Halo 3 Beta Coming May 16th. New Video Available

[bapenguin]

Microsoft has announced that the Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta will be available on May 16th for all of those lucky enough to get in. All 4 million of you.When gamers gather online to play the multiplayer beta via Xbox LIVE in May, they will be treated to three richly detailed, action-oriented maps: Snowbound, High Ground and Valhalla, which represent a mixture of large- and medium-scale combat environments and are brand-new to “Halo 3.” Each map will test gamers’ mettle as they are placed behind the controls of new “Halo 3” vehicles such as the agile Mongoose all-terrain vehicle, and armed with deadly weapons such as the new and improved Assault Rifle, the ferocious Brute Spiker, the devastating Spartan Laser and the treacherous new Spike Grenades. This is just a taste of what gamers will experience later this fall when “Halo 3” goes on sale.

Full press release after the break.

Halo Hype. Halo Hype. Halo Hype.

[bapenguin]

“Halo 3” Multiplayer Beta Hits Xbox LIVE Worldwide on May 16

Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios offer gamers exclusive first experience of one of 2007’s most anticipated entertainment releases.

REDMOND, Wash. — April 10, 2007 — Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios today confirmed the multiplayer beta of “Halo® 3” will debut to audiences worldwide via Xbox LIVE® on May 16 at 5 a.m. PDT and run through June 6 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Coming exclusively to the Xbox 360™ console this fall, “Halo 3” is the highly anticipated third chapter in the groundbreaking “Halo” trilogy from legendary developers Bungie. “Halo 3” lets gamers experience Master Chief’s greatest battle as he launches an epic mission to stop the Covenant, destroy the impending Flood threat and ultimately save mankind.

Made possible through Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox LIVE gaming and entertainment network, which provides a robust online service for more than 6 million gamers worldwide, the multiplayer beta for “Halo 3” will give anxious Xbox 360 gamers their first opportunity to get their hands on the new levels, weapons, vehicles and game types, as well as a chance to provide valuable data that Bungie will use in continued development. Starting May 16, gamers who secured their admission to the multiplayer beta either through the “Rule of Three” promotion or by purchasing a specially marked copy of “Crackdown™” for Xbox 360 will be able to don their Spartan armor, download the beta on Xbox LIVE, and jump online using their Xbox LIVE Gold account* to battle other gamers from around the world.

When gamers gather online to play the multiplayer beta via Xbox LIVE in May, they will be treated to three richly detailed, action-oriented maps: Snowbound, High Ground and Valhalla, which represent a mixture of large- and medium-scale combat environments and are brand-new to “Halo 3.” Each map will test gamers’ mettle as they are placed behind the controls of new “Halo 3” vehicles such as the agile Mongoose all-terrain vehicle, and armed with deadly weapons such as the new and improved Assault Rifle, the ferocious Brute Spiker, the devastating Spartan Laser and the treacherous new Spike Grenades. This is just a taste of what gamers will experience later this fall when “Halo 3” goes on sale.

“‘Halo: Combat Evolved’ and ‘Halo 2’ changed the face of console gaming forever,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “Gamers from around the world have logged more than 800 million hours on Xbox LIVE playing ‘Halo 2,’ and years after its launch it remains the No. 1 title on our Xbox LIVE network. Bringing an early look at the multiplayer elements of ‘Halo 3’ to our passionate fan base is tremendously exciting for us.”

Gamers worldwide who did not participate in the “Rule of Three” promotion but are interested in joining the multiplayer beta of “Halo 3” can still participate through the purchase of the critically acclaimed Xbox 360 title “Crackdown,” which was launched in February. “Crackdown” sets players loose in a free-form, persistent city for action-packed crime fighting that requires a bigger, faster and stronger hero that evolves as a more efficient weapon through continued gameplay. Each copy of “Crackdown” has been specially marked with a “Halo 3” beta sticker prior to the beta period, and starting May 16 the game will act as a key for gamers to download and participate in the “Halo 3” multiplayer beta.

In addition, gamers who can’t wait for the multiplayer beta this May can get an even earlier look at “Halo 3” with a new, behind-the-scenes video feature available at http://www.bungie.net and in high definition over Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Starting today, viewers can go behind the scenes at Bungie Studios to learn about the people, technology and process that are making “Halo 3” an unforgettable multiplayer experience, and to get a taste of what to expect from the upcoming “Halo 3” multiplayer beta. The latest multiplayer video documentary, titled “Is Quisnam Protero Damno!,” will offer a glimpse at how “Halo 3” multiplayer maps are being designed, built and architected, and how these amazing spaces are converted into fun places in which to play. Gamers can also catch the first-ever glimpse of brand-new “Halo 3” multiplayer levels in their early stages of evolution and construction.

