Halo: Reach beta to end on May 19

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The highly anticipated Halo: Reach beta will end on May 19, Microsoft has confirmed.

Microsoft reckons the beta, which begins on May 3, will be “one of the biggest test events in entertainment history”.

Developer Bungie will turn on new modes at different times during the beta.

It’ll begin with three playlists, featuring Arena mode (4v4 ranked Team Slayer games), Free-for-All and Grab Bag, which include a mix of classic and brand new game types.

On May 7, Bungie will add the new Spartan versus Elite Invasion playlist to the beta. And finally, on May 14, it’ll add Generator Defence.

If Invasion and Generator Defence mean less to you than quantum physics, then head over to our mammoth Halo: Reach multiplayer beta hands-on preview. It’s really good.

To get in on the beta, you need to own Halo 3: ODST, have an Xbox LIVE Gold membership and an Internet connection.

Microsoft’s also confirmed that everyone who logs in and plays at least one full game of any type in the Halo: Reach beta will get a free Halo: Reach Avatar hoodie via the Halo Waypoint portal on Xbox LIVE. To redeem the hoodie, players must access Halo Waypoint and browse their Halo Career statistics after completing a match.

As an incentive, online multiplayer for the Halo: Reach beta, Halo 3: ODST and Halo 3 will be free for all Xbox LIVE members during the Halo Multiplayer Unlock Weekend, which runs from May 14 at 9 am PDT (5pm BST) to May 17 at 9 am PDT (5pm BST).

Microsoft will release a video introduction to the beta tomorrow, starring Aisha Tyler (Ross’ one-time girlfriend in Friends). We’ve seen the video. She holds big real life Halo guns in it and tells you to stop being a noob.

The game’s due out exclusively on Xbox 360 this Autumn. Microsoft released a teaser trailer, called Birth of a Spartan, of a live action Halo: Reach short yesterday.