In case you all missed these: Epic has been releasing these “developer diaries” for the upcoming release of Gears of War 2. You can download most of these at the official GoW 2 website: http://gearsofwar.xbox.com/Media/videos.htm

All videos are chronologically ordered, from newest to oldest.

Never Fight Alone:
The crew at Epic dishes on multiplayer, new modes, and psychological warfare in Gears 2.
http://gameroom.mlgpro.com/view/mcWKEmj2Gb4.html

Enter the Horde:
Take a closer look at the brutal new foes in Gears 2.
http://gameroom.mlgpro.com/view/Cic8ngjs9W0.html

Delta Blues:
The Gears 2 team talks about what makes their characters tick.
http://gameroom.mlgpro.com/view/EVsulpbQwEdD3M.html

Every Gun Has A Story:
The Gears 2 team explains how to reach out and touch someone… with a flamethrower.
http://gameroom.mlgpro.com/view/d8fhsalslNPfA84w.html

Touch The Sound:
Learn all about the “meatier,” “crunchier,” Gears 2 sound design.
http://gameroom.mlgpro.com/view/NTm4Zx0X9As.html

Gears 2: Multiplayer Footage:
Part 1:

Part 2:

Several Hushed Casket members are now in the public beta of Call of Duty 5: World at War. For those of you that aren’t in just yet, here are some of my thoughts after playing it for the first day:

By the way, reserve the game at Gamestop and you can get access to the multiplayer beta. Also pay attention to this website and we’ll let you know when beta keys are going to be given away.

My take of the beta:

CoD5 is as if you took the CoD4 engine and gameplay, stripped out the modern warfare element and the Middle Eastern setting, and then replaced it with WWII warfare in the Pacific/Asian theater and the German/Soviet front.

The party system, rank system, weapons, perks, classes, and kill bonuses are all built into the game just like they were for CoD4. Some new perks are added. Of course the weapons are from the WWII era.

During this first stage of the beta the maximum level is capped at level 11.

As of this writing (2PM CST), 7000 players are online.

My first game was in a large map set in what seemed like a Philippine island. The map was dark and set on a beach. On the shore where huts and buildings made out of old wood and old metal. Some of the buildings stretched out over the water. At least one building was raised about 20′ off the ground and a sniper was owning us from that spot.

Wild dogs attacked us as we were playing. See below:

If you get 3 kills without dying you can call in a recon plane that will reveal enemies on the map just like the UAV in CoD4.

If you get 5 kills without dying you can call in artillery rounds to the spot on the map that you pick. (The cannon fire seemed to last 3 or 4 times longer than the bombing in CoD4). I feel like this will be more deadly than the airstrike in CoD4.

Get this…

If you get 7 kill without dying you can call in dogs. The dogs will sniff out the enemies and go attack them. The enemies can shoot the dogs. A new wave of dogs may attack if the dogs are killed before a certain time limit or before a certain kill limit.

I’ve been killed by dogs more than once already.

In my second map we moved to what looked to be a place in Germany. The industrial complex was in rubbles. The map was large with plenty of cover. There were also many walkways high above ground level. Tanks were in this level. Because of all the buildings and the rubble, it was easy to avoid the tanks.

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Beta maps:

Castle: The Imperial Japanese Army faces off against the Marine Raiders in a daytime battle, located on the grounds of an ancient, Japanese castle.

Makin: The U.S. Marine Raiders square off against the Imperial Japanese Army in a nighttime fight, set in an outpost on the Makin Atoll in the Pacific.

Roundhouse: The Wehrmact will fight the Red Army to the bitter end in a daytime struggle that features tank and infantry combat, set in a desolate, war-torn European train depot.

