Tickers. Apparently, these exploding little buggers are the equivalent of fireworks in the Gears of War universe -- a point we’ll get to shortly. Normally, we’d argue that Marcus and Dom’s relationship is more explosive (and colorful), but this doesn’t seem like the right context. Marcus and Dom are merely skins in multiplayer, not the living, breathing men we’ve come to know through the past game’s campaigns. Oh, right, context: Epic Games is throwing a Gears of War 2 multiplayer event this weekend.

In honor of America’s independence (and the upcoming Title Update 4), Epic is doubling the XP gain and dishing out a bonus 500 XP for all winning teams in Gears of War 2. If competitive play isn’t your thing, don’t worry: Horde mode will have it’s own bonus. A special grouping of Tickers will be spawning every tenth wave, ensuring you’ll be getting your 4th of July boom some way or another.

The celebratory event will be taking place this Friday and rolling through Monday. It’s a short window, but what else are you going to be doing? Family, friends and cheap explosives are so dull.

[via 1UP]