May 16, 2007 is now the official release date of the Halo 3 beta. The beta will last for 3 weeks and will end on June 7, 2007. According to Microsoft and Bungie, the beta will be a very “stripped” version of the actual game. Frank O’Connor said the beta will contain, “quirks, and a couple rough edges”, he went on to say, “A lot of secret features are hidden in this beta.

We’re keeping a lot of our powder dry for fall.” Either way, features or not, I’m sure that the Halo 3 beta will be the most anticipated beta to ever hit the market (possibly the first beta for a video game) and I’m sure those lucky enough to get an invite into the beta program will be spending plenty of hours playing in the short 3 week period.

Here’s the article that was on BBC News:

Halo 3, one of the most anticipated videogames for the Xbox 360, will be released to the public in test, or beta, from 16 May.

The online multiplayer element of the game will be made available to the public with feedback going to developers Bungie.

More than 14.7m copies of Halo titles have been sold and more than 800m hours of online Halo games have been played.

The beta will last for three weeks and ends on 7 June.

Three multiplayer maps will be available – Snowbound, High Ground and Valhalla.

Halo 3 is expected to be released in the last quarter of 2007 and is a key weapon for Microsoft in its rivalry with Sony and Nintendo.

The game has become an important franchise for Microsoft and has evolved into an industry which encompasses action figures, graphics novels, books and clothes.

On the website of Halo creators Bungie, content manager Frank O’Connor said the beta would contain “quirks, a couple of roughedges”.

He added: “A lot of secret features are hidden in this beta. We’re keeping a lot of our powder dry for Fall.”

The above article can be viewed in its entirety here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6541079.stm