Halo 3 Beta Details
Microsoft has since clarified that the Halo 3 multiplayer beta will be more open than originally believed.
The quest to enter the Halo 3 public beta begins next Monday. The previously announced Halo 3 Beta will, in fact, be available to every eager Xbox 360 gamer when it launches in spring 2007. In a press release teasing the December 4 Halo 3 trailer, Microsoft revealed that gamers will "register for the opportunity to be one of the select members" of the public beta. There will be other ways to enter the beta, which will be revealed soon. In essence, if you want to play the Halo 3 beta (and who doesn't), you will have multiple opportunities.
On December 4, the millions of hopefuls in North America and Europe can go to halo3.com to sign up for the beta. You thought the Internet hit a crawl as consumers tried frantically to purchase a PS3? This could be worse. If you don't get it, again, don't fret. There will be other ways to get in on the beta, which we'll learn about before the spring '07 launch.
The 60-second trailer airs in North America during ESPN's Monday Night Football on December 4. The trailer, which will be available online and on the Xbox Live Marketplace following its television debut, features live action and CG footage. It promises to offer "telling new hints" about the upcoming first-person shooter.
"Halo is a pop culture phenomenon! The Halo franchise has changed the face of interactive entertainment and it's only fitting that we take an innovative approach to how we market and advertise the brand," said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of global marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Corp. "This invites a new audience with a rich back story, and continues to galvanize gamers around the world for the launch of Halo 3 in 2007."
This is one frame from the 60-second trailer. If you blink really fast, it almost appears to be in motion. Enjoy the torturous wait for Monday and good luck in your endeavors to join the beta.