GameStop Corp., the world's largest video game and entertainment software retailer, today announced that it will host GEARS OF WAR video game tournaments at 2,000 of its U.S. GameStop locations on Friday, July 25, 2008.

Each tournament will provide players with an opportunity to test their skills one-on-one with other contestants in a single-elimination tournament. Participating GameStop locations will begin their tournaments at 9:30 p.m., local time.

Customers who trade in used games during the tournament will receive an extra 30 percent trade-in credit good toward the reservation of GEARS OF WAR 2, which is available this November. In addition to the tournament and used game trade-in credit, enthusiasts can watch an exclusive 4-minute DVD created by Microsoft and Epic Games. The DVD features a personal introduction from GEARS OF WAR 2 lead designer, Cliffy B, a montage of GEARS OF WAR and footage from GEARS OF WAR 2. GEARS OF WAR 2, an Xbox 360 exclusive, continues the story of Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad as they battle the nightmarish Locust Horde from the underbelly of the planet.
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There has been a bunch of Gears of War 2 related news coming out of E3 this week including matchmaking specifics, new footage as well as a new multiplayer mode getting revealed. But also exciting was the reveal of the Gears of War 2 Limited Edition's contents which may include some mini Lancer love.
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From NextGen Player:

"Major League Gaming, the largest organized league for professional gaming, has announced they will be returning to Canada as part of their 2008 Pro Circuit season.

The event will be part of the 2008 Gaming Expo that we wrote about last month being held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from August 22-24. Hobbystar, the organizers of the Gaming Expo, have added a ton of details on the MLG Pro Circuit competition on their website today."
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Let the games begin! The doors have been opened, and thousands of gamers are now flooding into the third stop along the 2008 MLG Pro Circuit here in Orlando, Florida. They?'ll now begin to warm-up in preparation for the the Open Bracket to begin. The action is set to officially kick-off at 5:30 p.m. ET, so keep your browsers locked to mlgpro.com as MLG Orlando gets underway!
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TriForce Sales, LLC announced today that it has started taking pre-orders for the 1:1 scale replicas of the Lancer Assault Rifle ($949.99) and the Locust Drone bust ($549.99).

Earlier this year, TriForce acquired the license from Epic Games to produce 1:1 scale replicas of the weapons and armor from the Gears of War universe. The company partnered with master sculptor Sid Garrand of Nightmare Armor Studios to recreate the gear worn by Delta Squad of the Coalition of Ordered Governments. Fans will have a chance to order their own C.O.G. Armor, C.O.G. helmet and the Lancer Assault Rifle, replicas created from designs based on images of Delta Squad, led by game hero Marcus Fenix.
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With the scriptwriter from Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift.

Len Wiseman, the chap behind vampire flick Underworld and Die Hard 4, is preparing to direct a movie based on Gears of War.
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Len Wiseman, the chap behind vampire flick Underworld and Die Hard 4, is preparing to direct a movie based on Gears of War. The director will be teaming up with writer Chris Morgan to develop the story and rewrite a new screenplay, according to Variety. A previous script by Stuart Beattie, the original writer of the first Pirates of the Caribbean, will be discarded. Fortunately, Epic will have some involvement. ...

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Len Wiseman is suiting up to direct New Line's "Gears of War," based on Microsoft and Epic Games' hit vidgame.
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Eurogamer reports:

Had you been on Play.com this morning, looking to purchase a copy of Unreal Tournament III for Xbox 360, you might have spotted something interesting.

The packshot shown on the site featured a sticker advertising that the disc includes a Gears of War 2 video.

The packshot is still there, but the sticker has since mysteriously disappeared.

This isn't the first time such a bonus has been hinted at. Back in April Mark Rein told Eurogamer, "You might want to keep a close eye on the Unreal Tournament 3 disc. There might be something Gears of War 2 related on that."

When asked if that something might be a new trailer he replied, "Might not be! Might be. Whatever!"
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From NextGen Player"

"Pepsi-QTG Canada have announced Amp Your Game, a nationwide event touted as "the biggest gaming tour in Canada". The event is, as described on the website, totally free to attend, and will feature:

- Opportunity to compete in game tournaments for prizes
- 80 gaming stations playing the latest games
- Compete for a spot to be a pro-gamer and join Canada's first professional gaming team
- Game tips and coaching from pros
- DJs and live music
- Chance to meet local celebrities"
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