Gears of War 3 public beta information

TheDoc

I'm sure you are all aware of this, but here is information on the unlockables for the Public Beta.

These carry over to your actual Retail purchase of GoW 3, but when game launches these items will be alot more effort to achieve.

Multiplayer Release Dates

Bulletstorm Epic Edition purchase – 18 th April

Open Public – 25 th April at 10:00am GMT.



Public Multiplayer Beta

Enlist in the most explosive gaming event of the spring: the Gears of War 3 Multiplayer Beta!



Get into the Beta by preordering Gears of War 3 through select retailers. The Beta begins April 25 and ends May 15.



For those of you who purchased the Bulletstorm Epic Edition (on Xbox 360 only), you get early access to the Beta, beginning April 18.



Three new multiplayer modes and four exclusive maps will be rolled out during the Beta period -- all running on dedicated servers. This is your chance to help shape the most anticipated game of 2011.



In the Beta you can play Team Deathmatch mode on the four new maps (Thrashball, Checkout, Trenches, and Old Town); Capture the Leader and King of the Hill gameplay modes will be added later in the Beta period. Also, be sure to look out for a surprise event weekend that you won't want to miss.



Not only will you get an early taste of the final chapter in this blockbuster trilogy, but you'll also have access to exclusive content that you can permanently unlock and carry over to your Gears of War 3 gamer profile when the retail game launches on September 20.



Exclusive Beta Unlockables

· Flaming Hammerburst - Complete one match by Sunday, April 24 to permanently unlock.

* Note - This is only available to Bulletstorm Epic Edition customers accessing the Beta 18 th -24 th April *

· Flaming Lancer - Complete one match during the week of April 25 to permanently unlock.

· Flaming Sawed-Off Shotgun - Complete one match during the week of May 2 to permanently unlock.

· Flaming Gnasher Shotgun - Complete one match during the week of May 9 to permanently unlock.

· Beta Tester Medal -- Wear it proudly, Gear. - Complete one match in the Beta to permanently unlock.

· Thrashball Cole - Unlock Thrashball Cole to play as Augustus Cole as he was before Emergence Day -- a legendary Thrashball athlete known for his ferocious, flamboyant style. Complete 50 matches in any game type to unlock for the Beta period. To permanently unlock, complete 10 matches as Thrashball Cole during the Beta period.

· Gold-Plated Retro Lancer - Before the chainsaw bayonet was deployed at the beginning of the Locust-Human War, the original Lancer assault rifle had a large fixed blade. Complete 90 matches in any game type to unlock for the Beta period. To permanently unlock, score 100 kills with the Gold-Plated Retro Lancer during the Beta period.



Product Information

The hopes of humankind sit heavily on your shoulders as the war rages on. Can you handle the pressure? As grizzled war hero Marcus Fenix, you will fight to the last to defeat the menacing Locust threat and deliver hope to our shattered human civilization. The last human city has fallen and a fearsome new danger is rising, will you be able to stem the flow of destruction? With the elite Delta Squad force at your back, you must lead the way to victory and decimate the enemy. Turn the tide of war as you battle to annihilate the Locust Horde.



Gears of War 3 is the thrilling finale to the saga that has captivated millions. Experience the heart-pounding action exclusively on Xbox 360 and enjoy improved cooperative and competitive multiplayer action with Xbox LIVE. Fight as the leader of Delta Squad as you journey through the intense, immersive plotline. New playable COG characters and fresh challenges deliver an extra dimension to the storyline. Do you have what it takes to obliterate vicious new enemies? Gears of War 3 offers players a visually stunning experience with advanced Unreal Engine 3 technology providing rich graphics, animation and lighting to bring the enthralling storyline fully to life.



