'Gears of War 4' release date: Dom is pre-order bonus; More freebies revealed

The pre-order bonus characters for "Gears of War 4" Xbox News

A slew of goodies await players who pre-order "Gears of War 4" as part of the "Brothers to the End Elite Gear Pack" for the much-awaited third-person shooter.

Three characters come as pre-order bonuses. Leading the charge is Old Man Marcus, which, as the name suggests, is an older version of the original game series protagonist.

Although his son JD is now at the vanguard, his father Marcus Fenix won't entirely be missed in "Gears of War 4" after all, at least for gamers who pre-order the game.

"Twenty-five years after the Locust War, Marcus and the COG have long since parted ways. His facial hair has grown long and his COG regulation kit has been replaced with by civilian clothes," Microsoft describes the "Gears of War 4" character.

The second "Gears of War 4" pre-order bonus is Tomorrow Anya, which was named after her "famous words following the end of the Locust War."

Her name translates to "Tomorrow Marcus. We finally have a tomorrow." She is the mother of "Gears of War 4" protagonist JD and looks the same way she was shown in the first trailer for the game.

Last but not the least, fans of Dominic, whose return has long been awaited by many, will be happy to know that he will be back. However, he won't be in the same way he was before as he returns to "Gears of War 4" as Zombie Dom.

The character, as per Microsoft, "proves there's no keeping a good solider down, at least in the form of this character skin created as tribute to Marcus' dearly departed best friend Dominic Santiago."

"Gears of War 4" pre-orders will also include the Elite Gear pack with Gold Wave Lancer and Gold Wave Gnasher as well as the Vintage Del Pack, which includes Vintage Del and "retailer-specific bonus items" and "unique" weapon skins.

Lastly, gamers who order the game directly will get to take home the Xbox 360 "Gears of War" collection.

"Gears of War 4" launches Oct. 11.

News
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales

Hundreds of people gathered at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday for the annual Royal Maundy service, held in Wales for only the second time in the service's 800-year history.

Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service
Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service

Over 150 years since a north Wales church was built with plans for a full ring of bells, the sound long intended for its tower is finally set to be heard at an Easter service.

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre
'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose' is beautifully written, with an unusually nuanced approach to political matters.

MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift
MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift

Alastair Campbell famously declared "We don't do God."