halo-reach-beta
Latest
Halo: Reach beta matchmaking and UI details surface
[Shacknews] Up until now, we were content with what few details we had about the Halo: Reach beta: its date of arrival and all of that sexy jetpack stuff. According to some details over at Shacknews, there's plenty more to get excited about than just atomic teabagging: new matchmaking and UI features, of course! The first big addition is Arena playlists, a set of Slayer and Team Slayer playlists for the more hardcore players, complete with its own ranking system. Ranks will be determined through a variety of factors, and will section off players into one of five groups: Onyx, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Steel. As such, Ranked and Social will now be one combined playlist. Other improvements come to the lobby system, giving players the power to vote on potential games that come up in matchmaking and an auto-queue feature that lets you join friends immediately after they complete a match. There's even a throwback to Halo 2 in the Active Roster screen, an area that shows all of your friends who are playing the game.
Halo 2 players getting Reach beta invites via email
This is what you get for being loyal to Halo 2 If you're one of the die-hard Master Chief fans that just can't let go of Halo 2, there's a chance that you've got some good news waiting in your inbox. Microsoft is currently sending out emails to Xbox Live users, specifically those who insist on clinging to the old ways. As the Xbox Live service for original Xbox games will shut down next month, Microsoft is offering Halo 2 fans quite a severance package. All told, OG Xbox gamers will receive three months of Xbox Live Gold, 400 Microsoft Points and an invite to the upcoming Halo: Reach multiplayer beta. Granted, it's probably not going to console those who have yet to upgrade to an Xbox 360 -- or those loyal to games other than Halo 2 -- but it's certainly better than nothing. And hey, jet packs, right? [Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]
Halo Reach Beta trailer shows jet packs, assassinations [update]
digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/leaked-halo-reach-beta-trailer-shows-jet-packs-assassinations/?d'; Huh? What do you think you're doing? You're reading a post that has "shows jet packs" in the headline? When you know that there's a Halo Reach beta trailer (initially leaked by a Taiwanese site called GNN) right after the break? We're just going to assume you've already watched it, because any other scenario speaks ill of your mental stability. That said ... DUDE! Jet packs! Assassinations! Load outs! New modes! The only feature Bungie forgot to list that was also included in the trailer? Like 50 million boners. Why don't you start digging through the clip and let us know in the comments what else you can find? Update: We've replaced the leaked video that was posted after the break with the now officially released trailer above and added one new piece of art in the gallery below. Good news: The trailer's still got jet packs! %Gallery-64713%
Halo: Reach beta dated May 3, only for ODST owners
Click to Spartan-size With the X10 event underway in San Francisco, Microsoft has finally announced the first details surrounding the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta. The beta test will officially begin on May 3, 2010. As promised, owners of Halo 3: ODST will be able to access the beta through the ODST game disc. We'll have more details about the beta shorty. For now, sit tight and direct your attention on that new box art! %Gallery-64713%
How to reach the Reach beta on ODST
Bungie is trying to make entry into Halo: Reach's beta as easy as possible -- at least if you pick up Halo 3 ODST next month. Bungie explained to Joystiq at GamesCom ODST's main menu will host an "extras" tab, which will contain access to the Reach beta once it activates sometime next year.Bungie considers the beta to be "a big part of the value of the disc." And as much as the studio hopes that the beta launch will "work like buttah," we're already preparing to shut down our tips box on that day to stop the whining wave of entitlement when if something inevitably goes wrong.
