Halo 3 Beta: May 16

Bungie and Microsoft have announced that the Halo 3 multiplayer beta will be gunning for Xbox Live on May 16, with three all-new maps and fresh vehicles to try out.

From 1pm (GMT) on May 16 any Xbox 360 owners who managed to secure their admission to the beta, either after buying a special copy of Crackdown or through the Rule of Three promotion, can don their Spartan helmet and get ready for some full-on Halo 3 action. The beta lasts until June 7.

Don't miss the latest Bungie-made multiplayer video documentary. Once downloaded, players can sample three different maps - Snowbound, High Ground and Valhalla - which represent a mixture of large and medium scale combat environments. Previously these maps have only been demoed to journalists by Bungie, so there's no chance you'll be unfairly gunned down by someone who knows the battlefield better.

In addition to the maps, several new vehicles are available in the demo, including the Mongoose all-terrain vehicle, as well as brand-new weapons like the improved Assault Rifle, Brute Spiker, Spartan Laser and Spike Grenades.

For those without a Gold Live account, which is needed to play the multiplayer beta, you can take solace in special behind-the-scenes videos that are now available on Bungie's website.

If you want to take part in the beta and haven't enlisted already, special copies of Crackdown, which include the beta key, are available until May 16. They're easily recognised by the handy sticker on the front of the box.

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