Mark Rein remains coy on Gears of War 2 four-player co-op, says "there's lots still to be said about the game".

Gears of War screenshot

Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games, has told VideoGamer.com that there is a hidden reference to Gears of War in the 360 version of FPS Unreal Tournament 3.

Speaking at the official unveiling of the 360 version of Epic's multiplayer FPS UT3 in Las Vegas this week, due out in Summer 2008, Rein added that Gears of War 2, due out on Xbox 360 this November, "is a much better game than the original".

Rein, however, remained tight lipped on new features for Gears of War 2, instead teasing fans by revealing the existence of a secret Gears reference in UT3 360.

"The game (Gears 2) is spectacularly good," he told VideoGamer.com. "I'm not committing to any features. In the mean time, buy UT3. There might be a surprise in UT3 that's Gears related. Just saying. In the 360 version. You'll have to buy the game and find out."

When asked about whether Gears of War 2 would include four player co-op, a feature many fans are praying Epic will include in the game, Rein again kept quiet, cryptically saying: "There's lots still to be said about the game and that's all I'm going to say."

Expect more from Mark Rein, as well as an Unreal Tournament 3 hands-on preview, next week on VideoGamer.com. Check out the first footage of the Xbox 360 version of UT3 over on the VideoGamer.com video player.

We reckon you might see one of the stars of Gears of War appearing as an unlockable playable character in UT3. Let us know what you think the Gears related surprise will be in the comments section below.