership but only prevent the enemy from approaching the point. Every second that a team controls an objective, the team gets one point. When an objective falls to zero points, the next objective is selected at random.<ref name="ign-april07patch"></ref>. Players can be downed following "Warzone" bleed out rules, but unlike the other game play modes, players will respawn, with respawning occurring every 15 seconds, your time to respawn is dependent on your time of death.


Players take control of Fenix in the campaign; while in co-op mode, the second player controls Santiago. All four Delta squad members are available for play during multiplayer games, along with Carmine, Kim, and Hoffman, in addition to various Locust characters.<ref name="Gears of War" />
==Updates==
Epic Games has been working on new content for ''Gears of War'' since as early as August 2006. These updates will remain free according to Epic Games president ].<ref name="Surette">{{cite web | first = Tim | last = Surette | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-12-14 | title = Gears of War DLC to be free | publisher = ] | url = http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/gearsofwar/news.html?sid=6163240}}</ref> The first of these updates was released over Xbox Live on ] ],<ref name="GoW-Update1">{{cite web | title = Gears of War Patch to Roll Out Before Maps | publisher = ''Gears of War Fans'' | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-10 | url = http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/08/patch-to-roll-out-before-maps}}</ref> with two new maps released the following day on ] ]. The two maps reflected background scenes from the game's storyline, known as ''Raven Down'' and ''Old Bones'', which depict Gears fighting Locust amidst the crash site of a ''King Raven'' ] and a museum, respectively.<ref>{{cite web | title = Gears of War Free Maps | publisher = ''Gears of War Fans''| date = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-10 | url = http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/08/gears-of-war-maps-announced}}</ref> Another update was released for ''Gears of War'' on ] ],<ref>{{cite web | title = 2nd Patch Quietly Released | publisher = ''Gears of War Fans'' | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-22 | url = http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/22/2nd-patch-quietly-released/}}</ref> which, according to Epic Games' Marc Rein, is said to fix some compatibility issues with the release of ''Gears of War'' in Japan, and that no game play or functionality features were changed.<ref>{{cite web | title = Small Gears of War Compatibility Update | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-22 | url = http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?p=24770630#post24770630}}</ref>.


===Plot===
On April 9, Epic Games released the third update, containing a new game mode titled "Annex", which requires teams to capture and hold certain areas of each map, as well as additional gameplay tweaks and fixing up some glitches. The update was free of charge.
The game's plot begins 14 years after Emergence Day (E-Day), when the Locust Horde overran and killed many COG soldiers and civilians, declaring war against humanity.<ref name="Gears of War" /> Marcus Fenix, a former COG soldier, is reinstated into the military after spending four years in prison for deserting his military post in order to make a vain attempt to save his father, Adam Fenix. Dominic "Dom" Santiago, Marcus' best friend and fellow COG, successfully extracts Fenix from the prison, and takes him to meet Delta Squad.<ref name="gamespot gameguide">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6161208/index.html |title=Gamespot Game Guide: Gears of War |publisher=] |first=Matthew |last=Rorie |access-date=2009-01-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216070910/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6161208/index.html |archive-date=2008-12-16 }}</ref> The group seeks to obtain the "resonator", a device that will map "The Hollow", the caverns which the Locust inhabit<ref name="gamespot gameguide"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Torque Bow question to EPIC|author=]|publisher=Epic Games Forums|date=2006-08-08|access-date=2007-01-07|url=http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showpost.php?p=7826629&postcount=83|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928015130/http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showpost.php?p=7826629&postcount=83|archive-date=2007-09-28}}</ref> and later deploy the "Lightmass Bomb", which will destroy the heart of the Locust forces inside the Hollow. Fenix and his allies recover the device, but suffer multiple casualties in the process including Anthony Carmine and Squad leader Kim. Fleeing RAAM's forces, Fenix leads the remaining soldiers through the ruins of Ephyra to claim a "Junker" APC, drive to a mining facility, and finally into the planet's depths.<ref name="Gears of War"/><ref name="gamespot gameguide" />


Delta Squad successfully detonates the resonator, but the device fails to map enough of the tunnel network. They discover a larger map of the network that originates from Fenix's old home, specifically his father's laboratory.<ref name="gamespot gameguide" /> The group ventures to the Fenix estate at East Barricade Academy, where Fenix originally attempted to rescue his father. When they arrive, Delta encounters heavy Locust resistance. After collecting the data, the group fights their way past Locust forces and boards a train carrying the Lightmass Bomb. Fenix and Santiago battle their way through the train, and are able to kill ], before uploading the data. Fully activated, the Lightmass Bomb launches into the Hollow, and eradicates the Locust tunnel networks.<ref name="gamespot gameguide" /> In the game's final sequence, Hoffman delivers a victory speech as the tunnels collapse and explode, whereupon the voice of the ] promises that the Locust will continue to fight onward, despite their losses.
Epic Games has also said that 4 new maps will be made available in conjunction with the third patch. However, due to disagreements between Microsoft and Epic Games, Epic will "put these maps on sale at a reasonable price then make them free a few months later," according to Mark Rein of Epic Games.<ref></ref> The map pack, titled "Hidden Fronts", was released on Xbox Live Marketplace for 800 microsoft points ($10) on ], ], and includes the maps ''Bullet Marsh'', ''Garden'', ''Process'', and ''Subway''.<ref></ref> Free downloads of these maps will be made available on ], ], 4 months after the initial release.


==Film== ==Development==
===Design===
On ] ], it was announced that ] had purchased the rights to make the ''Gears of War'' film, with ] writing the script along with Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, who will be producing it. The film is scheduled to be released in the year 2009.<ref>{{cite web | title = New Line nabs "Gears of War" | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-03-21 | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117961472.html?categoryid=13&cs=1}}</ref> Producer Wyck Govrey said of the film adaptation, "I'm not a gamer, but what blew me away about Gears was how it captures the mythology of a war mission and how high the stakes are."<ref> It has been announced in the May 2007 issue of Game Informer that Cliff Bleszinski(lead designer of the game) will be the executive producer of the film.</ref>
The first concept for the game was conceived around the years 2000 and 2001 as ''Unreal Warfare'', which was much closer to the multiplayer-driven '']'' series than the game that would eventually become ''Gears of War''. The original concept for the game featured character classes and mechs, being played in a closed arena against other players or bots. The game was put on standby as Epic focused on the '']'' series, and when the team went back to it, the industry had shifted towards single-player games and the aim of the game was changed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=2014-08-20 |title=Gears of War Originally Conceived as a Battlefield-Style, Class-Based Shooter |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-of-war-originally-conceived-as-a-battlefield/1100-6421838/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823180815/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-of-war-originally-conceived-as-a-battlefield/1100-6421838/ |archive-date=2014-08-23 |access-date=2014-08-20 |publisher=Gamespot}}</ref>
] served as the lead designer on ''Gears of War.'']]
According to ], the game was at one point intended to be a horror game influenced by '']'', '']'' and '']''. A romance subplot was considered for the game but was eventually dropped.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/09/06/gears-of-war-39-s-rod-fergusson-on-the-franchise-39-s-past-and-his-optimism-for-the-future.aspx|title=Gears Of War's Rod Fergusson On the Franchise's Past And His Optimism For The Future|last=Hilliard|first=Kyle|date=6 September 2014|magazine=]|publisher=]|access-date=7 September 2014|archive-date=9 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909234045/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/09/06/gears-of-war-39-s-rod-fergusson-on-the-franchise-39-s-past-and-his-optimism-for-the-future.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> In an interview with ], lead developer for Epic Games, he cites three games that were the primary influences in the game's design, including the pacing and over-the-shoulder third-person perspective from ''Resident Evil 4'' and the ] from ''Kill Switch''; Bleszinski also cited '']''{{'}}s influence on the cover system, equating the actions of moving from cover to cover as similar to the action of swinging from platform to platform in the latter game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167213.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313122122/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167213.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-03-13 |first=Tor |last=Thorsen |title=GameSpot - GDC 07: Cliffy B disassembles Gears, mentions sequel |date=2007-03-10 |access-date=2007-07-05}}</ref> These design choices reflect themselves in the gameplay, as ''Gears of War'' focuses mainly on squad team-based and cover-dependent ] with limited weapons rather than brute force. Bleszinski also cited the influence of '']'', including its storytelling and world-building elements, acquiring and mastering of tools, and underground environments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-legacy-of-zelda/1100-6434921/|title=The Legacy of Zelda|access-date=2016-07-12|archive-date=2021-10-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024135923/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-legacy-of-zelda/1100-6434921/|url-status=live}}</ref> The game's title itself is a homage to '']'', an early formative influence on Bleszinski.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dualshocknexus.com/2012/09/hideo-kojimas-huge-influence-on-cliffy-b.html |title=DualShock Nexus: Hideo Kojima's Huge Influence on Cliffy B |access-date=2016-07-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815013520/http://www.dualshocknexus.com/2012/09/hideo-kojimas-huge-influence-on-cliffy-b.html |archive-date=2016-08-15 }}</ref> The total cost of development was ]10 million, according to Epic's Mark Rein, and 20 to 30 people were involved with the development at any time.<ref name="gwn costs">{{cite web |url=http://consoles.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/10481/Gears_of_War_Development_Costs_Around_10_Million.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305133441/http://consoles.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/10481/Gears_of_War_Development_Costs_Around_10_Million.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-03-05|title=Gears of War Development Costs "Around $10 Million" |date=2006-10-07 |access-date=2008-03-24 |publisher=Gameworld Network}}</ref> However, these figures do not include the proprietary ].<ref name="gwn costs" />


''Gears of War'' was first shown as an unnamed exclusive for the Xbox 360 in a behind-closed-doors presentation by Epic Games at the 2005 ].<ref name="Takahashi 2006 288">{{cite book |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2006 |title=The Xbox 360 Uncloaked: The Real Story Behind Microsoft's Next-Generation Video Game Console |publisher=SpiderWorks |page=288 |isbn=0-9777842-1-5}}</ref> The demo was presented as a technology showcase for Unreal Engine 3 that would run on the ] processor at the center of the new Xbox. It showcased a group of human soldiers patrolling a city at night that fell under ambush. The demo was noted for its overall realism, suspense, and visual clarity, helping to reinforce the argument advanced by Epic Games' founder ] for Microsoft to double the memory in the Xbox 360 from the planned 256 MB to 512 MB. This decision that would ultimately cost Microsoft tens of millions of dollars and restrict the number of Xbox 360 consoles available at launch, but allowed ''Gears of War'' and many other Xbox 360 games to run at 720p resolution.<ref name="Takahashi 2006 288"/><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news241006gears | title = Gears cost MS a billion dollars | first = Tom | last = Bramwell | date = October 24, 2006 | access-date = February 8, 2020 | work = ] | archive-date = November 7, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201107231707/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news241006gears | url-status = live }}</ref>
On ] ], ] released part of the script to the film from a source known as Gearhead.<ref>{{cite web | title = Latino Review leaks part of "Gears of War" script | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-03-29 | url = http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=1890}}</ref>

