Halo freaks get weeks of squeaks

However, if you're hoping to get involved, forget about it. All the places for the beta have been assigned to those who registered last year, or bought special retail packages of futuristic Cop-'em-up Crackdown.

Three maps will be on offer to gamers - Snowbound, High Ground and Valhalla, and new vehicles will include the Mongoose ATV. Weapons in the rack will be a new Brute Spiker, Spike Grenades, a Spartan Laser and a beefed up Assault Rifle.

In a public statement, Bungie suggested that the beta "will contain quirks, a couple of rough edges and all that jazz," managing expectations that this will be a near-final experience.

However, given that the game isn't due to hit the shelves until later this year, we suspect that gamers could come out disappointed. Watch for the backlash on May 17. µ