1. Counter-Strike beta 3.1 (yes it shows my age...) reason: cash system for buying weapons

2. Battlefield 2 reason: squad and class system

3. COD4 reason: perks and xp unlocks

First off, I suck at Gears of War. I am better than average at cod 5. I find the third person view in Gears bothers me and makes it hard for a first person fan to adjust. I think Gears of War is a good game, and I would like it more if I was good at it. I just don't care enough to get good at it because I could be playing cod instead.

What I don't like about Gears of War:

Hard to get into a game.

I can't say if I agree with the poor hit detection. I think it might just be me missing, but it takes A LOT of bullets to get someone down with the lancer and hammer burst (probably 15 or so. general statement no testing) This makes the beefy sounding guns seem like potato guns to me. I find the best way for me to get someone down is melee. 

The weapons seem really unbalanced. Some do kill first shot, but normally only one player can end up with it. Everyone else is stuck with the potato guns and a shotgun that sometimes is a one shot kill, but more often than not it takes at least 2 sometimes 3 or more even at close range.

What I don't like about COD 5:

Most of my friends don't have it.

Tanks seem out of place. 2 remote bombs don't always take it out. I'm sure they would with the explosive perk.

Seems to be more like a mod than a new game.

Some of the maps are a little too big.

 Summery:

If you like arcade style shooters where you can take a ton of damage go with gears of war. If you prefer something closer to a sim go with COD 5.

From what I've noticed. The Halo crowd usually likes Gears of War, while the Battlefield crowd goes for COD 5

All time: Counter Strike Source / Half-Life 2 (pc)

2nd: Battlefield 2 (pc)

xbox 360 game: GTA4. I wasn't a call of duty fan until the modern setting. Otherwise it would be a close call for me.

PS3: oddly enough, I don't have any games. I'm not really interested in any of the ps3 exclusives. Maybe MGS4, but I'll have to wait and see more gameplay vids. I use it for the blu-ray player. I'll buy a game for it. Someday... I think?

logitech z-5500 (~$293 on newegg)... I have an older similar model not in production anymore. It has 6 channel direct and optical input. I use 6 channel for pc and optical for my xbox 360. I am using the vga HD av cable (~$40) you can buy at most stores. That will give you the option of either optical (the good one) or 2 channel (weak sauce). I don't think either comes with an optical cable so you will need to shell out some extra $ for one of those. Look online for the cable most stores will hose you big time. Hope that help

Brandon