''Gears of War'' lead designer Cliff Bleszinski said he hoped for the game to expand into graphic novels and eventually film.<ref>{{cite web|first=John |last=Gaudiosi |date=2006-11-08 |access-date=2006-12-08 |title=GamePro Q&A: Cliffy B Talks Gears of War |publisher=] |url=http://gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=85688|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104233108/http://www.gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=85688|archive-date=2007-01-04}}</ref> On November 21, 2006, ] Corporate VP of Global Marketing and Interactive Entertainment Business Jeff Bell stated ''Gears of War'' is the first in a trilogy, through sequences on E-Day and the battle of Jacinto Plateau, as well as information on Adam Fenix and his research.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.younewb.com/index.php/2006/11/21/gears-of-war-is-going-to-be-a-trilogy/ |date=2006-11-21 |title=''Gears of war'' to be a trilogy |access-date=2006-11-21 |author=Nick of YouNewb.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224171357/http://www.younewb.com/index.php/2006/11/21/gears-of-war-is-going-to-be-a-trilogy/ |archive-date=February 24, 2007 }}</ref> Epic Games Vice President ] posted a message on the official ''Gears of War'' ]s, stating "It's not over until it is not fun anymore", and, in his view, ''Gears of War'' may become the next ] in terms of popularity.<ref>{{cite web |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |date=2006-11-24 |access-date=2006-11-26 |title=Gears of War, Not a Trilogy |publisher=Kotaku |url=http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/mark-rein/gears-of-war-not-a-trilogy-217088.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061128013736/http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/mark-rein/gears-of-war-not-a-trilogy-217088.php |archive-date=2006-11-28 }}</ref>

The ending to ''Gears of War'' heavily suggested a sequel, and at the 2007 ], Bleszinkski confirmed that Epic Games did "intend to do a sequel" to ''Gears of War''.<ref name="GDC07">{{cite web |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |title=GDC 07: Cliffy B disassembles Gears, mentions sequel |publisher=GameSpot |date=2007-03-10 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167213.html |access-date=2007-07-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624161208/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167213.html |archive-date=2007-06-24 }}</ref> The game's sequel, '']'' was officially confirmed on February 20, 2008,<ref name="Gears of War 2 coming in November">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/358724/gears-of-war-2-coming-in-november|title=Gears of War 2 coming in November|date=2008-02-20|access-date=2008-02-20|first=Michael|last=McWhertor|publisher=Kotaku|archive-date=2012-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502232449/http://kotaku.com/358724/gears-of-war-2-coming-in-november|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was released at midnight on November 7, 2008.<ref name="Gears of War 2 coming in November" /> On January 27, 2014 Microsoft announced that they have acquired all rights to the franchise from Epic Games and that ] had rejoined ] to lead development on future ''Gears of War'' games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-01-27-epic-sells-gears-of-war-to-microsoft|title=Epic sells Gears of War to Microsoft|last=Purchese|first=Robert|date=27 January 2014|work=]|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=27 January 2014|archive-date=30 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130122031/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-01-27-epic-sells-gears-of-war-to-microsoft|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Windows version===
News of the franchise's future has emerged multiple times since the game's release. '']'' accidentally released an image in its 2006 holiday issue where ''Gears of War'' can be seen in a ] display, which led to suspicion that ''Gears of War'' would be released for the PC;<ref>{{cite web|first=Hilary|last=Goldstein|date=2006-11-16|access-date=2006-11-26|title=''Gears of War'' on PC?|publisher=IGN|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/746/746486p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061120013151/http://pc.ign.com/articles/746/746486p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 20, 2006}}</ref> however, the image was later stated to be a mock-up. Possible leaked pictures were released on February 13, 2007, leading to more suspicion of ''Gears'' on the PC. In an interview with Xbox fan site ], Mark Rein stated that the game would eventually come to the PC; Epic was not currently ready to release it on that format, but the upcoming release of '']'' was "helping (Epic) get optimization on the PC".<ref>{{cite web |date=2007-02-13 |access-date=2007-02-15 |title=Mark Rein Interview |publisher=Team Xbox |url=http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1893/Mark-Rein-Interview/p1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216005025/http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1893/Mark-Rein-Interview/p1 |archive-date=2007-02-16 }}</ref>

On July 11, 2007 at the ] conference, it was revealed that ''Gears of War'' would indeed be released for Windows.<ref name="ign pc hands on">{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/824/824946p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010075014/http://pc.ign.com/articles/824/824946p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 10, 2007 |title=Gears of War Hands On |date=2007-10-04 |access-date=2007-10-04 |first=Steve |last=Butts |publisher=IGN}}</ref><ref name="Gears on Windows">{{cite web |url=http://www.firingsquad.com/news/newsarticle.asp?searchid=16483 |title=E3 2007: Gears Of War (boring third person shooter) PC Impressions |date=2007-07-12 |access-date=2007-07-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714142454/http://www.firingsquad.com/news/newsarticle.asp?searchid=16483 |archive-date=2007-07-14 }}</ref> New features include three new multi-player maps,<ref name="ign gears pc interview"/> an extension of five new single-player chapters to act five which describes events of Delta Squad escaping a giant Brumak between acts four and five<ref name="ign gears pc interview"/> (which Mark Rein claims is "about 20 percent extra" over the existing Xbox 360 content),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=80440|title=Rein clarifies ''Gears of War'' PC campaign length|publisher=Eurogamer|date=2007-07-27|last=Bramwell|first=Tom|access-date=2007-07-27|archive-date=2007-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031553/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=80440|url-status=dead}}</ref> new game modes, a ], and ] support integrated into Unreal Engine 3. When asked about bringing the additional content to the Xbox 360 version, Mark Rein of Epic Games stated that "it is unlikely we will bring that content to 360". He then states, "Unfortunately the version it's built on is not really compatible with the 360 and so it would involve a massive patch, a patch larger than all five we've done so far, to ''Gears of War'' to do that."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://360.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=10886 |title=E3 2007: ''Gears of War'' interview with Mark Rein & Cliff Blezinski |date=2007-07-13 |last=Almeda |first=Ray |access-date=2007-07-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715123413/http://360.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=10886 |archive-date=July 15, 2007 }}</ref> Additionally, the PC and Xbox 360 versions will not allow for cross-platform play; Cliff Bleszinski stated that "while this feature does add value, it just wasn't that desired nor worth the extra months of design and development time. We want ''Gears of War'' to be out this holiday on PC."<ref name="ign gears pc interview" /> This news angered many owners of ''Gears of War'' on the Xbox 360 due to the game no longer living up to its "Exclusively for the Xbox 360" title and not receiving the additional content.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/new-gow-pc-content-not-coming-to-the-360/|title=New GoW PC content not coming to the 360|publisher=Engadget|date=2007-07-13|access-date=2019-05-19|archive-date=2016-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228082153/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/new-gow-pc-content-not-coming-to-the-360/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mark Rein noted that despite their original label of the game as an Xbox 360 exclusive, Microsoft allowed them to develop the game as part of the Games for Windows moniker, as has been done previously with '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/8388/Gears-of-War-Is-It-Coming-to-Xbox-360-and-C/ |title=''Gears of deh war'': Is It Coming to Xbox 360 and PC? |publisher=Team Xbox |date=2005-05-26 |access-date=2007-07-27 }} {{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

A patch was released on November 28 to fix performance issues and also the Games for Windows – Live update issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gearsofwar.com/GearsPC/Gears+of+War+PC+Title+Update.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205192019/http://gearsofwar.com/GearsPC/Gears+of+War+PC+Title+Update.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-12-05|title=''Gears of War For Windows Title Update''|date=2007-11-28|access-date=2007-11-28}}</ref> The patch was only released for American and Western European versions of the game; legitimate purchasers of the Eastern European and Russian versions were informed that "the game would continue to function without the patch" and never issued a corresponding version.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pc.qj.net/Gears-of-War-updated-PC-patch-now-available/pg/49/aid/115099 |title=Gears of War updated PC patch now available |publisher=QJ.Net |date=March 4, 2008 |author=Enrico S. |access-date=2008-09-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914002706/http://pc.qj.net/Gears-of-War-updated-PC-patch-now-available/pg/49/aid/115099 |archive-date=September 14, 2008 }}</ref>

A ] version was confirmed by Mark Rein at the end of E3, on the '']'' television program on July 14, 2007, along with '']'', but no release time frame was specified. As of August 2014, nothing more has been mentioned.

In early 2009, an issue with a digital certificate, used to sign certain game-critical files as part of the anti-cheat mechanism, which expired on January 28, 2009, rendered the game unplayable without a temporary workaround of resetting the system clock to before the certificate expired. Initial information from sources led people to believe the issue was related to DRM within the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/01/pc-gears-of-war-drm-causes-title-to-shut-down-starting-today.ars|title=Gears of War DRM Screwup makes PC version unplayable|date=30 January 2009|access-date=14 June 2017|archive-date=16 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416044405/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/01/pc-gears-of-war-drm-causes-title-to-shut-down-starting-today.ars|url-status=live}}</ref> Epic later acknowledged the problem, claiming it was not in relation to a form of DRM but instead to a form of anti-cheat, and notified end users that they " working with Microsoft to get it resolved."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forums.epicgames.com/showpost.php?p=25987040&postcount=89 |title=Epic Games Workaround & Advisory relating to Anti-Cheat |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202064140/http://forums.epicgames.com/showpost.php?p=25987040&postcount=89 |archive-date=2009-02-02 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?p=25981126#post25981126 |title=Super Moderator Post Advising the matter is being investigated |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208011604/http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?p=25981126#post25981126 |archive-date=2009-02-08 }}</ref> This issue was corrected as of February 6, 2009 with a downloadable patch.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208231258/http://gearsofwar.xbox.com/pc/qfe1.htm |date=February 8, 2009 }}</ref>

===Music===
The music was composed by ] who has previously worked with Epic Games on the soundtracks for '']'' and '']''.<ref name="Composer Kevin Riepl IGN Interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/30/gears-of-war-composer-interview-2|title=Gears of War Composer interview|publisher=]|date=29 November 2006|first=Spence|last=D.|access-date=2014-08-16|archive-date=2014-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083430/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/30/gears-of-war-composer-interview-2|url-status=live}}</ref> Riepl began receiving early builds and cinematics about halfway through the development process, closely collaborating with the development team on the influence the music should have on the player and the story. The theme of 'Destroyed Beauty' that had inspired the game's visuals guided the music too, creating mood suited to a beautiful city in ruins and the emotional desperation of its inhabitants.<ref name="Composer Kevin Riepl IGN Interview" />

