Gears 3 Beta Info

[^APEX^Cove]

The Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta will begin on Apr. 25 and conclude three weeks later on May 15. Those who purchased the Bulletstorm: Epic Edition get into the beta one week earlier starting on Apr. 18.

Over the course of the beta, three new competitive multiplayer modes and four maps will become available. Epic is also allowing players to unlock content in the beta that can be carried over into the full retail game when it launches on Sep. 20, 2011.

Below is the list of challenges and items:

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, April 24 and unlock this weapon variant.

Flaming Lancer: Complete one match during the week of April 25 and unlock this weapon variant.

Flaming Sawed-Off Shotgun: Complete one match during the week of May 2 to unlock this weapon variant.

Flaming Gnasher Shotgun: Complete one match during the week of May 9 to unlock this weapon variant.

[^APEX^Oneder]

Really looking forward to this beta. Any word on what the modes will be?

Also anyone expecting to unlock all of the challenges? I hope to but I know it would be more fun playing with people I know.

[^APEX^ALPHA]

I'll defintely be shooting for those challenges. Now if they only gave us some more info on what content is for the 3 retail versions...

Rumor has it that the Epic version will be packing a Lancer replica so, since I already have one that's not an incentive for me.

Another is the Collectors edition packing an in game Golden Lancer, again. No go there since it's available in the beta. Then again these are just rumors so we'll see if they pack any goodies making them worth the purchase.

[^APEX^Cove]

Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta schedule for your reference, which tells you exactly what will be available and when.

"FYI regarding game modes and maps:
•Mon 18th April through Sun 24th - TDM on Thrashball and Checkout only.
•Mon 25th April through Sun 1st - TDM on Thrashball, Checkout, and Trenches only.
•Mon 2nd May through Sun 8th - TDM and KOTH on all 4 beta maps.
•Mon 9th May through Sun 15th - TDM, KOTH, and CTL on all 4 beta maps."

So, there'll be a week for the Bulletstorm Epic Edition people to play Team Deathmatch on the Thrashball and Checkout maps, before Gears 3 pre-order peeps then get to join in with the addition of the dusty Trenches map. Then as the weeks roll by, Epic will unlock everything in the beta, including all three modes across all four beta maps. Now go forth and chainsaw!