Guardian Hunter writes:

Taking the long view.

A trio of embedded journalists from MBT took a ton of shots on each beta map and fashioned them into four panoramic images. If you're into taking things in all at once, hit the jump in the description below and get an eyeful.

"Each panorama is composed of between 20 to 40 screenshots taken and stitched together by Truthisr3vealed, Spartan 668, and Guardian Hunter. You can check out all four panoramas at http://mjolnirtactics.com/panoramas.php."

Wise fwom your gwave!

The dead rise again! The clammy claw of the walking dead reaches for you from the grave once more!

Category: Double EXP Weekend
Social 13 player FFA
All DLC required

Gametypes

• Save One Bullet (48%)  - Infection. Survivors start with Shotguns and Magnum secondaries, and have no energy shields. Infected start with Energy Swords, have 75% gravity, enhanced motion trackers and are colored black. Score points by killing Infected as Survivors or killing Survivors as Infected. Highest score after 3 rounds wins.  Top 25% of winners at the end of a round become zombies in the following round. 3 minute round time limit.
• Creeping Death (7%) - Infection. Survivors start with Shotguns and Magnum secondaries. Infected start with Gravity Hammers, have 75% gravity, enhanced motion trackers, good active camo, and are colored black. Score points by killing Infected as Survivors or killing Survivors as Infected. Highest score after 3 rounds wins. Whoever has the highest score at the end of a round becomes the zombie at the beginning of the following round. 3 minute round time limit.
• Creeping Rocket (9%, Skipped after Veto) - Infection. Survivors start with Rocket Launchers and Spartan Laser secondaries. Infected start with Gravity Hammers, have 75% gravity, 200% damage resistance, enhanced motion trackers, good active camo, and are colored black. Score points by killing Infected as Survivors or killing Survivors as Infected. Highest score after 3 rounds wins. Whoever has the highest score at the end of a round becomes the zombie at the beginning of the following round. 3 minute round time limit.
• Braaaaains (31%) - Infection. Survivors start with Shotguns and Magnum secondaries, and have no energy shields. Infected start with Energy Swords, have 75% gravity, no energy shields, enhanced motion trackers and are colored black. Score points by killing Infected as Survivors or killing Survivors as Infected. Highest score after 3 rounds wins. 25% of players are randomly chosen to be zombies each round . 3 minute round time limit.
• Speed Demons (5%) - Infection. Survivors start with Shotguns and Battle Rifle secondaries, have no energy shields and 150% gravity. Infected start with Gravity Hammers and Energy Sword secondaries, have 150% gravity, 200% movement speed, deal 150% damage, enhanced motion trackers and are colored black. Score points by killing Infected as Survivors or killing Survivors as Infected. Highest score after 3 rounds wins. 25% of players are randomly chosen to be zombies each round. 3 minute round time limit.

Maps

• Bubonic (Rat's Nest) - Rat's Nest variant designed for Infection gametypes
• Charnel Pit (The Pit) - The Pit variant designed for Infection gametypes
• Club Dead (High Ground) - High Ground variant designed for Infection gametypes
• Death Valley (Valhalla) - Valhalla variant designed for Infection gametypes
• Deadlock (Blackout) - Blackout variant designed for Infection gametypes. REQUIRED. Part of the Legendary Map Pack
• Dish of Doom (Standoff) - Standoff variant designed for Infection gametypes. REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack
• Ghoul Town (Ghost Town) - Ghost Town variant designed for Infection gametypes. REQUIRED. Part of the Legendary Map Pack
• Growth Spurt (Isolation) -  Isolation variant designed for Infection gametypes.
• Haunted Manor (Foundry) - Foundry variant designed for Infection gametypes. REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
• Salivation (Epitaph) - Epitaph variant designed for Infection gametypes.
• Tree Rot (Guardian)  -  Guardian variant designed for Infection gametypes.
• ZOMBIES ON ICE (Avalanche) - Avalanche variant designed for Infection gametypes. REQUIRED. Part of the Legendary Map Pack
• Zomboni (Snowbound) - Snowbound variant designed for Infection gametypes.
• Zomzibar (Last Resort) - Last Resort variant designed for Infection gametypes.
• Andromeda (Orbital) - Orbital variant for Infection gametypes. REQUIRED. Orbital is part of the Mythic Map Pack.
• Spooky House (Sandbox)  - Sandbox variant built in the Sky Bubble for Infection gametypes. REQUIRED. Sandbox is part of the Mythic Map Pack.
• Dead Docks (Longshore) - Longshore variant designed for Infection gametypes. REQUIRED. Longshore is available on Halo 3: Mythic.
  

The Beta is now officially over.

We mentioned it yesterday, but it bears repeating. The Beta is officially over, but our test team is leaving the servers up and running so they can run some horrible, inhumane experiments on live subjects. If you're still in the mix, you should anticipate some pain and suffering.