The score includes many mechanical percussive elements, altered samples of explosions, hits and impacts, and electric guitar stingers that punctuate the game's combat encounters. To complete the score these elements were combined with the organic sounds of a live orchestra. The orchestral score was orchestrated and conducted by Corey Status and performed by the ] orchestra.<ref name="Composer Kevin Riepl IGN Interview" /> The title track was written and performed by ] band ], with an instrumental version of the song being used for the soundtrack; a revised version with lyrics was featured on the band's 2007 album '']''. Megadeth performed the track live as headliners of ], a twenty-five stop metal tour sponsored by ] as part of the promotion for the game.<ref name="IGN Megadeth Gears of War">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/24/gears-of-war-release-slip|title=Gears of War Release Slip?|publisher=]|date=24 July 2006|first=Charles|last=Onyett|access-date=2015-08-08|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924151835/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/24/gears-of-war-release-slip|url-status=live}}</ref>

A soundtrack was released on July 31, 2007 by ].<ref name="AM">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/gears-of-war-original-game-soundtrack-r1113182|title= Gears of War |publisher=]|access-date=2012-04-09}}</ref>

==Marketing and release==
===Promotional videos===
Microsoft produced a thirty-minute documentary, titled ''Gears of War: The Race to E3'', that aired on MTV2 on May 19, 2006 to promote the game.<ref name="gearsofwartheracetoe3">{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywood.com/tv/gears-of-war-the-race-to-e3-59489999/|title=Gears of War: The Race to E3|publisher=]|access-date=2015-08-22|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924132351/http://www.hollywood.com/tv/gears-of-war-the-race-to-e3-59489999/|url-status=live}}</ref> The program was produced in a reality TV style and featured Cliff Bleszinski, Epic Games president ], and producer Rod Fergusson in the weeks leading up to the ''Gears of War'' gameplay reveal at the Xbox Media Briefing at ].
The program captures several stressful moments including Xbox executive ]'s desire to remove the chainsaw rifle from the E3 demo days before the show. The chainsaw remained and after the demo was given ] confided to Cliff "I love that chainsaw."<ref name="gearsofwartheracetoe3billgates">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/gears-of-war-11/|title=Gears of War|date=25 May 2006|publisher=]|access-date=2015-08-22|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924110757/http://www.gamesradar.com/gears-of-war-11/|url-status=live}}</ref>

]
The ''Gears of War'' television ad reveals Marcus Fenix alone in the ruined streets of Sera as he moves to avoid threats that appear throughout a dark and deserted city. The spot was widely praised and has been described as one of the most iconic game trailers of the 2000s.<ref name="madworldkotaku">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.co.uk/2015/08/17/microsoft-brings-back-mad-world-gears-war-ultimate|title=Microsoft Brings Back 'Mad World' for Gears of War Ultimate|author=Julian Benson|work=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker|date=August 17, 2015|access-date=August 22, 2015|archive-date=August 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820023325/http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2015/08/17/microsoft-brings-back-mad-world-gears-war-ultimate|url-status=live}}</ref> The spot, set to the ]' cover of "]" and directed by ], is melancholic and reflective in tone and was a significant departure for videogame advertising at the time, especially a fast-paced shooter game.<ref name="madworldkosinski">{{cite web|url=http://thefilmstage.com/features/watch-the-early-works-of-oblivion-director-joseph-kosinski/|title=Watch: The Early Works of 'Oblivion' Director Joseph Kosinski|author=TFS Staff|work=The Film Stage|date=April 17, 2013|access-date=August 22, 2015|archive-date=May 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513145450/http://thefilmstage.com/features/watch-the-early-works-of-oblivion-director-joseph-kosinski/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Kosinski, ] was slated to direct the ad but had to drop out from a scheduling conflict, leading to Kosinski being brought on to direct.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamesradar.com/fight-club-director-david-fincher-nearly-shot-gears-of-wars-mad-world-trailer-before-top-gun-mavericks-lead-took-over/ | title=Fight Club director David Fincher nearly shot Gears of War's iconic Mad World trailer before Top Gun: Maverick's lead took over | date=25 May 2022 | access-date=25 May 2022 | archive-date=25 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525180320/https://www.gamesradar.com/fight-club-director-david-fincher-nearly-shot-gears-of-wars-mad-world-trailer-before-top-gun-mavericks-lead-took-over/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Visual effects company ] created the visuals inside the ] game engine, the same engine that powered ''Gears of War'' on the Xbox 360. While the spot was pre-rendered, the production method gave consumers an accurate preview of the game's textures and subtle facial expressions.

The popularity of the commercial built a bigger audience for "Mad World" which would reach the #1 spot on iTunes five years after it was initially recorded.<ref name="Gary Jules Mad World Engadget">{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2006/11/27/mad-world-gears-ad-propels-song-to-1-on-itunes/|title=Mad World: Gears ad propels song to #1 on iTunes|publisher=]|date=24 July 2006|first=Ross|last=Miller|access-date=2015-08-08|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924011936/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/27/mad-world-gears-ad-propels-song-to-1-on-itunes/|url-status=live}}</ref> The melody remains heavily associated with the ''Gears of War'' franchise and was later adopted into the soundtrack of ''].'' Bleszinski said in 2015 that he chose the song as it was his "anthem" at the time to cope with the failure of his first marriage.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Skipper |first1=Ben |title=Cliff Bleszinski talks Gears of War development, Eminem, dudebros and Mad World |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/cliff-bleszinski-talks-gears-war-development-eminem-dudebros-mad-world-1516968 |website=International Business Times |date=25 August 2015 |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222112312/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/cliff-bleszinski-talks-gears-war-development-eminem-dudebros-mad-world-1516968 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Limited Collector's Edition===
At the game's release, Epic Games released a "Limited Collectors Edition". Some of the notable differences are a steel case instead of the regular plastic case and an extra disc which contains artworks of environments and stages including Locust that did not made it to the game, and extra content and behind-the-scenes footage of the making of ''Gears of War''. The disc also contains a time-lapse on the creation of the "Emergence" mural. The game's disc and case has a different cover and instead features the ''Omen'' background. Another of the Limited Collector's Edition extras is a book titled ''Destroyed Beauty'' which illustrates the game's back-story and includes concepts, sketches, and descriptions of the game's characters. The Limited Collector's Edition also includes the same instruction manual and 48-hour Xbox Live Gold trial as the regular game does.<ref name="collectorsedition">{{cite web|url=http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/1784/Gears-of-War-Limited-llectors-Edition-Review/p1/ |title=Review: Gears of War Limited Collectors Edition |publisher=] |access-date=2007-07-09 }} {{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
</ref>

===Downloadable content and updates===
Epic Games began working on ] for ''Gears of War'' in August 2006. The updates would remain free according to Epic Games president ].<ref name="Surette">{{cite web|first=Tim|last=Surette|date=2006-12-14|access-date=2006-12-14|title=Gears of War DLC to be free|publisher=]|url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/gearsofwar/news.html?sid=6163240|archive-date=2007-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160533/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/gearsofwar/news.html?sid=6163240|url-status=live}}</ref> The first of these updates was released over Xbox Live on January 9, 2007,<ref name="GoW-Update1">{{cite web |title=Gears of War Patch to Roll Out Before Maps |publisher=Gears of War Fans |date=2007-01-08 |access-date=2007-01-10 |url=http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/08/patch-to-roll-out-before-maps |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314215631/http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/08/patch-to-roll-out-before-maps |archive-date=2007-03-14 }}</ref> with two new maps released the following day on January 10, 2007. The two maps, "Raven Down" and "Old Bones", reflected background scenes from the game's storyline which depict Gears fighting Locust amidst the crash site of a ''King Raven'' ] and a museum.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gears of War Free Maps|publisher=Gears of War Fans|date=2007-01-08|access-date=2007-01-10|url=http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/08/gears-of-war-maps-announced|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213082232/http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/08/gears-of-war-maps-announced|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-02-13}}</ref> Another update was released for ''Gears of War'' on January 22, 2007,<ref>{{cite web|title=2nd Patch Quietly Released|publisher=Gears of War Fans|date=2007-01-22|access-date=2007-01-22|url=http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/22/2nd-patch-quietly-released/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314215637/http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/22/2nd-patch-quietly-released/|archive-date=2007-03-14}}</ref> which, according to Epic Games' Marc Rein, is said to fix some compatibility issues with the release of ''Gears of War'' in Japan, and that no game play or functionality features were changed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Small Gears of War Compatibility Update|publisher=Epic Games|date=2007-01-22|access-date=2007-01-22|url=http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?p=24770630#post24770630|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070321091011/http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?p=24770630#post24770630|archive-date=2007-03-21}}</ref>

On April 9, 2007, Epic Games released their third update, containing a new game mode titled "Annex", which requires teams to capture and hold certain areas of each map, as well as additional gameplay tweaks and fixing up some glitches, bugs and exploits. The update was free of charge.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/04/04/gears-of-war-annex-detailed | title=Gear of War Annex Detailed | work=] | publisher=] | first=Erik | last=Brudvig | date=2007-04-04 | access-date=2015-08-26}}</ref>

Epic Games initially said that four new maps would be released in conjunction with the third patch. However, due to disagreements between Microsoft and Epic Games, Epic decided instead to "put these maps on sale at a reasonable price then make them free a few months later," according to Mark Rein of Epic Games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showpost.php?p=24843914&postcount=12|title=Mark Reid forum post on April 8, 2007 on availability and pricing of new maps|access-date=2007-07-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827110115/http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showpost.php?p=24843914&postcount=12|archive-date=August 27, 2007}}</ref> The map pack, titled ''Hidden Fronts'', was released on Xbox Live Marketplace on May 3, 2007, and included the maps ''Bullet Marsh'', "Garden", "Process", and "Subway".<ref name="joystiq-4th-update">{{cite web|url=http://feeds.joystiq.com/~r/weblogsinc/joystiq/~3/113354105/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121130115925/http://feeds.joystiq.com/~r/weblogsinc/joystiq/~3/113354105/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-11-30|title=Joystiq - New Maps for Gears of War|access-date=2007-07-05}}</ref> Free downloads of these maps were made available on September 3, 2007, four months after their initial release.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/2007/09/03/gears-hidden-fronts-is-now-a-free-download/ | title=Gears Hidden Fronts is now a free download | work=] | publisher=] | first=Dustin | last=Burg | date=2007-09-03 | access-date=2015-08-26 | archive-date=2015-09-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924031053/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/03/gears-hidden-fronts-is-now-a-free-download/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

A fourth update on June 14, 2007 added 250 additional Achievement points (bringing the total possible achievement points to 1250), in eight Achievements related to Annex mode and the maps from ''Hidden Fronts''. Additionally, the update includes improvement of roadie run to keep the player from sticking to cover areas, and a patch to prevent the Annex clock from counting during connection errors. Other "housekeeping" issues were also addressed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gearsofwar.com/News/news_6-14-+title+update.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615163953/http://gearsofwar.com/News/news_6-14-+title+update.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-06-15|title=Gears of War - June 14 Title Update|access-date=2007-07-05}}</ref>

===''Ultimate Edition''===
{{main|Gears of War: Ultimate Edition}}
During a press conference at ], Microsoft announced a remaster of ''Gears of War'' entitled '']''. It brought about a number of improvements, including updates to the gameplay from later titles and enhanced graphics featuring remodeled characters, environmental assets and other stylistic changes.<ref name='win10'>{{cite web|title=Gears of War: Ultimate Edition for Windows 10 Available Now on Windows Store|date=March 2016|url=http://news.xbox.com/2016/03/01/gears-of-war-ultimate-edition-now-available-windows-10/|publisher=Xbox.com|access-date=20 April 2016|archive-date=29 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429180009/http://news.xbox.com/2016/03/01/gears-of-war-ultimate-edition-now-available-windows-10/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was subsequently released worldwide for the ] in North America and Asian-Pacific countries on August 25, 2015, and in Europe on August 28, and ] on March 1, 2016.


