A new splash page at the official Gears of War web site may have just revealed the launch date of Epic Games' next. The Xbox 360 shooter was previously rumored to hit November 16, but it looks like Emergence Day for Gears of War 2 will actually be a week earlier. How do we know this? The dog tags being held on the splash page read 033-116-117-126-071. That, in ASCII octal values, translates to ESC-N-O-V-9. Sneaky, Epic, sneaky.

We imagine that we'll know, without a shadow of a doubt, exactly when Gears of War 2 will "escape" by next Monday, when Microsoft holds its E3 press conference. Still, it might not be a bad idea to schedule this as a sick day with your boss early as a courtesy.

Gears of War 2 [GearsOfWar.com - thanks, Max!]

Everything* You Always Wanted To Know About Gears of War 2 Multiplayer

Gears of War 2 designer and, apparently, part-time aviator Clifford Michael Bleszinski dishes loads of details to 1UP on the multiplayer portions of Epic's next Xbox 360 game. It's full of satisfaction, from info on Gears 2's new maps to new gameplay types like Guardian and Meat Flag. Mr. Bleszinski spends ample time discussing the various ways one can now disfigure and deform one's foes. Fans and nitpickers of the original Gears of War multiplayer modes will definitely want to check out Dan Hsu's interview with the faux-hawked one.

* May not actually cover everything.

Details On Gears of War Re-Issue Emerge

If you're one of the folks late to the Gears of War party, you may want to hold tight just a little big longer before investing. GameStop is now taking pre-orders for a cheaper, more feature filled edition of the Xbox 360 mega-hit, now at a $39.99 USD price point that should appeal to cheap ass gamers(TM) and drum up extra hype for Gears of War 2. Details are scarce, but it appears that the reissue will at least contain content previously available as DLC. We've contacted Microsoft to find out more about the new package, but have yet to hear back.

Gears of War With Maps [GameStop via NeoGAF]

Parents! Watch Out For Meat Shields

Time to wheel out mainstream media's default boogieman: VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES. In this today's thrilling episode, Arizona's KTVK-TV warns parents of "meat shields." Citing Yahoo!Games, KTVK 3TV writes:

A popular video game for the Xbox 360 is getting a sequel this year - and it seems to be raising eyebrows with its level of gore and detail... The game certainly attracted attention for its realistic visuals and battle scenes, but caused some pause when game designers showed off a new attack players can use in the game.

So Bash ducked back in to give you the first Gears of War 2 gameplay footage from 1Up/GameVideos.com last night (apparently there was some international video-leaking and embargo-breaking intrigue; we had no part in it). This morning we'll update you with GameVideos' overnight post of two more videos: A CliffyB-free gameplay version (above). And an analysis (after the jump) of the first video, pointing out and freezing cool details that might have got lost in the action. They also analyze Cliffy, but not too closely.

Double Your Gears of War 2 Video Intake This Friday

GameTrailers TV isn't the only outlet getting a helping of Gears of War 2 video exclusivity, as 1UP—read GameVideos—is touting its own must see clip. It's hitting the internet at 10:30 PM Pacific Time, beating Spike TV's programming in some time zones. 1UP makes no promises about Cliffy B face time, sadly. But double the Gears of War 2 footage will make this Friday a night full of meat cubes and zipper-straining fan-boners. You are quite welcome for the imagery! It's the least I can do.

Exclusive Gears of War 2 Gameplay Video on Friday [1UP]

In an interview with IGN Saturday at the New York Comic-Con, the Epic Games president Mike Capps lays down the law: No Wii game is ever forthcoming from his company. The reason? "We go forward, not back." Apparently the Wii is not next-gen to him.

I'm not gonna poke the snake of what-is and what-ain't next-gen. Let Capps do that for himself:

Epic Games' Unreal Tournament III is coming to the Xbox 360 at long last. The new release will have five exclusive new maps and two new characters. It will also contain all of the DLC that was created for the PS3 and PC versions. You will also be able two play in a two player split screen mode. So, if you have been patiently waiting for for UT III to arrive for your 360, Epic has answered your prayers.

More EA Games to Use Unreal 3 Engine

Electronic Arts are expanding their licensing agreement with Epic Games, giving EA the right to use the engine in more than five upcoming games currently in development, the two companies announced today.

Under the initial agreement, signed back in 2006, EA used Unreal Engine 3 on several games including Medal of Honor Airborne and Army of Two. EA is not saying which games they are currently developing using Epic's engine under this new agreement, but both companies were quick to pat each other on the backs.

