Microsoft has managed to reveal some of the details surrounding the launch of The Halo: Reach multiplayer beta, which is going to start on Monday. The beta will conclude speedily as it is scheduled to end on May 19, but Bungie, with plenty of updates, is going to cram the limited testing window. The three modes with which Beta will begin are " "Free-for-All," "Grab Bag", and "Arena,". Arena is a new mode which includes 4 vs. 4 ranked Team Slayer Rules.

Bungie will deliver the first additional mode in the form of "Invasion," on May 7, this year. It will be a larger-scale mode that pits Spartans against Elites. The last new mode will roll out, after one week, as Bungie brings the "Generator Defense" mode to the beta.

A few bonuses will be rolled out by Microsoft for beta players, a video preview starring actress and Halo fan Aisha Tyler will be available to owners of Halo 3: ODST. All of these are automatically granted access to the beta. Everyone with access is being encouraged by the company to try the beta at least once. The reason for that is all the players will earn a Halo: Reach hoodie for their avatar by checking their Reach stats in the Halo Waypoint information hub after finishing a match.