==Reception== ==Reception==
===Critical reception===
{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="float:right;margin:0 0 1em 1em;clear:right;font-size: 90%;text-align: left;"
{{Video game reviews
|-
| GR = (360) 94%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/928234.asp |title=GameRankings - ''Gears of War'' |access-date=2007-07-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314013826/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/928234.asp |archive-date=March 14, 2007 }}</ref><br>(PC) 87%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/942000.asp?q=gears%20of%20war |title=Gears of War (PC) |publisher=Game Rankings |access-date=2008-03-11 |archive-date=2009-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126023138/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/942000.asp?q=gears%20of%20war |url-status=live }}</ref>
! style="text-align: center; font-size: 110%; margin-left: inherit;" colspan="1" | Publication
| MC = (360) 94/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/gears-of-war/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=''Gears of War'' for Xbox 360 |publisher=] |access-date=2010-01-03 |archive-date=2019-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614084301/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/gears-of-war |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PC) 87/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/gears-of-war/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''Gears of War'' for Windows |publisher=] |access-date=2010-01-03 |archive-date=2019-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401064352/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/gears-of-war |url-status=live }}</ref>
! style="text-align: center; font-size: 110%; margin-left: inherit;" colspan="1" | Score
| 1UP = (360) A+<ref>{{cite web |last=Hsu |first=Dan |date=2006-11-06 |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3154958 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061126214859/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3154958 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-11-26 |title=1UP.com - Gears of War review| access-date=2008-03-12}}</ref><br>(PC) B−<ref name="1up pc review"/>
|-
| Allgame = (360) {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="allgamereview">{{cite web| url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=47510&tab=review| title = Gears of War - Review| author = Marriott, Scott Alan | publisher = ]| access-date =April 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114200102/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=47510&tab=review|archive-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>
| ]
| EuroG = (360) 8/10<ref name="eurogamer review"/><br />(PC) 9/10<ref name="eurogamer pc review">{{cite web| url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=87046| archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208231553/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=87046| url-status=dead| archive-date=December 8, 2012| title=Gears of War| publisher=Eurogamer| date=2007-11-07| access-date=2008-03-12| first=Tom| last=Bramwell}}</ref>
| 10/10<ref></ref>
| GamePro = (360) 4.75/5<ref>{{cite web| last=Sid| first=Vicious| date=2006-11-12| url=http://gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/85408.shtml| title=Review: Gears of War| publisher=]| access-date=2006-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207024644/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/85408.shtml|archive-date=2006-12-07}}</ref>
|-
| GI = (360) 9.5/10<ref>{{cite web| last=McNamara| first=Andy| date=2006-11-12| url=http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200612/R06.1107.1009.00464.htm| title=Review: Gears of War| publisher=]|access-date=2008-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619045840/http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200612/R06.1107.1009.00464.htm |archive-date=June 19, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| '']''
| GSpot = (360) 9.6/10<ref name="GameSpot Xbox 360 review" /><br>(PC) 9.0/10<ref name="gamespot pc review" />
| 9.5/10
| GSpy = (360) 5/5<ref>{{cite web| url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/gears-of-war/744635p1.html| title=Gears of War Review (360) - GameSpy| last=Williams| first=Bryn| date=2006-11-07| publisher=GameSpy| page=3| access-date=2008-07-10| archive-date=2021-01-25| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125043757/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/gears-of-war/744635p1.html| url-status=live}}</ref><br>(PC) 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web| url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/unreal-iii-working-title/833643p1.html| title=Gears of War Review (PC) -| last=Accardo| first=Sal| publisher=GameSpy| page=2| access-date=2008-07-10| archive-date=2016-03-04| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085215/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/unreal-iii-working-title/833643p1.html| url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| GT = (360) 9.1/10<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/14748.html| title=Gametrailers.com - Gears of War - Review| publisher=]| date=2006-11-07| access-date=2008-08-20| archive-date=2009-05-03| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503004251/http://www.gametrailers.com/player/14748.html| url-status=live}}</ref><br>(PC) 8.8/10<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/28228.html| title=Gametrailers.com - Gears of War - Review| publisher=]| date=2007-11-21| access-date=2008-08-20| archive-date=2009-04-14| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414134220/http://www.gametrailers.com/player/28228.html| url-status=live}}</ref>
| '']''
| GRadar = (360) 10/10<ref name="gowgr360rev">{{cite web| url=http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/gears-of-war/review/gears-of-war/a-20061107102052108052/g-2005122011355464042| title=Gears of War Review (360) - GamesRadar| last=Graziani| first=Gabe| publisher=GamesRadar| page=3| access-date=2008-07-10| archive-date=2011-06-15| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615200036/http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/gears-of-war/review/gears-of-war/a-20061107102052108052/g-2005122011355464042| url-status=live}}</ref>
| 4.75/5<ref>{{cite web | last = Sid | first = Vicious | date = ] | url = http://gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/85408.shtml | title = Review: Gears of War | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2006-12-09}}</ref>
| IGN = (360) 9.4/10<ref name="ign">{{cite web| last=Miller| first=Jonathan| date=2006-11-07| url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/744/744356p1.html| title=IGN reviews ''Gears of War''| publisher=IGN| access-date=2006-11-19| archive-date=2006-11-17| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117102716/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/744/744356p1.html| url-status=live}}</ref><br>(PC) 8.7/10<ref name="ign pc review"/>
|-
| OXM = (360) 10/10<ref name="gowoxm360rev">{{cite web| url=http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/a-f/gears-war| title=Gears of War Review (360) - Official Xbox Magazine| last=Amrich| first=Dan| date=November 5, 2006| publisher=Official Xbox Magazine| page=2| access-date=2008-07-10| archive-date=2011-08-21| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821054214/http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/a-f/gears-war| url-status=live}}</ref>
| ]
}}
| 94%<ref></ref>
|-
| ]
| 9.6/10<ref>{{cite web | last = Gerstmann | first = Jeff | date = ] | url = http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/gearsofwar/review.html | title = GameSpot reviews ''Gears of War'' | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2006-11-19 }}</ref>
|-
| ]
| 9.4/10<ref>{{cite web | last = Miller | first = Jonathan | date = ] | url = http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/744/744356p1.html | title = IGN reviews ''Gears of War'' | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2006-11-19 }}</ref>
|-
| ]
| 94%<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/gearsofwar | title = ''Gears of War'' Ratings | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2006-11-17 }}</ref>
|-
| '']''
| 10/11
|-
|}Leading up to the game's release, ''Gears of War'' was one of the most highly anticipated Xbox 360 games of 2006.<ref name=GamespyPreview/> The third person action game received a multitude of awards at E3 even before the game's release.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gearsofwar.com/community/ | title = Official ''Gears of War'' Community & Awards Page | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2006-11-17 }}</ref> According to ] Vice President Shane Kim, ''Gears of War'' preorder sales were second only to '']'' in the studio's history.<ref>{{cite web | first = Scott | last = Hillis | publisher = ] | url = http://today.reuters.com/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=ousiv&storyID=2006-11-02T231646Z_01_N02196645_RTRIDST_0_BUSINESSPRO-MEDIA-MICROSOFT-GEARS-DC.XML&pageNumber=0&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=BizArt-C1-ArticlePage2 | title = Microsoft says "Gears" demand running high | accessdate = 2007-01-27}}</ref> ''Gears of War'' was also the first Xbox or Xbox 360 game to sell out and reach the top ten charts in ]<ref>{{cite web | first = Emma | last = Boyes | publisher = ] | url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164717.html?sid=6164717&part=rss&subj=6164717 | title = Gears of War shoots into Japanese top 10 | accessdate = 2007-01-27 }}</ref>.


Upon its release, ''Gears of War'' received praise from critics, maintaining an average review score of 93.97% at ] and 94/100 at ]. It was the second highest rated game of 2006 on both sites.<ref>{{cite web|title=GameRankings|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=&year=2006|website=GameRankings|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=11 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111073230/http://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=&year=2006|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Best Video Games for 2006|url=http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/all?sort=desc&year_selected=2006|website=Metacritic|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=11 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111073231/http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/all?sort=desc&year_selected=2006|url-status=live}} Metacritic erroneously lists the 2007 version of '']'' as its highest rated game of the year, conflating it with its 2006 counterpart. This is also assuming that both iterations of '']'' are taken together as a single game.</ref> Most reviewers praised the game for its concept visuals, presentation and sound. ]'s review of the game called it "the most gorgeous looking game on the Xbox 360" and that "the sound design is worthy of awards."<ref name="ign" />
Upon its release, ''Gears of War'' received mostly positive reviews from critics, with an average score on ] and ] of 94% (ranked 4th game of 2006). <!-- insert some good review quotes here? -->


While the game received high praise, reviewers did point out that ''Gears of War'' did not offer anything significantly new in its core gameplay. Eurogamer's review of the game states: "let's not pretend that we're wallowing in the future of entertainment. What we have here is an extremely competent action game that's as polished and refined as it could be, and is therefore very enjoyable. But if Epic had applied the same widescreen scope and ambition to the gameplay as it did to the engine we'd be much more excited than we are."<ref name="eurogamer review">{{cite web| last=Reed| first=Kristan| date=2006-11-07| url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69696| title=Eurogamer review: ''Gears of War''| publisher=]| access-date=2008-02-16| archive-date=2008-12-01| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201193221/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69696| url-status=dead}}</ref> The game's story was noted for not being very deep, as ]'s review states "The lack of exposition feels like a missed opportunity to make the characters and the setting even more compelling."<ref name="GameSpot Xbox 360 review">{{cite web| last=Gerstmann| first=Jeff| date=2006-11-07| url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gears-of-war-review/1900-6161188/| title=GameSpot reviews ''Gears of War''| publisher=]| access-date=2006-11-19| archive-date=2019-07-01| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701094850/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gears-of-war-review/1900-6161188/| url-status=live}}</ref>
''Gears of War'' achieved major success after its release. On ], ], ''Gears of War'' became the most popular game on the ] service, overtaking '']'', which had held the spot since its launch in November 2004. <ref>{{cite web | title = Gears of War takes top spot in Xbox Live chart | publisher = GameIndustry.biz | date = 2006-11-20 | accessdate = 2006-11-20 | url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21222}}</ref>By ], ], just ten weeks after its debut, over three million units of the game have been sold.<ref name = GearsJuggernaut>{{cite web | title = Gears of War Juggernauts sells three million units| first = Microsoft Games Studio | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-19 | url = http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0119-gearsofwarjuggernautcontinues.htm}}</ref> It has been rumored that ''Gears of War'' has sold four million copies, only two months after selling three million copies.<ref name = Gearshitsfourmillion>{{cite web | title = Rumor: Gears of War sells four million units| first = Microsoft Games Studio | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-04-28 | url = http://kotaku.com/gaming/neogaf/rumor-gears-of-war-hit-4-million-244018.php}}</ref> Later, ''Gears of War'' was awarded the Gamefly Game Of The Year, along with Best Xbox 360 Game from Gamefly as well. ''Gears of War'' also won GameSpot's 2006 game of the year award and ''Official Xbox Magazine'''s 2006 "Xbox 360 Game of the Year Award." <ref>{{cite web | title = Gamespot's 2006 Game of the Year | publisher = gamespot.com | date = 2006 | accessdate = 2007-03-16 | url = http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/gameofyear/index.html?page=2}}</ref>


