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Halo 3 MP public beta due spring 2007

Public beta test of anticipated shooter's online multiplayer to launch next year; new Halo 2 maps, new TV spot also en route.

As part of its most recent weekly update, Bungie Software announced that "will be some pretty BIG surprises and maybe announcements," on November 15, the fifth anniversary of the release of Halo. The news caused followers of the flagship Xbox, PC, and soon Xbox 360 franchise to go wild, prompting predictions of everything from a ship-date announcement to a demo going up on Xbox Live Marketplace.

Guess what? As it turns out, everyone was wrong. Early this morning, Bungie's parent company Microsoft announced that next spring, it will stage an open beta test for the multiplayer aspects of Halo 3. "The Xbox Live multiplayer public beta, which is a prerelease version of the multiplayer experience of Halo 3, is scheduled for availability in spring 2007 exclusively on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system," Microsoft said in a statement.

Microsoft gave no further details about the Halo 3 beta, but did divulge some information about the PR campaign for the eagerly awaited game, due sometime in 2007. On December 4, a single advertisement for the game will be shown during an airing of Monday Night Football on ESPN. "The ad...will provide viewers with a unique and compelling look at Master Chief and the world of Halo 3," Microsoft said in a statement, giving no further details.

Microsoft announced today that Halo 2, the massive Xbox hit which has seen 4 billion Xbox Live games played to date, will also be getting a series of "all-new multiplayer maps" next spring. However, unlike previous Halo 2 downloads, the new maps will only be available to Xbox 360 owners. Previously, a set of maps were offered for both download on Xbox Live to regular Xbox owners and also via a $19.99 boxed retail game disc.

382 Comments

  • DoctorFu

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 1:46 am GMT

    This beta will rock.

  • gatsbythepig

    Posted Mar 30, 2007 7:06 pm GMT

    need it

  • haloooooooooooo

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 9:34 pm GMT

    wheres the beta at! im waiting for it geez. im bored even playing gears of war

  • nightfire99

    Posted Mar 21, 2007 7:09 am GMT

    Since I have crackdown i'm already set for halo 3 beta but i wish bungie would release more info about the new halo 2 maps for 360.

  • Vapor_Snake

    Posted Jan 2, 2007 1:50 pm GMT

    bluedragun: I want my HALO 3. I can not sleep or eat or date hot women until H3 is here. Well actually I never date hot women. LOL

  • AgileNate

    Posted Dec 19, 2006 2:25 pm GMT

    Evanrocknuma wrote:
    "Dont make the new maps. I hate them they make it so you cant do the glitches on any levels atleast for the halo 2 version. Other than that ill be on the live market place first thing this Spring YEAH!"

    Unlike the current maps maybe I can have fun without cheaters ruining it. Cheating has made this game more annoying than enjoying to play. "There he goes super bouncing as we look up for an hour trying to get him while we are being killed by his teammates" .

  • omegamustard

    Posted Nov 30, 2006 2:51 pm GMT

    guess i'll really need to get a 360 for those new maps, i don't care much for losing the glitches, they get boring after awhile.

  • Evanrocknuma

    Posted Nov 27, 2006 5:59 pm GMT

    The multyplayer maps are no good. they delete the glitches. Other than that ill be on the market place this spring! P.S. Psp360gamr obviously you dont own a 360 you buy 2 360's to do the system link duh!

  • Evanrocknuma

    Posted Nov 27, 2006 5:55 pm GMT

    Dont make the new maps. I hate them they make it so you cant do the glitches on any levels atleast for the halo 2 version. Other than that ill be on the live market place first thing this Spring YEAH!

  • bluedragun

    Posted Nov 27, 2006 3:04 pm GMT

    I want my HALO 3. I can not sleep or eat or date hot women until H3 is here.
    Well actually I never date hot women.

  • HerofJustice

    Posted Nov 27, 2006 2:04 pm GMT

    Guess my friend was right, the real thing won't be released until November. I'm all right with that.

