Crackdown to include Halo 3 Beta keys

Advertisement for upcoming supercop game claims some copies will include admission to Halo 3's beta program; Spartans already doing battle in Iraq.

Gamers aren't quite sure when they'll be able to get their hands on a copy of Halo 3 since its release date is simply "2007." The release date got narrowed slightly in November, when Bungie revealed that it would be launching a beta program for the Xbox 360 game this spring. To qualify, gamers were pointed to the Halo 3 Web site, where they were asked to enter information, cross their fingers, and wait for an e-mail confirmation of acceptance into the beta test.

Microsoft and Bungie have said that there would be multiple ways to enter the program, and now it appears that just about anyone can get one of the highly coveted seats in the test...provided they're willing to purchase a separate game.

Over the holiday break, the online arm of gaming magazine GamePro drummed up some interest in the February issue of the print publication by pointing out a tidbit from an ad that appears in said issue. In a two-page spread (scan available at TeamXbox.com) promoting the near-future police shooter Crackdown, the phrase "Includes invitation to Halo 3 multiplayer beta" appears in the lower-left corner. The beta keys will apparently be offered for a limited time and will appear in "specially marked boxes."

When asked for confirmation by Microsoft, a rep told GameSpot only that "there will be details in the coming days, stay tuned." Microsoft Game Studios is publishing both Crackdown and Halo 3.

As for Bungie, in last week's Weekly Update, the company acknowledged that information on how to enter the beta was "floating around the interwebs" and that Microsoft would have new details this week.

While quiet on most fronts, Bungie did talk about a small pre-beta program it is planning. The developer hopes to offer up "thousands" of spots to "experienced and active players" of Halo 2 as well as "people who spread Bungie love." Bungie will provide more details on its Web site in the future.

Bungie supports the troops.

Of course those that absolutely have to play the Halo 3 beta have one other method of virtually donning Spartan armor right now--enlist in the US Armed Forces. Bungie apparently surprised troops stationed in Iraq with a three-day Halo 3 gaming session just before the new year, says GameSpot member "Cowboy082288." The forum poster has uploaded videos and pictures of the event (with some footage of gameplay) on a MySpace account.

170 Comments

  • MastaGodkilla

    Posted Mar 24, 2007 1:28 pm PT

    crackdown is a good game looks like a mix of gta and halo but i wonder when halo 3 beta is there i can't wait ....

  • ogretroll123

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 4:30 pm PT

    I want me some Crackdown! But I need a 360 first...

    The Beta Key is a nice bonus for an already awsome game!

  • dQuarters

    Posted Jan 21, 2007 11:22 am PT

    Crackdown looks good to me, it looks like GTA with all the cheatcodes active already... with multiplayer. Couldn't care less about the Beta key, though it's a nice bonus.

  • jonjj2003

    Posted Jan 21, 2007 10:10 am PT

    whoa this game is crap, why buy this stupid game

    sure i love halo but why waist my money on such a stupid game

  • chickenoverlord

    Posted Jan 21, 2007 6:49 am PT

    I just preordered crackdown... 1st person to preorder it at my EB... basically the manager said if they get a limited supply with the beta invitation I'm assured one... (same guy that let me be the first person in my town to buy my wii at midnight)...
    Crackdown looks ok... can't wait for the demo but the whole supercop thing and ESPECIALLY the little logos above their heads that I'm sure will P me off...
    I know some ppl will call me a fanboy or a sucker bcos the thing that made me buy crackdown today was the halo beta invitation.. but hey I'd spend the $100AU crackdown cost for the beta alone... that much money is nothing to me... so call me a fanboy.. whatever... screw you... I'll be on that beta... betta watch out

  • bababooey1

    Posted Jan 19, 2007 1:40 pm PT

    for those of you who wait for the 360 just for one game(halo 3). IMO your not a fan and you should just quit gaming. I have a 360 for all the great games out and coming of course h3 is just a bonus

  • CCyberDDemon

    Posted Jan 16, 2007 12:15 pm PT

    @AlexPace1 = Newbie

    Gears of war can be good, but never will be better than Halo

    The physics from Halo is just wonderful. No one never complained about it only you do. You say ''...stupidity'' like Gears is the king of logics.

