Gears of War update: more talk, less tagging

Epic's Mark Rein has divulged a list of issues that will be addressed by tomorrow's Gears of War update. The update, a prelude to Wednesday's new multiplayer maps, promises to fix the problem that left latecomers to a match without an audible voice. The noted aspect ratio bug that occurred with the Xbox 360's VGA cable has also been crushed beneath the weight of improved code. The full list of fixes reads as follows:

• Fixed aspect ratio distortion when using VGA cable with 4:3 displays at resolutions higher than 640x480

• Fixed voice issue with new players joining Player Match games in progress

• Players can now get the Achievement for "Dish Best Served Cold" when using Troika turret to kill RAAM

• Fixed rare situation where host could loop countdown and never start match

• Fixed rare situation where players could get stuck after chainsawing in multiplayer

• Reduced Grenade Tag melee distance

• Enabled "Strict" NAT check on host to prevent possible connection issues

• Optimized server browser queries to return results more quickly and prevent scroll bars from hiding quality of service icons

• Reduced number of possible revives in Execution to match Warzone

• Removed host name from Ranked match server browser

• Disabled security cameras in Ranked matches

• Ranked matches now require balanced teams (3v3 or 4v4)

• Increased penalty for quitting a Ranked match to -50 points

• Added additional cheat detection code

• Additional housekeeping updates

Those that find themselves exploding at an alarming rate should be pleased to learn that grenade tagging will now require more intimacy to be effective. Indeed, the ones closest to you always end up hurting you the most.