Halo 3 beta goes live May 16

Microsoft and Bungie have announced that the Halo 3 multiplayer beta test will go live on May 16 and run until June 6.

The beta is available to Xbox 360 consumers who have secured a place in the test via the Rule of Three promotion or by buying a copy of the recently released Crackdown, where specially marked copies of the game feature a key to access gameplay for the highly-anticipated first-person shooter.

"Bringing an early look at the multiplayer elements of Halo 3 to our passionate fan base is tremendously exciting for us," offered Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Games Studios.

The beta test will give consumers access to three new multiplayer maps, along with new vehicles and weaponry, ahead of the games release later this year.

Microsoft also released a new behind-the-scenes video on Xbox Live Marketplace today, revealing how the Halo 3 mutliplayer maps are being designed and implemented within the game.