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Microsoft and Bungie Studios on Wed. announced that it will release a public multiplayer beta of Halo 3 to Xbox Live in early 2007.

The beta is a pre-release version of the multiplayer mode in the final game, due out in late 2007.

“The ‘Halo’ Nation has a nearly insatiable desire,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of global marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Corp. “We hope a taste of advance ‘Halo 3’ gameplay satisfies some of their appetite as we count down to the game’s launch later in 2007.”

Microsoft will pimp a new 60-second Halo 3 teaser ad during ESPN’s Monday Night Football on Dec. 4. The teaser will be broadcast one time only.

In addition, all-new multiplayer maps for Halo 2 will drop to Xbox Live next spring. Halo 2 was released for Xbox in Nov. 2004 and generated $125 million in sales in its first 24 hours of release.

“Since its original release, ‘Halo 2’ has redefined online play, delivering superior multiplayer capabilities in addition to an incredible social experience, and nurturing a constantly growing community through Xbox Live,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “After five years of rabid fan interest in the ‘Halo’ franchise and with more than 4 million users and counting on Xbox Live worldwide, this is the perfect time to invite fans to join the global ‘Halo’ phenomenon.”

Microsoft has sold 6 million Xbox 360 units worldwide to date. It forecasts to ship 13-15 million units by fiscal 2007.