Gears of War 3 won’t be pressed into the hands of eager video gamers until midnight on Monday (September 19), but that didn’t stop about 500 fans from getting early hands-on access with the game.

In a public event staged at Vancouver’s Main Street Dock on Saturday (September 10), gamers travelled through the camp in squads of five. They sampled Locust meat, got temporary COG (Coalition of Ordered Governments) tattoos, and played five-player Horde, one of the multiplayer modes in Gears of War 3.

The Xbox 360 exclusive concludes a trilogy of games about a group of soldiers fighting to save humanity.

enlarge

Blaine Kyllo

Locust meat was on the barbecue to feed hungry soldiers.

enlarge

Blaine Kyllo

Crickets were also on the menu. When desperate, soldiers will eat anything.

enlarge

Blaine Kyllo

Airbrush artist Tonianne Willier gives Rob Huie a COG tattoo.

enlarge

Blaine Kyllo

Lee Yateman, a chainsaw carver from Gold River, fashions a Gears of War relic from a chunk of wood. One lucky fan won the sculpture in a raffle.

enlarge

Blaine Kyllo

Gamers lined up for a chance to play Gears of War 3 a full 10 days before release.

enlarge

Blaine Kyllo

Groups of five played Horde, one of the multiplayer modes included in Gears of War 3.