Features

· Fight as Marcus Fenix as you advance through the gripping storyline and strive to save humankind

· Challenge the menacing Locust force as a member of Delta Squad

· Defeat ferocious enemies and complete fresh challenges as new playable COG characters

· Updated Xbox LIVE multiplayer technology allows you to experience improved cooperative and competitive gameplay

· Stunning graphics draw you into a destroyed landscape with advanced Unreal Engine 3 technology

Mr Bloat

This is a decent reason to get into the beta:
http://www.xbox360achievements.org/news/news-8053-Gears-of-War-3-Making-Of-ViDoc-Examines-Balancing-the-Multiplayer-and-More.html

SeantheMan

My mate has been playing the Beta, said its ok, but a bit similar to the others.
All the servers for GOW3 Europe will also be hosted in Dublin too

Floodric

It says here the beta doesnt start till 18th if yu have BulletStorm. I thought it was starting the 10th? Or is it only in US or something?

allanb49

how can you sign up for the public beta?

cython

allanb49 wrote: »

how can you sign up for the public beta?

Preorder Gears 3, of buy the epic edition of Bulletstorm on the 360 seem to be the main channels to gain access. Gamestop.ie were doing some offer on new account registrations at one point too (how I got my code), but that may be over.

paddyk

Floodric wrote: »

It says here the beta doesnt start till 18th if yu have BulletStorm. I thought it was starting the 10th? Or is it only in US or something?

Keys are being given out now on Twitter and facebook.

GearsofWar3 Epic Games, follow them and tweet #gears3beta. Plenty of other ways on Twitter also, I've failed so far but you never know.

mailrewop

i got one from gamestop earlier today. i already had an account with them so i emailed them asking for a code.

paddyk

mailrewop wrote: »

i got one from gamestop earlier today. i already had an account with them so i emailed them asking for a code.

just tried that. I signed up some time ago when they were advertising the beta for signing up. Hopefully they respond.

mancduff

Seen this on another site, works for me. Use at your own risk.;)

Steps:
1. Download and extract the beta from: http://www.multiupload.com/I2HU90MU5F
2. Plug in your USB memory stick into your Xbox
3. Goto My Xbox > System Settings > Memory > USB Storage Device > Configure Now
4. Wait while the Xbox reformats your memory stick and then plug it into your PC
5. Download USBXTAFGUI_v44 and run it.
6. Goto File > Open First USB Device
7. It should load from your memory stick and under "File System" you should see "Cache Partition" and "Data Partition"
8. The folder structure for the memory stick needs to be the following. Create folders as needed:

Data Partition > Content > 0000000000000000 > 4D5389B9 (drag extracted beta folder here)

9. Goto File > Close Current Drive
10. Unplug the memory stick from your PC and plug it back into your Xbox.
11. Goto My Xbox > Game Library > Game Demos & Trials and look for Gears of War 3 Beta
12. Load the launcher and it will prompt you to download a 500~ mb update.
13. You're done!

yawnstretch

So I preordered gears at game - how do I get my beta code? Ae you supposed to get it in the shop or do they text it out or something?

beardo81

mancduff do you reckon that will be ok without getting a console ban? I know it's not a full game just a beta but is it still against MS Terms of Service?

TheDoc

When the public beta is released, you can simply just download the client online.

You can actually download the client now afaik, but you just cant do anything with it.

Literally on public release there i no codes or messing, everyone can jump on board, client will be in the spotlight of your dashboard.

r0cks0l1dd

SeantheMan wrote: »

My mate has been playing the Beta, said its ok, but a bit similar to the others.
All the servers for GOW3 Europe will also be hosted in Dublin too

That's good if true. I couldn't get a match in GOW2 unless I changed my country to UK on the xbox and even then it was slow finding people after that update.

Another thing, can someone please confirm if we can get this by actually pre-ordering in store at GAME and they e-mail it to you or anywhere else (except for Gamestop because people from other countries dried up the supply of codes from their site).

paddyk

r0cks0l1dd wrote: »

That's good if true. I couldn't get a match in GOW2 unless I changed my country to UK on the xbox and even then it was slow finding people after that update.

Another thing, can someone please confirm if we can get this by actually pre-ordering in store at GAME and they e-mail it to you or anywhere else (except for Gamestop because people from other countries dried up the supply of codes from their site).

My daughter went into Game in the Square, Tallaght and got me a code. She pre-ordered and paid a fiver deposit, She was handed the code then and there.

r0cks0l1dd

Cool. But when was this? I might go to the Game closest to me tommorow and try. I doubt they have run out though.

paddyk

r0cks0l1dd wrote: »

Cool. But when was this? I might go to the Game closest to me tommorow and try. I doubt they have run out though.

