Epic just released details for the upcoming Gears of War 2 Update 4 patch, which it says will add a bit of extra XP to Horde mode, fix balance issues, and get the game ready for the next DLC pack, Dark Corners.

We don’t know when Update 4 will hit your Xbox 360, but it will be out before Dark Corners which drops on July 28. You can download Dark Corners for 1200 MS Points (that’s 15 bones folks), or as part of a DLC grab-bag — All Fronts (1600 MS Points) — featuring every DLC pack released to date.

If you have yet to get the other DLC packs, All Fronts is definitely the best deal. Deals are certainly welcome in this cruddy economy.

What follows is the official list released by Epic of all the fixes and improvements made by Update 4. Read on! (more…)

Epic seems much more comitted to keeping Gears of War 2 alive in the minds of players than they did with the first game. Maybe they’re trying to make up for all the multiplayer issues the game had when it was released.

Epic have announced the All Fronts Collection. This will be released at retail for $19.99 and include all current DLC maps. In addition to that, there will be seven brand new maps included, and a brand new campaign mission that will apparently feature the use of stealth.

The pack will be released on July 28th. Click past the jump to see what the new multiplayer maps will feature.

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Major Nelson today released the pricing and dates for the new maps for Gears of War 2 and Halo 3.

The Snowblind map pack for Gears of War 2 will be out March 31st for 800 MS points.

The Mythic Map pack for Halo 3, previously only available to those who bought the limited edition of Halo Wars, will be released on April 9th for 800 MS points.

I heard Gears of War 2 has had some problems, no?

Have no fear! Epic has finally released the long awaited patch to fix a variety of bugs, exploits, and balancing issues. Seven new achievements have also been added. What’s been fixed, you ask?

Exploit Fixes
* A player could melee or grenade tag through certain walls.
* A player could equip a shield and a two-handed weapon simultaneously.
* A player could make their shield invisible.
* A player could become invisible.
* A player could do a “super” mantle or “kung fu flip,” flying high into the air.
* A player could gain unlimited ammo with the Lancer Assault Rifle.
* A player could fire while roadie running (also known as “crabwalking”).
* A player could pick up a weapon while sliding into cover.
* A player could walk forward while firing a deployed mortar.
* A player could force an opponent to be stuck in the down but not out (DBNO) position.
* A player could prevent other players from picking up a heavy weapon.
* A player could pick up a dropped meatflag without having to knock him down.
* A ragdolled player could be killed without ever going DBNO.
* A player could roadie run while firing the Scorcher Flamethrower.
* A player could get stuck while evading, though they could continue shooting in any direction.
* A player could concuss themselves under the stairs on the River map.

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Praise God, Epic is listening. Epic has announced there will be a major title update sometime this month (January 2009) according to Team Xbox’s recent news article. With Gears of War being one of the most played games ever on XBL we would have all presumed that when Gears of War 2 hit the shelves that the online matchmaking system would have been perfected. Unfortunately for all of us Gear fans that was not the case. Not only was matchmaking a long awaiting process that gave you enough time to run to the store and back before finding a game but the cheating and glitching started immediately and is used excessively. I couldn’t believe it when I put three shotgun rounds in a dude, meleed him twice, and suddenly he stooped, took one shot, and killed me. The frustration grew even more when I figured out he was shield glitching me. I wondered why he looked as if he was squatting over a toilet with a shotgun in only one hand and his toilet paper in the other. Along with the shield glitch many others have been discovered such as infinite ammo for the lancer, the invisibility trick, and melee through particular walls, etc.

Fortunately there is hope in the end! Team Xbox reports that Mark Rein, Vice President of Epic Games, issued a press release where he acknowledged the glitches/ bugs that have been discovered and explained that the team at Epic has been working on these problems since before their holiday break. He also announced that some achievements for DLC will be added and that extensive work has been done to make the shotgun effective in a “laggy” game situation. All this adds up to the fact that Epic is trying their hardest to make sure that gamers keep Gears at the top of their playlist.

Okay gamers, are you ready to have your face melted off by the awesome power that is Gears of War?  Okay that was a little extreme I know but aren’t you excited.  It’s been a little under 2 years since the first title launched and the anticipation for a sequel has been strong and steady.  Of course there is little doubt that this game will not hold it’s own and then some.  It’s become like the Halo series, it has it’s audience for both the coop play and the online experiance.  Today is an Epic day (pun intended).  So, are you going to be at the store waiting at midnight?  I will be, and then I will go home, pop in Fallout 3 and enjoy…just kidding it’s Gears night baby!  Bring your friends and party up.  See you on Live.

Ah, Gears of War. Microsoft’s and Epic’s 2006 blockbuster hit laden with testosterone, blood, and chainsaw guns. For whatever reason it wasn’t much my cup of tea, but I know I’m in the minority there. The sequel, of course, will be upon us in less than a month, and we have a new batch of previews for the single player campaign (the portion I’m mostly likely to play, if I play it at all). Check the links for info on locusts, new gameplay elements, and Dom’s AWOL wife.

Wired Game|Life – Gears of Ware 2 Defines ‘Hardcore’

Giant Bomb – Gears of War 2: Some Things About Campaign Mode

Shacknews – Gears of War 2 Campaign Hands-On: It’s Bigger, But Is That Better?

IGN – Gears of War Campaign Hands-On

Shacknews is reporting a new trend in games being released this fall where developers are creating incentives for players to buy their games new, instead of used.

Developers and publishers have grumbled over the years that they don’t think it’s particularly fair that retailers like Gamestop make millions off of used game sales without the developers ever seeing a piece of that money. Sony once mentioned they were looking into tying a game to the first console it was played on. Thankfully, nothing ever came of that.

However, we are starting to see games offer incentives to players to keep their games instead of trade them in. Rock Band 2 is offering a one-time use code that will allow players to download 20 free downloadable tracks in the future. Gears of War 2 will include a one-time use code allowing players to download remade maps from the first Gears of War. Burnout Paradise has been steadily releasing free content for the game since it was released earlier this year, keeping players busy with new challenges, online modes, and motorcycles. A new island is eventually coming to the game.

What do you guys think of this trend? Will it make you think twice before trading in your games, or buying a game used? Do you think it’s fair that developers see no money from used game sales?

Eurogamer has posted a detailed look at the first act of Microsoft and Epic’s upcoming blockbuster, Gears of War 2. Environments, new weapons, the improved enemy AI, and the amount of variety in the first act are all touched on. They also got a look at the new Horde mode and how it will work. Horde mode will feature up to 50 waves of incoming enemies. Apparently, Cliff Bleszinski himself has only gotten to the 27th wave. Sounds like Horde mode will be an excellent way to work towards the 100,000 kills necessary for the Seriously 2.0 achievement.