As promised, Microsoft and Epic Games have delivered the first in-game footage of the cover-heavy action sequel Gears of War 2 (X360), which can be viewed below or downloaded from FileShack.

Introduced by series creator Cliff Bleszinski, the trailer is said to pack "chainsaw duels, large scale firefights with Locust Horde and stunning new visuals."

An Xbox 360 exclusive, Gears of War 2 is slated to arrive in November. Much like the first Gears of War, Epic has no plans to for a downloadable demo.

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The first in-game footage of Gears of War 2 (X360) will be released tonight at 2 AM EDT / 11 PM PDT, Microsoft and developer Epic Games have announced.

Introduced by series creator Cliff Bleszinski, the trailer of the cover-heavy action sequel is said to pack "chainsaw duels, large scale firefights with Locust Horde and stunning new visuals."

While the game was announced with a red-tinted teaser, this will mark the first availability of actual in-game media. A series of Unreal Engine 3 tech demos were shown alongside that teaser.

The footage will be available in streaming and downloadable formats here at Shacknews following its late-night release. It will also be obtainable through the Xbox 360's online Xbox Live Marketplace at that time.

An Xbox 360 exclusive, Gears of War 2 is slated to arrive in November. Much like the first Gears of War, Epic has no plans to release a downloadable demo in advance of the game's retail debut.

While attending Midway's recent Gamers Day event in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to sit down with Epic associate producer Tanya Jessen and discuss a number of assorted topics.

Want to know if the upcoming Xbox 360 edition of Unreal Tournament 3 will include mod support? The possibility of an Epic game on XBLA or PSN? The studio's thoughts on complaints that the lead characters from Gears of War and UT3 look so much alike?

What about the possible effects of Portal on Gears of War 2? And just what does Epic think of the UE3-powered wet t-shirt contests in Surreal's This Is Vegas? Read on to find out.

Tanya Jessen: We've got a few secret projects that will be talked about I'm sure in the coming time. We love the Unreal franchise and I assure you there's more to come.

The guys are working really hard to continue to support it because this, I mean, Epic wouldn't be Epic without Unreal. This is definitely something that we're continuing to work on and continuing to improve. Read more...

Epic Games has confirmed to Shacknews that it is not planning to release a demo of the cover-heavy action title Gears of War 2 (X360) demo in advance of the title's November launch.

"[There are] no plans for a demo," associate producer Tanya Jessen told Shacknews. "The reason being that it's been such a fast turnaround. A two year production cycle, for a game of this caliber, is really short."

The lack of a demo continues the tradition Epic set forth with the original Gears of War, which debuted on Xbox 360 in November 2006. While many fans lamented their inability to get an advance look at the game, it still went on to sell over three million copies in its first ten weeks on store shelves. A PC edition followed in November 2007.

"Our focus is always on putting out the best possible game we can," she continued. "Whenever you do a demo, you have to basically ship a whole separate product. As far as our plans after we ship, I can't really speak to that."

A deluge of supposed details from Epic's cover-heavy action title Gears of War 2 (X360) have burst onto the internet, courtesy of latest issue of Game Informer magazine and NeoGAF user SHOTEH FOCK OP.

According to the report, Gears of War 2 picks up six months after the original. Along with several new characters, including the wife of co-op partner Dom, the game will pack drop-in and drop-out co-op play, new weapons, and new enemies.

A new difficulty setting has been added for more casual gamers, with Epic noting that it wants the game to be accessible to everyone. The title is said to automatically adjust its difficulty when players of different settings battle together, though specifics were not disclosed.

Other tweaks involve a refined cover system that provides a bit more protection and the removal of the forced walking sections that hid the load times of the Xbox 360 and PC original. In place of the walking conversations are actual conversation cinematics, which can be ended early care of a "SHUT UP" button.

"There's a certain percentage of the audience that wants to skip all that, and they just want to shoot some s---, and we're more than willing to cater to that," noted creator Cliff "CliffyB" Bleszinski.

Among the new foes are the Kantus, which have the ability to revive... Read more

Following the announcement of Gears of War 2 last month during the Game Developers Conference, Epic has released two high-definition trailers showing off its various GDC exploits.

The first video is captured from Epic's press conference, and offers a look at the various improvements being made to the Unreal Engine 3. High-density crowds, realistic water effects, and deformable and destructible objects make the billing.

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Continue on for a behind-the-scenes video detailing Gears of War 2's GDC announcement, featuring a well-armed Cliffy B. ... Read more

The sequel to Epic Games' Gears of War will be hitting stores this November as an Xbox 360 exclusive.

The news was confirmed by Epic's Cliff Bleszinski during the Microsoft keynote address at the Game Developers Conference. A short teaser, viewable below, was also shown.

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Epic also showed off a few new features of the Unreal Engine currently in development, including far improved fluid dynamics, high-density crowds, and characters with soft-body physics.