    Originality is the key and Halo got it, you feel this even on the sound track.

  • verstadt

    Posted Jan 16, 2007 11:26 am PT

    Crackdown looks like a good game, and would probably have good sales by itself, but a little incentive never hurt.

  • AFWorm

    Posted Jan 14, 2007 6:28 pm PT

    I'll wait until Halo 3 comes out before getting an XBox 360

  • _Sam_

    Posted Jan 14, 2007 2:07 pm PT

    Yeah, I think that they should have just put the keys in some of the games, and let the buzz spread by itself.

  • DukeEdwardI

    Posted Jan 13, 2007 12:34 pm PT

    from what i know about crackdown, it looks and sounds like a lot of fun. so if i buy crackdown with one of those beta keys, ill probably just toss the beta key in the trash.

    not unless some poor halo fanboy gets down on his knees and begs me for it...

    im partly kidding...halo mutliplayer is a lot of fun to watch. ive sat down and watched my roommates play for an hour or two on end. its just not a game that ive really gotton excited about.

  • Sahfire

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 11:46 am PT

    I will maybe buy Crackdown. But 600 kr feels kinda much for a sucky beta, wich isn't even a demo.

  • dude026

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 4:09 pm PT

    i reckon its cheap how microsoft can sell a game by using halo 3... like they havn't got enough money allready... i know theres more to it than money but like, it shiuldnt be done! it'll work all the same, but its just wrong and i think it shows what microsoft are like in reality... even though they create the best consoles.

  • AlexPace1

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 1:25 pm PT

    who cares.....halo is over rated...how can a beat down with your gun do more damage than a bullet itself...i know id rather be hit by a gun than shot by it...stupidity.
    p.s. GEARS 4 LIFE

  • racerx737

    Posted Jan 7, 2007 9:08 pm PT

    I can personally wait til the actual Halo 3 game comes out. I actually got tired of Halo 2 and havent played it but a couple of times since early summer. But I'll be excited when it gets much closer to release.

  • zinngg

    Posted Jan 7, 2007 1:05 pm PT

    This looks like a lot of crackdown returns and re-buys to me.

  • Absolutezerr

    Posted Jan 5, 2007 1:49 pm PT

    Good point monkeyman. Garry's mod haha... seriously, though, it's pretty cool that Bungie is giving a special opportunity to the soldiers in Iraq. I wish I could have played some Halo 3 on New Year's eve. But I was stuck with the second. Oh well...

  • monkeyman98

    Posted Jan 4, 2007 2:45 pm PT

    yo guy who said that the halo3 physics look worse than GOWs' physics? Dude GOW is a great game and all that praise be held but if I have one complaint its the physics. They were disapointing. Now for physics I suggest you go play a little PC game called Half Life 2 with Garrys mod installed.

  • rickjames_ice9

    Posted Jan 4, 2007 7:01 am PT

    Its a shame the army clips arent longer. Its like they're staged by bungie to make me even more excited. Im more excited about Halo 3 than I've ever been about any game. It's going to be the S**T. People that don't already know that aren't true gamers.

  • Noak3

    Posted Jan 4, 2007 2:32 am PT

    Damn, i'm not over 17 so I can't register on the website.
    It never says that I can't get into the beta if I buy the game though.
    I hate these, it never gives you full information. Like if people under 13 will be able to play the beta at all.

  • Emb3r

    Posted Jan 4, 2007 1:13 am PT

    My cousin is in the army. i wonder if he got to play. heheh. 2 years and im off to basic.

  • insane_metalist

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 11:35 pm PT

    well there will be a good game coming on ps3 unreal torunament 2007 but it shouldnt be better then halo 3

  • mynamesdenvrmax

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 7:32 pm PT

    Just from reading a few comments, im sure PS3 fanboys are attacking. But at least we can say Halo 3 beta shots look better than Resistance.

