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{{Era|RE|RW|}}
{{Title|''Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta''}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{New Content}}


The '''''Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta''''' is a phase in the development of ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', produced by [[Bungie|Bungie, LLC]] and organized by [[Microsoft|Microsoft Game Studios]]. The Beta will be released to the public on May 3, [[2010]]<ref name="First">[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=HaloReach_X10 '''Bungie.net:''', ''Halo: Reach Rolls Into Fog City'']</ref>, and will be used to test different aspects of ''Halo: Reach'' multiplayer with the public, judging what to change based on public demand. An invitation to the Beta is included with all copies of ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. Additionally, multiple invitations to the Beta will be 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>
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]].


The Beta will contain several maps and gametypes never seen before, and will showcase the new gameplay features in ''Reach''. There will be at least a 16 player multiplayer. [[Theater mode]] has also been confirmed and will be returning in the beta. Bungie has also stated that the Beta will include many more vehicles, leading to believe that some maps will be larger and more vehicle-based. The player will also be able to use a section of the character customization to customize their Spartan and Elite character called ''The Armory'', similar to Halo 3's Appearance menu, but more customizable and using the Player Investment system. <ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/haloreach/images/0/3/?tag=thumbs_below;thumb;3 ''Halo: Reach'' Gamespot images]</ref>
==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 assault rifle|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==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
==See also==
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo 3 Beta]]''
*''[[Reach]]''
 
{{Halo Testing}}
[[Category:Halo: Reach]]
[[Category:Halo: Reach]]
[[Category:New Content]]

Latest revision as of 13:16, October 12, 2022

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

Details of the Beta[edit]

Although the beta only featured Matchmaking and Theater modes, it introduced a variety of new features, such as expanded customization options, a "Credits" system for unlocking and purchasing armor pieces, and a new ranking system.

Gameplay saw the introduction of Loadouts; when spawning, players can choose from preset combinations of starting weapons and Armor Abilities (a retooled iteration of Halo 3's Equipment) as well as spawn location (available only in select gametypes). In Matchmaking, instead of simply 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 is a free-for-all gametype in which players must collect skulls dropped by fallen opponents and bring them to collection points. In Invasion, a team of 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[edit]

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

Weapons

Vehicles

Maps

Multiplayer

Gametypes

Playlists

Saved Films



Trivia[edit]

  • 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.[8]
  • 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 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.[9]
  • After July 21, 2010, Bungie stopped supporting stats and files from the beta.
  • There were 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 Visual Flair, which is represented by an Assault Rifle icon in Halo: Reach.[10]
  • 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[edit]

  • The Multiplayer Beta Menu.

    The Multiplayer Beta Menu.

  • Matchmaking Menu.

    Matchmaking Menu.

  • Social preferences/settings.

    Social preferences/settings.

  • The art used in the matchmaking menu background.

    The art used in the matchmaking menu background.

  • Powerhouse.

    Powerhouse.

  • Sword Base.

    Sword Base.

  • Overlook.

    Overlook.

  • Boneyard.

    Boneyard.

  • Swordbase Stockpile.

    Swordbase Stockpile.

  • Swordbase Headhunter.

    Swordbase Headhunter.

  • Swordbase Headhunter.

    Swordbase Headhunter.

  • Swordbase Headhunter.

    Swordbase Headhunter.

  • Swordbase Stockpile.

    Swordbase Stockpile.

  • Swordbase Armorlock.

    Swordbase Armorlock.

  • An assassination in the Beta.

    An assassination in the Beta.

  • An explosion in the Beta.

    An explosion in the Beta.

  • Mark VI as it appeared though a glitch in the beta.

    Mark VI as it appeared though a glitch in the beta.

  • Mark V (B) as it appeared in the beta.

    Mark V (B) as it appeared in the beta.

  • Mark V as it appeared in the beta.

    Mark V as it appeared in the beta.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update: 04.02.10
  2. ^ a b c d Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update: 04.09.10
  3. ^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update: 03.26.10
  4. ^ Shacknews: Halo: Reach's Arena System In-Depth
  5. ^ a b c d 1Up: Halo Reach (Xbox 360) Preview
  6. ^ a b c d e Bungie.net: Beta Playlist
  7. ^ GTTV: Gametrailers TV with Geoff Keighley
  8. ^ halo.bungie.org: Halo 2 Offer
  9. ^ http://mobile.pcmag.com/device2/article.php?CALL_URL=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364136,00.asp
  10. ^ Bungie.net: Express Yourself

See also[edit]

v • d • e
 
List of Halo testing releases
Main game testing releases
Side game testing releases
Scrapped game testing releases
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