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. The beta ran from May 3 through May 20, 2010.

Details of the Beta
The beta 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 Slayer variant in which players must collect skulls dropped by fallen opponents and bring them to collection points. In Invasion, six SPARTANs must prevent invading Elites from stealing a data core. Generator Defense is a similar gametype in which a team of SPARTANs must defend three generators against Elites. Stockpile is a multi-flag variant of CTF 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 3rd release. Invasion and Generator Defense were introduced later on May 7th and May 14th respectively.

Included Features
The beta test featured the majority of features from the final multiplayer experience, though it had been hinted that not all were shown. The features were:

Weapons
UNSC
 * Combat Knife
 * M6G Personal Defense Weapon System
 * M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose Grenade
 * M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun
 * M45 Tactical Shotgun
 * M392 Designated Marksman Rifle
 * MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System
 * SRS99 Special Applications
 * M319 Individual Grenade Launcher
 * M41 SSR MAV/AW
 * Weapon/Anti-Vehicle Model 6 Grindell/Galileian Nonlinear Rifle
 * AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun

Covenant
 * Type-1 Antipersonnel Grenade
 * Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword
 * Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer
 * Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol
 * Type-31 Rifle
 * Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
 * Type-51 Directed Energy Rifle/Improved
 * Type-52 Special Applications Rifle
 * Type-52 Guided Munitions Launcher/Explosive
 * Type-42 Directed Energy Support Weapon

Vehicles
UNSC
 * M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle
 * M808B Main Battle Tank

Covenant
 * Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage
 * Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft
 * Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle

Maps

 * Boneyard
 * Overlook
 * Powerhouse

Multiplayer

 * Armor Abilities
 * Loadout
 * The Armory (Player customization)
 * The Arena

Gametypes

 * Generator Defense
 * Invasion
 * Headhunter
 * Stockpile

Saved Films

 * Theater

Playlists

 * Arena
 * Invasion
 * Grab Bag
 * Network Test 1 (Generator Defense)
 * Free-For-All

Trivia

 * An invitation to the beta was included with all 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.
 * 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 a 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.
 * After July 21, 2010, Bungie stopped supporting stats and files from the beta.
 * There are 117 days between May 20th, the beta's closing date, and September 14th, Halo: Reach's release date.

Related Pages

 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo 3: ODST
 * Halo 3 Beta
 * Reach