  • adi99

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 5:57 pm PT

    dude give it a break....dont whine about how bad the graphics or anyhtin is...the games not even out....its still in the beta...u do realize that rite?.....and GOW is all good cuz its a finished game.

    ANYWAYS back on topic.....this is pretty cool...and the images are decent.

  • Gamepro2421

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 4:48 pm PT

    i'm sorry but this hardly interests me after playing Gears of War and after watching some of the lamest physics i have ever seen through the Brutes on that somewhat newly released dev diary Halo3 Video...i'll be online chainshawing people :p

  • Alcotamaysees

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 4:04 pm PT

    "People who spread Bungie love." *raises hand*

  • cool_kid12

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 3:20 pm PT

    awwwwww thats not fair the trooops fot to play the best game on the planet! fuk fuk fuk

  • vexx365

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 1:50 pm PT

    well i would,t buy a game just to play halo 3 but i am planning on get this game if its good

  • OPOLO

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 1:22 pm PT

    This is stupid - GameStop & EA's are going to get a lot of these games returned for exchange if they don't include a code in each game

  • SteelWingX

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 1:19 pm PT

    those myspace vids are reeeeeeally short

  • ef_teddy

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 12:44 pm PT

    I would rather wait until the game is done....spending 60$ on a game that might not be good....

  • fahad2mail

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 12:31 pm PT

    This is great.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 11:04 am PT

    halo 3 won't be played correctly until it's released on pc.

  • Staryoshi87

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 10:45 am PT

    Woo, signed up for chance to get into the beta....I don't really care about Halo that much, but beta access is always fun

  • SystemaKid

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 10:36 am PT

    i am going to ask my ebgames if i preorder it if it will automatically come with the beta key. I was planning on buying crackdown with the start of it. But I am confused, if I do get the key will i beable to buy the game right away? or do i have to wait till spring to play it.

  • okassar

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 9:38 am PT

    That's a good reason to join the army

  • hi_im_derek

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 9:37 am PT

    Is the game really going to be that good if they need something like this for it to sell copies?

  • kinglink2

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 8:57 am PT

    This says a lot about the value of Crackdown.

    In the past month I've started feeling wary about it. It looked good at first but cell shaded graphics, and unbelievable physics is sounding worse every day. Of course it'll sell a million just by this tie in.

  • gatsbythepig

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 8:13 am PT

    wohoo

  • Zombie07

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 8:11 am PT

    wait only some will not all of them will that sucks cause then you buy a 60 dollar game and you get so excited and then you figure out sorry you dont have it its like charlie in the chocalte factory

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 7:33 am PT

    they have link to vid finally on GS

  • Vinnie222

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 7:20 am PT

    another reason to buy crackdown

  • darkDemyze

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 7:18 am PT

    Quite genius indeed. I wonders how many people will actually buy this game just for the chance to play the Halo 3 beta. Better hope this game isn't junk..

  • sansglitch

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 5:54 am PT

    that is some genius-level marketing on both counts. it's impressive really.

  • V_Zarnold_N

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 5:46 am PT

    way to go bungie we love you guys

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 5:28 am PT

    Bungie supports the troops!

  • shizwill03

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 4:37 am PT

    Totally Awesome. I know the troops got a good thrill outta that, and also have a goog edge considering that deal with the real gun counterparts daily. ......I don't wanna be sniped by one of those guys. >.>;

  • Cloud737

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 4:24 am PT

    Heh, what a greater way to sell your game than to include Halo 3 beta keys in it? Though if they were really after money, they shouldn`t have packed those keys in specially marked boxes. That way, more people will buy the game hopping a key would be inside, instead of already knowing before buying.

  • eggsiboss

    Posted Jan 3, 2007 3:26 am PT

    thats nice, i like that they thought of the boys out at war first especially at this festive time of year, it must be awful to be stuck out there away from your loved ones at xmas.

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