Gears of War for Windows Gone Gold

Microsoft Game Studios announced today that the eagerly-awaited "Gears of War" for Windows has gone gold and will hit retailers throughout North America on November 6th.

With the Xbox 360 version of the game selling more than 4 million copies to date, Gears of War has been lauded by critics for its gripping campaign and fast-paced multiplayer action. Windows gamers will get to choose between doing battle via mouse and keyboard, or using the Windows-enabled Xbox 360 controller.

Gears of War for Windows will engage gamers in hyper-realistic combat, allowing players to fight for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet.

In addition to retaining all of the content from its Xbox 360 counterpart and all previously released downloadable content (seven multiplayer maps and the Annex game mode), Gears of War for Windows will feature exciting original content, all-new Achievements to unlock, and ultra-high resolution visuals. Five new campaign chapters expand upon the riveting story (including an epic battle with the fearsome Brumak), and the action-packed multiplayer offering is bolstered with three exclusive multiplayer maps, a "King of the Hill" game type, and Games for Windows â€" LIVE support to deliver online matchmaking for Gold members. A new game editor will allow users to develop an unlimited number of user-created levels with complete access to the Unreal Editor.

As usual, the PC version of the game will retail for $49.99, $10 less than the Xbox version.