GDC: Mark Rein meets his match - it's Tom Bramwell

Funny. Epic head Mark Rein can seriously talk. Like, really. Eurogamer's Tom Bramwell can do the same. See what happens when they're put in the same room. Taste:

Eurogamer: So apart from that, how's the 360 build going?

Mark Rein: Great. I don't have a release date for it if that was your next question.

Eurogamer: If you had to pluck -

Mark Rein: I don't pluck. I'm pluckless. Pluck off.

Eurogamer: So what, this year? Next year?

Mark Rein: Oh, this year of course.

Eurogamer: Can you actually say anything about Gears of War 2?

Mark Rein: We're doing it. It's going to be a really good game.

Eurogamer: I liked it when you said it was going to be "more badass", because I was concerned that it might not be more badass.

Mark Rein: [Laughs] We had an executive review the other day and I can tell you it is definitely more badass. It's really good. One thing I can say is that compared to where we were in the February before we shipped the last Gears, the game is in phenomenal shape. There are some good surprises for people. We'll start talking about it over the next few months.

Eurogamer: You said November. Do you think you'll go for the same Emergence Day?

Mark Rein: I have no idea. I don't think anyone's put a day in the sand.

Eurogamer: Does Microsoft decide that?

Mark Rein: We figure it out based on when we think we'll ship it. Right now they said November. I see nothing that leads me to believe it won't be November. It's in great shape.

Eurogamer: Does it have four-player co-op?

Mark Rein: It is a game. You will like it.

Eurogamer: Let's talk about features in games that you like. Do you like four-player co-op?

Mark Rein: [Very long pause.] So what else is up? I'm not telling you anything more about Gears of War 2.

Eurogamer: We can say things like Marcus Fenix is back, right, because that's in your press release. What about Dom? What about Cole Train?

Mark Rein: [No response.]

Eurogamer: You talked earlier about how the tech demos weren't Gears of War 2 -

Mark Rein: Yeah, those were just test environments to show off the technology.

Eurogamer: You said yourself though that you rarely put something in the engine unless you plan to use it yourself.

Mark Rein: Yep. Those are features that will be in our upcoming games.

Eurogamer: So: destructible environments. If those were in Gears of War, that would make quite a difference.

Mark Rein: You never quit! I love you guys.

We reckon Mark said that last bit through clenched teeth with blood dripping out of his eyes. Go read the rest.