[Official] Gears of War 2


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Epic explains Gears 2's ranking system

After hearing about gamers' anger and general confusion surrounding Gears of War 2's online ranking system, team Epic has come to the rescue by explaining how the whole ranking thing works.

According to Gears community manager SixOkay, the Gears 2 ranking system strictly uses Microsoft's TrueSkill which is was created using chess' ELO rating system. This means that ranks aren't calculated strictly by points or kills, instead a rank is determined by your wins and losses AND whether or not you were favored to win the match. Also, the five different icons used to express your rank (viewable above) are used as a general range of ranks attainable, so small fluctuations in your win / loss ration won't instantly change your icon. Click the jump to read more about the Gears 2 ranking system and learn how it all works. Then, hopefully you'll be one less confused gamer.

Source - X3F

Just completed it on Insane with Spookie. Damn we were getting stressed out towards the end lol. The last level was just as easy as it is on Casual though which just means Epic couldn't find a way to make it harder than it already was so they made it stupidly easy... oh well, got the two gamer pictures for completing it on Insane (the blue one with Marcus that I'm currently using, and a red one with both Marcus and Dom on it) and 225 gamerpoints for completing on insane/hardcore/normal and completing in co-op, so it's all good.

according to epic, there was a reason they designed the last level that way

http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/11/18/...f-war-2-bosses/

I hope they fix some of the multiplayer problems. The frame rate drops for instance are really bad after a while of playing some games. I can't stand that when you get hit by a smoke grenade if you get glitched into a wall it takes FOREVER to stand back up again. Also going up and over certain things in some maps is a pain.

I cant make it past wave 10 in horde with 4 others :(

Any tips?

Set up a private game and with a full party. That way you can retry if you guys all die in a wave. That way you don't have to keep search for games every time you fail a game of horde. Saves allot of time too.

small tips: when the waves start getting higher, you gotta start working as a team and stick with them. Your main priority is keeping your teammates alive, then it goes for killing for locust. Because when you get to the last levels, every one you can muster is vital.

Also try and not run around, but to use cover and fire from afar. This saves you from allot of fire and when your with a team mate or two, you can hold out together for a while. Then the other two can sweep the map for stragglers.

I cant make it past wave 10 in horde with 4 others :(

Any tips?

Use cover as much as possible. Place grenades on walls for a perimeter (each person can place 2). Always keep your Lancer and know who you can and can't chainsaw. Stick together in one group or two.

Up to 10 isn't too bad. I can get past 10 on my own on casual.

Horde anyone?

add me to your friends list, the next time I go on live, we'll go for Horde. I was really thinking we could make a team of us who can do Horde mode a couple of times together..

I was playing Gears of War 2 a lot yesterday with Munky and I cannot believe how glitchy/buggy this game is. It appears to have more than Gears of War! It is so frustrating. The matchmaking is still awful as ever, it's been just over 2 weeks now and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. I do enjoy this game but would enjoy it a lot more if these problems were sorted! :(

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    • We check out the SKG PS700 Neck Massager by Steven Parker I was offered the chance to test out the SKG PS700 Neck Massager, and full disclosure, they let me keep it regardless of my findings. Anyway, I jumped at the chance due to my long hours sitting at my desk; I figured it could offer some neck pain relief. What's in the box: SKG PS700-2 Neck Massager Rechargeable Battery (inside massager) Type-C USB cable User Manual Quick Start guide 1-Year Warranty In short, everything you need to get started. According to the official listing, here are the key features: Biomimetic Kneading & High Torque Motor: Designed with innovative biomimetic kneading heads that perfectly simulate the touch of human hands. Powered by a high-torque motor, this massager delivers powerful and precise deep tissue relief to effectively target stiff neck muscles and release built-up tension Soothing Heat & Integrated Sound Relaxation: Experience the ultimate Relaxationation with our dual-action approach. The soothing heat function gently warms your neck, while the built-in sound Relaxation provides calming audio tracks, helping you achieve a state of mindfulness and mental tranquility during your physical massage Cordless Convenience & Travel-Ready & Father's Day Gifts: Crafted for maximum portability and ease of use. Its lightweight, cordless design allows you to enjoy a premium massage anywhere without the hassle of tangled wires-whether you're taking a quick break at your desk or winding down at home Versatile Relief for Home & Office: An essential wellness companion for office workers, gamers, frequent travelers, or anyone looking to integrate mindfulness into their daily routine. It seamlessly fits into your lifestyle, providing instant neck relief whenever and wherever you need it Safe & Premium Materials: Manufactured with high-quality, skin-friendly materials to ensure a safe and comfortable experience without irritation. SKG backs this device with dedicated customer service, making it a thoughtful tech-health gift for family and friends App & Bluetooth Music Control: Connect via Bluetooth to control your massage settings through the dedicated app and enjoy your favorite music during your massage session for a fully customizable and immersive relaxation experience Red Light Warmth Technology: Features advanced red light warmth technology that penetrates deep into neck muscles to enhance blood circulation and provide soothing comfort while relieving muscle tension and stiffness Design With all that out of the way, here are my own findings. SKG does not say what materials are used to make the neck massager. However, on the product website, it mentions "soft-touch silicone" with what looks like PU leather cushioning, with the rest being mostly made up of plastics. On the inside of the massager, there are two "biomimetic kneading heads" that are motorized for the different styles of massage, which are not actually listed at all in the paper user manual, but the standard included modes are: De-stress mode, Mediation mode, Relax mode, Shiatsu mode. The massager looks quite premium and is actually very comfortable to wear. This massager is small and light enough to go anywhere, as it doesn't get in the way of anything, so I was able to use it in the chair while writing this review. Unlike the back massager, SKG does not warn in the user guide not to use it for more than 30 minutes a day (or two 15-minute sessions). However, there is a long laundry list of important safeguards to consider before and during the use of the device, and it is warned that the neck massager is not waterproof. 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What I didn't like Unable to connect the Neck Massager to the app Use through the mobile app relies on continued support from SKG What I liked Can be used without the app Cordless use Light and comfortable to wear Heat is also quite comfortable Where to buy: According to the official website, this has an MSRP of $249.99, but is currently $50 (on Amazon). To sweeten the deal a bit more, there's also an in-page coupon that knocks a further $20 off the price. SKG PS700-2 Neck Massager for $179.99 on Amazon (was $199.99) Apply the in-page $20 off coupon for the final price of $179.99 Just like the back massager, this gets a confused thumbs up (due to the cost). However, I cannot rate it through app usage as it failed to connect. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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