  • karswel

    Posted Nov 27, 2006 8:18 am GMT

    I still need to save up for a HDTV, Xbox 360... all well worth it gentlemen and fellow warriors - Xbox 360 is a mere plug-in to Halo3. When the time comes, I'll be there. Will you be there?

  • bigcrusha

    Posted Nov 26, 2006 7:48 pm GMT

    Just when everybody made an assumption that Halo 3 would come out in March 2007, turns out that the demo won't come out t'il then. Arrrrgg!!! Does this mean the real game won't be out on sale until November 2007??!!! I don't know if I can wait that long!!!

  • comsimon

    Posted Nov 26, 2006 4:32 pm GMT

    oooooooooooooh

    sounds goooooooooooood

    oh well back to Gears of War

  • PSP360Gamr83

    Posted Nov 26, 2006 3:23 pm GMT

    why would you need two 360's boblighte?

  • boblighte

    Posted Nov 26, 2006 12:57 pm GMT

    So if I haven't invested the money on two Xbox 360s and six extra controllers, my friends and I don't get to play the new maps?

    I don't mean to complain, but $1100 is a LOT of cash, and that's what it'll take to get the same set-up I have now with my Xboxes.

    I understand Microsoft wants to sell more 360's, but this seems kind of a cheap way to do it.

  • tyrnid

    Posted Nov 26, 2006 11:46 am GMT

    i think i feel in love!

  • sisilmet2000

    Posted Nov 26, 2006 10:56 am GMT

    sony has no chance for the nxt yr at least..not only has MS won some of its "exclusives" but will probably acquire capcom...the x360 looks very promising

  • Zoracite

    Posted Nov 26, 2006 8:44 am GMT

    sweet

  • NintendoWarrior

    Posted Nov 26, 2006 8:02 am GMT

    nice.. better be free though, if its more than 100 points, im nt buying it

  • Coolyboy

    Posted Nov 25, 2006 9:51 pm GMT

    Bungie also has new technology for halo 3's graphics and ai coding...(O_o)wow

  • Coolyboy

    Posted Nov 25, 2006 9:46 pm GMT

    Thank You Bungie(william shatner voice) ...but why are there no elites in multiplayer????

  • especensor

    Posted Nov 25, 2006 8:59 pm GMT

    wow.

    microsoft is sure pleasing fans. i am currently satisfied with them.
    nintendo has been fine.

    sony...... sony has much corruption going on right now.

  • punkpunker

    Posted Nov 25, 2006 7:40 pm GMT

    i'm thinking killing players with laser!!!!!!!!!!!

  • tinytim10

    Posted Nov 24, 2006 10:37 pm GMT

    pwnage thats all i have to say pwnage

  • Aeoxins

    Posted Nov 24, 2006 4:30 pm GMT

    seeing as how you can have an average life of apx 25 seconds in multiplayer, you can get alot of action in 60 seconds. wo0teRnesS

  • CtEagan

    Posted Nov 24, 2006 12:33 pm GMT

    Now with the ad on Dec 4, it's only a 60 second showing. How can you give a unique and compelling look at Master Chief and the world of Halo 3 in 60 seconds? Whatever though, everybody's still going to have their heads explode when they see the ad.

  • _Sam_

    Posted Nov 23, 2006 3:01 pm GMT

    I'm glad that's it's going to be public

  • ace_of_spades

    Posted Nov 23, 2006 2:51 pm GMT

    betas are always fun

  • tartar23

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 11:36 pm GMT

    I 100% agree with Bungie & MS on releasing the maps on xbox360 only which will be free from modders . finally we can play for fun.