The PC release of the game received similar praise as the 360 version, with reviewers noting various differences between the two versions.'']'' commented that "The mouse and keyboard allow for more precise control, and the graphics have been improved as well;"<ref name="ign pc review">{{cite web| url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/833/833529p1.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110102903/http://pc.ign.com/articles/833/833529p1.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=November 10, 2007| title=Gears of War Review| publisher=IGN| first=Charles| last=Onyett| date=2007-11-07| access-date=2008-03-12}}</ref> however, 1UP stated that "the control scheme's a very central obstacle" to the game.<ref name="1up pc review">{{cite web| url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3164479| archive-url=https://archive.today/20121211040755/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3164479| url-status=dead| archive-date=2012-12-11| title=Gears of War| first=Jeff| last=Green| date=2007-11-19| access-date=2008-03-12| publisher=1UP}}</ref> GameSpot noted that the additional chapter felt out of place as "it changes things up a bit in ways that betray the difficulty progression of the game."<ref name="gamespot pc review">{{cite web| url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/gearsofwar/review.html?sid=6182319| title=Gears of War| first=Jeff| last=Gerstmann| date=2007-11-07| access-date=2008-03-12| publisher=]}}</ref> '']''{{'}}s Cam Shea commends the game for its "visual, solid gameplay, killer multiplayer and reload mechanics". However, he criticised it for "potential frustration, pointless squad commands and chainsaw mechanics".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Shea|first=Cam|date=January 2007|title=Gears of War|journal=]|publisher=]|issue=159|pages=52, 53|issn=1320-7458}}</ref>
''Gears of War'' has received numerous awards:


The Lancer weapon was later featured in an ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' article that discusses its practicality and historical precedents. Keirsey criticized this weapon by noting that in real life, "chainsaws are heavy." He noted that the closest historical precedents are "medieval bludgeoning weapons".<ref>Evan Samoon, "Gun Show: A real military expert takes aim at videogame weaponry to reveal the good, the bad, and the just plain silly," ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' 230 (July 2008): 48.</ref>
{| border="0"
| valign="top" |
*IGN's Best of 2006
**Xbox 360 Game of the Year<ref>http://bestof.ign.com/2006/xbox360/39.html</ref>
**Best Action Game<ref>http://bestof.ign.com/2006/overall/1.html</ref>
**Best Xbox 360 Action Game<ref>http://bestof.ign.com/2006/xbox360/1.html</ref>
**Best Graphics Technology<ref>http://bestof.ign.com/2006/overall/21.html</ref>
**Best Graphics Technology for Xbox 360<ref>http://bestof.ign.com/2006/xbox360/21.html</ref>
**Best Developer for Xbox 360 (Epic Games)<ref>http://bestof.ign.com/2006/xbox360/38.html</ref>
*]
**Best Multiplayer Game
**Best Shooter
**Best Graphics
**Best Studio (Epic Games)
*D.I.C.E 07
**Overall Game of the Year
**Console Game of the Year
**Outstanding Achievement in Animation
**Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction
**Outstanding Character Performance - Male
**Outstanding Achievement in Online Game Play
**Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering
**Action/Adventure Game of the Year
*] Awards<ref>{{cite web| title = 2007 Awards Winners | date = 26 February 2007 | url = http://www.ieaa.com.au/news/pdf/2007AwardsWinners_0.pdf | publisher = IEAA}}</ref>
**Samsung Xbox 360 Game of the Year
**Gamespot AU Editor's Choice Award
**GAME 1 Ultimate Game of the Year
| valign="top" |
*]
**Game of the Year
**Fyo's choice award
**Best Xbox 360 Game <ref>http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/platform/index.html?page=8</ref>
**Best Graphics, Technical <ref>http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/achievement/index.html?page=7</ref>
**Best New Character(s) (Delta Squad) <ref>http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/achievement/index.html?page=11</ref>
**Best Multiplayer Game <ref>http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/achievement/index.html?page=14</ref>
**Best Shooter <ref>http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/genre/index.html?page=3</ref>
*'']''
**Xbox 360 Game of the Year
**Developer of the Year ]
**Enemy of the Year ]
**Best Studio (Epic Games)
*]
**Game of the Year
**Animation
**Character Performance Male
**Original Music Composition
**Sound Design
**Console Game of the Year
**Console Action/Adventure
| valign="top" |
|}


===Sales===
==Future developments==
''Gears of War'' was a hit upon its release. On November 7, 2006—the day that it was released—it became the most popular game on the ] service, until the release of '']'', overtaking '']'' which had held the spot since its launch in November 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gears of War takes top spot in Xbox Live chart |publisher=GamesIndustry.biz |date=2006-11-20 |access-date=2006-11-20 |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21222 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070105225540/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21222 |archive-date=January 5, 2007 }}</ref> ''Gears'' was the second most-played game on the Xbox Live service throughout 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=31885 |title=CES 2008: Microsoft reveals Xbox Live stats |publisher=Games Industry |date=2008-01-07 |access-date=2008-03-09 |first=Matt |last=Martin |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209233704/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=31885 |archive-date=February 9, 2008 }}</ref> ''Gears of War'' sold one million copies in its first two weeks on sale making it the fastest-selling Xbox 360 game to date.<ref>{{cite web|first=David|last=Jenkins|publisher=Gamasutra|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/102764/Gears_Of_War_Breaks_Worldwide_Xbox_360_Records.php|title=Gears Of War Breaks Worldwide Xbox 360 Records|date=22 November 2006|access-date=2015-08-15|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130427/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/102764/Gears_Of_War_Breaks_Worldwide_Xbox_360_Records.php|url-status=live}}</ref> By January 19, 2007, just ten weeks after its debut, over three million units of the game had been sold.<ref name=GearsJuggernaut>{{cite web|title=Gears of War Juggernauts sells three million units|publisher=Xbox.com|date=2007-01-19|access-date=2007-01-19|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0119-arsofwarjuggernautcontinues.htm}} {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> It received a "Double Platinum" sales award from the ] (ELSPA),<ref name=dpelspa>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520070249/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3945 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3945 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Double Platinum |work=] |archive-date=May 20, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> indicating sales of at least 600,000 copies in the United Kingdom.<ref name=gamasutrasales>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |title=ELSPA: ''Wii Fit'', ''Mario Kart'' Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=November 26, 2008 |work=] |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As of November 7, 2008, the game has sold 5.88 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|author=Brett Gibbens|url=http://www.csc.ncsu.edu/corporate_relations/fi_lit/248|date=2008-10-02|title=The Fidelity Investments "Leadership in Technology" Executive Speakers Series Proudly Presents: Michael Capps, President: Epic Games|access-date=2008-10-02|archive-date=2008-09-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906192125/http://www.csc.ncsu.edu/corporate_relations/fi_lit/248|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Gears of War'' was also the first Xbox or Xbox 360 game to sell out and reach the top ten charts in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|first=Emma |last=Boyes |publisher=GameSpot |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164717.html |title=Gears of War shoots into Japanese top 10 |access-date=2007-01-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930095825/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164717.html |archive-date=2007-09-30 }}</ref>


===Awards===
News of the franchise's future has emerged multiple times since the game's release. '']'' accidentally released an image in its 2006 holiday issue where ''Gears of War'' can be seen in a ] display, which led to suspicion that ''Gears of War'' would be released for the PC;<ref>{{cite web | first = Hilary | last = Goldstein | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-11-26 | title = Gears of War on PC? | publisher = ] | url = http://pc.ign.com/articles/746/746486p1.html }}</ref> however, the image was later stated to be a mock-up.<ref>{{cite web | first = Dan | last = | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-12-12 | title = Gears of War for PC Rumour Shut Down | publisher = GameArena | url = http://www.gamearena.com.au/xbox360/news/read/3940530 }}</ref> Possible leaked pictures were released on ] ], leading to more suspicion of ''Gears'' on the PC. In an interview with Xbox fansite Team Xbox, Mark Rein stated that the game would eventually come to the PC; Epic was not currently ready to release it on that format, but the upcoming release of ] is "helping (Epic) get optimization on the PC."<ref>{{cite web | first = | last = | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-02-15 | title = Mark Rein Interview | publisher = Team Xbox | url = http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1893/Mark-Rein-Interview/p1/ }}</ref>.
Leading up to the game's release, ''Gears of War'' was one of the most anticipated games of 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://worthplaying.com/event/Misc_Events/Most_Anticipated_Games_of_2006/|title=Most Anticipated Games of 2006|author=Rainier|publisher=Worthplaying|date=2006-01-01|access-date=2011-07-24|archive-date=2012-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208023531/http://worthplaying.com/event/Misc_Events/Most_Anticipated_Games_of_2006/|url-status=live}}</ref> The game premiered during the ] ] show, and won, among others,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gearsofwar.com/Community/2005_E3_Awards.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060601082212/http://gearsofwar.com/Community/2005_E3_Awards.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-06-01|title=Gears of War - 2005 E3 Awards|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=2008-03-11}}</ref> several "Best 360 Game" awards, including from '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/619/619568p1.html|title=Xbox 360 Best of E3 2005 Awards|author=Douglass C. Perry and David Clayman|publisher=IGN|date=2005-05-27|access-date=2008-03-11|archive-date=2007-08-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831111351/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/619/619568p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3140792&did=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050718074936/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3140792&did=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-07-18|title=1UP's Best of E3|author=1UP Staff|publisher=1UP|access-date=2008-03-11}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/618/618469p1.html |title=The Annual E3 Awards: 2005 |publisher=Gamespy |date=2005-05-24 |access-date=2008-03-11 |author=Gamespy Staff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217000307/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/618/618469p1.html |archive-date=2008-02-17 }}</ref> The game continued to win several awards at following ] E3 show prior to the game's release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gearsofwar.com/community/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516151230/http://gearsofwar.com/community/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-05-16|title=Official ''Gears of War'' Community & Awards Page|publisher=Epic Games|access-date=2006-11-17}}</ref> These included the ] for "Best Console Game" and "Best Action Game",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2006winners.html|title=2006 Winners|publisher=Game Critics Awards|access-date=2008-03-11|archive-date=2018-10-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024054426/http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2006winners.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ]'s "Best 360 Action Game", "Best 360 Multiplayer Game", and "Best Overall Multiplayer Experience",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/709/709355p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060616084100/http://games.ign.com/articles/709/709355p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 16, 2006|title=IGN's Overall Best of E3 2006 Awards|publisher=IGN|author=IGN Staff|date=2006-05-16|access-date=2008-03-11}}</ref> and GameSpy's "Best Console Multiplayer", "Best Action Game", and "Xbox 360 Game of Show".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/709/709100p1.html|title=The Annual E3 Awards: 2006|publisher=GameSpy|author=GameSpy Staff|date=2006-05-16|access-date=2008-03-11|archive-date=2008-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302144436/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/709/709100p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


