Halo 3 Beta Invites Going Out This Week

Bungie has updated the Halo 3 website to give a recap of ways to get into the H3 beta. Note that the first round of invitations will be distributed to the randomly chosen entries this week (1/22 - 1/28 ).

The invitations will be sent out via e-mail to those chosen from the 'first stage' of beta entry--those filling out their information on www.halo3.com after the commercial aired on Monday Night Football last December.

The site update goes on to give details on the two other ways of entering the beta; through the 'Rule of 3' program and by purchasing marked boxes of the upcoming MGS game 'Crackdown.'

It also looks like the 'Rule of 3' program has changed a little--registration does not seem to be first come first served until February 5, meaning interested gamers won't have to stay up all night on February 1 getting their 3 hours in and rushing to the website to enter. The site also officially states the 'Rule of 3' option is open to Canadian residents. We've pasted the official rules below right from Bungie's site so you can make your plans to be among the next 13,333 to get into the beta

Rule of Three Program

The "Rule of Three" program is currently planned for gamers (17 years and older) in the 50 United States (includes District of Columbia) and Canada who have access to an Xbox 360 Pro console or an Xbox 360 Core console with hard drive, a valid Xbox Live Gold subscription and the Halo 2 game.

It is a two-step process:

1. Participate in at least three hours of Halo 2 multiplayer sessions on your Xbox 360 console via Xbox Live during the three (3) day period beginning February 1st at 12:01 am EST and ending February 3rd at 11:59 pm EST.

2. After the three day window is over, head back over to www.halo3.com on February 5th and register.

If you are one of the FIRST 13,333 to do this (and meet the above requirements) you will receive an invite notification in February to participate in the Halo 3 Beta.

Please note that if you registered to participate in the Halo 3 Beta during Phase One and were not selected, that does not preclude you from registering again for during Phase 2.

Please let us know if you're lucky enough to get picked so we can focus our envy & harass you for impressions!

Halo 3 Site