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In this Gears of War 2 multiplayer montage, we take a look at the following new maps: "Stasis, Security, Ruins, River, Pavilion, Jacinto, Hail, Day One, Blood Drive and Avalanche." Video after the break. Click here for first picture in gallery.

The maps look solid, the gameplay looks gruesome, and we're loving every moment. It's an IGN produced Gears 2 multiplayer montage featuring gameplay footage from Gears 2 including the newly new maps.

Amazon is offering a free $10 gift card when you pre-order Gears of War 2, which is slated for release on November 7th. It "offers jaw-dropping graphics that are made possible through advances in Unreal Engine 3." Product page. Video after the break.

New visual effects include ambient occlusion, dynamic shadows, improved character lighting, the ability to render hundreds of on-screen characters simultaneously, improved water physics.

Epic couldn't leave gamers without an official Gears of War 2 launch trailer, so that's why we've got a brand new video for your viewing enjoyment after the break. There's plenty of gameplay to keep you satisfied until November 7th.

The Gears of War 2 experience isn't complete without "the larger-than-life stars, gunfire, drama, and a little romance." And so fittingly, this week's developer diary takes you behind the scenes. Continue reading to watch.

According to gaming insiders, "the blockbuster sequel to the fastest-selling game of 2006, recently surpassed the total pre-sale orders of the original Gears of War and is poised to become the must-have video game this holiday season." Video after the break.

Over 20,000 retail stores worldwide will have Gears of War 2 on sale at 12:01 a.m. on November 7th as part of the Midnight Mayhem launch program.

The above shot is the first hands-on picture of Microsoft's Zune Gears of War 2 edition. A company representative states that "a serious 'step up' in Zune and Xbox 360 integration will happen 'within a year.'" Click here for pictures of the new Zune originals.

Also on hand were the next round of Zune Originals coming out later this month, the Zodiac series, with Spanish artist Catalina Estrada designing ones around the Western signs, and Iosefatu Sua doing up the Eastern set.

In the latest Gears of War 2 developer diary, called "A Pixel is Worth a Thousand Words", we get to "check out the beauty and visual design of the Gears universe, from the smallest detail to the grandest vista." Video after the break. Click here for first picture in gallery.

In this installment of the Gears of War 2 developer diary, "the developers shed some light on multiplayer, new modes, and psychological warfare." Video after the break. Click here for first picture in gallery.

In this Gears of War 2 developer diary, "Epic gives a closer look at brutal new foes." The game is slated for release on November 7th, 2008 on Microsoft's Xbox 360. Continue reading to watch.

According to sources, "a redemption code will be in all new copies of GoW2 that will let gamers download five remade maps from the original GoW." Click here for new Gears of War 2 screenshots.

Jumping over to TVG, Bleszinki told the website that there are no plans for a PC version. "Here's the problem right now," he said, "the person who is savvy enough to want to have a good PC to upgrade their video card, is a person who is savvy enough to know bit torrent to know all the elements so they can pirate software."