Gears of War 3 beta dates announced

Gears of War fans, the beta is coming and you have some unlocking to do when the beta kicks off on April 18. Flaming weapons anyone?

Excited? well mark your calendars to April 18 if you're a proud owner of Bulletstorm's "epic edition". The epic edition only gives a 1 week head start. People who pre-ordered Gears of War 3 at gamestop in either standard, epic or limited editions can join the beta on April 25. Beta ends on may 15.

During the beta you get to unlock special weapons to be carried over to your gamer profile to be used on the final game. Here's what you can unlock during the beta:

Beta Tester Medal - Complete one match in the beta to unlock the Beta Tester medal, which will carry over to your gamer profile in the final game. The Beta Tester title will be featured in the "Gears 3" multiplayer lobby as well.

Thrashball Cole - Complete 50 matches in any game type to unlock the Thrashball Cole character variant in the beta. Once unlocked, complete 10 matches as Thrashball Cole during the beta and the character will carry over to your gamer profile in the final game.

Gold-Plated Retro Lancer - Show your ultimate "Gears of War" fandom by unlocking the Gold-Plated Retro Lancer. Complete 90 matches in any game type to unlock it for the beta, and score 100 kills with it once unlocked to carry the exclusive weapon skin over to your gamer profile in the final game.

Flaming Hammerburst - Complete one match by Sunday, April 24 and unlock this weapon variant.

Flaming Lancer - Complete one match during the week of April 25 and unlock this weapon variant.

Flaming Sawed-Off Shotgun - Complete one match during the week of May 2 to unlock this weapon variant.

Flaming Gnasher Shotgun - Complete one match during the week of May 9 to unlock this weapon variant.Gears of War 3 comes to the Xbox 360 on September 20.

Quite the nice incentive to help in the beta. Won't it be awesome if every beta you join in the future gives you a chance to unlock something special that can be carried over to the final game?

[Source:Kotaku]