Halo 3 beta in every copy of Crackdown [update 1]

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 25th 2007 at 9:45AM }

Update: Oops. It looks like IGN didn't quite get it right. Microsoft has contacted us and clarified that the Halo 3 beta will be included in every copy of the initial shipment of Crackdown and that the boxes will be specially marked. So if you want yours, you'd best pre-order. We say again, the Halo 3 beta will only be available in the initial shipment of Crackdown in specially marked boxes.

It was revealed by IGN yesterday that the Halo 3 beta will be included with all copies of Crackdown. Previously, it was stated that the beta would be included in specially marked boxes only. Naturally, this means that the Halo 3 beta is much bigger than originally expected. In fact, one might call it huge. Given that the second wave of registration includes 13,333 available spots, the number of participants involved once Crackdown is thrown into the mix could be astronomical. Whatever happens, we say the more the merrier. And if it makes Halo 3 multiplayer that much better as a result, then that's just gravy. We have to wonder though, was the beta planned only to go with only specially marked copies? We get the feeling that someone realized they could sell a lot more Crackdown if the beta was in every box.

So, you've got a kick ass demo up on Live and guaranteed access to the Halo 3 beta, is anyone still not interested in Crackdown?

[Thanks, dpcough]

Tags: bungie, bungie studios, BungieStudios, crackdown, halo, halo 3, halo 3 beta, Halo3, Halo3Beta, microsoft game studios, MicrosoftGameStudios, real time worlds, RealTimeWorlds

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Premo @ Jan 25th 2007 9:55AM

Nice, I was a bit worried about not getting a code for the beta, but I still was planning to buy Crackdown anyway. The demo was sweet.
This is just icing on the cake.

Merritt @ Jan 25th 2007 9:56AM

This sswayed me to buy it. I did have a good time with the Crackdwon demo, and it's pedigree is GTA, so why not? I'm pre-ordering as we speak. Also, I'm picking up Battlestations: Midway, that demo swayed me as well.

Dr.Heartless @ Jan 25th 2007 10:00AM

Get Crackdown because it is super good, the Halo thing is just a nice bonus. There is something magical about blowing someone up, setting them on fire, then picking them up only to toss them in a lake. Ah... it's the game I always wanted.

Archangel004 @ Jan 25th 2007 10:01AM

I've been playing the Crackdown demo for a while now and I find it to be a very solid game, better any GTA game that has ever come out and for once you are playing a good guy. Now don't get me wrong I like to smack my hooker as much as the next person but at what point do you get bored of being a super thug with and IQ of 10?! At least being a super cop is a bit cooler.
Hell I would buy this game even if it didn't have the Halo 3 beta!

Virtua Fanboy @ Jan 25th 2007 10:07AM

I think that I'll talk one of my friends to go half and half they can keep Crackdown and I'll take the Halo 3 beta. I can't play GTA type games not because I don't like em, but because I never get anything done. I find myself just running around killing people and not even knowing what the "mission" is that I'm supposed to be doing. lol

Anticrawl @ Jan 25th 2007 10:14AM

Hehehe, silly children, one disk cannot be in two places at once. The beta and crackdown are as one.

Anticrawl

But seriously, fucking listen, you need the disk to actually play the Halo 3 beta. Well only if you wanna go ligit.

KilgoreTrout XL @ Jan 25th 2007 10:17AM

I had a pretty decent time with the Demo last night, so I feel better about my preorder. It's a game that I wouldn't have bought otherwise, so I was glad to see that I'd get a decent amount of fun out of the title.

Tank8131 @ Jan 25th 2007 10:31AM

@6

...the disc comes with a KEY to download the beta. I'm pretty sure you don't have to have the disc to actually play the beta.

slimpickens42 @ Jan 25th 2007 10:47AM

@8

From what I understand the actual disc is going to be the key. I don't think it's going to come with a seperate key.

Archangel004 @ Jan 25th 2007 10:59AM

I think it makes more sense to have a key rather then make you keep the disk inside to play the beta since they would also have to make disks for every other person that is going to be part of the beta, don't forget this is only one of 3 ways to get into the beta and the only one were you are buying anything. Plus considering how 360 loves to use the keys for everything from points to live membership to live games you get free with a livecam etc. then it would just make sense to use that well developed system instead of trying keep anyone who got crackdown from selling their keys on ebay or something.

Richard Mitchell @ Jan 25th 2007 11:33AM

Guys, just to clarify, you need the Crackdown *Disc* to download the beta. Direct from Halo3.com :

"owners of Crackdown ... simply need to load their copy of Crackdown into Xbox 360 and use the disc as a key to download the beta from Xbox Live Marketplace"

So, you have to have the disc to download the beta.

Archangel004 @ Jan 25th 2007 11:42AM

if that is true then could you not just give the disk to a friend to also download the beta?

Well this all does not matter anyways since we will all find out soon enough anyways.

@11 I hope your right so I can download the beta and then pass the disk to my friends to download to. ;)

Richard Mitchell @ Jan 25th 2007 11:52AM

Assuming each disc has an individual key, it would be pretty easy for MS to make it so the beta could only be downloaded once per key. It would be just like trying to use the MS Points card twice. Once a key is entered, it can't be entered again.

This is all speculation of course, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Chameleon @ Jan 25th 2007 12:13PM

@13

Damnit! Took the words right out of my mouth

CJ @ Jan 25th 2007 12:31PM

I ordered it off of Buy.com last week when they guaranteed that I would receive a beta key with my copy of Crackdown. Hmmm, now it makes sense how they could make such an offer.

CJ @ Jan 25th 2007 12:34PM

Does anyone know if Halo 3 Beta will allow for more than one player to play on one console as a guest or whatever? Maybe I missed it if they put that info out but I thought id ask here. I am sure that the Beta is for online only which is sort of a bummer but I guess I expected that. It would be cool though if my friends can play with me on my console.