Hailed as the most-anticipated video game launch of 2006 and punctuated by incredible demand from gamers, Gears of War begins appearing in the first retail outlets today. Starting now, gamers can run for cover and crush the enemy on their own, or take the season's hottest action title online via Xbox Live, the world's largest online gaming and entertainment network.

"Gears of War," developed by Epic Games Inc. and published by Microsoft Game Studios thrusts players into humankind's epic battle for survival against a nightmarish race of creatures known as the Locust Horde. With its combination of cinematic, visceral gameplay, dramatic story-telling and intense action, both with single player and multiplayer online play via Xbox Live, Gears of War is a seminal title for Xbox 360, providing one of the best next-generation interactive entertainment experiences today.

Gears of War from Epic Games and Microsoft Game Studios is a third-person tactical action/horror game available exclusively on Xbox 360. It is available now at select retailers and available widely beginning November 12th in Canada. In addition, a special Limited Collector's Edition will be available, which will include a collectible embossed metal box, the "Destroyed Beauty" hard-bound art book, and a bonus DVD that features the making of "Gears of War," the "Art of Gears of War" trailer, and the MTV program "Gears of War: The Race to E3."