GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

[ThaGenecyst]

A quick look at the floorplans of the 2008 Game Developer Conference reveals that Microsoft and Epic have secured the two biggest floor spaces.

With the largest exhibit at the event, taking up 4,800 square ft of space, Microsoft will certainly have a bigger presence than in previous years, when Sony and Nintendo got the biggest areas to utilize this professionals-only game industry conference as a pre-E3 event.

Only second in size to Microsoft’s space, Epic Games’ presence at the event isn’t surprising at all, since the developer always uses GDC to show the latest Unreal Engine technology.

Furthermore, both companies’ spaces are in front of each other in the first level of the Moscone West Hall. This last detail wouldn’t matter if wasn’t for the fact that the two companies worked closely on Gears of War.

After the listing of Gears of War 2 on Amazon.com and today’s unveiling of "Gears of War: The Pendulum Wars", we are starting to believe that the size and location of Microsoft and Epic Games’ areas at GDC are not just a mere coincidence.

We contacted Epic Games to ask about the recent Gears of War fuss, as well as its area size and proximity to Microsoft in the Moscone Center. Mark Rein limited his response to the company’s presence at the event to support Epic’s engine business.

Microsoft and Epic Games have the largest booths. Nintendo and Sony' booths shown below for comparison.

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/15377/...Gears-Turning/

[CaptainZombie]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

A quick look at the floorplans of the 2008 Game Developer Conference reveals that Microsoft and Epic have secured the two biggest floor spaces.

With the largest exhibit at the event, taking up 4,800 square ft of space, Microsoft will certainly have a bigger presence than in previous years, when Sony and Nintendo got the biggest areas to utilize this professionals-only game industry conference as a pre-E3 event.

Only second in size to Microsoft’s space, Epic Games’ presence at the event isn’t surprising at all, since the developer always uses GDC to show the latest Unreal Engine technology.

Furthermore, both companies’ spaces are in front of each other in the first level of the Moscone West Hall. This last detail wouldn’t matter if wasn’t for the fact that the two companies worked closely on Gears of War.

After the listing of Gears of War 2 on Amazon.com and today’s unveiling of "Gears of War: The Pendulum Wars", we are starting to believe that the size and location of Microsoft and Epic Games’ areas at GDC are not just a mere coincidence.

We contacted Epic Games to ask about the recent Gears of War fuss, as well as its area size and proximity to Microsoft in the Moscone Center. Mark Rein limited his response to the company’s presence at the event to support Epic’s engine business.

Microsoft and Epic Games have the largest booths. Nintendo and Sony' booths shown below for comparison.

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/15377/...Gears-Turning/

GOW2 would be good news.

[dave360]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

GOW2 would be good news.

It would be even better than that IMO. Gears is still my favorite 360 game. I'd love to see the sequel this fall and given Microsoft's track record with novelization of their games (Halo, Mass Effect, and a couple of the others) I'm excited about the book as well.

[chippered]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

Good deal. A new GOW would be great news indeed.

[Eton Rifles]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

Is anyone reading this really surprised by it?

[dave360]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

Is anyone reading this really surprised by it?

I am. I figured it would be early or late 2009 before the next Gears came out. You really haven't seen or heard anything on it and both Epic and Microsoft have been really quiet.

[Eton Rifles]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

I guess I'm not because I think Microsoft's plan is to release a AAA title every fall.

[Flawless]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

Everybody knows Gears 2 is coming, but I don't think the size and location of the two booths is some kind of hint at it being announced at GDC, unless TeamXbox knows more than they are letting on. I'm 50/50 on whether or not it makes it out this year. I would be a little surprised if Microsoft doesn't have an exclusive shooter out later this year with Sony releasing Killzone 2 and more than likely Resistance 2.

[Candyman5]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

I dont know, I was kinda disappointed with GOW, I am not sure if I will get GOW2 or not.

[Eton Rifles]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

I maybe played GOW 3 times online and never played the single player one time and traded it in. I know I won't be buying the second one.

[jmood88]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

I dont know, I was kinda disappointed with GOW, I am not sure if I will get GOW2 or not.

Online sucked and there wasn't much replay value. After I beat it I just sold it.

[SportsAce]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

I dont know, I was kinda disappointed with GOW, I am not sure if I will get GOW2 or not.

No question I'll get GOW2....GOW was one of my favorite games of all time.

[chippered]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

Online sucked and there wasn't much replay value. After I beat it I just sold it.

Online sucked IMO without being able to respawn, and I wasnt that good, so an online game for me was like a 30 second game and then me waiting for the match to end.

I thought the single player was a blast, especially online with a friend. I should crank this back up to see how I do, because that was one of my first shooters, which hopefully was the reason I sucked so badly.

[jmood88]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

What I hated about multiplayer other than no respawning was that most times people would run to get the hammer of dawn, then the match would pretty much be over.

[Flawless]

Re: GDC: Are Microsoft, Epic Getting Their Gears Turning?

Rumor: Gears 2 details and map revealed.

• Unreal 3.5 engine
• 4 new weapons
• Twice as big as the previous game
• Controllable Air Vehicles
• New methods of Melee
• No ****ing time to catch your breath
• New action set pieces
• Outdoor environments to include battlefield wars

Also, this is interesting and strange.

Kudo Tsunoda Jumps EA Ship, Lands at Microsoft

Tsunoda takes the title general manager, reporting to Mattrick. His hire is part of a reporting reorg being implemented by Mattrick, say sources--who also say Tsunoda is project lead on an upcoming Gears of War title.