[Yeti2005]

I'm really looking forward to this game but like most games with this level of hype, there is going to be a serious backlash from people who are expecting perfection. I think recently the only game that dodged that bullet was Gears of War (but the hype factor doesn't seem to approach that of Halo 3).

[F3nyx]

Interesting look at design. As for the game itself... I know these videos aren't intended as a graphical showcase, but that looks seriously underwhelming. They were still using Halo 2 animations, for god's sake. Shouldn't they have the real animations implemented by now?

[Yeti2005]

Interesting look at design. As for the game itself... I know these videos aren't intended as a graphical showcase, but that looks seriously underwhelming. They were still using Halo 2 animations, for god's sake. Shouldn't they have the real animations implemented by now?

Quick to judge aren't we? If it makes you feel better here's the disclaimer from Bungie's site stating the footage isn't even from the Beta:

"NOTE: All of the game footage in this doc was taken during the Alpha stage and isn’t even representative of what you’ll see in the Public Beta, let alone the final game. You will see frame rate skips, unfinished animation and graphical features that will change come Fall. All the footage is clearly marked Alpha. You’re looking at the features here folks, not the final quality bar – which we’ve set pretty high."

[Nodus]

It seems like alot of folks online and who are up and up on Halo3 donty believe the graphical bar will peak very high and those expecting even GoW quality predict dissapointment.

What would be interesting is if all this underwhelming expectation, beta play and all, was crushed at launch by a far more superior looking expierence, and they just stuck to thier guns for suprise.

Of course such a situation is based off the constant confidence Bungie has in its disclaimers and claims that the game will look very more polished and nextgen come launch compared to the may beta and previous shots/vids.

Time will tell i guess.

[Mdot23]

my fucking xbox better be fixed by then or heads will roll.

[agentgray]

Meh.

I'll go play some Crackdown.

:D

[thesilentdeath]

Awesome it starts the day before my last day of classes, so I know what I'm going to be doing for the next week. That and I might decide to finally max out all my stats in Crackdown.

[Telefrog]

I'll be busy playing Annex in GoW.

[Mdot23]

I wonder how long the Bubble Mine lasts and how many you get. Maybe just long enough to regenerate your shield? Trip mines look cool too for anti-vehicle situations.

[jadkins555]

It's disappointing how short the beta duration is. For whatever reason I was hoping for ~2-3 months, but maybe that was an unrealistic expectation. As it stands, the beta will only last for about 3 weeks.

Can't wait though. I used to like UT for that type of multiplayer experience but Halo has surpassed that series in multiplayer gaming, imo.

[Vandenh]

The day the Internet died.

[Mdot23]

It's disappointing how short the beta duration is. For whatever reason I was hoping for ~2-3 months, but maybe that was an unrealistic expectation. As it stands, the beta will only last for about 3 weeks.


I guess it's a sweet spot they have to balance on, in terms of giving enough play time to keep the hype of the game going and getting enough data to improve network code and tweak gameplay. not really sure.

[NeoSuplex]

Proxy Mines? Oh hell yeah. It's on.
Nothing like some good ole' Death from below...

[2HeadedBoy]

Nice timing Bungie. :( I'll be in Aruba for a week during the Beta. I'm pretty disappointed with the short length of the public beta. I was expecting more in the lines of 2 months, but at least were getting 3 weeks. Should be good times!

EDIT: Proxy mines FT(motherfuckin')W

[Mdot23]

The more I watch this, the more pumped I get. The items for X-Button deployment can have a huge effect on the gameplay. Bubble shield, anti-grav lift, proxy/trip mines, etc.

[wangstramedeous]

I have this suspicious feeling that Bungie is really teasing us. And rightly so...Killzone hasn't gone away. I can say that the final product will send the fanboy legions into a frenzy, blood will run in the streets. Mark my words.

[Flatpicker]

I'm looking forward to the game.
Actually want to see how this story arch ends and what they have planned for the next.
Probably won't even play the multiplayer beta.

[Mdot23]

I'm looking forward to the game.
Actually want to see how this story arch ends and what they have planned for the next.


Agreed. I always finish the campaign before playing multiplayer. that's what the day off from work is for lol.