Stuff like:

• Unpredictable gameplay behavior!
• Long and unsuccessful Matchmaking times!
• Unceremonious disconnects from the Beta!

The Showdown.

Hawty McBloggy dug up this little gem from some dark corner of the Internet. Two players enter, nobody leaves, and we all get a good laugh.

CheckedBRUTES writes:

In the merry, merry month of May.

Sweet clips. Sweet soundtrack. Check it out.

KillPie3 writes:

Yes, another Top Ten!

Looks like were in Sudden Death. Get your games in while the gettin's good. Or watch this Top Ten. Whatever.

"Here is the first Halo Reach 'Ten FTW' presented by KillPie. The clips are a little outdated but are still very enjoyable to watch. Have fun and continue playing the amazing Halo Reach Beta!"

YouTube - Ten FTW: Halo Reach: Beta Kills

Calling all cinematographers.

Wanna commemorate your very best Beta moments? Help us, help you. Today and tomorrow, we'll be scouring the Beta file collection in search of stuff that shows off your 1337 skills and greatest gameplay moments. We'll even be looking for some bugs and glitches that make us chuckle.

Participation is easy:

• Upload your Saved Films from the in game menu
  • Not clips, but full Saved Films
• Tag your Saved Film with "Sendoff"
  • You can use the in game menu or add the tag on Bungie.net
  • All one word, with no quotation marks

If your Saved Film is indeed awesome, we might use it for something top secret and totally sweet. Now get to work! Time, she is a-wastin'!

IL DUCE14 writes:

Win Halo swag and help a family; one Wheelman at a time.

Lend a helping hand. Get some awesome swag.

"We at H3Wheelmen.com pride ourselves on surgical use of our vehicles on the battlefield. Now it's your turn to try and outdo us. We are hosting an annual event for the month of June challenging the community to rack up as many Wheelman medals and Warthog gunner kills as possible in Matchmaking slayer gametypes. 

This event is to raise money for the family of one of our own, tragically taken by cancer in April. The entry fee is a dollar, a paltry sum compared to the value of the swag that has been graciously donated by both Bungie and our GGN allies.

Prizes will be awarded to the driver with the most Wheelmen, and to the gunner with the most hog turret kills in matchmade Slayer games for the month of June. We will also be having random prize drawings for the best stuff, in case driving the hog doesn't suit your interests. Every dollar donated is an entry into the random drawing. One dollar makes you eligible for the contest, but a donation of $5 gets you 5 entries into the random draw, $20 gets you 20 entries, etc.

The Driver and Gunner Winners will each receive:
An H3WM T-shirt, with winner emblem
MS Points
A Halo figurine, signed by the fine folks at BUNGIE

For the random drawings we have:
1) An ODST poster signed by BUNGIE
2 )A Halo figurine (with teh reconz), Signed by BUNGIE
3) 4,000 MS Points
4) 4,000 MS Points

AND IF WE RAISE OVER $1000 DOLLARS...
A HALO: REACH POSTER ALSO SIGNED BY BUNGIE!

This year, all proceeds will be going to IceDevil's family, and any matching funds will go to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a registered Non-Profit organization devoted to the cause of finding a cure for and helping those afflicted with this terrible illness. In the future, ALL proceeds will go to this charity.

Donations can be made HERE.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO PUT YOUR GAMERTAG IN YOUR DONATION!"

The Beta ends on Thursday, May 20th at 10:00am PST.

The final twenty-four hours of the Halo: Reach Beta are now underway. We hope you've been having a blast. The data you've helped us collect will ensure that Halo: Reach's multiplayer experience is the best it can be when it launches in the fall.

For now, go ahead and keep on keepin' on. We won't officially pull the plug until tomorrow morning at 10:00am PST and we plan on prowling the Playlists ourselves this evening in search of unsuspecting suckers. Keep an eye out for us, but if we don't get a chance to catch up, we just wanted to say thanks for playing. You're awesome. A big part of the Beta's success is owed to you.

Thanks, Seventh Column!

We should note that after the Beta officially ends, our test team is planning on jumping into the live environment to simulate a host of horrible conditions in order to better prepare themselves for the retail launch. They'll be unceremoniously pulling plugs, pouring coffee into server banks, and pressing buttons that are clearly marked, "Do Not Press." If you're still playing the Beta after 10:00am tomorrow, you should expect to witness some strange and suspect stuff going down.

Stuff like:

• Unpredictable gameplay behavior!
• Long and unsuccessful Matchmaking times!
• Unceremonious disconnects from the Beta!

Two men enter...

...and both men left. This time. Yup, Chris Carney and Brian Jarrard dropped in on the Official Xbox Magazine's KOXM radio broadcast to talk a little bit of Reach Beta. HBO tipped us off. Have a listen.