Upon release, ''Gears of War'' received numerous awards from many publications. ] named ''Gears of War'' as the "Xbox 360 Game of the Year" among other awards.<ref name="ign 2006 awards">{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/ |title=The Best of 2006 |access-date=2008-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404184741/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/ |archive-date=2008-04-04 }}</ref> ] named the game its "Game of the Year" as well as "Best Xbox 360 Game", among other accolades.<ref name="gamespot awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/review/index.html |title=Best Games and Worst Games of 2006 |publisher=Gamespot |access-date=2008-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017031826/http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/review/index.html |archive-date=2007-10-17 }}</ref> '']'' named ''Gears of War'' as their "Xbox 360 Game of the Year".<ref name="oxm_goty">{{cite magazine | title=Xbox 360 Game of the Year | url=https://archive.org/stream/OXM_2007_02-web#page/n22/mode/1up | magazine=] | publisher=] | issue=67 | page=52 | date=February 2007 | access-date=2015-08-26}}</ref> ] during the ] ] awards, named ''Gears of War'' its "Game of the Year" in addition to other awards.<ref name="g4 tv awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=15041|title=Gears Of War Tops G-Phoria Game Awards|date=2007-07-09|first=Jason|last=Dobson|publisher=Gamasutra|access-date=2008-03-11|archive-date=2008-02-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227214236/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=15041|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Gears of War'' lead designer ] said he hoped for the game to expand into graphic novels and eventually film.<ref>{{cite web | first = John | last = Gaudiosi | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-12-08 | title = GamePro Q&A: Cliffy B Talks Gears of War | publisher = ] | url = http://gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=85688 }}</ref> On ], ], Microsoft Corporate VP of Global Marketing and Interactive Entertainment Business ] stated ''Gears of War'' is the first in a trilogy, through sequences on E-Day and the battle of Jacinto Plateau, as well as information on Adam Fenix and his research (which the character finds in Gears).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.younewb.com/index.php/2006/11/21/gears-of-war-is-going-to-be-a-trilogy/ | date = ] | title=''Gears of war'' to be a trilogy | accessdate=2006-11-21 | author=Nick of YouNewb.com}}</ref> Epic Games Vice President ] posted a message on the official ''Gears of War'' ]s, stating "It's not over until it isn't fun anymore", and, in his view, ''Gears of War'' may become the next ] in terms of popularity.<ref>{{cite web | first = Michael | last = McWhertor | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-11-26 | title = Gears of War, Not a Trilogy | publisher = ] | url = http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/mark-rein/gears-of-war-not-a-trilogy-217088.php }}</ref>


''Gears of War'' won eight awards (out of ten nominations) at the ]: "]", "Console Game of the Year", "]", and outstanding achievement in "]", "]", "]", "]", and "]" (] as Marcus Fenix).<ref name="dice awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6165614.html |title=D.I.C.E. 07: Gears grabs gold |publisher=Gamespot |first=Tim |last=Surette |date=2007-02-09 |access-date=2008-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030005640/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6165614.html |archive-date=2007-10-30 }}</ref> The game received the awards of "Ultimate Game of the Year" and "Xbox Game of the Year" at the ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=30019 |title=Gears of War victorious at Golden Joystick Awards |publisher=Games Industry |date=2007-10-26 |first=Mark |last=Androvich |access-date=2008-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302223656/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=30019 |archive-date=March 2, 2008 }}</ref>
At the 2007 Game Developers Conference Bleszinkski confirmed that Epic Games does "intend to do a sequel" to ''Gears of War'' possibly set to be released in 2008.

In addition, the characters within the game received additional awards. GameSpot gave their 2006 "Best New Character(s)" award to the Delta Squad of ''Gears of War''.<ref name="gamespot awards" /> G4 TV named Marcus Fenix the "Best New Character" and gave ]'s performance for "Augustus 'Cole Train' Cole" the award for "Best Voiceover". The game was given the ] for "]" for its voicework.<ref name="dice awards" /> The Berserkers were named as '']''{{'}}s "Enemy of the Year".<ref name="oxm_enemy">{{cite magazine | title=Enemy of the Year | url=https://archive.org/stream/OXM_2007_02-web#page/n16/mode/1up | magazine=] | publisher=] | issue=67 | page=40 | date=February 2007 | access-date=2015-08-26}}</ref>

Guinness World Records awarded ''Gears of War'' with 5 world records in the ''Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008''. These records include, "First Console Game to Use the Unreal 3 Engine", "Fastest Selling Original Xbox 360 Game", and "First Music Single to Top the Chart After Promoting a Video Game" for the ] version of "]", which was originally released in 2003, but topped the download charts in November 2006 after it was used as background music during the TV commercial for ''Gears of War''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/mad-world-gears-ad-propels-song-to-1-on-itunes/|title=Mad World: Gears ad propels song to #1 on iTunes|publisher=Joystiq|date=2006-11-27|first=Ross|last=Miller|access-date=2012-06-23|archive-date=2010-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504122509/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/mad-world-gears-ad-propels-song-to-1-on-itunes|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Unproduced film adaptation==
In March 2007, ] bought the rights to make a film adaptation, with ] writing the script along with Marty Bowen and ]. In June 2008, ] was confirmed to direct before dropping out in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36822/gears-war-film-delayed-or-curbstomped|title=Gears of War Film -- Delayed or Curbstomped?|date=27 August 2012|publisher=DreadCentral|access-date=7 April 2010|archive-date=9 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409011116/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36822/gears-war-film-delayed-or-curbstomped|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 5, 2016, ], the franchise's current developer, announced that the film rights shifted to ] and a new film was in development, unrelated to the previous New Line Cinema project.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/5/13179788/gears-of-war-movie-announcement-universal-studios-xbox|title=Universal is making a Gears of War movie|first=Michael|last=McWhertor|work=]|publisher=]|date=October 5, 2016|access-date=March 21, 2021|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108154431/http://www.polygon.com/2016/10/5/13179788/gears-of-war-movie-announcement-universal-studios-xbox|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Sequel==
A sequel, '']'', was released in November 2008 for the Xbox 360.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{Reflist|30em}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{official website|http://gearsofwar.com/}}
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Latest revision as of 19:02, 26 November 2024

2006 video game 2006 video game
Gears of War
Developer(s)Epic Games
Publisher(s)Microsoft Game Studios
Producer(s)Rod Fergusson
Designer(s)Cliff Bleszinski
Programmer(s)Ray Davis
Artist(s)
Writer(s)
Composer(s)Kevin Riepl
SeriesGears of War
EngineUnreal Engine 3
Platform(s)
ReleaseXbox 360
  • NA: November 7, 2006
  • EU: November 17, 2006
  • AU: November 23, 2006
Windows
  • NA: November 6, 2007
  • EU: November 9, 2007
  • AU: November 15, 2007
Genre(s)Third-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gears of War is a 2006 third-person shooter video game developed by Epic Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It is the first installment of the Gears of War series, and was initially released as an exclusive title for the Xbox 360 in November 2006. A Microsoft Windows version, developed in conjunction with People Can Fly, was released in November 2007. The game's main story, which can be played in single or co-operative play, focuses on a squad of troops who assist in completing a desperate, last-ditch attempt to end a war against a genocidal subterranean enemy, the Locust, and save the remaining human inhabitants of their planet Sera. The game's multiplayer mode allows up to eight players to control characters from one of the two factions in a variety of online game modes. Gameplay features players using cover and strategic fire in order to win battles.

The game was a commercial success, selling over three million copies within ten weeks of its launch. It became the fastest selling video game of 2006, the second-most played game over Xbox Live during 2007, and one of the best-selling Xbox 360 games. The game received acclaim for its gameplay and detailed visuals, and is considered to be one of the greatest video games ever made, winning over 30 "Game of the Year" awards in 2006 and helped popularize the use of a cover system. A remastered version, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, was developed primarily by The Coalition. Ultimate Edition was released for the Xbox One in August 2015, and for Microsoft Windows in March 2016.

Gears of War's success led to the development of a franchise including a sequel, Gears of War 2. In addition, it has also spawned adaptations for books and comics, and a film based on the series is currently in development.

Gameplay

See also: Gameplay in the Gears of War series

Gears of War is a third-person shooter that places emphasis on using cover to avoid taking damage while moving towards enemy forces. The game uses a number of weapons, but predominately featured is the Lancer Assault Rifle, which has a mounted chainsaw bayonet that can deal melee damage at close range. Playable characters can carry two primary weapons, grenades, and a smaller, secondary weapon such as the Snub Pistol. Weapons are reloaded with a tap of the RB button, and a second tap within a given time (active reload) rewards the player with a damage bonus. However, failing to perform the "Active Reload" correctly will cause the gun to become momentarily jammed while the player's character fixes it. When the player takes damage, the "Crimson Omen", a red cog representing the player's health gauge, will fade into the screen, becoming more defined with larger amounts of damage. The player or bots can seek cover to recover their health, but if they take too much damage, they will become incapacitated. Once this occurs, a skull will fill the center void of the omen. The player or bots can then be revived by a teammate, executed by an enemy, or remain incapacitated until they "bleed out", dying from blood loss.

The game features a five-act campaign that can be played alone or cooperatively with another player. The campaign focuses on COG Army soldiers Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago and their efforts in the Delta Squad to wipe out the Locust forces on their planet Sera. The player is joined by AI teammates that will help fight the Locust. Certain sections of the campaign feature two paths that can be taken as selected by the first player. If there is a second player, their character will automatically take the other. The campaign can be played at three difficulty settings in the first game. From easiest to hardest, these are "Casual", "Hardcore" and "Insane". The "Insane" difficulty is unlocked once the game is beaten on either the "Casual" or "Hardcore" difficulty.

