14 DAY TRIAL // At the end of last month, on the 31rd, we posted an article on Gears of War update and new multiplayer gametype (Annex) announced by Epic on official Gears of War forums. Every detail about it was correct, except one. Don't worry, it's still free (for when it's available that is), but the date was wrong: not the 9th of April. Although I somehow missed that little detail and didn't post it (lucky me, I don't have to make any corrections), if by any chance you went on to check out more on the update, you should know that the release date was wrong and Microsoft and Epic Games corrected that information.
However, new details have been made available by Epic Games on the upcoming update. It will feature the already mentioned Annex multiplayer gametype, which is a smarter Domination Mode found in the PC version of Unreal Tournament (original version), as 1UP reckons. Here, gamers are divided into teams and are assigned specific tasks, objectives or locations throughout the map. The longer a player holds the point, more are racked up, until that location gives 60 points. These points are split among the teams, depending on how long they hold it.
Another location can be chosen after the gathered points are gone. The difference between this gametype and other Gears of War gametypes is that this one involves respawning. That's why players have to return into battle every 15 seconds. Also, total round scores can be set as low as 120 points or as high as 480 points.
HUD and map changes occurring with Annex: "On the HUD, the current objective appears below the team scores at top left. This indicator contains several pieces of relevant information. The weapon icon inside the circle indicates which weapon-spawn location is being used as the objective. The compass along the outer edge of the circle shows the relative direction to the objective. The number inside the circle indicates how many points remain at that objective and the background icon color indicates which team currently controls it. No color means the objective awaits capture, a red icon means the Locust Horde hold the objective and a blue icon means the COG hold it. When the icon in the indicator circle fills, the corresponding team's score also changes color, the team begins collecting points from the objective, and the point value of the objective drops.
On the map, a projected ring marks the physical location and boundaries of the objective in the world. The ring's color indicates the current captor: White means neutral, blue COG, and red Locust. To capture an objective, players must stand inside the glowing ring uncontested for a short period of time. How long depends on how many teammates stand in the ring at once. One player can capture an objective in eight seconds, two players in four seconds, three players in two seconds, and four players in one second. Once a team takes an objective, they are not required to remain inside the ring to maintain ownership. The captured objective's points drain until an opposing team member enters the ring, or until its points fall to zero."
As for options allowing configuration:
Selected Map: which map/map series to use; Number of Rounds: rounds required to win the match; Bleed-out Duration: the amount of time before a player dies while DBNO; Round Score: the sum of points required to win a round; Friendly Fire: teammates can/can't damage each other; Private Slots: slots reserved for friend invites; Weapons Swapped: determine whether weapons that appear in the maps are replaced or removed.
That's about it, Gears of War fans. Now remember, everything posted above, which we thank 1UP for again, has been certified. The date however (although the companies involved with Gears of War corrected it), hasn't been specified. All we know is that it's coming sometime in the near future.