Why it was just the other day we were all bouncing up and down and off the walls of our rooms with glee over the official announcement of the confirmed Gears of War 3 release date. News of a Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta isn’t really new. After all, it was one of the selling points for recently released Bulletstorm, but news of what that multiplayer beta will entail definitely are.

The multiplayer beta will include three new versus modes which can be played on four new maps. Players will be able to decide what two of the multiplayer maps are by voting on their favorite choices via the Gears of War facbook page. Voting ceases on February 28th, so be sure to get your vote in now.

The 4 Gears of War 3 multiplayer maps to choose from are:

Overpass

As the Lambent infection spreads across Sera, the planet is quite literally falling apart. And as the substrata beneath this forgotten overpass begins to disintegrate, the entire city block is collapsing along with it and sliding into a vast underground cavern. Head for the high ground or you just might slide along with it.

Battles in this highly dynamic map often focus around the elevated Overpass, where teams can hole up and take advantage of the protected position and emplaced weaponry located there. But gaining the high ground can also be a trap, as the team left below will most assuredly use mortars and orbital lasers to regain their lost footing.

Old Town

Some remote areas of Sera managed to stave off the impact of Emergence for quite some time. Island towns like this one were able to sustain themselves with small farms and a steady supply of needed goods from the ocean. But all good things must come to an end, and eventually they could hide no more.

This is an excellent map for team-based play, with multiple areas that are well suited to both attack and defense scenarios. A well executed plan will often reap great rewards, and an enemy caught unaware can be flushed into a trap like a chicken free of its coop.

Mercy

This area was once a bustling town square filled with people, but it never recovered from the UIR mortar shellings of the Pendulum Wars. Emergence soon followed, and the already heartbroken residents were shown no mercy by Locust forces, leading to an almost immediate evacuation.

This large and open central square is surrounded on all sides by protected passageways and buildings. A raised dais yields powerful weaponry and a view of virtually everything within range, but the power located there must be hard-earned and well protected to provide any lasting advantage.

Trenches

The public Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta is currently slated for a mid-April release, but nothing has been said yet about when the beta will begin for those who purchased the Epic Edition of Bulletstorm. With the advertisement touting early beta access for Gears of War 3, let’s hope those who went out and purchased Bulletstorm will get more than just an extra week to enjoy the beta.

The Locust have begun to carve mines and tunnels into the rocks of the Seran Deadlands, eking out any existence that resembles the underground passages of the Hollow they once called home. But this harsh environment is as relentless and unforgiving as any enemy they’ve ever had to face.

The Locust Trenches are small and tight, with clean lines of sight across virtually the entire battlefield. The central hill leads to a fortified bunker with a strategically important vantage point. Once taken, it is rarely surrendered, unless opposing forces can manage to sneak up under the cover of a passing sandstorm that leaves everyone blind for a short while.

If you’re as excited about Gears 3, check out our Gears of War 3 hands-on and interview with Rod Fergusson.

2011’s most anticipated game is due September 20, 2011 for the Xbox 360 except in Japan where it will be released September 22, 2011.

Source: Joystiq