KOXM Episode 212

You spin me right round, baby.

HaLo2FrEeEk has readied another Reach panorama. Once again, it's pretty sweet stuff. Hit the link to check it out over at HBO.

Spherical Panorama: Panorama

Stockpile.

Looks like Steve's gonna do a little experimenting. With weapons. What were you thinking?

Chronicles of ODS Steve: Stockpile (#71)

Randomsauce writes:

The third and final episode!

Bustin' the Beta one last time.

"DefendTheHouse, of Halo 3 Mythbusters and Modern Warfare 2 Mythbusters fame, present the third and final installment of their Halo: Reach BetaBusters series. In these videos they take a look at some of the intricacies of Bungies new game."

YouTube - Halo: Reach BetaBusters - Episode 3

Afro Tasty writes:

Look at the pretty pictures.

We're not closing this sucker down just yet. Stay tuned for more details. While you wait, check out a cool screenshot compilation. Naughty lyrics.

"Just a couple of pictures to say goodbye to the Beta we've come to love. I hope you enjoy." 



YouTube - Halo: Reach Screenshot Montage: Riot

Vandelay16 writes:

Too scared to go.

Stay in school, kids! And if you get some free time in study hall, check out this montage.

"As the beta winds down so does school, and for Seniors it's graduation time. So sit back and enjoy this laid back lightly edited montage. And congratulations to those who are graduating soon!"



YouTube - Give It Up: A Halo Reach Beta Montage 

Mike n Cheese writes:

Okay, this is the best music video ever.

Explicitly awesome lyrics. Plug your ears if you're underage.

"Being on a boat is no longer cool, it's all about being on jet packs!  Mike and Cheese (the creator of I'm a General in Halo 3 and Master Chief Left Me) debuts his first Halo Reach music video: 'I Got A Jetpack.' 

Be sure to check this out, over 40 hours of editing went into the making of this video."



YouTube - I Got a Jet Pack

A jacal writes:

You just can't get enough fails.

Fails become wins in episode deuce of Halo: Reach Beta Fails!

"Episode 2 of Halo: Reach Beta Fails has now been released. Check it out, and remember to like and subscribe if you want to continue following the series!"



YouTube - Halo: Reach Beta Fails - Episode 2

xpsyanydex writes:

Dishing up morsels of wisdom and mouthfuls of pain.

If oral soreness sounds like something that's right up your alley, join the WCF team and play the Halo: Reach Beta on May 19!

"The Halo: Reach beta on Xbox LIVE is accessible only through the Halo 3: ODST game disc, so make sure you have that, then join WillClan4food site members online Wednesday, May 19, starting at 8:00 P.M. ET (5:00 P.M. PT) to play the Halo: Reach beta.

Willclan4food Community Playdate

Willclan4food was founded in the early Halo 2 days as a group of level-headed, older gamers who balance competitiveness with carefree attitudes. WCF is proud to be a member of the Good Game Network, GGN. We strive to be inclusive, not divisive, and our ultimate goal is for everyone to enjoy good games with good people. Never go into matchmaking alone again.

Check out  Willclan4food.net to learn more!"

Gear61 Owns writes:

You can't always get what you want.

This is a Halo Reach Beta montage/funtage from EmptyProduction, edited by himself. It features an enjoyable mix of bloopers and multikills alongside a laid back editing style and song choice. Enjoy!



YouTube - EmptyProduction's Halo Reach Beta Experience (Part 1)

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Ja!

In for some Chop.

Looks like we missed a few ubald rendered over at HBO over the past few days. That's okay, they archive their stuff. Hit the link below to see the third offering and hit the previous link at the bottom of each page to sample the rest. They're awesome!

ubald's Halo Renders: Brute Take-Down

ElitE DudE E24 writes:

Towing Package.

Looking for your RvB fix? Hit this! (Don't do drugs.)

Red vs. Blue Chapter 6: Towing Package

Excellent work, my brothers!

In last week's update we put out the call for a handful of rare bugs we wanted you to help us find. You answered that call. If you planned on participating, show's over. We have all the evidence we need and these bugs are so gettin' squashed.

If you were one of the five who submitted games and films for each bug we listed, you'll be hearing from me soon. Thanks for the assist!

Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Only one weekend's worth of Overlook content? No problem. You guys do quick work. Check out what was already on hand when we woke up on Monday morning.

Tag: Overlook

This time, with deadly precision.

Seems a bit early to have a precision replica of the Halo: Reach Sniper Rifle, but that's exactly what 405th.com's Leekegan is holding in his hot little hands. An email to our team made the rounds this morning so we could ooh and aww over his handiwork. Now it's your turn. Hit the jump to check it out.

405th.com - Leekegan Halo: Reach Sniper Rifle