[Camtron]

I took two days off from school when Halo 2 came out: one for single player and the other for multiplayer...needless to say, the single player only lasted till the early hours of the afternoon, so I mostly played multiplayer (somehow I endured the MP before the pacth). I really like the idea of the X-button supporting those proxi mines and the sheild soccer ball or whatnot, that sounds like tons of fun (especially if the shield ball thing can defend against rockets and has sweet graphic effects to boot). Absolutely cannot wait for this beta.

[bapenguin]

ok, after watching that video. I'm hyped for the game. can't wait for the beta.

[Sandman]

ok, after watching that video. I'm hyped for the game. can't wait for the beta.

I have to agree, the man cannon sniping looked fun as hell. I never really played Halo 2 online because I got the game so late into the system's life. I'm looking forward to this.

[Shjinta]

Ok so lets see may 16th 4 million people attempt to download client.. 3 months later it finishes downloading.

[Food Nipple]

Hopefully you'll be able to download the beta before they turn it on, or the internets will crash

[Mdot23]

Ok so lets see may 16th 4 million people attempt to download client.. 3 months later it finishes downloading.

haha it takes 3 weeks to DL the beta and by the time it's finished, the beta period will be over.

[2HeadedBoy]

haha it takes 3 weeks to DL the beta and by the time it's finished, the beta period will be over.

Anyone know how big the file size will be? Can't be much bigger than 1gb right? :confused:

[Mdot23]

Anyone know how big the file size will be? Can't be much bigger than 1gb right? :confused:

That's what I'd assume. Anything over a gig is pretty big

[Yeti2005]

I have to agree, the man cannon sniping looked fun as hell. I never really played Halo 2 online because I got the game so late into the system's life. I'm looking forward to this.

The man cannon can also be used for vehicles too like the Mongoose.

[Mdot23]

I wonder if you can launch a Bubble shield or proxy mine into the man cannon.

[Sandman]

The man cannon can also be used for vehicles too like the Mongoose.

Thats when you go sniping with a rocket launcher.

[Rondo]

Does anyone know if you will be able to play splitscreen while online in the beta?

[Mdot23]

Does anyone know if you will be able to play splitscreen while online in the beta?

Frankie said it's matchmaking only, but Team Training is matchmaking and you can use splitscreen. So assuming that option is available, I don't see why not. It all has to be online matches though, I think.

[Johan]

Wake me up when the game actually hits retail shelves...

[Jack B]

I loved Halo Coop and single player. Halo 2 single player not so much and online rarely, because of the demographics of the players.

I'm slowly getting excited about Halo 3. I think if the demographics changed (ie we had an EvAv Halo 3 night) it might be a blast.

[Jack B]

Ok so lets see may 16th 4 million people attempt to download client.. 3 months later it finishes downloading.

I agree, they may need more bandwidth for the Halo 3 beta download.

However, I read that the Spring update will increase download speeds by 3x. Not sure what they mean exactly, since when it's downloading quickly I get 8mbs and the limit is Comcast not Microsoft.

Maybe they mean 3X on average, which would mean fewer slow times and certainly could help for Halo 3 beta type situations.

[Disgustipated]

Aw yeah, I'll be raedy.

[fitbabits]

Okay, after watching the video, I can safely say that I'm sold. I wasn't up till now, but count me in.

[Mdot23]

I'm slowly getting excited about Halo 3. I think if the demographics changed (ie we had an EvAv Halo 3 night) it might be a blast.

Oh hell yes. Consider me in right now.

[PXG 360]

Fuck all of you haters! I'm lovin' this shit.

[Mdot23]

haha, i think this thread has been pretty positive actually.

[Montolio]

Okay, after watching the video, I can safely say that I'm sold. I wasn't up till now, but count me in.Sure. Bungie has owned your soul for years now ;)

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I'm glad we haven't seen the SUPER OMG HYPE FEST for this game that we saw for Halo 2, but I can only imagine how things are going to get in the few months before the game hits.

I never did play Halo 2 all the way through, but I had a lot of fun with the first title - a friend and I played through it in co-op mode several times, and we loved the multiplayer. When I get a 360 I'll probably pick up Halo 2 and actually spend some time with it, so that I can catch up on the story for Halo 3.

[DeathtollWRX]

I need to find a sleep chamber and knock out till the beta is launched.

I'm really wondering if Halo 3 is going to outsell Halo 2's first day. I'm hoping *** will come out with a special edition Xbox360 Halo 3 edition.
I've never been so excited to play a video game and i've been playing since Night Driver in the arcades. I'm blown away.