Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta

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

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

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

Weapons Combat knife M319 grenade launcher M392 DMR M41 rocket launcher M45 shotgun M6 Spartan Laser M6G magnum M9 fragmentation grenade MA37 assault rifle SRS99-AM sniper rifle Anskum-pattern plasma grenade Type-1 energy sword gravity hammer Type-25 plasma pistol Gadulo-pattern needle rifle Type-33 Needler Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater M'tara-pattern focus rifle Pek-pattern plasma cannon Kopasa'mada-pattern plasma launcher Vehicles M12 Chaingun Warthog M808 Scorpion Type-26 Banshee Zurdo-pattern Wraith Karo'etba-pattern Ghost Maps Boneyard Overlook Powerhouse Sword Base Multiplayer Armor Abilities Loadout The Armory (Player customization) The Arena

Gametypes Generator Defense Invasion Headhunter Stockpile Playlists Arena Invasion Grab Bag Network Test 1 (Generator Defense) Free-For-All Saved Films Theater

Trivia

• An invitation to the beta was included with all new copies