Epic is taking a very casual approach to Gears

Gears cosplayers bring it!

During the weekends recent Gears of War 3 Panel at the San Diego Comic Con, Cliff Bleszinksi let slip that GOW3 is to have a 'casual mode' for the games multiplayer element. This is supposedly to allow complete noobs to the franchise to have a chance to go head to head with the rest of the community without having that truly awful 'hazing period' when you're just figuring out how to play the game.

Apparently the Casual mode for GoW3 will be exclusive to noobs who have never played a Gears game before. According to IGN, you won't be have access to Casual mode if you've unlocked any Achievements from Gears of War or Gears of War 2. Beta testers for Gears 3, who no doubt gained a lot of experience in the game's multiplayer, will be similarly excluded.

Which all makes perfect sense - except for the name - it's hardly 'casual' if the point is to help some one get out the kiddie pool and into where the Great White Sharks roam, eating men, right?

Casual implies it's a mode to just run round in have fun.