Gears 3 beta dates announced

by: Jeremy - posted: 3/4/2011 8:56:00 AM

Microsoft has finally announced the specific dates for the Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta test that will go live on the Xbox 360 next month. The official, public beta event will kick off on April 25 and run through May 15, 2011. Owners of the Epic Edition of Bulletstorm will get an additional week ahead of everyone else between April 18 and the 24th.

The first leg of the beta, exclusive to Bulletstorm owners, will allow players to try out the Team Deathmatch mode on 4 new maps: Trenches, Old Town, Thrashball, and Checkout. When the beta goes public on April 25, additional special events and playlists hosted by Epic Games. The final week of the beta will see the additional of two more multiplayer modes: King of the Hill and Capture the Leader.

Players who participate in the beta will be able to unlock a wide variety of accessories and content in the retail version of the game, which ships on September 20, 2011. The unlockable items include:

• BETA TESTER MEDAL – Complete one match in the beta to unlock the Beta Tester medal, which will carry over to your gamer profile in the final game. The Beta Tester title will be featured in the Gears 3 multiplayer lobby as well.
• THRASHBALL COLE – Complete 50 matches in any game type to unlock the Thrashball Cole character variant in the beta. Once unlocked, complete 10 matches as Thrashball Cole during the beta and the character will carry over to your gamer profile in the final game.
• GOLD-PLATED RETRO LANCER – Show your ultimate Gears of War fandom by unlocking the Gold-Plated Retro Lancer. Complete 90 matches in any game type to unlock it for the beta, and score 100 kills with it once unlocked to carry the exclusive weapon skin over to your gamer profile in the final game.
• FLAMING HAMMERBURST – Complete one match by Sunday, 24 April and unlock this weapon variant.
• FLAMING LANCER – Complete one match during the week of 25 April and unlock this weapon variant.
• FLAMING SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN – Complete one match during the week of 2 May to unlock this weapon variant.
• FLAMING GNASHER SHOTGUN – Complete one match during the week of 9 May to unlock this weapon variant.

There you have it, the beta is scheduled and ready to roll. I hope that Bulletstorm owners have kept hold of their disc because it will be needed to access the beta early. Microsoft has announced that keys to the beta will also be offered by preordering the game through Gamestop’s website.