Want in the Halo 3 beta?

There has been a lot of interest in the coveted beta for Halo 3, so we figured you might like an update. There are now two new ways to get into the rather closed beta - one is open only to US residents, the other is open to residents worldwide.

First, Microsoft has promised that purchasers of the upcoming 360 title Crackdown will receive a bundled invite. Though this may seem like a cheap way to sell the new title, the previews for Crackdown are far from disappointing. Whether the game truly measures up to the hype has yet to be seen, of course - but early looks are promising. This option will be available wherever you live, including in the EU.

However, the second option is currently only open to US residents. Microsoft dubs it the "Rule of 3" - If you are found playing Halo 2 on XBox Live! for three hours before February 3rd, you will be eligible to register on the Halo 3 website. The first 13,333 registrants will be awarded beta access.

Though it's US-only for now, Microsoft warns that other parts of the world should stay up-to-date with the Halo 3 website. The company says that other contests for the EU and Asia may just show up sometime soon...

Have you got a thought on the beta contests? Are you going to try to get access? Tell us your thoughts in our forums.