I'm not surprised by the Gears numbers, and I wouldn't have been surprised if they were even lower. This game was made by another dev, and these aren't COD fans that can't tell the difference. Gears fans are hardcore and they knew this game would be different. I didn't really see anyone hyped for it except for the people that started the series with Gears 3.
Very few maps for MP (bad maps at that), they completely fucked up the Multiplayer (The MP is almost as bad as Gears 2, that takes something special). And a short Campaign to top it off.
And most people hated Baird (I liked the guy but I was in the minority). Imagine if Rico got his own KillZone game, yeah that's about right.
The Menus and Lobbies were lifted straight from Gears 3, they didn't even try. You also have to remember that people waited 3 years for Gears 3, the big conclusion to the trilogy. They were stuck with Gears 2 for 3 years, they need something new and better.
Gears 3 was less than 2 years ago, and it was solid enough that people can still play it. Completely different situation.
Edit: Just read CDiablos's comment and it's spot on. I picked up Gears 1-3 on Launch day or Midnight launch. I still haven't gotten this game and neither have any of my Gears friends. I might pick it up at discount some day.