Multiplayer Gears of War features up to four-on-four competitive gameplay, with teams representing the Gears or the Locust. Players must execute downed foes, otherwise these will revive after a time. In Assassination matches, the team's leader is the only one that can track the other team's leader and pick up new weapons, after which teammates can pick them up, with the goal to eliminate the foe's leader. An Xbox 360 patch added the "Annex" mode, which is similar to King of the Hill, in which players must try to control a shifting control point for a certain amount of time to win. The PC version of Gears introduced "King of the Hill", a mode not present in the Xbox 360 version, which uses a fixed control point but varies the conditions on which it is controlled.

Synopsis

Setting and characters

See also: Setting of the Gears of War series

Gears of War takes place on the planet Sera. A liquid called Imulsion became a highly valued power source after a scientist discovered how to use it, and the economic shockwave led to several wars between nations. The Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) originally existed only as an obscure world-government philosophy, but it evolved into a legitimate, though minor, political party during the 79-year-long Pendulum Wars. The soldiers of the COG are called "Gears". After "Emergence Day" (E-Day), when the Locust began their attack on humanity, the COG were the ones who took the necessary steps to ensure the survival of human civilization, instituting martial law and taking charge of the effort against the Locust. Fourteen years later, the COG is the only human government left on Sera. One year after E-Day, after losing multiple military battles to the Locust, the COG launched a Pyrrhic tactical and strategic campaign using the satellite-based weapon of mass destruction known as the "Hammer of Dawn" on human cities with extremely destructive results. The result gave the citizens of Sera three days to evacuate to the Jacinto Plateau, the only place Locust could not dig through, before going through with the attack.

The game primarily focuses on Marcus Fenix (John DiMaggio) and his comrades in Delta Squad: Dominic "Dom" Santiago (Carlos Ferro), Augustus Cole (Lester Speight), and Damon Baird (Fred Tatasciore). Side characters, such as Colonel Victor Hoffman, Private Anthony Carmine, Lieutenant Minh Young Kim, Lieutenant Anya Stroud, and an elderly Stranded man known as Chaps, also aid Delta Squad throughout the narrative. The game's main antagonist is General RAAM, a powerful leader of the Locust Horde's armed forces.

Players take control of Fenix in the campaign; while in co-op mode, the second player controls Santiago. All four Delta squad members are available for play during multiplayer games, along with Carmine, Kim, and Hoffman, in addition to various Locust characters.

Plot

The game's plot begins 14 years after Emergence Day (E-Day), when the Locust Horde overran and killed many COG soldiers and civilians, declaring war against humanity. Marcus Fenix, a former COG soldier, is reinstated into the military after spending four years in prison for deserting his military post in order to make a vain attempt to save his father, Adam Fenix. Dominic "Dom" Santiago, Marcus' best friend and fellow COG, successfully extracts Fenix from the prison, and takes him to meet Delta Squad. The group seeks to obtain the "resonator", a device that will map "The Hollow", the caverns which the Locust inhabit and later deploy the "Lightmass Bomb", which will destroy the heart of the Locust forces inside the Hollow. Fenix and his allies recover the device, but suffer multiple casualties in the process including Anthony Carmine and Squad leader Kim. Fleeing RAAM's forces, Fenix leads the remaining soldiers through the ruins of Ephyra to claim a "Junker" APC, drive to a mining facility, and finally into the planet's depths.

Delta Squad successfully detonates the resonator, but the device fails to map enough of the tunnel network. They discover a larger map of the network that originates from Fenix's old home, specifically his father's laboratory. The group ventures to the Fenix estate at East Barricade Academy, where Fenix originally attempted to rescue his father. When they arrive, Delta encounters heavy Locust resistance. After collecting the data, the group fights their way past Locust forces and boards a train carrying the Lightmass Bomb. Fenix and Santiago battle their way through the train, and are able to kill General RAAM, before uploading the data. Fully activated, the Lightmass Bomb launches into the Hollow, and eradicates the Locust tunnel networks. In the game's final sequence, Hoffman delivers a victory speech as the tunnels collapse and explode, whereupon the voice of the Locust Queen promises that the Locust will continue to fight onward, despite their losses.

Development

Design

The first concept for the game was conceived around the years 2000 and 2001 as Unreal Warfare, which was much closer to the multiplayer-driven Unreal series than the game that would eventually become Gears of War. The original concept for the game featured character classes and mechs, being played in a closed arena against other players or bots. The game was put on standby as Epic focused on the Unreal Tournament series, and when the team went back to it, the industry had shifted towards single-player games and the aim of the game was changed.

Cliff Bleszinski served as the lead designer on Gears of War.

According to Rod Fergusson, the game was at one point intended to be a horror game influenced by Band of Brothers, Resident Evil 4 and Kill Switch. A romance subplot was considered for the game but was eventually dropped. In an interview with Cliff Bleszinski, lead developer for Epic Games, he cites three games that were the primary influences in the game's design, including the pacing and over-the-shoulder third-person perspective from Resident Evil 4 and the tactical-cover system from Kill Switch; Bleszinski also cited Bionic Commando's influence on the cover system, equating the actions of moving from cover to cover as similar to the action of swinging from platform to platform in the latter game. These design choices reflect themselves in the gameplay, as Gears of War focuses mainly on squad team-based and cover-dependent tactics with limited weapons rather than brute force. Bleszinski also cited the influence of The Legend of Zelda, including its storytelling and world-building elements, acquiring and mastering of tools, and underground environments. The game's title itself is a homage to Metal Gear, an early formative influence on Bleszinski. The total cost of development was $10 million, according to Epic's Mark Rein, and 20 to 30 people were involved with the development at any time. However, these figures do not include the proprietary Unreal Engine 3.

Gears of War was first shown as an unnamed exclusive for the Xbox 360 in a behind-closed-doors presentation by Epic Games at the 2005 Game Developers Conference. The demo was presented as a technology showcase for Unreal Engine 3 that would run on the Xenon processor at the center of the new Xbox. It showcased a group of human soldiers patrolling a city at night that fell under ambush. The demo was noted for its overall realism, suspense, and visual clarity, helping to reinforce the argument advanced by Epic Games' founder Tim Sweeney for Microsoft to double the memory in the Xbox 360 from the planned 256 MB to 512 MB. This decision that would ultimately cost Microsoft tens of millions of dollars and restrict the number of Xbox 360 consoles available at launch, but allowed Gears of War and many other Xbox 360 games to run at 720p resolution.

Gears of War lead designer Cliff Bleszinski said he hoped for the game to expand into graphic novels and eventually film. On November 21, 2006, Microsoft Corporate VP of Global Marketing and Interactive Entertainment Business Jeff Bell stated Gears of War is the first in a trilogy, through sequences on E-Day and the battle of Jacinto Plateau, as well as information on Adam Fenix and his research. Epic Games Vice President Mark Rein posted a message on the official Gears of War Internet forums, stating "It's not over until it is not fun anymore", and, in his view, Gears of War may become the next Halo series in terms of popularity.

The ending to Gears of War heavily suggested a sequel, and at the 2007 Game Developers Conference, Bleszinkski confirmed that Epic Games did "intend to do a sequel" to Gears of War. The game's sequel, Gears of War 2 was officially confirmed on February 20, 2008, and was released at midnight on November 7, 2008. On January 27, 2014 Microsoft announced that they have acquired all rights to the franchise from Epic Games and that Rod Fergusson had rejoined Microsoft Studios to lead development on future Gears of War games.

Windows version

News of the franchise's future has emerged multiple times since the game's release. PC Gamer accidentally released an image in its 2006 holiday issue where Gears of War can be seen in a Games for Windows display, which led to suspicion that Gears of War would be released for the PC; however, the image was later stated to be a mock-up. Possible leaked pictures were released on February 13, 2007, leading to more suspicion of Gears on the PC. In an interview with Xbox fan site TeamXbox, Mark Rein stated that the game would eventually come to the PC; Epic was not currently ready to release it on that format, but the upcoming release of Unreal Tournament 3 was "helping (Epic) get optimization on the PC".

On July 11, 2007 at the E3 conference, it was revealed that Gears of War would indeed be released for Windows. New features include three new multi-player maps, an extension of five new single-player chapters to act five which describes events of Delta Squad escaping a giant Brumak between acts four and five (which Mark Rein claims is "about 20 percent extra" over the existing Xbox 360 content), new game modes, a game editor, and Games for Windows – Live support integrated into Unreal Engine 3. When asked about bringing the additional content to the Xbox 360 version, Mark Rein of Epic Games stated that "it is unlikely we will bring that content to 360". He then states, "Unfortunately the version it's built on is not really compatible with the 360 and so it would involve a massive patch, a patch larger than all five we've done so far, to Gears of War to do that." Additionally, the PC and Xbox 360 versions will not allow for cross-platform play; Cliff Bleszinski stated that "while this feature does add value, it just wasn't that desired nor worth the extra months of design and development time. We want Gears of War to be out this holiday on PC." This news angered many owners of Gears of War on the Xbox 360 due to the game no longer living up to its "Exclusively for the Xbox 360" title and not receiving the additional content. Mark Rein noted that despite their original label of the game as an Xbox 360 exclusive, Microsoft allowed them to develop the game as part of the Games for Windows moniker, as has been done previously with Halo 2.

A patch was released on November 28 to fix performance issues and also the Games for Windows – Live update issue. The patch was only released for American and Western European versions of the game; legitimate purchasers of the Eastern European and Russian versions were informed that "the game would continue to function without the patch" and never issued a corresponding version.

A macOS version was confirmed by Mark Rein at the end of E3, on the Game Head television program on July 14, 2007, along with Unreal Tournament 3, but no release time frame was specified. As of August 2014, nothing more has been mentioned.

In early 2009, an issue with a digital certificate, used to sign certain game-critical files as part of the anti-cheat mechanism, which expired on January 28, 2009, rendered the game unplayable without a temporary workaround of resetting the system clock to before the certificate expired. Initial information from sources led people to believe the issue was related to DRM within the game. Epic later acknowledged the problem, claiming it was not in relation to a form of DRM but instead to a form of anti-cheat, and notified end users that they " working with Microsoft to get it resolved." This issue was corrected as of February 6, 2009 with a downloadable patch.

Music

The music was composed by Kevin Riepl who has previously worked with Epic Games on the soundtracks for Unreal Tournament 2004 and Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict. Riepl began receiving early builds and cinematics about halfway through the development process, closely collaborating with the development team on the influence the music should have on the player and the story. The theme of 'Destroyed Beauty' that had inspired the game's visuals guided the music too, creating mood suited to a beautiful city in ruins and the emotional desperation of its inhabitants.

