Chicago (IL) – Bungie today announced on its website that it will release the Halo 3 multiplayer beta on May 16 at 12:00 am PST. The beta will run until June 6 11:59 pm PST.

Bungie noted that, while this version of Halo 3 will “look somewhat close to the final game,” it is a beta game that will contain “quirks” and “rough edges.” However, the developer believes that the multiplayer beta will provide N “exciting taste of what’s to come in Fall.”

The game will include three maps (Valhalla, High Ground and Snowbound), which are promised to look better than in initial screenshots and which will be playable in Matchmaking only. There are new weapons such as a new grenade type that is described to be a “completely different class of weapon.” Bungie also mentioned that gamers will be able to try new vehicles and gameplay features. One section allows users to meet the multiplayer developer team and watch a level get built from concept to completion.

The beta will available through Xbox Live Gold accounts for users who purchased specially marked copies of Crackdown, or won a spot in the beta through the “Rule of Three” or other regional promotions.

Sr. Developer

Apr 12, 2007 13:37     

Who cares. Lost Planet is better than any Halo version to date. I've got all three Halo games. The PC version is by far the most fun and has the most replay value. The online play with Lost Planet is much better on XBox 360 than Halo 2. Halo 3 will really have to impress to beat LP.
Programmer J report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Yeah, J, Halo's had a troubled history. After play...

Apr 12, 2007 19:19     

Yeah, J, Halo's had a troubled history. After playing the PC version I couldn't go back. Wasn't it originally meant to be released on Apple computers way back when? Side note to Mr. Gruener: "...the multiplayer beta will provide N..." A strange typo. Do you use speech-to-text software?
Tom report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

well,

Apr 12, 2007 20:38     

halo was a good game, i beleive. a little overrated, but still good. i hated that the second game didn't include PC versions. it would be nice if microsoft brought PC's back into halo. What would really knock my socks off is pc-xbox compatability...that'd be crazy... hard...maybe not even practical...but crazy...
frozenlead report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Hacks already written?

Apr 12, 2007 21:35     

yeah, hacks will be written for Halo 3 beta within one day by the n00bs, so what's the point... Halo 2 got so bad with hacks and cheats that there is no point in playing anymore. Hopefully Halo 3 has some sort of resolve for this (although it is Microsoft, and bungie)...
Your Mom report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Why just on playskool console equipment???

Apr 13, 2007 06:31     

Geez, this is getting old. Consoles SUCK! Why arent these games coming out for computers? We are not all babies who need our games spoon-fed on idiot proof machines. Come on. Why no Halo 2 for PC's yet?? Microsoft getting into the console business was really bad. Now Vista is supposed to not be game-friendly. There is a trend here... Stop trying to divorce game-users from PC's!!! Where is the love?

Steve report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

umm....

Apr 13, 2007 09:41     

I was always under the impression that Vista was being touted as a game-friendly OS, just calm it down a little and breath.
0d1n report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

vista

Apr 13, 2007 10:39     

he may be referring to the fact that game performance is not as good on Vista. (see tomshardware article)
Kenny report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

uhhh

Apr 13, 2007 13:55     

vista is still an OS designed for games. sure there are plenty of bugs and things that dont work as well as microsoft wanted but thats what service packs are for. game performance is not as good at this point since xp has been out long enough for developers to design the code to work great with xp. since vista is not a 2000 clone like xp was they have to change some coding to account for that. the only major thing i heard for vista not being game friendly is against games that don't pay to get rated by the ESRB. the biggest person complaining is the CEO of WildTangent whose games get detected as spyware on a daily basis. Halo 2 is coming out eventually on PC. Just relax and let it come.

FTB report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Halo 2 PC

Apr 13, 2007 14:44     

For one people who want halo 2 on the PC than get vista and then buy it in early may. For the guy who wants to play cross platform then get Xbox live anywhere on vista with Halo 2 Vista and play that. Halo 3 will be awsome on Xbox and brought to PC much later in its life. All problems solved. Best, 3Ball
3Ball report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

h2pc release date

Apr 13, 2007 18:25     

FYI halo 2 comes for PC on may 8 for vista only but includes a map editor and 2 additional maps (no not the ones that just got released on XBL, but i think those are included too with the release). Also multiplayer is supported on PC through Live on a Silver account you just dont get matchmaking or multiplayer achievements. But i do agree, MS ure trying to build the love for games for vista so why not do Halo 3 as cross-platform compatible? it would be SO much better than shadowrun for a cross-compatible game...

someone report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

new grenade type

Apr 16, 2007 11:22     

Is the new grenade type reffering to what can be seen in the Halo 3 previews.....a shield grenade? That will be sweet.
stevo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

RE: Why just on playskool console equipment???

Apr 16, 2007 16:26     

Because they have weighed the pros and cons of restricting certain games to a console and decided that it is more capital in their favor to release hyped games to a console. In all reality I'm glad that they do these sort of things, it gives them more money to spend researching new technology and giving us better games and better consoles. Spoon-fed seems like a bit of a dramatic statement. You can't really compare game play on a computer vs. gameplay on a system for a few reasons: 1. gameplay on a console: meant for a console, runs well on a console. 2. not everyone can afford gaming computers, let alone set them up. 3. You can't get "the guys" over to play on your computer that most likely only has a 19" to 23" LCD monitor. Now, with multiple systems the rules change, but again not everyone can afford or set up these computers. Also, vista is still blossoming, don't make pre-mature statments.

4RK3TYP3 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

HALO SUCKS

Apr 17, 2007 03:28     

HALO SUCKS! thats all I have to say. Im sure Halo 3 will never reach the graphics or gameplay of Gears of War.
masterchief report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Are you nuts!?!

Apr 19, 2007 13:26     

As good as gears is, Halo 3 will have a much deeper story and a massive multiplayer. OK the gore will be gone but its going to be overall beter then Gears because the new engine will be as good if not better then unreal engine 6. So get your facts right before makiing comments
Arsalan report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

pc's suck

Apr 22, 2007 11:48     

why put it on pc's when you always have to upgrade ,consoles no upgrade; maybe every 6 years,but who cares graphics are better on consoles anyway xbox 360 rulz pc's suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ranger report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Somone plz tell me when halo 3 coming out!!!!

May 03, 2007 18:34     

well i love halo, halo 2, and probaly halo3 but i need to konw when is this thing coming out? I think Christmas cause bungie will make alot of money off of that but idk so can someone tell me plz?
Austyn1000 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Hack....duh! Its beta, time to fix.

May 14, 2007 11:33     

Let them get the hacks, hopefully they can fix most of them in the final version. Plus Gears is plain and boring.
"your mom" sucks report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Halo 2

May 14, 2007 21:38     

Steve,Their is gonna be a Halo 2 for the PC soon,
Person report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

halo3

May 16, 2007 13:27     

Halo3 is coming sept 25th
drési report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0