Hordes of Halo fans are rejoicing with the news that the Halo 3 beta will finally be unveiled on May 16 – but you’ll either need a beta invite, or a copy of Crackdown to play!

Bungie’s ‘Frankie’ brought the news to the world through Bungie’s website, with news that only officially sanctioned Beta players will get access – and that there’s still a way to get Beta status if you weren’t lucky or skilful enough to win a spot through the ‘Rule of Three’ contest or ‘other regional promotions. How is that? By purchasing a ‘specially marked’ copy of Crackdown, which guarantees you a Beta test spot, in what is a devilishly clever move from Microsoft.

Frankie makes sure to remind us all that: “Now, I will say this again and again – the game you’re going to play one month from now, is Beta software – and while it will look somewhat close to the final game, it IS Beta – and will contain quirks, a couple of roughedges and all that jazz. But we’re pretty confident you’ll find it a dynamic and exciting taste of what’s to come in Fall”.

And of course, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere of our fine planet, as I do, Fall actually means Spring, which is when the full version of Halo 3 will be unleashed onto the world.

We’re told that Halo 3 Beta will have three maps, called Valhalla, High Ground and Snowbound, and that these three maps have been “graphically improved since our first MP screenshots” – with MP standing for ‘multiplayer’. We’re also told that they’ll only be playable in Matchmaking mode, which is what the Beta test is all about.

We’re also assured that “All three maps are suitable for a wide variety of gameplay types, and you will have the chance to try all manner of game types, familiar and new.”

New features include a new grenade, a completely different class of weapon, new guns, new vehicles, new gameplay features (including a mysterious new function for the “X-Button”) and some of the enhanced online functionality that was planned, although as can be expected, Bungie is keeping some of their secrets up their sleeves for the actual release of the full version of Halo 3.

We’re also asked, when in the High Ground and Valhalla maps, to have a good look at the water in either the beach, river or lake. Obviously it will look super realistic, or they wouldn’t be specially asking us to take a look at it as a ‘special personal favor’.

At Bungie’s site, linked above, you’ll find the rest of their press release, along with links to some intriguing video clips showing off some multiplayer action, some background story and more – with a caveat that some of the videos were taken with alpha code, with what beta players will see on May 16 set to be even more graphically amazing than the video will show.

So, while we’ll all still have to wait a bit longer for the full release of Halo 3, the chance to take part in the beta and help make Halo an even better game than it is highly anticipated to be is within your grasp, should you wish to accept the mission.

However, be sure to choose wisely, for it’s unlikely that Master Chief will wait for you to make up your mind!
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