Saturday 3PM ,a couple of hours ago. He had a bundle of them.

Healium

SeantheMan wrote: »

All the servers for GOW3 Europe will also be hosted in Dublin too

Swish! Where's you hear this? At least I'll be able to find players, unlike Gears 2 :mad:

beardo81

Healium wrote: »

Swish! Where's you hear this? At least I'll be able to find players, unlike Gears 2 :mad:

Had that problem before too, changed my region on Xbox settings to UK and no problem ever finding games after that.

ShadowHearth

So beta starts on Monday? 18?

r0cks0l1dd

ShadowHearth wrote: »

So beta starts on Monday? 18?

For people with Bulletstorm Epic Edition , yes. For people who preorder any edition of Gears 3 from GAME, they get it on the 25th.

I'm just wondering if you download the beta from a preorder code, are you still blocked from playing until the 25th?

r0cks0l1dd

Whoever gets in the beta, if you want to play, my GT is RHIN094 (that's a zero) but I probably won't have it until next Monday.

Healium

r0cks0l1dd wrote: »

For people with Bulletstorm Epic Edition , yes. For people who preorder any edition of Gears 3 from GAME, they get it on the 25th.

I'm just wondering if you download the beta from a preorder code, are you still blocked from playing until the 25th?

Yep. The code just gives you a portal, less than 100MB. You can only download the beta from the 25th. I got all excited last week when Bulletstorm got a 90MB patch (downloading the portal into the game, I'd imagine). I hit the shiny new beta button, got the Epic logo on screen... and then got sent to Dashboard :pac:

Notorioux

mancduff wrote: »

Seen this on another site, works for me. Use at your own risk.;)

Steps:
1. Download and extract the beta from: http://www.multiupload.com/I2HU90MU5F
2. Plug in your USB memory stick into your Xbox
3. Goto My Xbox > System Settings > Memory > USB Storage Device > Configure Now
4. Wait while the Xbox reformats your memory stick and then plug it into your PC
5. Download USBXTAFGUI_v44 and run it.
6. Goto File > Open First USB Device
7. It should load from your memory stick and under "File System" you should see "Cache Partition" and "Data Partition"
8. The folder structure for the memory stick needs to be the following. Create folders as needed:

Data Partition > Content > 0000000000000000 > 4D5389B9 (drag extracted beta folder here)

9. Goto File > Close Current Drive
10. Unplug the memory stick from your PC and plug it back into your Xbox.
11. Goto My Xbox > Game Library > Game Demos & Trials and look for Gears of War 3 Beta
12. Load the launcher and it will prompt you to download a 500~ mb update.
13. You're done!

It works 4 me. Cheers!

Healium

Looks like the beta is going to be out at 9AM Irish time, all going well! SWEET!

Notorioux

Healium wrote: »

Looks like the beta is going to be out at 9AM Irish time, all going well! SWEET!

Actually i am playing now and there's almost 10k people playing atm. all feckin usb mods i can now trade in my bulletstorm epic edition at last!

Healium

I hope you all get banned

Tinie

WTH??!! I signed up to gamestop.ie during the promotion to get the beta code emailed to you, but never got one??! Anyone else have this problem or any spares going around?

deano546

Notorioux wrote: »

It works 4 me. Cheers!

Just a warning that an admin on the epic forums said you would get banned from both the beta and possibly the full game if you do this
http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=774720

Healium

Beta is out!

500MB patch :pac:

DazzlerIE

First impressions = sensational

Sawn off shotgun is a beast

Dedicated servers run perfectly so far

Captain Chaos

Working great so far. We'll see how the servers stand up to the higher traffic levels later on. Liking the Battlefield style awards.

Healium

Agreed. This is really, really good. It's what Gears 2 should have been.

It's more fast-paced than Gears 2, everything runs smooth (servers are heavenly), and it's actually fun to play (whereas I felt Gears 2 was difficult to get into - if I could ever find a game)

My first LOL was for an award

Carmine's Star - Most headshot deaths in a round

r0cks0l1dd

Can't get in until next week. Grr...

Is the Sawn-off good? The long reload and small capacity and range make me think the Gnasher is still the better of the two.

