Halo 3 Beta Date Revealed and new Vidoc

[Muffins]

The Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta will go live on May 16th at 12:00 AM PDT and run through June 6 th at 11:59 PM PDT. That means that folks who purchased specially marked copies of Crackdown, or won a spot in the Beta through the “Rule of Three” or other regional promotions, will be able to log into their Xbox Live Gold accounts, download and play the Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta and enjoy an early peek at the multiplayer aspect of the game.

 

If you’ve been sitting on the fence, and are interested, you can still enter the Beta by picking up a specially marked copy of Crackdown, which would ordinarily be a chore, but thankfully Crackdown is an awesome action game which might ironically distract you from the Beta I’m pimping here. Bungie is also giving out a few Friends and Family spots to valued community members, but those are few and far between, so it’s safer to assume you’re not getting in that way.

 

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.

 

 

 

this could be you, in May.

 

 

 

The Beta itself consists of three maps – Valhalla, High Ground and Snowbound – graphically improved since our first MP screenshots – and all three will be playable in Matchmaking only (that is after all, what we’re Beta testing here). 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.

 

There are a number of new features you’ll get to test out – including a new grenade type, a completely different class of weapon and some of the enhanced online functionality we plan to bring to the game – but it should be noted, a lot of secret features are hidden in this Beta. We’re keeping a lot of our powder dry for Fall. In May, when your firing the Spiker, sniping vehicles with the Spartan Laser and sticking fools with the Brute Spike grenade, remember that it’s just a peek-a-boo fraction of what’s to come.

 

And do me a special personal favor – walk down to the beach, the river or the lake in High Ground and Valhalla, and take a look at the water.

 

There will also be new guns, vehicles and gameplay features to try – including the mysterious “X-Button” functionality. But you don’t have to wait to find out what that is, since you can now view part of its functionality in our latest Vidoc, “Is Quisnam Protero Damno!” a long look at the making of Halo 3’s Multiplayer game.

 

Here you’ll meet the Multiplayer team and watch a level get built from concept to completion. You’ll see the care and attention that goes into every aspect, and yes, you’ll see a level or two that nobody has ever seen before.

 

There are a lot of questions raised in this Vidoc, and we’ll be answering them in the next couple of weeks, so keep checking back for more updates. You’re probably not even reading this huh? You’re watching the Vidoc. I give up.

 

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. Your next taste of that will be in May.

 

And there’s a ton of stuff in the Vidoc you simply haven’t seen before (including the X-Button) – and it’s well worth the download. Now, there’s nothing like seeing it in 720p in Dolby Digital, so remember this Vidoc is also available today on Xbox Live Marketplace, where big screen TVs can do it more justice than your PC.

 

 

Download the Multiplayer Vidoc “Is Quisnam Protero Damno!” here:

 

 

NOTE: You must be signed in to "Save As" thanks to Agegate restrictions - otherwise click on the link directly.

 

QuickTime - 37 MB (320 x 180): http://www.bungie.net/age_gate.aspx?fw=/wE...wEFBkhhbG8gMw==

QuickTime - 104 MB (640 x 360): http://www.bungie.net/age_gate.aspx?fw=/wE...wEFBkhhbG8gMw==

 

Windows Media - 110 MB (640 x 360): http://www.bungie.net/age_gate.aspx?fw=/wE...wEFBkhhbG8gMw==

Windows Media - 32 MB (320 x 180): http://www.bungie.net/age_gate.aspx?fw=/wE...wEFBkhhbG8gMw==

 

NOTE : The Vidoc is also available as a free, high definition 720p download at Xbox Live Marketplace through your Xbox 360 console .

 

 

 

 

Copy and paste form Bungie them selves

Article: http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?ty...AndVidocRelease

[poopskin]

My cousin wouldn't let me have his copy e_e

Plus my 360 Isn't hooked up to live...

[Grandthefter]

Sounds good, i know there's going to be alot of people playing instead of testing the game. Though i'm sure that via playing will find alot of the bugs etc in the beta version, i'm sure that if people really used it as a beta instead of exclusive bragging right then the final release will be alot better

 

Saying that though, i'm going to be bragging about it to my mate who loves halo and didn't get the crackdown copy. So that'll be good

[Sixdust]

Looks awesome, the video shows off two new weapons/items. One is the bubble shield grenade which was shown in an earlier trailer and the proximity type mine. The video makes me want more.

 

[TOGA62]

holy sh*t the video is only in alpha but did you guys see the new thing around 1:30 seconds in the film above? It's a ball type device that you can drop that rolls giving a mobile shield from anything. NICE.

 

I'm going to see if I can get a free copy of the beta from my work.

[Platinum.]

I'm going to see if I can get a free copy of the beta from my work.

Try and get me one too please mate.

[Maleficus]

Man, I was hoping the beta would be out sooner than that...Oh well, beggers can't be choosers. Psyched as hell for this game.

[GTA3Freak-2001]

Best news is hopefully this will make selling my copy of Crackdown all the more worth it and easier. I think Halo is the most overrated franchise in the world so couldn't give a rats arse about the BETA honestly.

[SyphonPayne]

Can't wait!

[~Neon~]

Heh, looks like I have a reason to use up my bunch of 48 hour Live trials. I think I have about 2 weeks worth, should be able to get my hands on some more to last the length of the BETA .

 

I really like the addition of the Bubble 'nade. I hope to god you can stay inside that thing while people smash you around the map with Warthogs. Be like virtual Zorbing! Also, the other two bits of equipment, the trip mine and the personal grav-boost ('nade jumping, only safer) look to change the gameplay a lot.

 

Should be a fun few weeks.

[Bauer]

It doesn't look to revolutionary, but you can at least expect the multiplayer experience to be solid. It looks like a game that you can definitely have fun with.

 

I really wanted Crackdown and the beta was just a bonus, but I never got around to purchasing it. When the beta starts, I know I'm going to feel like crap for not having the initiative to go buy it. I know a lot of my friends are going to be pissed, also.

[Ryuranger]

Im just gonna Borrow the Rental Copy of Crackdown when the Beta is up, Free Halo 3!

[RMT]

 

Best news is hopefully this will make selling my copy of Crackdown all the more worth it and easier. I think Halo is the most overrated franchise in the world so couldn't give a rats arse about the BETA honestly.

Haha that sums up my sentiments. Man anyone who's getting Crackdown just for a f*cking beta, an overrated beta, should have some words with them-selfs.