After announcing a “mid-April” timeline for the Gears of War 3 beta, Microsoft today pinned down exact entry dates. First dibs will go to purchasers of the Epic Edition of Bulletstorm on April 18. For everyone else that pre-ordered Gears 3 at GameStop, the beta will go live on April 25. It’s set to wrap up a month later on May 15.

The sizable beta highlights four maps, namely Checkout, Old Town, Thrashball, and Trenches. As revealed earlier, Epic is also throwing in incentives for those that spend time in the beta, coming in the form of various weaponry and medal unlocks that will transfer over the full game. Further details can be had after the break.

Flaming Hammerburst – Complete one match by Sunday, April 24 to permanently unlock.
Flaming Lancer – Complete one match during the week of April 25 to permanently unlock.
Flaming Sawed-Off Shotgun – Complete one match during the week of May 2 to permanently unlock.
Flaming Gnasher Shotgun – Complete one match during the week of May 9 to permanently unlock.
Beta Tester Medal — Wear it proudly, Gear. – Complete one match in the Beta to permanently unlock.
Thrashball Cole — Unlock Thrashball Cole to play as Augustus Cole as he was before Emergence Day—a legendary Thrashball athlete known for his ferocious, flamboyant style. – Complete 50 matches in any game type to unlock for the Beta period. To permanently unlock, complete 10 matches as Thrashball Cole during the Beta period.
Gold-Plated Retro Lancer Before the chainsaw bayonet was deployed at the beginning of the Locust-Human War, the original Lancer assault rifle had a large fixed blade. – Complete 90 matches in any game type to unlock for the Beta period. To permanently unlock, score 100 kills with the Gold-Plated Retro Lancer during the Beta period.

An Xbox 360 exclusive, Gears of War 3 hits store shelves on September 20.

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