Healium

r0cks0l1dd wrote: »

Can't get in until next week. Grr...

Is the Sawn-off good? The long reload and small capacity and range make me think the Gnasher is still the better of the two.

I tried it once, and got nowhere with it. You miss? Screwed.

I'm sure it's extremely powerful if you know how to use it. Evidently, I don't!

Adamcp898

r0cks0l1dd wrote: »

Can't get in until next week. Grr...

Is the Sawn-off good? The long reload and small capacity and range make me think the Gnasher is still the better of the two.

Up close it can't be beat, but miss and you're screwed due to the reload time

Moiph

The sawn off is getting really annoying for me already, very overpowered. It seems to be the weapon I'm getting killed by the most which I guess isn't helping matters! :mad: Other than that, no complaints from me, it's so much fun to play!

ShadowHearth

Wasn't that suppost to be out today? I clicked on that thing. And it just tells me: gow 3 beta is coming soon... Make sure to have 2gb free etc... WTF?

da gamer

i traded in bulletstorm, will i still be able to play the gow 3 beta or do i need the bulletstorm disc?

rey619

da gamer wrote: »

i traded in bulletstorm, will i still be able to play the gow 3 beta or do i need the bulletstorm disc?

Yeah,I think you need the disk.

Captain Chaos

You need to have a Bullet Storm Epic Edition disc, standard does not have the beta option. You launch the beta from the Bullet Storm game menue.

Twilightning

Triple kill with the sawn-off = feelsgoodman.

Healium

Twilightning wrote: »

Triple kill with the sawn-off = feelsgoodman.

I finally started using it yesterday, got one double kill. C'mon, triple!

kk887

never do any pre-order before so just a quick question about how you guys do the pre-order and get the beta?

Captain Chaos

kk887 wrote: »

never do any pre-order before so just a quick question about how you guys do the pre-order and get the beta?

As far as I know only Gamestop are doing the pre-order beta deal. Basically all you do is ask to pre-order the game. I think you pay up 5-10€ off the price of it and they give you a code that you enter on the 360 dashboard on the 25th and then you get the option to download the beta.

The beta will be a 2GB download as 2 new maps and a new game mode will be added on the 25th. The current beta has 2 maps, 1 mode and is only 500Mb.

paddyk

Captain Chaos wrote: »

As far as I know only Gamestop are doing the pre-order beta deal. Basically all you do is ask to pre-order the game. I think you pay up 5-10€ off the price of it and they give you a code that you enter on the 360 dashboard on the 25th and then you get the option to download the beta.

The beta will be a 2GB download as 2 new maps and a new game mode will be added on the 25th. The current beta has 2 maps, 1 mode and is only 500Mb.

I got mine from Game. I put a fiver down on the pre-order of gears and got handed a key for Beta beginning the 25th

DazzlerIE

Current beta doesn't only have two maps

I've played four

Old Town, the stadium one, trenches, and the one in the supermarket

Healium

DazzlerIE wrote: »

Current beta doesn't only have two maps

I've played four

Old Town, the stadium one, trenches, and the one in the supermarket

I call bullcrap. Did you get one of those early VIP codes for access last week? If so, you could have played them before, but now it's just Checkout and Thrashball for this week. Next week, we get a new map and game mode.

The four maps are there, but only two are currently in rotation

DazzlerIE

Healium wrote: »

I call bullcrap. Did you get one of those early VIP codes for access last week? If so, you could have played them before, but now it's just Checkout and Thrashball for this week. Next week, we get a new map and game mode.

The four maps are there, but only two are currently in rotation

Call bullcrap all you like, I was playing it on Sunday, and had four maps

Sure I'm probably just spoofing though :rolleyes:

kk887

the game? the gamestop? are they both doing it?
the one nearby me is gamestop...

Healium

DazzlerIE wrote: »

Call bullcrap all you like, I was playing it on Sunday, and had four maps

Sure I'm probably just spoofing though :rolleyes:

Yeah, LAST week. This week, it's only Team Deathmatch, on Checkout and Thrashball. Anyone with a VIP code got to play the full beta last week, but now you're stuck with the same maps and modes as the rest of us