Those looking for Gears of War goodness come November 17 will be delighted to know that the Collector’s Edition is now up for pre-order. Described as a “highly collectible embossed metal box” by Microsoft, the game’s publisher, the Collector’s Edition will feature Destroyed Beauty, a hardbound art book detailing the process behind the game; a bonus special features DVD, including an inside look at the making of the game, the “Art of Gears of War” trailer and Gears of War: The Race to E3 video feature.

The Collector’s Edition, pictured below, will retail for $60 and £50 in North America and Europe, respectively, once released.

From Turbine, Midway and Codemasters comes word that The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar has officially entered beta in North America, with the pre-beta launching in Europe. Interested participants can enter the beta program by clicking here; the beta is by invitation only and over time more and more players will join the fray. According to Turbine CEO, Jeffrey Anderson, the beta already has nearly 200,000 players registered and will be one of the “largest beta communities” in the industry.

Those pesky terrorists are at it once again: JoWood and T7 Games jointly announced The Mark, an upcoming action-shooter that pits players in the shoes of a US Marine in a “thrilling battle” against international terrorism.

Terrorists stole a nuclear-tipped missile and plan to blast away one of Europe’s’ largest city: LONDON!The missiles short range is a problem, but money is not, and the terrorists find an accomplice, Ilya Rakov, son of a Russian billionaire and arms dealer. Aleksandr Rakov. Ilya agrees to supply the terrorists with a ship that will bring the missile within range of London. He also agrees to hunt down the only two people who are capable of foiling the plot: Steve and Sandy Fletcher. Steve and his sister Sandy are officers in the US Marine Corps. Aleksandr Rakov is horrified by his son’s plan. Unable to take direct action, he hires the elite mercenary Austin Hawke to protect and assist Fletch…

The Mark is expected to be released this Fall. Some screenshots below: