Editing Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta

{{Title|''Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta''}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}

The '''''Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta''''', also known as the '''''Halo: Reach Beta''''', was a phase of the development of ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', produced by [[Bungie|Bungie, LLC]] and organized by [[Microsoft|Microsoft Game Studios]]. It is announced by the [[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Trailer]] posted on [[Bungie.net]]. The beta ran from [[2010|May 3 through May 20, 2010]].

==Details of the Beta==
Although the beta only featured [[Multiplayer|Matchmaking]] and [[Theater]] modes, it introduced a variety of new features, such as expanded customization options, a "[[Credit]]s" system for [[Armor customization (Halo: Reach)|unlocking and purchasing armor pieces]], and a [[Rank (Halo: Reach)|new ranking system]].

Gameplay saw the introduction of [[Loadout]]s; when spawning, players can choose from preset combinations of starting weapons and [[Armor abilities|Armor Abilities]] (a retooled iteration of [[Halo 3]]'s [[Equipment]]) as well as [[Spawning|spawn location]] (available only in select gametypes). In Matchmaking, instead of simply [[halo 3#Veto|vetoing]] a map and gametype, players are now able to vote for their desired map and gametype from a short list presented in the Lobby.

New gametypes were also introduced. [[Headhunter (game variant)|Headhunter]] is a [[Free-For-All|free-for-all]] gametype in which players must collect [[skull]]s dropped by fallen opponents and bring them to collection points. In [[Invasion]], a team of [[SPARTAN Program|SPARTANs]] must prevent invading [[Sangheili]] from stealing a data core. [[Generator Defense]] is a similar gametype in which a team of SPARTANs must defend three generators against Sangheili. [[Stockpile]] is a multi-flag gametype in which each team must bring neutral flags to their own collection points to score.

These new gametypes along with existing ones made their debut upon the beta's May 3 release. Invasion and Generator Defense were introduced later on May 7 and May 14 respectively.

==Included Features==
The beta test featured the majority of features from the final multiplayer experience. The features were:

{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-5|title-1=Weapons|
*[[Combat knife]]<ref name="weapons">[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=25376 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 04.02.10'']</ref>
*[[M319 grenade launcher]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[M392 DMR]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[M41 rocket launcher]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[M45 shotgun]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[M6 Spartan Laser]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[M6G magnum]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[M9 fragmentation grenade]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[MA37 assault rifle]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[SRS99-AM sniper rifle]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*{{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}}{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[Type-1 energy sword]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[Type-25 plasma pistol]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*{{Pattern|Gadulo|needle rifle}} {{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[Type-33 Needler]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*{{Pattern|Nakata'vho|plasma repeater}}{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*{{Pattern|M'tara|focus rifle}} {{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*{{Pattern|Pek|plasma cannon}}
*{{Pattern|Kopasa'mada|plasma launcher}}{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}

|title-2=Vehicles|
*[[M12 Chaingun Warthog]]
*[[M808 Scorpion]]
*[[Type-26 Banshee]]
*{{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}} 
*{{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}

|title-3=Maps|
*[[Boneyard]]<ref name="Maps">[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_040910 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 04.09.10'']</ref>
*[[Overlook]]{{Ref/Reuse|Maps}}
*[[Powerhouse]]{{Ref/Reuse|Maps}}
*[[Sword Base]]{{Ref/Reuse|Maps}}

|title-4=Multiplayer|
*[[Armor abilities|Armor Abilities]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[Loadout]]{{Ref/Reuse|weapons}}
*[[Armor customization (Halo: Reach)|The Armory]] <small>(Player customization)</small><ref name="customise">[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_032610 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 03.26.10'']</ref>
*The Arena<ref name="shacknews">[http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=1315 '''Shacknews''': ''Halo: Reach's Arena System In-Depth'']</ref>

|title-5=Gametypes|
*[[Generator Defense]]<ref name="1UP">[http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?pager.offset=1&cId=3178811&p= '''1Up''': ''Halo Reach (Xbox 360) Preview'']</ref>
*[[Invasion]]{{Ref/Reuse|1UP}}
*[[Headhunter (game variant)|Headhunter]]{{Ref/Reuse|1UP}}
*[[Stockpile]]{{Ref/Reuse|1UP}}

|title-6=Playlists|
*[[Matchmaking|Arena]]<ref name="playlist">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=playlists '''Bungie.net''': ''Beta Playlist'']</ref>
*[[Invasion]]{{Ref/Reuse|playlist}}
*Grab Bag{{Ref/Reuse|playlist}}
*[[Generator Defense|Network Test 1 (Generator Defense)]]{{Ref/Reuse|playlist}}
*[[Free-For-All]]{{Ref/Reuse|playlist}}

|title-7=Saved Films|
*[[Theater]]<ref name="GTTV">[http://www.gametrailers.com/episode/gametrailers-tv/89?ch=1&sd=1 '''GTTV''': ''Gametrailers TV with Geoff Keighley'']</ref>
}}

==Trivia==
*An invitation to the beta was included with all new copies of ''[[Halo 3: ODST]].''
*Multiple invitations to the beta were randomly distributed to [[Xbox Live]] users by [[Microsoft]] as gifts for being loyal [[Xbox Live]] customers.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.org/images/halo2offer.png '''halo.bungie.org:''' ''Halo 2 Offer'']</ref>
*In the few days before the beta, Bungie not-so-subtly gave out entire lists of beta codes, which were quickly taken.
*The beta required an [[Xbox LIVE]] Gold account to play Matchmaking. However, it was still possible for players to run the beta and customize their SPARTAN's appearance with only an Xbox LIVE Silver account.
*The playlist game type Generator Defense is a reference to [[Beta-Red|Team Beta]]'s mission during the [[Fall of Reach]].
*Players who played the beta and then signed onto [[Halo Waypoint]] received an exclusive hoodie for their avatars.
*The beta was initially intended to end on May 19, 2010, but [[Bungie]] decided to push the end date by one extra day.
*During the beta's two-week run, over 2.7 million unique players played a total of over 6 million gameplay hours in the beta, making it one of the most played beta programs on any platform. Overall, there were over 1.1 billion kills registered in the beta.<ref>http://mobile.pcmag.com/device2/article.php?CALL_URL=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364136,00.asp</ref>
*After July 21, 2010, [[Bungie]] stopped supporting stats and files from the beta.
*There were [[John-117|117]] days between May 20, the beta's closing date, and September 14, ''Halo: Reach'''s release date.
*If a player has played the Beta using their current Xbox Live account, they will unlock a ''Halo: Reach Beta ''[[Nameplates|Visual Flair]], which is represented by an [[MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System|Assault Rifle]] icon in ''Halo: Reach''.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_082010 '''Bungie.net''': ''Express Yourself'']</ref>
*The Noble 12, the last Halo 2 Xbox Live players, all received Halo Reach Beta keys because of their attempts to keep Halo 2 alive.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Reach - Beta Menu.jpg|The Multiplayer Beta Menu.
File:Matchmaking on reach.jpg|Matchmaking Menu.
File:Social Prefrances From Halo Reach.png|Social preferences/settings.
File:HR SpaceDebris Concept.jpg|The art used in the matchmaking menu background.
File:Halo Reach Powerhouse.jpg|Powerhouse.
File:Halo Reach Sword Base.jpg|Sword Base.
File:Overlook.jpg|Overlook.
File:Reach mpbeta boneyard 02.jpg|Boneyard.
File:HRMPB SwordbaseStockpile.jpg|Swordbase Stockpile.
File:HRMPB Swordbase Headhunter 2.jpg|Swordbase Headhunter.
File:HRMPB Swordbase Headhunter FP.jpg|Swordbase Headhunter.
File:HRMPB SwordBase Headhunter.jpg|Swordbase Headhunter.
File:HRMPB Swordbase stockpile swordbase flag carrier.jpg|Swordbase Stockpile.
File:HRMPB SwordbaseArmorLock.jpg|Swordbase Armorlock.
File:HRMPB SwordbaseAssass.jpg|An assassination in the Beta.
File:HRMPB SwordbaseBoom.jpg|An explosion in the Beta.
File:MarkVIReach.jpg|Mark VI as it appeared though a glitch in the beta.
File:HR Beta Armor.png|Mark V (B) as it appeared in the beta.
File:Spartan variant.jpg|Mark V as it appeared in the beta.
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

==See also==
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo 3 Beta]]''
*''[[Reach]]''

{{Halo Testing}}
[[Category:Halo: Reach]]