  • TheDeceitful

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 11:42 am GMT

    First off, it's not a demo. A demo would be like the ones on XBL now where you play a level, round, scrimmage, etc. This is a BETA just like FFXI. Instead it will be a Multiplayer Test only (i.e. maybe two teams in Slayer about 4 a piece) just to see the market and give gamers a taste of what MIGHT be the final build before gold. It will go down one of 2 ways:

    1) They will send you a disc or put in in an OXM issue.

    2) It will be a LIMITED DL from XBL

    Either way you will have to sign up through Bungie, MS or both within a limited time. You will also need a Gold LIVE! account, no silver.

  • Tommi88

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 5:21 am GMT

    hey guys....if u dont wanna ruin the suprise jsut dont download the demo....

  • JEEBUS_BOGONDO

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 10:44 pm GMT

    I dont know, demo's tend to suck compared to the finished game and im pretty hyped so i hope it doesnt dissapoint.

  • khald_jot

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 9:20 pm GMT

    about the demo,
    it wont ruin the h3 experience.
    just think how confident bungie must be to feel comfortable to release a demo.
    if anything people will get more antsy by not getting the full game.
    i cant wait.

  • sypher36

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 6:03 pm GMT

    if by spring 07 u dont have a 360 to be playing halo3 then u ain't gettin the full experience..u can stick with ure old box, and u could play ure ps1 n n64 as well. im an xbox and 360 owner, but to xbox owners - if your having a whinge about not getting the maps then build a bridge, save sum dosh n get ureself the better system.

  • pondarosa

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 5:27 pm GMT

    Xbox is now officially where it's at.

  • jumpman14

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 5:03 pm GMT

    no surprise = no fun

  • go-divis99

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 10:49 am GMT

    Myromarvelous how can a multiplayer demo ruin the single player mode.... halo 2's online demo didnt ruin its Story.... and Gforce85 they only put the maps on the 360 NOT because the Graphics r Better ...they want more people to buy the 360 ... if u dont like that ur basiclly saying that u want Halo 3 on the xbox Not the xbox 360 .. which is totally stupied,,,,,,

  • gforce85

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 10:34 am GMT

    Releasing Halo 2 maps ONLY for the 360 is lame. Oh well... Microsoft does what they wants.

  • Myromarvelous

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 7:59 am GMT

    NO!
    a demo is bad. It will ruin the surprise of Halo 3 itself. It ruins the anticipation.

    Bad idea in my opinion.

  • T_Souza

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 12:58 pm GMT

    can't wait for more details.

  • acesion

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 8:16 am GMT

    I only started getting modded or standyed once I reached level 42. If your bellow that its really not worth it for people to mod and risk getting caught.

  • NutsSauce

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 3:12 am GMT

    Sweet, 360 owners can play on some Halo2 maps that won't be modded in the first 24 hrs.

  • Bloodhawk_DX

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 9:35 pm GMT

    This is great! Yes, it may take away all the surprise out of Halo 3's launch title but I would rather have a more stable and balanced game than a one day surprise.

  • lannyboy334

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:18 pm GMT

    im sorry skaterman5000 do you play Halo 2 XBox Live? have you possibly noticed how many games of mod crap you get off the new maps? do you wanna know why? CUZ THERE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN BE MODDED!!!! case in point...

  • Hinduce

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 3:13 pm GMT

    Thats what im talkin about!!!! Now thats some good news on a bad day in gamin!!!!!!

  • Sweendrix

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:39 am GMT

    I "heart" xbox 360. First I get Splinter Cell...and I'm impressed. Then I pick up Call of Duty 3...which is just such a big improvement over Call of Duty 2...the visuals are just incredible. I'm thinking to myself...man...they've really got it right this time around. Then...I pick up Gears of WAR...OMG THIS FAME F'in RULES!!!!! Now I'm wondering...What is Halo 3 gonna be like? It's a good time to be a gamer.

  • ecno13

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 4:57 am GMT

    gears then halo3.. not sure if i can contain my self.

  • yosk1

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:18 pm GMT

    lol.. never mind that.. its in the article sorry

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