"With the largest and most talented studio operation in the world, it's critical for us to give our studio teams the best tools they need to make great games," said Frank Gibeau, President, at EA. "This agreement reflects our commitment to Epic's technology which, in combination with our own cutting-edge systems, allows us to create ground breaking hits."

"Epic is committed to providing EA with the premier development infrastructure, tools and technology for its upcoming games," said Mark Rein, vice president, Epic Games. "We're extremely excited that EA has chosen to expand their use of Unreal Engine 3 and we can't wait to see more of the great games they will produce with it."

Any bets on which games will be getting the Unreal treatment?

GDC Gears of War 2 Vids Available on XBLM

Epic Gets Steamed

Alright, who isn't on Steam at this point? We can add Epic Games to the list, as the developer announced (with the help of Valve) that its catalog has come to Steam. Everything Unreal and Unreal Tournament is now available via legal digital distribution starting today, with a tremendous bundle of savings at your fingertips in the Unreal Deal Pack. That pack features Unreal Gold, Unreal 2: The Awakening, Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year Edition, Unreal Tournament 2004: Editor's Choice Edition and Unreal Tournament 3 for just $53.95 American for a limited time. Yowza.

The full release is below, with guest quotes from Gabe Newell and Jay Wilbur.

Microsoft To Buy Out Epic, Gamepro Says

With an attempt to buy Yahoo seemingly thwarted, is Microsoft looking at yet another acquisition in Epic Games? That's the word from GamePro editor Travis Moses, who writes in the latest issue of the mag that "Microsoft will buy Epic Games for $1 billion this summer." While that sounds like Moses is fairly assured, we're considering rumor and speculation at this point. Local North Carolina station WRAL reports that Epic would be a good get for MS, securing long term rights to Gears of War, Unreal Tournament and royalties from the Unreal Engine.

While we fully expect someone from Microsoft to utter the words Gears of War II at GDC this week, unless determined to prevent an Unreal Tournament III for Xbox 360 cockblock, we're a bit hesitant about buy-out talk. The company does have a keynote planned this week, which we'll be liveblogging (*gulp*). Ready the F5 key for news.

Could Microsoft Acquire Epic Games? GamePro Editor Thinks So [WRAL]

Rein Defends UTIII PC Sales, Crysis Too

It is amazing how people can look at two weeks of sales (in our case) in one single territory in the busiest Xmas sales season the industry has ever seen and come to the conclusion these titles are doing "badly". I don't think either title is doing so badly.

Not long after the first official piece of user created content for the PlayStation 3 version of Unreal Tournament III arrives, the community has answered the call, with a handful of new maps and a new mutator, something we hope is the start of a long-running trend. The details on each are nestled within the official thread created by Mark Rein at Epic Games' forums, with links to required files and details contained within. Deathmatch map DM-Elevation can be seen above and was created by user "warby", also responsible for the excellent Shadow of the Colossus-style map for Half-Life 2.

First User Created Content for UT3 PS3 is released! [Epic Games]

PS3 Unreal Tournament III Gets Its First User Created Content

The PlayStation 3 version of Epic Games' Unreal Tournament III has long been crowed about as the first game on Sony's console to support user created content, such as mods and maps. Today, owners of UTIII have their first taste of homebrewed PS3 add-ons, as FileFront presents the game's first player-created map, DM-Shrine, for download. The deathmatch map is designed for 2-6 players and was built by 23 year-old Thomas Browett of Nottingham.

FileFront has the download and installation instructions, which, curiously, point out that removable storage of some sort is required for import. Whether it be compact flash, Memory Stick or simply a USB thumb drive, it seems one can't simply download to the PS3's built-in mass storage via the internet browser. What's up with that?

FileFront Exclusive: First Ever PS3 Unreal Tournament 3 Map [FileFront]

The Red Mile-developed video game version of Frank Miller's Sin City may very well not suck. It may very well also help Epic Games' Mark Rein sleep better at night, as the game based on the long-running comic book series will absolutely not feature a single bald space marine and will most likely not have that Unreal Engine 3 "look." Oh, did I forget to mention it's using the Unreal Engine? Well, it is, as Red Mile and Epic have announced today, cruelly teasing us with a tiny tidbit of info and failing to include a single screenshot for us to pick apart. Dare I say it? Dare I look forward to Sin City the game?