Microsoft Will Offer “Halo 3” Beta Online

This December, expect a frenzy of frothing gamers to enleash on Xbox Live.

There has been a buzz around “Halo 3” since it was previewed at last year’s E3 tradeshow. Many of you probably weren’t willing to fight the game geeks for a sneak peek in Los Angeles. Save your energy, because soon you can take them on online.

Microsoft just announced that its Bungie Studios will offer a beta version of “Halo 3” for Xbox 360 on the Xbox Live service this coming spring. Also look for a 60-second teaser commercial on December 4 during “Monday Night Football.”

To date, the “Halo” franchise has raked in about $700 million. Something tells me that we ain’t seen nothing yet.

• Beta available spring 2007
• Exclusive to Xbox 360