The score includes many mechanical percussive elements, altered samples of explosions, hits and impacts, and electric guitar stingers that punctuate the game's combat encounters. To complete the score these elements were combined with the organic sounds of a live orchestra. The orchestral score was orchestrated and conducted by Corey Status and performed by the Northwest Sinfonia orchestra. The title track was written and performed by thrash metal band Megadeth, with an instrumental version of the song being used for the soundtrack; a revised version with lyrics was featured on the band's 2007 album United Abominations. Megadeth performed the track live as headliners of Gigantour, a twenty-five stop metal tour sponsored by Microsoft as part of the promotion for the game.

A soundtrack was released on July 31, 2007 by Sumthing Else Music Works.

Marketing and release

Promotional videos

Microsoft produced a thirty-minute documentary, titled Gears of War: The Race to E3, that aired on MTV2 on May 19, 2006 to promote the game. The program was produced in a reality TV style and featured Cliff Bleszinski, Epic Games president Mike Capps, and producer Rod Fergusson in the weeks leading up to the Gears of War gameplay reveal at the Xbox Media Briefing at E3 2006. The program captures several stressful moments including Xbox executive Peter Moore's desire to remove the chainsaw rifle from the E3 demo days before the show. The chainsaw remained and after the demo was given Bill Gates confided to Cliff "I love that chainsaw."

The "Mad World" spot used the game's textures and models, demonstrating the fidelity of the game's graphics.

The Gears of War television ad reveals Marcus Fenix alone in the ruined streets of Sera as he moves to avoid threats that appear throughout a dark and deserted city. The spot was widely praised and has been described as one of the most iconic game trailers of the 2000s. The spot, set to the Gary Jules' cover of "Mad World" and directed by Joseph Kosinski, is melancholic and reflective in tone and was a significant departure for videogame advertising at the time, especially a fast-paced shooter game. According to Kosinski, David Fincher was slated to direct the ad but had to drop out from a scheduling conflict, leading to Kosinski being brought on to direct. Visual effects company Digital Domain created the visuals inside the Unreal Engine 3 game engine, the same engine that powered Gears of War on the Xbox 360. While the spot was pre-rendered, the production method gave consumers an accurate preview of the game's textures and subtle facial expressions.

The popularity of the commercial built a bigger audience for "Mad World" which would reach the #1 spot on iTunes five years after it was initially recorded. The melody remains heavily associated with the Gears of War franchise and was later adopted into the soundtrack of Gears of War 3. Bleszinski said in 2015 that he chose the song as it was his "anthem" at the time to cope with the failure of his first marriage.

Limited Collector's Edition

At the game's release, Epic Games released a "Limited Collectors Edition". Some of the notable differences are a steel case instead of the regular plastic case and an extra disc which contains artworks of environments and stages including Locust that did not made it to the game, and extra content and behind-the-scenes footage of the making of Gears of War. The disc also contains a time-lapse on the creation of the "Emergence" mural. The game's disc and case has a different cover and instead features the Omen background. Another of the Limited Collector's Edition extras is a book titled Destroyed Beauty which illustrates the game's back-story and includes concepts, sketches, and descriptions of the game's characters. The Limited Collector's Edition also includes the same instruction manual and 48-hour Xbox Live Gold trial as the regular game does.

Downloadable content and updates

Epic Games began working on new content for Gears of War in August 2006. The updates would remain free according to Epic Games president Mike Capps. The first of these updates was released over Xbox Live on January 9, 2007, with two new maps released the following day on January 10, 2007. The two maps, "Raven Down" and "Old Bones", reflected background scenes from the game's storyline which depict Gears fighting Locust amidst the crash site of a King Raven chopper and a museum. Another update was released for Gears of War on January 22, 2007, which, according to Epic Games' Marc Rein, is said to fix some compatibility issues with the release of Gears of War in Japan, and that no game play or functionality features were changed.

On April 9, 2007, Epic Games released their third update, containing a new game mode titled "Annex", which requires teams to capture and hold certain areas of each map, as well as additional gameplay tweaks and fixing up some glitches, bugs and exploits. The update was free of charge.

Epic Games initially said that four new maps would be released in conjunction with the third patch. However, due to disagreements between Microsoft and Epic Games, Epic decided instead to "put these maps on sale at a reasonable price then make them free a few months later," according to Mark Rein of Epic Games. The map pack, titled Hidden Fronts, was released on Xbox Live Marketplace on May 3, 2007, and included the maps Bullet Marsh, "Garden", "Process", and "Subway". Free downloads of these maps were made available on September 3, 2007, four months after their initial release.

A fourth update on June 14, 2007 added 250 additional Achievement points (bringing the total possible achievement points to 1250), in eight Achievements related to Annex mode and the maps from Hidden Fronts. Additionally, the update includes improvement of roadie run to keep the player from sticking to cover areas, and a patch to prevent the Annex clock from counting during connection errors. Other "housekeeping" issues were also addressed.

Ultimate Edition

Main article: Gears of War: Ultimate Edition

During a press conference at E3 2015, Microsoft announced a remaster of Gears of War entitled Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. It brought about a number of improvements, including updates to the gameplay from later titles and enhanced graphics featuring remodeled characters, environmental assets and other stylistic changes. It was subsequently released worldwide for the Xbox One in North America and Asian-Pacific countries on August 25, 2015, and in Europe on August 28, and Microsoft Windows on March 1, 2016.

Reception

Critical reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings(360) 94%
(PC) 87%
Metacritic(360) 94/100
(PC) 87/100
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.com(360) A+
(PC) B−
AllGame(360)
Eurogamer(360) 8/10
(PC) 9/10
Game Informer(360) 9.5/10
GamePro(360) 4.75/5
GameSpot(360) 9.6/10
(PC) 9.0/10
GameSpy(360) 5/5
(PC) 4.5/5
GamesRadar+(360) 10/10
GameTrailers(360) 9.1/10
(PC) 8.8/10
IGN(360) 9.4/10
(PC) 8.7/10
Official Xbox Magazine (US)(360) 10/10

Upon its release, Gears of War received praise from critics, maintaining an average review score of 93.97% at GameRankings and 94/100 at Metacritic. It was the second highest rated game of 2006 on both sites. Most reviewers praised the game for its concept visuals, presentation and sound. IGN's review of the game called it "the most gorgeous looking game on the Xbox 360" and that "the sound design is worthy of awards."

While the game received high praise, reviewers did point out that Gears of War did not offer anything significantly new in its core gameplay. Eurogamer's review of the game states: "let's not pretend that we're wallowing in the future of entertainment. What we have here is an extremely competent action game that's as polished and refined as it could be, and is therefore very enjoyable. But if Epic had applied the same widescreen scope and ambition to the gameplay as it did to the engine we'd be much more excited than we are." The game's story was noted for not being very deep, as GameSpot's review states "The lack of exposition feels like a missed opportunity to make the characters and the setting even more compelling."

The PC release of the game received similar praise as the 360 version, with reviewers noting various differences between the two versions.IGN commented that "The mouse and keyboard allow for more precise control, and the graphics have been improved as well;" however, 1UP stated that "the control scheme's a very central obstacle" to the game. GameSpot noted that the additional chapter felt out of place as "it changes things up a bit in ways that betray the difficulty progression of the game." Hyper's Cam Shea commends the game for its "visual, solid gameplay, killer multiplayer and reload mechanics". However, he criticised it for "potential frustration, pointless squad commands and chainsaw mechanics".

The Lancer weapon was later featured in an Electronic Gaming Monthly article that discusses its practicality and historical precedents. Keirsey criticized this weapon by noting that in real life, "chainsaws are heavy." He noted that the closest historical precedents are "medieval bludgeoning weapons".

Sales

Gears of War was a hit upon its release. On November 7, 2006—the day that it was released—it became the most popular game on the Xbox Live service, until the release of Halo 3, overtaking Halo 2 which had held the spot since its launch in November 2004. Gears was the second most-played game on the Xbox Live service throughout 2007. Gears of War sold one million copies in its first two weeks on sale making it the fastest-selling Xbox 360 game to date. By January 19, 2007, just ten weeks after its debut, over three million units of the game had been sold. It received a "Double Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), indicating sales of at least 600,000 copies in the United Kingdom. As of November 7, 2008, the game has sold 5.88 million copies worldwide. Gears of War was also the first Xbox or Xbox 360 game to sell out and reach the top ten charts in Japan.

Awards

Leading up to the game's release, Gears of War was one of the most anticipated games of 2006. The game premiered during the 2005 E3 show, and won, among others, several "Best 360 Game" awards, including from IGN, 1UP, and GameSpy. The game continued to win several awards at following 2006 E3 show prior to the game's release. These included the Game Critics Awards for "Best Console Game" and "Best Action Game", IGN's "Best 360 Action Game", "Best 360 Multiplayer Game", and "Best Overall Multiplayer Experience", and GameSpy's "Best Console Multiplayer", "Best Action Game", and "Xbox 360 Game of Show".

Upon release, Gears of War received numerous awards from many publications. IGN named Gears of War as the "Xbox 360 Game of the Year" among other awards. GameSpot named the game its "Game of the Year" as well as "Best Xbox 360 Game", among other accolades. Official Xbox Magazine named Gears of War as their "Xbox 360 Game of the Year". G4 TV during the 2007 G-Phoria awards, named Gears of War its "Game of the Year" in addition to other awards.

Gears of War won eight awards (out of ten nominations) at the 10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: "Overall Game of the Year", "Console Game of the Year", "Action/Adventure Game of the Year", and outstanding achievement in "Animation", "Art Direction", "Visual Engineering", "Online Gameplay", and "Character Performance - Male" (John DiMaggio as Marcus Fenix). The game received the awards of "Ultimate Game of the Year" and "Xbox Game of the Year" at the 2007 Golden Joystick Awards.

In addition, the characters within the game received additional awards. GameSpot gave their 2006 "Best New Character(s)" award to the Delta Squad of Gears of War. G4 TV named Marcus Fenix the "Best New Character" and gave Lester Speight's performance for "Augustus 'Cole Train' Cole" the award for "Best Voiceover". The game was given the Interactive Achievement Award for "Outstanding Character Performance – Male" for its voicework. The Berserkers were named as Official Xbox Magazine's "Enemy of the Year".

Guinness World Records awarded Gears of War with 5 world records in the Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008. These records include, "First Console Game to Use the Unreal 3 Engine", "Fastest Selling Original Xbox 360 Game", and "First Music Single to Top the Chart After Promoting a Video Game" for the Gary Jules version of "Mad World", which was originally released in 2003, but topped the download charts in November 2006 after it was used as background music during the TV commercial for Gears of War.

Unproduced film adaptation

In March 2007, New Line Cinema bought the rights to make a film adaptation, with Stuart Beattie writing the script along with Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey. In June 2008, Len Wiseman was confirmed to direct before dropping out in 2010. On October 5, 2016, The Coalition, the franchise's current developer, announced that the film rights shifted to Universal Studios and a new film was in development, unrelated to the previous New Line Cinema project.

Sequel

A sequel, Gears of War 2, was released in November 2008 for the Xbox 360.

Notes

  1. Additional development by Psyonix. Ported to Windows by People Can Fly.

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