Fans of Epic's Gears of War series will not have long to wait as Microsoft has just confirmed that the beta for "Gears of War 3" will launch on April 25, with owners of Bulletstorm's Epic Edition getting a week's head start on April 18.
The beta will run through May 15 and will feature a new Team Deathmatch mode on four maps (Thrashball, Checkout, Trenches and Old Town), as well as two additional competitive game modes, Capture the Leader and King of the Hill which will be added on the final week of the beta.
Players who participate in the beta will be able to unlock special achievements and items for the full game when it launches on September 20. Unlockable achievements 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.
via vg247