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Perk 1:
– Special Grenades x3
– Satchel Charge x2
– M9A1 Bazooka x2
– Bomb Squad [level 16]
– Bouncing Betty x2 [level 24]
– Bandolier [level 40]
– Primary Grenades x2 – [level 44]
– M2 Flamethrower [level 65]

Perk 2:
– Stopping Power
– Fireworks (higher explosive weapon damage)
– Flak Jacket (reduces explosive damage)
– Gas Mask (protects against Tabun gas)
– Juggernaut
– Camouflage [level 12]
– Sleight of Hand [level 28]
– Shades [level 32]
– Double Tap [level 36]
– Overkill [level 56]

Perk 3:
– Deep Impact
– Extreme Conditioning
– Steady Aim
– Toss Back [level 6]
– Second Chance [level 9]
– Martyrdom [level 20]
– Fireproof [level 48]
– Dead Silence [level 52]
– Iron Lungs [level 60]
– Reconnaissance [level 64]

Vehicle Perk:
– Water Cooler (decreases turret overheat)
– Greased Bearings (increases turret rotation speed)
– Ordnance Training [level 12]
– Leadfoot [level 28]
– Coaxial Machine Gun [level 40]

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Primary Weapon:
– Bolt Action Rifles
— Springfield
— Arisaka
— Mosin-Nagant
— Kar98k
— PTRS-41

– Rifles
— SVT-40
— Gewehr 43
— M1 Garand
— STG-44
— M1A1 Carbine

– Submachine guns
— Thompson
— MP40
— Type 100
– PPSh-41

– Shotguns
— M1897 Trench Gun
— Double-barreled shotgun

– Machine guns
— Type 99
— BAR
— DP-28
— MG42
— FG42
— Browning M1919

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Gametypes

War – Capture battlefield command points. Secure and hold all positions to achieve victory. Players 6-12.
CTF – Get the enemy flag and return it to your base. Players 6-12.
Team Deathmatch – Straight up TDM. Use teamwork to kill enemy players and reach the score limit. Players 6-12.
Pick up TDM – Straight up TDM with no parties allowed. Players 6-12.
Free for all – Kill or be killed. You are alone. Everyone wants you dead. Players 6-12.

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As of this writing, War has 1417 of 7084 gamers, CTF has 769, TDM has 3755, Pick up TDm has 504, and FFA has 639.

Prestige mode hits at Level 65.

Party privacy settings are available.

The multiplayer beta is only playable through XBOX Live. I have not heard if CoD5 will support LAN play.

13 multiplayer maps will ship with the game. Expect for there to be more maps to purchase after the release.

Soviet T34 and German Panzer tanks are playable in some multiplayer maps. They are destructible and were added to the game with balance in mind.

Unrelated to the beta, CoD5 will support online co-op during the campaign.

CoD5 is not made by Infinity Ward. It is made by Treyarch, makers of CoD3. CoD3 was a disappointment to many gamers. Treyarch is not going to let you down with CoD5.

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The collector’s edition of the game contains exclusive content:

– Colored Clan Tag: Identify your VIP-status in multiplayer with a uniquely colored clan tag

– Day 1 Edge: Dominate your rivals online and rank up faster with your instantly available FG 42 Machine Gun. The FG 42 is a high-level (45+) machine gun which you can have from day-one. Saw through your opponents from 50 yards with this fast firing machine gun.

– Double Experience: Take advantage of a week of double experience in multiplayer to accelerate your advancement. (Limited time offer. Exact date for week of double experience will be announced on CallOfDuty.com, register online to receive confirmation of date and time and other key information.)

– Stainless Steel Canteen: Authentic 8-ounce brushed stainless steel Call of Duty branded canteen.

– Metal Storage Tin: Featuring Call of Duty inspired artwork, this collectable metal storage tin provides enough space to store multiple games and their cases.

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Ever wonder what events Podtacular is hosting? Did you know there’s a place to find out? Well, thanks to CapnKrunk, our lovely site administrator, the calendar is back up and operational. “Where do we find it?” you ask. There’s a nifty link on the main menu called “Events” where you can keep up to date with the latest Podtacular events. There are a few events up there now, so keep an eye out for new stuff.