Gears of War 3 launch date announced

Microsoft and Epic Games has announced that Gears of War 3 will release worldwide on September 20th for Xbox 360.

Originally scheduled for release in April this year, many tipped that Gears of War 3 would likely drop in the pre-Christmas holiday season.

Gears of War 3 will introduce four-player co-op for the first time in the series, alongside the new Beast Mode announced at last year's E3 that will see players assume control of Locust troops for the first time.

Those who pre-ordered the Epic Edition of Bulletstorm, which releases tomorrow in New Zealand, will receive early, guaranteed access into a Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta at an unspecified date this year. It's understood, however, that Bulletstorm players don't get exclusive access to the beta, and further methods of participation will be announced in due course.

 For the first time in the franchise's history, Gears of War 3's multiplayer component will feature dedicated servers, although there's still no official word on the nature of the Australasian situation.