Microsoft has got a tour going this autumn, showing off some of the upcoming big-feature games. The two biggest for them being the 1st party published Gears of War, by Epic Games and Viva Pinata, by Rare.

Gears and Viva will be joined by a host of other games, Xbox Live Arcade games and accessories to try out.

Unfortunately for Mancunians (sp?), Gears of War will not be playable until it reaches Newcastle.

The tour dates are as follows:

Manchester: 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24 October - Trafford Centre *Gears of War not available*
Newcastle: 26, 27, 28 & 29 October - Metro Centre
Birmingham: 3, 4 & 5 November - The Bullring
Sheffield: 11 & 12 November - Meadowhall
Southampton: 25 & 26 November - West Quays
London: 2 & 3 December - Lakeside

If anybody attends, be sure to let us know what you think.